75 Tanzanian Drivers Deported from Qatar After Failing to Operate Modern Volvo Trucks

In a strange twist of fate, Qatar has deported 75 Tanzanian truck drivers who couldn’t handle modern Volvo trucks – all while thousands of highly skilled and digitally literate South African truck drivers continue to struggle such opportunities.

The Tanzanian drivers, who were part of a recruitment drive to fill over 800 truck driving positions in Qatar, reportedly froze when faced with highly automated Volvo trucks fitted with touchscreen panels and GPS systems.

Most of them had been trained on outdated manual trucks and struggled with the digital complexity of the vehicles, which Qatar’s commercial transport sector relies on.

Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, confirmed the deportation and admitted that the drivers “had never seen such advanced technology before.”

Some couldn’t even input simple navigation commands on the touchscreen.

This embarrassing episode has raised eyebrows across the continent.

Here in South Africa, it’s left many truckers scratching their heads in frustration.

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With thousands of experienced, tech-savvy South African drivers who operate some of the most advanced rigs daily, including automatics, Volvos, Scanias, Mercedes Benz amongst others with digital dashboards – it’s baffling that the opportunity bypassed them.

“Qatar should’ve looked south before going east,” said one Mzansi driver.

“We’re ready, trained, and experienced with modern fleet systems, and we don’t freeze when we see a touchscreen.”

Meanwhile, Tanzania has announced plans to buy a modern truck for training purposes to better prepare future recruits.

But the damage may be done, the failed deployment has already cast doubt on their readiness to meet international standards.

Qatar’s recruitment team is still expected to return to Tanzania, but perhaps now they, and other nations, will realise that Southern Africa, especially South Africa, has a pool of world-class truckers ready to roll, digital dashboards and all.