It’s peak season and everything will be arriving for December’s shopping influx, paired with that, it is also Black Friday month, so there will be a mad rush all around. With Transnet slowly getting back to normal and having their normal workforce back at work, MSC shipping line won a concession to run the Walvis Bay container terminal, so the hope is that we will follow suit with other payers and that the port issues will be behind us. 

To boost localisation and manufacturing capacity to support Transnet’s core business, Transnet has partnered with the National Association of Automotive Component and AllieD Manufacturers (NAACAM) and the National Empowerment Fund (NEF). 

The R224 million initiative will be implemented by Transnet, the NEF, and NAACAM as part of the five-year partnership, which was announced in November. It is anticipated that this program would help revive local industry and reduce logistical costs.

By promoting a home manufacturing strategy, Transnet Group Chief Executive Portia Derby said the parastatal had a significant role to play in facilitating the expansion and competitiveness of the local sector. Local industry has suffered greatly as a result of historically low infrastructural investment, which has led to a loss of scale and a decline in manufacturing industry skills. Through supplier and enterprise growth, Transnet’s relationship with Naacam seeks to increase local manufacturing capacity to meet the needs of Transnet’s core business and lessen the company’s dependency on imports.

Naacam executive director said the sector could provide guidance to the parastatal.

“Naacam has experience in implementing programmes aimed at using localisation and supplier development as a tool for increasing domestic competitiveness, especially in OEM-driven value chains. There are learnings out of the automotive sector that can benefit the Transnet logistics sector,” Renai Moothilal said.

Transnet has also partnered with the NEF through a 50-50 matching principle, which will offer the beneficiaries access to an additional source of funding while empowering them in line with Transnet’s core operations, in order to provide the necessary financial support to the participating enterprises.

The NEF-Transnet SMME Fund, which will be run by the NEF, will “focus on the transformation of Transnet’s value chain while positively influencing the communities in which Transnet activities are located,” according to NEF CEO Philisiwe Mthethwa.

“In the NEF, Transnet is assured of an institution that has distinguished itself as a catalyst across the key sectors of the economy, driving the economic empowerment of black enterprises, women, youth, township and rural communities. As with the NEF’s other enterprise and supplier development alliances, this patriotic partnership with Transnet will hinge on pursuing localisation and industrialisation through mentorship support, skills advancement, incubation and entrepreneurship training, job creation and financial management integrity for inclusive growth,” Mthethwa said.

According to the organisations’ statement, qualified businesses will be chosen in a “fair and transparent way” in accordance with Transnet’s authorised Enterprise and Supplier Development Policy.