South African Port Operations investment in people set to improve business efficiency

Sep 15, 2006
Author: SAPO

Three South African Port Operations (SAPO) employees who recently completed tertiary studies in Belgium in maritime-related fields are now at the helm of streamlining SAPO efficiencies to reduce the cost of business and ensure world class service customers.

Spearheading the R21-million skills upgrade programme as part of the drive to improve internal skills, these employees are now positioned within SAPO to maximise the knowledge and experience gained through their studies, which combined research and academia and gave them a global perspective of the maritime industry.

Tau Morwe, SAPO’s CEO, said: “Over the next three years, SAPO’s human resource development will be a key focus area, including the completion of refining the container strategy, business model and port-rail integration.

“Cost containment within SAPO and reducing the costs of doing business in the economy are the cornerstone of SAPO’s strategy. Our customers will benefit from the improved efficiency.”

Human capital development, an integral part of SAPO’s 4-point turnaround strategy, involves skills and training, retention plans, performance management, career management and succession planning.

The three SAPO employees all excelled in their studies at the University of Antwerp. Brenda Maqgwaka achieved a distinction cum laude for a MSC in Transport and Maritime Management, while Wellman Memani attained a distinction cum laude for a post graduate diploma in Transport and Logistics Management. Mthobisi Zondi completed two masters’ degrees, achieving a suma cum laude in Maritime Management and a Deloite award for meritorious performance, and a magna cum laude in Transport Economics and has been put forward for a MSC award for outstanding performance.

Maqgwaka’s career path at SAPO has taken her on a journey into new terrain, from HR manager to her current position in the supply chain, where she is responsible for ports and rail interface nationally.


Brenda Maggwaka

“Having been in HR for so long, I wanted new challenges. In planning my development at SAPO, I had acted in the position of Business Unit Executive in Cape Town. After this, I was encouraged to apply for the MSC place.

“On my return, I was placed in the supply chain and I am excited about this as I now have a bigger picture of the system from a worldwide perspective. I am focused on achieving the needed integration between Spoornet and SAPO on the road to rail integration.”

Since his return, Memani has moved from operations manager of waterside containers in Port Elizabeth to the counterpart position in Durban, and is now steering a much bigger ship in his current portfolio.


Wellman Memani

“The training, information, exposure and site visits gave me better perspective on dealing with operational problems and looking at business practices with a view to streamlining and reducing costs.

“SAPO definitely makes a long-term investment in its employees. I am giving myself two years in this position and I would then like to flex my managerial muscles as a generalist manager.”

Previously, chief of operations, Zondi is now the national capacity planning manager in the container sector. “I am a perfect fit in terms of my studies and career pathing directing me to this current position.”


Mthobisi Zondi

Zondi commented that SAPO is a national operator in an industry where the private sector takes the lead around the world.

“SAPO is the largest subsidiary of Transnet, which is the biggest transport and logistics company in South Africa, yet we are owned by the government. As a parastatal, SAPO is developing skills that match the private sector both globally in the industry and nationally.

“I feel privileged to be part of a team steering SAPO and changing history – in that we are a parastatal yet a key player in ensuring growth.”

Zondi is now responsible for developing container terminal strategy aligned to a customer expansion programme, ensuring anticipation of growth through planning and integrated application informed by research.