In the face of South Africa going through a critical period with major changes and shifts such as elections, conflicts, climate change and more, the four on-going big challenges plaguing the trucking industry are borders, ports, crime and rates.
This was spelt out by Gavin Kelly, CEO of the Road Freight Association in his address to delegates at the RFA Convention 2024 which took place on 24 and 25 May at the Arabella Hotel in Hermanus. The theme of the convention was ‘Changing the Rhythm of Trucking’.
In his address, Kelly shared some of the highlights and biggest challenges facing the trucking industry over the past years. On the positive front, the association had witnessed a 12,4% growth in membership over the past year and enjoyed 18 well-attended and relevant engagements. On the labour front, the trucking industry had enjoyed another year of peace.
On the negative side, he said delays and queues at the border posts continued to hamper daily operations. Long queues at border posts caused major delays, impacting on productivity and profitability for companies. Added to this was the inevitable criminal activity that resulted from this. The on-going delays were not limited to a few border posts – they were widespread.
The severe congestion at ports had impacted not only South Africa but the region, with many shipping lines now choosing to bypass South Africa’s ports. “Other ports in Africa are doing a far better job than ours,” said Kelly, adding that this was not the case 10 years ago.
Referring to the ever-present scourge of crime, Kelly said: “With little/no deterrents, it pays to do crime in our country.” Huge pressure on operating margins added even more pressure onto trucking companies he said.
“Man in the Arena”
Enlarging on the challenges over the past years, Road Freight Association (RFA) Chairperson, Penwell Lunga, tapped into the resilience of the trucking industry to overcome by recounting the story of Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena”.
Lunga painted a stark picture of the past five years, a period marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, on-going global conflicts and a struggling global economy. He too highlighted South Africa’s specific challenges – weak infrastructure being just one example of hindering the country’s ability to weather these storms – and acknowledged the immense pressure on businesses.
However, he didn’t dwell on negativity. Instead, he offered a powerful example of resilience by recounting Viktor Shevchenko’s trucking company in Ukraine – the Zammler Group – as one standing as a beacon of determination. Despite losing most of its workforce and facing disrupted transportation routes due to the war, the company has rebuilt and continued operating. Lunga emphasised how Shevchenko embodied the “Man in the Arena,” someone who steps into the ring and fights for a worthy cause.
This example served as a rallying cry for South African businesses and Lunga urged delegates to embrace the same spirit reminding them that “You are the Man in the Arena.”
Just as Shevchenko has kept Ukraine’s vital supply lines open, South African businesses play a similar, critical role in South Africa. Despite the uncertainties – energy shortages, water crises, and a weak infrastructure – Lunga challenged delegates to keep serving the country and the region. He concluded by reminding them of the crucial truth: “Without Trucks, South Africa Stops!”
Editor’s FootNote: The trucking industry has always been resilient in the face of challenges. Covid-19 proved this when the trucks kept the goods on the shelves when the majority of other sectors were in lockdown. However, there comes a point where the resilience falters; where one tires of the fight against the never-ending challenges imposed on the industry by those who are supposed to create a climate conducive to keeping the wheels of the economy moving – on all fronts. I refer to the politicians in positions of power whose job it is to create a climate conducive to growth rather than one which creates obstacles to easing the path of growth. Corruption, self-enrichment and all the other negative connotations resulting from the actions of our crop of politicians have chipped away at the armour of resilience that has characterised not only the trucking sector, but many other sectors in our country that try so hard to keep things going. With the election count underway as I write, we cannot let these people rule with impunity as they have done in the past. We have to move into an era of political leadership where statesmanship places the good of all above any self-vested interests. As we move into a new era of politics – by the look of things – it is imperative that the trucking industry – in fact all industry sectors – steps into the arena and fights. We can no longer stand on the side-lines and accept what the politicians dish up to us on a plate that contains only ingredients for destruction rather than growth. Yes, the trucking industry will continue serving the country and the region as it has done so admirably in the past, but it needs a better partner in Government ranks than it’s had in the past. I say this because resilience can erode over time if one just remains in a pressure vessel with no end relief in sight. And when the resilience of the trucking sector wanes, this country will then find itself in real trouble. – Patrick O’Leary.
