A lot of criticism directed at the current structural changes implemented by the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff) seems to come from the so-called old guard, resisting change to how things used to be done.
But not all industry veterans are opposed to the transformative restructuring under the stewardship of Dr Juanita Maree, who also serves on The Presidency’s National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC).
According to Dr Mark Goodger, founder of industry training academy, Global Maritime Legal Solutions, it was inevitable that the association’s current CEO was going to step on toes as the work she’s accomplished at the NLCC speaks of her change-maker determination to improve the country’s ports.
“Prior to Juanita taking over at Saaff we weren’t represented at government level, let alone other industry groups like Nedlac (National Economic Development and Labour Council).”
Goodger says the same goes for other industry associations and government agencies – Business Unity SA, the Border Management Authority and improved, more professional engagements with the SA Revenue Service (Sars).
“Previously, we simply did not have the same level of multi-lateral representation.”
He says in respect of the tax authority, Saaff’s profile and its role in establishing the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, is all thanks to Maree.
“If it wasn’t for Juanita, that wouldn’t have happened. Thanks to AEO, about 400 businesses have successfully registered with Sars to expedite and speed up their shipments.”
He says the companies whose freight-forwarding services have been advanced because of AEO compliance, probably account for about 70% of the country’s trade volume moving through the ports.
“If that system had not been successfully implemented, and nobody drove that process, it would never have happened. South Africa was already something like 30 years behind the rest of the world.”
He said as an academic he could see the value that Saaff was adding under the current dispensation, and that the introduction of new IT systems and services was placing Saaff at the forefront of representing its members.
“Importers and exporters now have the advantage of industry modernisation in line with the latest standards across the world. If that had not been the case, it would like be like working in the Voortrekker days of freight forwarding.”
Regarding comments from certain Saaff members earlier this week, that the closure of Executive Committees at branch level will impact regional representation, such as engagements with Sars about customs queries, Goodger said he disagreed.
“We can’t have regional discussions about these issues any more. Sars has created Cenac, the centralised national appeals committee, so a lot of issues aren’t dealt with at coastal level any more. The authorities that have to be served and satisfied all have their own centralised control.”
Goodger said it should also be kept in mind that most of the directors on Saaff’s board had their own cargo clearing and freight-forwarding companies at the country’s various ports, which by extension denoted regional representation.
Commenting on criticism that Saaff’s’ new four-tier membership system (bronze, silver, gold and platinum) was against the egalitarian spirit of the old membership structure, Goodger said he gladly paid the highest membership fee of R250 000 (*).
“I can tell you now already that it’s untrue that a bronze member will not be given the same treatment as a platinum member. I don’t think that I will get better or clearer information than any other ordinary member.”
* Read this for context: “Exco closures are against the spirit of Saaff – former CEO.”
