An entire career with one employee …

Another of the well-known names in the SA freight industry is about to join the crew of retired Ancient Mariners. Paul Sponneck, commercial manager at Safcor Panalpina, took early retirement at the end of September after 46 years as a prominent member of the clearing and forwarding fraternity, and having served on the executive committee of the SA Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff) Johannesburg for 10 years and Saaff Durban for 15. During his lengthy stint in the industry he has been loyal to a sole employer – with an entire career history in the Rennies group and a steady advance up the promotional ladder until his final post as commercial manager following the merger between Safcor Panalpina and Renfreight Forwarding. When FTW asked Paul what he intended to do once he was retired, he was quick to reply that he needed to improve his golf handicap – and friends have told us that he plays a mean game on the bowling green. But his family life also takes a more prominent role in his thinking, with Paul looking forward to spending more time with his wife Pru, their children and grandchildren.