Angolan market keeps Makamba pumping

JOY ORLEK AFTER A relatively quiet period during Angola’s rainy season, mining activity has taken off with a bang. And keeping the mines productive is what keeps Makamba Clearing & Forwarding on its toes. While the company operates throughout the subcontinent, Luanda is its prime market. It is chiefly involved in the movement of spares and equipment for the diamond mining industry. In August/September last year Makamba moved 40 tons by air into Luanda, and volumes are once again building fast, says director Dave Breedt. “We recently had to fly a 5 ton ‘grizzly’ into the region, and because the mine comes to a standstill without this crucial piece of equipment, airfreight was the only option,” Breedt told FTW. And he expects plenty more of the same in the coming months. “The mining industry has grown enormously, and with some 14 concessions granted to South African bidders, there’s likely to be a lot of time-critical demand for equipment on the route in the months ahead.” Established two years ago, Makamba’s growth has mirrored that of the emerging Angolan market. * The latest study by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) predicts that Angola should take seventh spot in its economic growth league this year.