Transnet National Ports
Authority (TNPA) has
given a strong signal that it
is ready to concession the
operations of one or more of
the Ngqura terminals with
the appointment of Mpumi
Dweba as port manager.
Dweba, who takes the
helm on October 1, has a
strong background in the
port regulation process and
application of the Port Act in
South Africa.
Announcing her
appointment, TNPA general
manager operations, Herbert
Msagala, said it was “an
asset to have someone from a
policy and regulatory point of
view, in order to ensure that
we fulfil the mandate of the
Port Act.”
Describing it as “not
far-fetched that we will
see private operators in
the port,” Msagala said
Dweba’s appointment came
at a time when the licences
of terminal operators
were being finalised, and
performance agreements and
measurements would be put
in place.
Any new terminal – such
as the breakbulk and liquid
bulk terminals at Ngqura –
would have to go through
a “Section 56” tendering
process to select an operator.
TNPA is currently waiting
for direction from the
Department of Transport as
to whether the additional two
berths at Ngqura constitute
an extension of the existing
facility, or a new quay. In
its original configuration,
Ngqura only had two berths,
he pointed out.
Before her appointment as
port manager, Dweba was
employed by the National
Department of Transport as
acting director: maritime
industry development and
economic regulation.
She was part of the
team that set up the Ports
Regulator, and currently
chairs the Port Consultative
Committee meetings.
Dweba holds a BA degree
from the University of
Transkei, a BEd degree from
Unisa, a BPhil in Maritime
Studies (Honours) from the
University of Stellenbosch,
and is currently finalising a
master’s dissertation towards
the MPhil in Maritime
Economics, which is an
economic evaluation of the
port of Ngqura.
She has presented papers
on the role of women in
the maritime industry and
has also attended several
maritime conferences,
including an international
seminar on port logistics
in Antwerp.
According to Msagala,
the new port manager
has been given four focus
areas: the expansion of the
container terminal from two
to four berths (or one to two
quays), the migration of the
manganese terminal from
Port Elizabeth to Ngqura,
the moving of the tank farm
from the Port Elizabeth
harbour to Ngqura, and the
establishment of a general
cargo terminal by 2016.
CAPTION
New Ngqura port manager Mpumi Dweba … can’t wait to get the port in
her hands.
