‘Empowering staff is the first step’

Black economic empowerment remains one of the most important tools in addressing economic imbalances in the South African landscape, says Gerald Naidu of SA Inland Logistics. “We are extremely cautious around the implementation of BEE as we believe it must be implemented correctly to ensure long-term sustainability,” he told FTW. “Being able to empower our staff is the first step in this process. Giving staff the adequate tools to take responsibility where it matters is the key for the company.” He said the company had achieved major success in this regard with staff starting off as general workers and progressing through the ranks to important operational and administrative functions within the business. With a Level One rating, the view at SA Inland Logistics is not to be BEE compliant just for the sake of it, but rather to believe in the objectives and aim of what the country wants to achieve through BEE. “It is also more important for us to be able to deliver a value add to our clients who can improve their own BEE rating through us as a service provider.” Naidu said it was also important that companies did not rely on BEE ratings to obtain competitive advantages, but rather let service do the talking.