The Western Cape’s most important lobby group for exporters has welcomed the newly formed South African Freight and Logistics Association (Safla), which last week announced that it was breaking away from the SA Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff).
Exporters Western Cape (EWC) said in a statement it viewed the formation of Safla “as a timely and important development for an industry facing increasing operational complexity and mounting pressure across supply chains”.
EWC head Terry Gale, who also chairs the local Port Liaison Forum, has been very vocal about his objection to Saaff’s decision to disband the Executive Committees of Saaff’s local branches (“chapters”).
Without the chapters and now having to resolve port-side cargo issues by reporting to Saaff’s head office in Johannesburg, stakeholders like Gale fear that it could delay the potential for urgent intervention and problem resolution.
The EWC statement says: “Safla has been established to represent the ground-level interests of freight forwarders and logistics operators, with a strong focus on addressing practical challenges such as border delays, permit duplication and valuation disputes.”
Gale says the organisation looks forward to working closely with Safla to strengthen industry representation and unlock growth opportunities for South African exporters.
“The launch of Safla is a positive step towards ensuring that the operational realities faced by logistics providers are better represented,” Gale says.
“Exporters are directly impacted by inefficiencies in the freight and logistics system. Stronger collaboration across the value chain is essential if we are to improve competitiveness and grow trade.”
Gale adds that exporters continue to face a range of persistent challenges, including delays at key border posts, rising compliance costs, inconsistent application of regulations and limited predictability in transit times.
“These are not abstract issues – they translate into higher costs, missed market opportunities and reduced reliability for South African exporters operating in highly competitive global markets,” says Gale.
He furthermore adds that the EWC welcomes Safla’s practical, solutions-driven approach, which aligns closely with the needs of exporters.
“There is a clear need for more coordinated engagement between industry stakeholders and policymakers. By working together, organisations such as EWC and Safla can play a critical role in identifying bottlenecks, advocating for reform and driving greater efficiency across the logistics ecosystem.”
