The who’s who of the freight industry gathered in Woodmead, Johannesburg, on Thursday evening to celebrate what started 50 years ago as Freighting News Fortnightly, eventually becoming Freight & Trading Weekly (FTW), before its current iteration – Freight News.
Looking back on half a century of niche media coverage for the supply chain and logistics community, Anton Marsh, Freight News publisher and managing director of the publication’s holding company, Now Media, said: “It’s been an amazing journey and I consider myself lucky to have been part of it.”
He paid tribute to the “immense love, dedication and contribution” of the publication’s founders, John and Leona Marsh, highlighted their passion for the shipping and freight industry, and emphasised that without them “this milestone would not have been possible”.
Anton also paid tribute to his immediate predecessor, Dave Marsh, remarking on his visionary leadership, “great talent for leadership, and the journalistically skilful diversity and dedication of Joy Orlek, who edited FTW from 1981 to 2020.
“We have been fortunate to have worked with many passionate and talented people over the years,” Anton said.
Remembering loyal staff members who had passed on, he mentioned Carmel Levinrad, an advertising executive who “had a passion for the product, the people she worked with and her clients”.
In the same vein, he also paid tribute to the legendary Alan Peat, “a traditional Scottish journalist who had a great handle on his subject and really enjoyed getting stories from his interviews”.
And as publishing moves into a new digital era, Freight News – led by dynamic duo Eugene Goddard (editor), and Liesl Venter (features editor) – is more than equipped to fulfil its role as the industry’s ‘must-read’ dose of daily news, providing accessible and informed content.
Thanks to the in-depth knowledge of our own “Africa hand”, Ed Richardson, who regularly travels to the sub-Saharan region looking for news, Freight News will continue to be the go-to source of news on pressing regional issues.
Anton said: “The team is marked by its passion for the product and pleasing clients. I’m grateful to these and the other exceptional staff who have worked on Freight News, among them Yolande Langenhoven, who made an immense contribution as a “vibrant sales person”, current advertising coordinator Tracie Barnett, Freight News correspondent Lyse Comins, circulation supervisor Gladys Nhlapo, sales executive Linda van der Pol, graphic designer Dirk Voorneveldt, sales representatives Sandy Rooy and Samantha Britz, and Christiaan Schultz from our editorial department.
“Our success story is very much one that is written by this extraordinary set of people who continue to make Freight News what it is.”
Looking ahead, as the publication continues to build on a solid foundation, Anton said the intention was to remain on the cusp of innovation.
“We are currently transforming our distribution model to enhance the value to our advertisers and improve our reach.
“Later this year we will be updating our content systems, and we are constantly looking for ways in which we can improve the experience of our readers, our advertisers and the freight community.
“We are committed to being the best source of freight and logistics news in southern Africa,” he said
SACO CFR executives, Dave Graham and Martin Keck. Photo by Shannon van Zyl.
Stephens Ledwaba of Armscor, Thembela Dladla of RwandAir Cargo, and Mndeni Ngcobo of SA Cargo Services. Photo by Shannon van Zyl.
Gavin Kelly of the Road Freight Association, Harry van Huyssteen of the Transport Association, media liaison officer Catherine Larkin, and Chris Hatting from the Centre for Risk Analysis. Photo by Shannon van Zyl.
Eugene Goddard, Joy Orlek and Liesl Venter of Freight News, former publisher Dave Marsh raising his glass, Lee Botti of Lee Botti & Associates, current publisher and holding company MD, Anton Marsh, and Arnold Garber of Garfin Systems. Photo by Shannon van Zyl.
WATCH: https://youtu.be/Ja83Q4OgbRQ
