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Gama gets set to overhaul Portnet - Freight & Trading Weekly - 5 May 2000 edition -
- Freight & Trading Weekly
5 May 2000 edition
Gama gets set to overhaul Portnet
Leonard NeillPORTNET'S NEW chief executive officer Siyabonga Gama is determined to speed up the separation of port operations from port authority. Partial privatisation of port operations is one of his immediate targets, he told FTW in an exclusive interview last week.
"The isolation of the operations sector is important and the sooner we get that in place the better for the general ports situation," he said.
But he has pointed out that there is still considerable work to be done in other sectors, and with the assistance of government departments he plans to develop the present superstructure to world-class standards.
Gama moved into Portnet's headquarters two years ago as general manager of transformation and was empowered to manage the restructuring programme. His appointment was made by then managing director Rob Childs.
It meant that he had a two-year working basis in developing the role which he has now been called on to fill. Transnet deputy managing director Mafika Mkwanazi made it clear last week when announcing Gama's
new position that his appointment was aimed at bolstering long-awaited efforts to overhaul the parastatal and to restructure South Africa's harbours.
"There is a great deal that is going on in co-operation with central government which is very sensitive at present, but I can assure you it is all aimed at major progress and it won't take long in unfolding," said Gama.
"We have to get the ports working on business lines. We are addressing the issue of pricing strategy and policy, and this includes the delicate matter of wharfage charges. We are hurrying up the process so that we can engage with our stakeholders and get positioned on a path that can benefit the interests of all port users."
At the same time Tau Morwe, previously of Apron Services, has joined Gama as chief executive officer of port operations.
"I'm pleased to have him on board," says Gama. "He's the man for the job and we are now well placed to oversee the transformation into a successful enterprise."
The port operations division includes the handling of bulk, break bulk and containerised cargo as well as stevedoring. Portnet intends to grant concessions on port operations to the private sector which the latter will then manage, but not own.
Gama began his career with Portnet in 1994 as the port of Durban's business development and planning manager. He then took over as port manager in East London before his promotion to Johannesburg.
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