‘Gauteng mindset a tough nut to crack’

The Walvis Bay Corridor
Group (WBCG) has once
again brought its strong
marketing message to
Gauteng which has proved
to be one of the toughest
nuts to crack.
Speaking at a networking
event in Johannesburg last
week, WBCG CEO Johny
Smith said while they
had achieved some major
successes in recent years,
Gauteng remained their
biggest challenge.
“Eight years ago we could
hardly get an appointment
with any businessman in
Gauteng to even discuss
the corridor, never mind
promoting it. We have come
a long way since then, but
Gauteng is still a challenge.”
He said many businesses
in Gauteng were still wary
about using the Port of
Walvis Bay and the Trans
Kalahari Corridor despite its
offer of a two-day service
from port to market.
“We see the Gauteng
market as an opportunity
for time-critical cargo,” he
said. “To use Walvis Bay
makes sense to businesses in
Gauteng especially if time
is an issue. We are focused
on convincing the Gauteng
market that this route makes
sense not just from a time
point of view, but also in
terms of cost.”
He said Gauteng
remained a key area the
WBCG wanted to grow
in the coming months
and they were actively
creating awareness of the
Port of Walvis Bay and
the corridor in Gauteng.
“The issue of mindsets
is still there, but we hope
that this will change as
we point out the value
of using this alternative
port and route. This is not
competition to Durban, but a
complementary service.”
Smith said he believed
there was a definite benefit
in using Walvis Bay in terms
of cost, as it was a cheaper
option that would ultimately
benefit consumers.
“The Port of Walvis Bay
has had a major facelift.
There are also more direct
calls by shipping lines, no
port delays, good safety
and security and better
facilities.”
Smith said he hoped
more businesses in Gauteng
would contemplate using the
port and the corridor to see
these and other benefits for
themselves.
“We continue to focus on
developing more exports and
imports through Walvis Bay
for the SADC region.”