Industry laments departure of CT terminal’s Joe Dladla

TRANSNET Port Terminals remains tight-lipped about the exact reason behind the departure of Joe Dladla, chief operations manager at Cape Town container terminal. Oscar Borchards, terminal business unit manager, concedes rumours abound about why Dladla, a respected figure in container shipping, left but is unwilling to clarify the matter, saying only: “He has left the company after two years in the post and gone back to Johannesburg to pursue his own interests.” A senior container shipping source tells FTW: “The Cape Town container terminal became very effective due to the hands-on approach by Joe Dladla. “He was 100% committed to the terminal and we hope his legacy continues.” Meantime, Lee September is acting chief operations manager while the post is being advertised within Transnet and nationally. David Davids, former planning manager, is studying in Antwerp for a post graduate diploma in port operations and returns to South Africa in May. Borchards says Davids is being developed for a more senior position, such as that of chief operations manager, of which there are 14 in the country. Michael Powels, former landside planning manager, is now terminal planning manager and Lukas Brian, responsible for waterside operations, is in an acting capacity under Powels.