Not so long ago, when Lesotho’s textile industry was vibrant, the Port of Durban was essential to the small landlocked country’s economic life, a conduit for factory inputs and textile exports. “New developments, like the new hospital in Maseru that is due to open very soon, have brought in a lot a business,” said Kevin Dagnin, of Kayhil Freight. On June 1, Kayhil Freight opened an office in Westmead, Durban, signalling the importance of the port for the clients of a firm that ships direct to Lesotho with guaranteed overnight delivery. “We’ve tried using third parties out of Durban, but we offer an overnight service and none of our partners have been able to give us better than 48 hours. We are bringing Durban in line with our Johannesburg and Bloemfontein operations with overnight delivery, and the best way to do that is to do it ourselves,” Dagnin said. Our Lesotho-based clients with Johannesburg suppliers will also benefit from the Durban overnight service, Dagnin notes, “We do virtually all forms of transport with a dedicated freight truck and a dedicated courier vehicle departing Johannesburg daily. It leaves late and arrives early as opposed to the freight truck which drives all night. We hope to replicate this on our new Durban service.” Durban’s expanded airfreight capability at the new airport will likely be utilised by more Lesotho shippers, Dagnin said.
