In a move assumed to be designed to further his career, Solly Letsoalo, chief operating officer (COO) of Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), has resigned and is to depart the company at the end September. A member of the shipping community told FTW that the letter he had received said that Letsoalo was moving on to take over an MD position with a private sector company. Letsoalo joined TPT in 2005 at the Durban container terminal (DCT) from a background in industrial engineering, manufacturing, logistics, projects and general management, and in 2008 he was promoted to the position of COO, with a number of divisional executive managers reporting directly to him. Effectively the number-two behind Tau Morwe, Letsoalo has had a close relationship with the SA shipping industry – which has expressed regret at his departure. “We’re very sorry to see him go,” said Andrew Thomas, CEO of Ocean African Container Line (OACL) and chairman of the SA Association of Ship Operators and Agents (Saasoa). “Solly has done a good job, and has been a fantastic guy to work with over the years.” Also in a now unusual move for a government organisation, TPT CEO Morwe has immediately appointed Nosipho Damasane to succeed Letsoalo. She is currently the GM for sales, logistics and commercial.
