Manica Group Namibia is celebrating the 90th anniversary of its founding, making it one of the longestserving logistics companies in southern Africa and the oldest in Namibia. “Manica is the product of the foresight and determination of Theodore ‘Tetje’ Woker, who started a humble shipping and forwarding company in partnership with Walter Maertins in a small two-room building in Walvis Bay on 1 October 1924,” says Manica MD, Hans- Werner Timke. It was Tetje Woker’s ability to adapt and innovate during the early 1900s that led to various improvements in the port of Walvis Bay and dramatic advancements in the local logistics industry. “It is his vision, humility, f lexibility, innovation and the pursuit of excellence that are the key ingredients of our success and the foundation on which Manica is built and continues to grow,” says Timke. The company now offers a “one-stop-shop logistics approach,” with a portfolio of services ranging from customs’ clearing and forwarding to bunkering and airport ground handling support. This is a far cry from the early days of basic goods clearances, ship husbandry and coalbunkering for steam ships, he said. “Manica has grown and transformed tremendously over the last few decades. “Last year, we started a business centre that provides office-away-from-home facilities with the auxiliary support of visa applications, travel arrangements, accommodation bookings, airport shuttles and car hire. “With the recent oil and gas exploration drilling campaigns we further expanded our portfolio with a sourcing and trading division that specialises in sourcing marine equipment and spares,” says Timke. Earlier this year, Manica partnered with Danish bunkering company Monjasa to provide bunkering services along the Namibian coast and started a specialised transport wing in its freight handling and warehousing division, Rennies Consolidated. INSERT & CAPTION Our sourcing and trading division specialises in sourcing marine equipment and spares. – Hans-Werner Timke
