WHEN TRANSPORT and warehousing specialist Shipping & General Transport set up 21 years ago in apartheid South Africa, its BEE status was a liability rather than an asset. Gaining the credibility of the industry demanded hard work, resilience and service levels second to none. Twenty one years down the line, it is reaping the benefits, says general manager Ronnie Naidoo. The company is currently involved in its BEE accreditation through Empowerdex. “This can be achieved either through ownership or empowerment,” says Naidoo, “and as a 100% owned and managed BEE company, we automatically qualify. “It’s a big advantage as the overseas principals of more and more companies put pressure on their local operations to deal with BEE-accredited operators,” says Naidoo. “I understand BEE as a long-term strategy used by the present government to incorporate the previously disadvantaged into the economy, thus levelling the playing fields. “Being BEE compliant can currently be regarded as a type of monopoly and organisations that are accredited can capitalise on this added advantage until such time as the corporate world reaches normality in this regard,” he said. Shipping & General provides transport and warehousing services to the clearing and forwarding industry, many of whom are multi-nationals. And according to Naidoo, from the many new enquiries received, it’s clear that companies are becoming increasingly BEE-aware. But the concept is multi-faceted, he added. “A number of our suppliers are white-owned companies and we have had to ask them for their BEE credentials. While some of them have reacted with annoyance, they need to realise that BEE is a fact of life that needs to be embraced at all levels. “Those who fail to take action now could find themselves out of business 5-10 years down the line.” Ronnie Naidoo . . . 'BEE must be embraced at all levels.'
