‘Namibia could be heading for a downturn’

For the consolidation firm that has become a Namibia specialist, the year has seen about average volumes. But intimations of an imminent Namibian economic decline abound. "Business has not been bad this year, but Namibia may be facing a down cycle as is South Africa. A lot of projects have been put on hold. Cash borrowing is hard," Gordon Jay, director of Transworld Roadfrieght said of some telltale indicators. "Namibia's economy is closely tied to South Africa, coupled to the same Reserve Bank, and the currencies have the same value. That lends stability. But Namibia has its own shipping needs," said the consolidator whose expertise along the Trans-Kalahari Corridor has established his reputation for shippers of breakbulk cargo going to and from Gauteng and Namibia. Transworld has its Johannesburg offices in Spartan, and its Namibian office in Windhoek. "We handle all types of general cargo, going both ways. One of the areas where we do well is the movement of bonded cargo. At present we seem to be transporting a lot of ship spare parts in bond. These come to Johannesburg from all over the world, and we take them to Walvis Bay by road," said Jay. All the collection as well as long haul vehicles are company owned.