A true logistics and marine services stalwart, Manica Group Namibia, celebrated 100 years of dedication to the freight community earlier this week.
"It's been decades, no, 10 decades! It's not every day that a company turns 100 years old, but here we are," said Ralph Ruiters, managing director of Manica Group Namibia, during the company's centennial celebrations on Tuesday evening.
Ruiters said the company would not have reached this important milestone without its customers.
"We are here today because of our loyal customers and suppliers. And we appreciate you. In the last two years we have seen Walvis Bay suddenly explode with a lot of business activity, and with that comes new opportunities.
“Here is where Manica, and local businesses, should hold on and build and expand on these opportunities. We are key drivers in shaping and advancing the Namibian economy and the logistics industry."
The grandson and director of one of the founders of the company, Kristian Woker, gave a glimpse into the history of where it all began.
He emphasised the challenges and hardships his grandfather, Theodore Woker, faced to build the business, especially during the Second World War, and how the company had evolved from its humble beginnings in 1924 to Namibia's foremost logistics provider.
Many of the invited guests, who comprised senior management cadres from various industries, as well as the Governor of the Erongo Region, Neville Andre Itope, and the Mayor of Walvis Bay, Trevino Forbes, were present at the event.
Attendees were told how Manica was established in 1924 as the firm Maertins & Woker by Theodore Woker and Walter Maertins.
Despite the early challenges, Woker carried the business forward after Maertins’ death, playing a key role in copper exports and coal imports. Over the years, the firm formed strategic partnerships, such as that with Deutsche Ost Afrika Linien, which boosted its shipping and logistics operations.
Despite the setbacks during World War II, the company evolved into Sturrock & Woker and thrived, contributing to the development of Walvis Bay as a key logistics hub.
The introduction of containerised shipping in the 1950s revolutionised global trade, and the company's growth mirrored the expansion of Walvis Bay, which became vital for Namibia’s booming mining industry and regional trade.
In 1995 Woker Freight Services changed its name to Manica Group Namibia, with various divisions focusing on marine services, materials handling, and logistics.
Three years later, Bidvest South Africa acquired Rennies with the split of Safren and, with that, gained ownership of Manica Group Namibia.
