Owner driver scheme provides grassroots empowerment

One of the largest transporters in the region, Cargo Carriers has marked 48 years of operating in Swaziland by expanding its support of local owner-operated driving initiatives. The company launched its cane transport operations in Swaziland when the country’s sugar industry began in 1961, and later launched similar operations in KwaZulu Natal and Mpumalanga (Malelane) regions. The division operates from five registered depots strategically placed throughout Swaziland and Mpumalanga, (Big Bend, Simunye, Mhlume, Malelane & Komatipoort) and currently transports in excess of 3 million tons annually into the respective mills, with a fleet in excess of 160 units. 350 Swazis benefit from employment and training opportunities. Cargo Carriers’ Swaziland empowerment scheme includes five Cargo Carriers Swaziland truck drivers operating as owner-drivers, while a further 11 existing Swaziland tractor drivers have been appointed as tractor owner drivers. The aim of the programme is to empower drivers who would otherwise never have an opportunity to become successful entrepreneurs, says owner driver manager John Sprenger. “Candidates are identified and trained as drivers, and acquire experience which they in turn pass on to their families and local communities. The new owner-driver programme commenced at the start of the new 2009 Swaziland cane crop season with 11 candidates. “The owner-driver programme is all about a continuing partnership – where the drivers are empowered to determine their own success and future, while at the same time leading to increased productivity and enhanced service levels. This is not boardroom empowerment – instead it is aimed at a grassroots level because that is where the true success lies,” said Sprenger. Cargo Carriers sugar division provides logistics services across the entire supply chain within the sugar industry, ranging from mechanical harvesting, infield loading and haulage, direct to mill and zone to mill cane haulage and the transportation of the industry’s finished products, namely alcohol, bulk sugar, bagged sugar, molasses and fuel. In line with its commitment to safety, health, environment and quality issues, the company is ISO 9001:2000 and 14001:2004 accredited.