The Western Cape Government has said it is committed to building a globally competitive logistics ecosystem to boost economic growth and job creation in the province.
Speaking at a recent South African Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff) meeting, Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism MEC, Ivan Meyer, said the provincial government was committed to growing the sector.
“Logistics is the lifeblood of trade and trade is the heartbeat of economic growth.”
Meyer announced progress on a digital logistics planning platform for container freight through the Port of Cape Town, aimed at reducing delays and costs.
He said the government was aware that delays at any point in the logistics ecosystem significantly increased logistics costs.
“For this reason, we have adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards delays, whether in the container terminals or at any cargo transfer point. We appeal to all logistics agencies for their collaboration on this matter, including Saaff in the Western Cape,” said Meyer.
He commended Saaff for its leadership in freight forwarding and its collaboration on the national logistics policy.
He highlighted improvements in port efficiency, including the delivery of nine new rubber-tyred gantries (RTGs) that will be operational next month. He said ten additional RTGs would be delivered by February to further enhance container handling efficiency.
Meyer reflected on the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (Q3 2025) which showed that the Western Cape had added 65 000 jobs year-on-year and 70 000 quarter-on-quarter. Unemployment dropped to 19.7%, far below the national rate of 31.9%. Transport and Trade sectors added 37 000 and 34 000 jobs, respectively.
The province’s Growth For Jobs Strategy aims to build a R1trn economy by 2035, with sustained annual growth of 4-6%. Strategic partnerships are central to achieving this vision.
Recent achievements include R50bn in investment commitments at the Western Cape Investment Summit and new market access to China for stone fruit exports, boosting shipping connectivity.
“The future belongs to those who build bridges, not barriers. In logistics, every efficient link is a bridge to prosperity,” said Meyer.
Western Cape Provincial MEC of Mobility, Isaac Sileku, said a strong and reliable logistics network was the backbone of the economy.
“When goods and services move efficiently, businesses grow, jobs are created, and communities prosper. Together with our partners in the freight and logistics sector, we are building a system that keeps the Western Cape and South Africa moving forward.”
