Port GMs resign in surprise move

Structural changes as Sapo’s lifespan is extended TERRY HUTSON IN A surprise development last week, two senior SA Port Operations (Sapo) general managers have chosen to leave the company rather than reapply for new positions within Sapo. Themba Gwala, GM at Durban, and Richard Bay’s Mdu Nene, both highly experienced men with many years of service in the ports, have elected to leave the organisation after declining to test for new positions. The shock news follows structural changes within Sapo that do away with the role of general manager. The GM positions are being replaced by what Sapo refers to as ‘customer-centric structures’ in an effort to re-position the company for immediate and long-term business objectives. According to Sapo CEO Tau Morwe, the changes became necessary as soon as government decided that Sapo would continue for longer than first intended. “Sapo’s lifespan was expected to be about three years - that time is now up. During these three years our focus has been on improving financial and operational services ahead of the concessioning process, but as we all know the thinking of government is changing and therefore it has become necessary to revisit our systems and restructure,” he told FTW on Friday. Sapo recently held operational strategy workshops involving its team of senior executives and guided by outside specialists, which led to the formulation of a new structure without the need for operational general managers at the ports. “Everybody bought into the new system and that includes the two GMs who opted not to reapply,” says Morwe. “I asked both of them if there were other positions they might be interested in but we couldn’t find common ground and have agreed to separate.” There is no mention made of Nad Govender, GM for the port of Cape Town. Gwala and Nene could not be reached for comment before this issue went to press. In a letter addressed to clients dated August 19, Morwe announced the appointment of three members of the new executive: Pumi Sithole, former GM of strategic marketing now heads ‘customer services’; Nosipho Damasane, GM of Eastern Cape Ports is in charge of ‘supply chain’; and Logan Naidoo head of the IT department becomes the ‘chief information officer’. Another three positions remained unfilled at the weekend - new business development, support services and capacity management, but according to Morwe these could be filled this week. In the meantime he has asked clients to address all business enquiries relating to the 13 terminals to the business unit managers at each terminal. It is believed that Sapo’s restructuring is in line with expected changes likely to be revealed today (August 27) by Maria Ramos when the Transnet results are announced.