Portuguese-speaking staff mitigate delays

Integrated border posts will go
a long way to improving the
efficiency of the supply chain
while also addressing some of
the biggest challenges freight
forwarders and transporters face on
a daily basis.
“Borders where staff from
neighbouring countries can use
common facilities and common
control methods in line with global
standards will no doubt lead to
more efficient operations,” says
Hannes Rust, managing director
of Johannesburg-based Chavda
Freight.
The company often uses border
crossings such as Skilpadshek/
Pioneer Gate between South Africa
and Botswana, Oshikango/Santa
Clara between Namibia and Angola
as well as the Buitepos border post
between Botswana and Namibia.
“The biggest challenges we deal
with besides the border delays
– which are often due to import
duties and taxes not being paid on
time as well as the poor state of
the roads and the ever-increasing
traffic congestion – are around
capacity and communication.”
In an effort to address the
language barriers the company has
employed several people fluent in
Portuguese.
“We are also sending a great
deal of cargo to Maputo and so
are frequenting the Komatipoort/
Lebombo border post between
South Africa and Mozambique.
Having skilled people at the border
post who can speak Portuguese,
especially when working in Angola
and Mozambique, has helped
a great deal in rising above the
challenges.”
Rust says the new one-stop
border post recently opened at
Chirundu is setting a good
example for Africa. It is proof that
delays can be minimised and transit
times improved.