SA’s economic slowdown reflects in Namibian volumes

NAMIBIA’S ECONOMY is so closely linked to South Africa’s economic performance that the up and down of business cycles is reflected in consolidations. “We see how the South African economy is doing in our volumes. Right now it appears that the economic slowdown people are worried about is showing in shipping,” said Gordon Jay, owner of Transworld Roadfreight. Jay’s Spartan-based company is devoted solely to road freight transport to and from Namibia. A fleet of ten trucks travels the Johannesburg to Windhoek route on regularly scheduled Tuesday and Friday runs, and on other days when required by volumes. 24 staffers man the Spartan office with another 23 at Transworld Roadfreight’s Windhoek office. Two sales reps drum up business, but word of mouth brings in many customers with Namibiabound shipping needs who have heard that Transworld Roadfreight specialises in that country. “We’ve been doing this since 1993. Namibia was the market I knew best. From Windhoek we offload and distribute locally,” Jay said. He ranks Namibian customs as reasonably good for efficiency. “We move all kinds of cargo except perishables – for that I use insulated boxes instead of reefers,” said Jay. But again, with the countries’ economies linked, volumes depend on South Gordon Jay … ‘Namibian customs reasonably efficient.’ Africa’s business climate.