SEBENZA FORWARDING & Shipping Consultancy has just been awarded 50% of the entire logistics movement of Eskom.
The company, which recently extended its national network and opened offices in Port Elizabeth and Pretoria to add to its Durban, Cape Town and Kempton Park offices, was established in 1997 as the first black-owned specialist international freight forwarding and logistics company in the country,
The basic idea was to enable previously disadvantaged people to take a major role in industry and the economy of the country, said managing director Mark Goodger. This has been achieved by appointing people in responsible positions to play meaningful roles in the decision-making processes of the company.
Sebenza will continue moving in this direction as we believe it is the correct philosophy. We have never gone out with our empowerment status on our sleeves, says Goodger.
Sebenza was developed as an initiative between professionals with years of collective experience in the forwarding industry in this country and Makana Trust, a business group formed by the Ex Political Prisoners Committee.
Makana now holds the controlling equity of the company with the minority equity held by Bidvest Group which controls Bidfreight.
Sebenza was recently awarded contracts with Denel to handle part of its exports. Other major clients include SA Breweries, Telkom, Abbott Laboratories, British American Tobacco, Leisurenet and Riso Africa.
One noteable recent achievement reported by national sales manager Connie Smith involves the company's Durban office which was the biggest mover of export airfreight with South African Airways during April and May.
Sebenza boasts an affirmative action compliance in excess of 75% coupled to its black ownership, said Goodger. Advanced skills transfer programmes and training are ongoing, he added.
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