‘Ship direct to Swaziland – and save money’

Jabu Vilakati, Shedreck Mnisi and
Service Magagula, co-owners of
Sharp Freight, are on a mission
to save the country’s merchants
money on transport costs by urging
them to ship directly into the
country rather than sourcing goods
from SA.
“There are many Asian
businesses in Swaziland. I did
my research. I visited them and
asked questions. I learned they
buy their stock from South Africa.
We can consolidate in China.
That’s what we do, consolidation.
If you purchase and ship your
merchandise direct to Swaziland,
you by-pass the middlemen,” I told
them,” said Vilakati.
Vilakati’s research found that
purchasing from middlemen adds
20% to Swazi merchants’ costs.
Also they are charged 14% of
the goods’ value by Sars, and an
additional 14% by the Swaziland
Revenue Authority.
“They can claim a VAT refund
from Sars, but it is never 100% and
some merchants are not claiming
at all. That means they are paying
28% tax on their goods. That can
be halved by shipping directly
to Swaziland, for an overall cost
saving of at least 38%,”
Vilakati said.
To make shipping easier, Sharp
Freight introduced an overnight
economy service, modelled on a
courier service, which commenced
in May.