Timber to Gauteng is big business for Swazi haulier

With more than 80% of the country’s consumer goods, manufacturing inputs, food and other imports originating from SA, Swaziland road freight firms are kept busy hauling goods from Gauteng. What is less well known is that Swaziland sends 60% of its exports to SA, and goods traffic is a two-way proposition. “Gauteng is an important destination for us,” said Sikelela Vilakati, managing director of Chrisilda Transport Company. “This year we have a lot of work to do transporting Swazi timber to Gauteng for use in the mines,” said Vilakati. Five trucks from the company’s fleet of over 30 cross-border vehicles is kept in service on a daily basis transporting timber from Swaziland’s commercial forests to where it is needed in Gauteng. Chrisilda Transport’s expansive facility anchors the southern tip of the everexpanding Matsapha Industrial Estate. Shipping containers are stacked in the company’s own inland container depot – a road version of Swaziland Railway’s facility two kilometres away. Chrisilda Transport’s flat deck trucks offer a viable road alternative to container shipping by rail. “It takes us one day to Durban. It’s a seven-hour drive. That is faster than rail,” said Vilakati. “Ability and efficiency – it’s mainly that; we maintain these, and customers come to rely on it. People wanting good service come knocking on our door,” said Vilakati. Not restricted to Gauteng and Durban routes, company trucks serve any destinations in SA. But SA’s industrial heartland remains Swaziland’s lifeline, serviced by Chrisilda Transport