KEVIN MAYHEW THE ROAD Freight Association intends to have one hand on the pulse of government and the other on the heartbeat of the industry to meet its future challenges, according to its interim-chairperson, Thandeka Mgoduso. Mgoduso is the first woman and black person to hold the position of chairman. She will fill the role until constitutional elements have been changed early next year when a chairman will be elected. Addressing industry representatives at the annual RFA dinner dance recently, she said that transformation had been a primary concern over the past year, highlighted by the appointment of the first black CEO, Sipho Khumalo, in September 2004. On an operational level, she said the RFA had developed a number of products and services for members. These include assistance for aspiring entrants and emerging operators in the industry through advice, a business starter kit, as well as mentoring. Preferential rates have also been offered for a variety of services such as business advisers, accounting and tax support services, and the like,” she said. Its challenges for the future were to grow its membership and formalise its regional structures. The Board had also resolved that the RFA should spearhead the establishment of a Road Freight Industry Council to provide a platform for input from all major industry players on matters critical to its future.
