Transnet strike proves ‘hugely damaging'

The crippling 17-day Transnet worker strike proved “hugely damaging” to the apple and fruit sector, says export major Tru-Cape’s Charles Hughes. To his way of thinking, it would have been unlikely for the government to step in and heal the breach by making good the outstanding 2% wage demand. “Even though Transnet is a parastatal, it has to stand on its own feet at the end of the day.” As container terminals ground to a halt, Tru-Cape was fortunate in securing two conventional fruit ships to load 3 800 tonnes of apple and pears through Cape Town for the UK and Europe. The focus ahead remains on those markets that promise the highest value. Hughes insists Tru- Cape will continue to do what it does best, producing fruit of the highest calibre in order to satisfy even the most fastidious customers. And he is totally in sync with Shoprite’s Whitey Basson that quality can never be compromised for price.