Staff and office expansion planned next year
REUBEN DZONZIE’s passion for the freight industry was kindled in his student days in Sweden when he took on part-time employment with ferry company Gotlands Linjen to raise money for his university fees.
“After five years on the ferry, I knew that ships and cargo was where my penchant lay,” the go-getter managing director of recently established Twala Global told FTW.
After just nine months of operation, Twala Global is flying, says Dzonzie, whose single-minded approach, based on professionalism and good service, has already landed his company some lucrative deals, among them the Lexmark account.
“We are determined to gain business because of our expertise, and not through tokenism,” says Dzonzie, who believes that empowerment companies must compete on an equal footing and gain the business because they’re the best and not because they fit the right profile.
Twala Global was set up in March this year as a 50/50 shareholding with Clover Cargo International. Initially the company will be supported in its operations, administration and management by Clover Cargo, but the plan from 2003 is to begin functioning as a standalone entity, says Dzonzie.
“Everyone needs a big brother to set you in the right direction and we believe that in Clover Cargo we have the perfect partner.”
But for Dzonzie it’s not only about succeeding in business but also about educational upliftment of his staff.
The company is working closely with the Transport Education and Training Authority to implement learnerships and will pursue a recruitment policy that extends the concept of empowerment.
Dzonzie was born in Johannesburg and educated at St Johns Boys College in Zimbabwe. He chose to do his tertiary diploma in marketing at a university in Sweden, and speaks fluent Swedish.
He subsequently returned to his roots and has notched up several years of experience with Manica in Zimbabwe and Bax Global and Exel in South Africa.
Twala Global’s growth has already exceeded expectations, says Dzonzie, and staff will be doubled next year to cope with increased business.
A Cape Town office will open in February 2003 and a KwaZulu Natal operation is planned for 2004 or earlier.
