Deon Weelson - ‘Spoornet’s problems are our problems.’
LEONARD NEILL
“SPOORNET’S PROBLEMS are our problems, and we will be there all the way to help sort them out. I’d like to see all the other rail utility’s stakeholders adopting the same stance.”
That’s the message from newly appointed Railroad Africa chief executive Deon Weelson, who took up the position last week following the resignation of Roland Naidoo in January.
“Let’s face it. When Spoornet overcomes its capacity problems, it will make a huge impact on our ability to service our clients. We have always claimed to be Spoornet’s largest private sector partner, and we want to lead the way in helping them get back on track. In fact, I look on the current situation as being a challenging one in exciting times. It can only get better from here on.
“Already we are seeing improvements on a large scale since the rail authorities adopted a positive, user-friendly approach to its problems. At our City Deep headquarters we are close to interactions and decisions, and we are supporting all the changes that are taking place.”
Weelson has been with the company for the past six years, having spent the previous 12 years with Safmarine and the former Saftainer in Port Elizabeth and East London.
“I started my intermodal career in Port Elizabeth 18 years ago, and I’ve never moved away from it,” he says.
His previous position as Gauteng regional manager has been filled by Prakesh Parsad, who has also been appointed senior manager responsible for national operations and marketing. Shana Ramharakh has been appointed financial manager.
In Durban Kerwin Naidoo has been appointed regional manager Kwazulu Natal as well as regional manager neighbouring countries.
Two branch managers have been elevated to the status of regional manager. Mandy Viljoen (Cape Town) fills this role for Western Cape which includes Saldanha, and Don Swart (Port Elizabeth) now includes East London in his new role as Eastern Cape regional manager.
Muzi Mbongwa is Pretoria branch manager and includes the automotive industry in his portfolio.
