Transnet stalwart reminisces

SEPTEMBER is recognised as Heritage Month and Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) has its roots dating back as far as the 1800s.

“Knowing and appreciating where you have come from and understanding how you got here applies equally to institutions and corporate entities as it does people. The Port of Durban and TPT are no exception. Our history is extensive, but the country’s first democratic elections of 1994 and South Africa’s re-entry into the global community brought with it enormous changes to our economy and in turn to our ports and terminal operations,” stated Phumi Mthethwa during a retirement event for one of the automotive terminal stalwarts, Bongani Zozo, who had worked at TPT’s Durban Ro-Ro since it was established as then SA Railways and Harbours in 1980.

Bongani’s retirement speech touched on the many memories he has of changes experienced in the past 38 years during his employment at Durban Ro-Ro. “I started off as a general worker for what was known back in the 80s as SA Railways and Harbours before it became Portnet and then eventually Transnet Port Terminals as it is known today. In 1996, after sanctions had been lifted and we had officially opened the Car Terminal at Pier 1, we experienced a ‘surge’ in volumes and vessels that saw us handling 1 vessel a month and a volume of 20 units! Nowadays the capacity we handle averages at 40 000 units per month with three vessels being accommodated at one time. I am very proud to have been part of the original team that helped set a firm foundation that has led to the major growth of TPT’s BBC Terminal which plays a significant role in Durban’s and KZN’s economy,” regaled Zozo.

According to the Umbilo resident, in 1996 the BBC operations started off with cargo being handled in a gravel area that could only hold a capacity of 1100 units. The area was so dusty and bushy and was even nicknamed “Snake Park” from one incident that entailed a large snake that came out of those same bushes when staff were trying to go about their business. As volumes increased, the BBC and Ro-Ro operations were moved across to the Point in 1998 where the new car terminal was developed. Over the years TPT has invested millions into building a world-class facility and infrastructure that Durban Ro-Ro boasts today, servicing some of the largest Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s) in the automotive industry.

Apart from the bricks and mortar changes, as well as the varying shapes and sizes of vessels that Zozo witnessed evolving over the years – so too has the level of technology that has been introduced into the Ro-Ro operations with the latest GCOS 3 software.

“Even the type of training and development programmes offered by TPT to staff over the years has changed. I was fortunate enough to have benefitted from these with even having had the opportunity to travel abroad and learn from first-world countries about their protocols and procedures that I was able to share this knowledge with my fellow TPT employees on the ground and management. Training, I believe, is key to good performance by staff and ultimately efficient operations,” added Zozo.

Mthethwa said: “We wish Bongani the very best and we are grateful for everything he has done for TPT and the community of Durban in his various roles at the Ro-Ro Terminal, finally ending his impressive 38 year career as an operations manager. He will be missed but we hope he enjoys spending his retirement with his family and we have been told that he intends on using this downtime to look after his livestock in the Eastern Cape.”

Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts