RFA CEO Gavin Kelly
While industry bodies such as Agri SA and the Minerals Council South Africa have welcomed the Ministerial appointments or reappointments to the departments that concern them, the Road Freight Association (RFA) is less optimistic about the new Cabinet appointments announced on June 30.
RFA CEO Gavin Kelly says in a statement issued on July 2 that some appointments raise concerns about political motivations, rather than a focused effort to address the country’s pressing issues.
“Despite the rhetoric about ‘delivery’, there are indications that the selections may be driven more by political calculations than a genuine desire to tackle the critical problems facing the nation, such as issues with crime, transport, energy and employment,” he states.
The RFA has frequent engagement with a number of Ministers and their departments, including the departments of Transport, Employment and Labour, Trade, Industry and Competition and Small Business Development.
In this regard, Kelly expresses concern about what the changes in the Transport Ministry will mean for industry.
He says the RFA had a very engaging and positive working relationship with prior Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga and her Deputy, with good progress having been made on a number of core issues related to compliance.
“Will this now [stall] while the new Ministerial team first finds its feet, as they seem to have absolutely no experience to transport, and, as far as the association can gauge, no exposure to the road freight supply chain or industry,” Kelly questions.
“Any solid business will note that continuity is a good thing in ensuring objectives and direction are maintained. The RFA is concerned that there will be a whole set of ‘new brooms sweeping clean’ as individuals’ marks are stamped on departments and policy,” Kelly explains.
He adds that the country is experiencing a crisis in transport, with links to the global market being at a critical point. He believes there is no time to re-evaluate and research possible alternative solutions, since the causes and remedies of many issues have been identified through the National Logistics Crisis Committee and other structures.
The RFA, nonetheless, wishes the newly appointed Ministers in the portfolios related to logistics, crime and energy the best as they focus on resolving these crises in the country.
Kelly adds that the Ministers will need to turn around departmental thinking - the thousands of public servants who need to change the way they serve the country where required, the acceptance in the change of direction and possibly new focusses.