SA Chamber USA expresses concern over Transnet impact on trade
SA Chamber USA expresses concern over the Transnet impact on trade. Especially as ports in South Africa are functioning at limited capacity.
According to reports on Business Insider South Africa, Ships bypass South African ports due to Transnet’s disclosure of alleged sabotage.
So, ships that were due to call at South African harbors rather head for neighboring countries. Or skip their African stops entirely. Due to a global shipping crisis and container shortage, major shipping lines have no room for delays. The breakdown of the IT system of Transnet, nearly a week ago, caused huge delays. As well as backlogs on container movements in harbors. No public statement has so far been made. But the transport group admitted to staff and customers that it was a victim of hacking and “sabotage”. Even customers aren’t getting details of what happened. Nor answers on how long it will take to fix, other than “soon”, reports Business Insider’s Phillip de Wet.
Rebuild our economy
With all the internal pressures on the South African economy, can we afford yet another setback in our infrastructure? The Transnet impact on trade could be close to a final blow for the economic rehabilitation of South Africa. Although the South African Chamber of commerce in the USA supports the initiative to rebuild South Africa’s Economy, there is still a long and tedious hill to climb. President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced major plans to provide relief to poor households and businesses. This is part of the government’s efforts to rebuild South Africa.
Our hope for South Africa
We are concerned though that these major plans may take too long to come to fruition. The SA Chamber USA hopes that the South African government will get the ball running. We need to turn the tide of mayhem that engulfs our communities. May our leaders build on the legacy left by Madiba and remember their calling as leaders. South Africans need to unite for a brighter future.