President Cyril Ramaphosa says Transnet will spend R100-billion to modernise the Port of Durban. The eleven-year plan is estimated to create 180 000 jobs.
The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government has expressed concerns about Transnet’s plans to relocate its head office to the Port of Ngqura in the Eastern Cape. But the President has assured the province that Durban remains the most important port in the country.
President Ramaphosa briefs media following visit to the Durban port:
The Port of Durban known as Africa’s most active, general cargo port, handles about 4 500 vessels a year.
President Ramaphosa, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula and Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan were in the port to assess its efficiency. This after reports of heavy congestion that have been delaying cargo clearing.
But despite these challenges, the President says the Port of Durban is vital for the country’s economy.
Ramaphosa says delays in cargo handling and road congestion around the port have been reduced. “They’ve already mapped out the port area and identified node or areas that require improvement expanding the footprint of the port ”
He says the Transnet National Port Authority has already made substantial progress in addressing concerns from the private sector.
President notes progress made in enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of Durban Port
President @CyrilRamaphosa today led an oversight visit to the Port of Durban to assess progress made in enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of the port. https://t.co/RjKOuMLzyE pic.twitter.com/UHryrUqauY
— Presidency | South Africa ?? (@PresidencyZA) April 15, 2021
Ramaphosa visits Durban port to assess efficiency: Lennox Mabaso
President @CyrilRamaphosa receives briefing from the senior management of Transnet on the Port of Durban Masterplan and efforts to improve the performance of the port. The Port of Durban plays an important role as a logistics hub for South Africa & the continent. #GrowSouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/AFxltjqp8S
— Presidency | South Africa ?? (@PresidencyZA) April 15, 2021
Privatisation
The President’s visit was met with pickets from members of the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu). They are aggrieved by an unverified document stating that the port will be privatised.
They say the move could result in thousands of job losses. Deputy general secretary Satawu Anele Kiet says, “The first thing is that we want to send a message to the President of the country that he is the President of the workers. Workers are worried that this port is going be privatised. And we know, history has taught us that when privatisation takes place, it opens for corruption and workers cannot be affected with that.”
But President Ramaphosa dispelled these allegations as he sought to allay organised labour’s fears.
“We are not privatising Transnet. We are going to be proceeding with what we already said that a number of other investments are so big that they require partners to be brought on board. Transnet is a state-owned enterprise. We’re not privatising it. Transnet will continue to bring in partners and work with them.”
Satawu protest outside harbour, calling for it not to be privatised
During this year’s State of the Nation Address, the President announced plans to develop Ngqura as the container terminal of choice, but today he urged Durban Port officials to continue deliberating on the proposed plans to move Transnet’s head office to the Eastern Cape.
TNPA Durban Port Manager, Moshe Motlohi says the President has told them to sit down and discuss this and they are going to follow suit, nothing has been set in stone discussions will be had.”
The President says Transnet National Port Authority has already made substantial progress in addressing concerns from the private sector.
