Ditch the cadres, rehire experts squeezed out of the company, and get the private sector in.
The exit of Transnet CEO Portia Derby and Transnet Freight Rail CEO Sizakele Mzimela is a signal that even its shareholder, the government, is unable to stomach the port and rail operator’s mortal threat to national wellbeing.
It’s unlikely Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will proclaim the national democratic revolution and its cadre deployment policy a failure, but we don’t need him to tell us that. The 2023 Transnet annual report shows it met just a quarter of its key performance indicators, something that prompted Gordhan to appoint nine new board members in July, with Minerals Council vice-president Andile Sangqu assuming the post of Transnet chair.The first public signs of disquiet came in December last year when a leaked letter from the Minerals Council, addressed to then Transnet chair Popo Molefe, called for the removal of Derby and Mzimela.
“We need to give Russel Baatjies our full support. He’s an accomplished individual with a great track record. Government often upset me, but in this case, I celebrate the fact that President Ramaphosa and Minister Gordhan are taking this seriously. I’m hopeful.” Andrew Pike, head of ports, transport and logistics at Bowmans Law, agrees that unbundling of some of the different Transnet business units is clearly the way to go.
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