vusi@leadthefield.co.za
His extensive working career ranges from being a High School Teacher, Lecturer at Wits University, senior lecture East rand college of Education. Into industry spread over PG
Bison, Nampak, Whirlpool and Transnet in leadership and executive functions. His presence, and strong people skills and understanding of business process helped him to
contend and manage different challenges and hurdles along the way.
Latest Role
His Last role at Transnet National Ports Authority was liaising with Strategic Stakeholders within and outside the port system. The Chamber Movement was one of our key strategic
stakeholder given the role TNPA plays in the total supply chain process and logistics. Within the port system in the continent, he played a pivotal role in coordinating and facilitating
regional integration with all major ports in Africa and Internationally by implementation of the dictate of International Maritime Organization Convention. This was facilitated by his role in
the Port Management Association of Southern and Eastern Africa in fostering collaborative initiatives on areas of common interest that would yield commercial value for partnership and
economic growth in the regions.
His experience as the Executive of Whirlpool South Africa gave him an exposure to the global understanding of business processes in developing economies in Europe and the US
and leading and implementing the globalization processes in integrating the South African operation to be in line with the global standards of operating and sustaining
profitability. This exposed Vusi to the American Chamber of Commerce and Industry representing Whirlpool in South Africa. He travelled extensively in Europe ploughing back to
the South African Operations global standards. Upon joining Transnet Ports Terminals in the office of the Chief Executive 10 years ago, he had the opportunity, among other things, to
represent TPT at the behest of the CE, sat at the Board of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry for several years and was also appointed to the Board of
eThekwini Maritime Cluster whilst also chairing one of the sub committees on Maritime Skills Development. In the process he had to leave to further his studies in Belgium at
the University of Antwerp (for his MSc in Maritime and Transport Management). On his return, he continued with his association with the Durban Chamber and the Maritime
Cluster. He was further invited, at the behest of the CE, to sit at the Board of Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone. This further gave him the exposure of the IDZs in the
South Africa and the interaction not only with Richards Bay but also with East London and Coega.
He was subsequently appointed as a Chairman of the Board of the Richards Bay Industrial Bay Development Zone for a term of 3 years which was very fulfilling when his
term of office came to amend (the IDZ was stabilised). During that period, he was also a Board member of South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI). After two
terms he was elected as the 2nd vice President and subsequently Deputy President and now serves as the President. This subsequently led to his representing SACCI at the
World Chamber Congress in Italy and Australia, and G20 summit in South Korea as part of the subcommittee on infrastructure development Work Committee.
He had the opportunity to travel extensively in the Continent, Europe, the US, and the East and Presented business papers on regional economic integration and logistics for
economic and Commercial value for South Africa as well as global integration. He had the opportunity to facilitate bilateral and MOUs with commercial value for Port Systems
in the Continent, Europe, and the US. The partnership between the Port System and the Chamber Movement has always been the key as part of the Supply Management
Process and Logistics in creating and generating revenue for the economy.
One can safely indicate that the partnerships established with the various Chamber Movements in East Africa, SADC, and COMESA will go a long way in revitalising inter
country trade both in Africa and Globally. This will be realised by addressing trade barriers that will set the economic recovery that South Africa so much desire.
With the economic downturn the industry was faced with, there is an abundant opportunity for those priorities for inclusive growth. The elimination of trade barriers and
collaboration and partnership with neighbouring economies will be key. The chamber movement has a critical role to play in contributing to the review of the policies and
regulations that can lessen the barriers to trade. The Collaborative initiatives through the MOU' s SACCI has already embarked on will allow the respective chambers to influence
trade policies in their respective countries to allow the flow of trade in and outfox their respective borders.
Given the tremendous opportunity of South Africa being the second largest economy in Africa, with good business environment compared to peers, and the growing consumer
class, we have challenges of poor growth, poor job creation, slowing investment and enduring poverty. In the circumstances, those priorities for inclusive growth will be key.
To realise this opportunity, the South African manufactures will have to pursue new markets in the broader African markets and step-up innovation and productivity. South
Africa with its world class infrastructure will need to close gaps in electricity, water, and sanitation. This will include partnership of public and private sector to drive strategies to
make infrastructure spending more productive and increase maintenance. In overcoming the electricity shortage, provide an alternative to diversify the power supply through
natural gas. It will be critical to export services to the rest of sub-Saharan Africa' s markets. This can be assisted by government promoting regional trade deals. South
Africa can exponentially grow its raw and processed agricultural goods for rural growth, benefitting South Africans who depend on subsistence and small holder farming.
Black Economic Empowerment made its mark but however it is not enough to address the challenges the country is contending with. In the scale of things, it has only
benefitted a few to make a big difference. The country can only learn and improve on it given the magnitude of the challenges the country is faced with. From where the plight of
the country is, it was experimental and we have only had an impact on a few individuals and the learning is that the country requires a bigger and more representation in the
social stratification.
The current state of business in Africa is in dire straits. What is heartening though is the Realisation that all Africans are in it together. It brings the whole notion of
inclusivity, partnership, and a collaborative effort to move out of this quagmire collectively! The practical diagnostic approach to business situations and the well thought out fact
based solutions that would yield the desired results.
