SAPICS AGM lauds supply chain community skills and dedication

The Professional Body for Supply Chain Management (SAPICS) wrapped up a challenging but successful financial year with its recent well-attended annual general meeting (AGM), chaired by president MJ Schoemaker. Two new directors, Selepe Phetla and Nikita Reddy, have joined the SAPICS board.

Schoemaker applauded supply chain practitioners from around South Africa for pulling together in 2022 when, after Covid-19, supply chains were stretched even further by the flood and drought disasters that affected the country. She noted that supply chain professionals went the extra mile to keep shelves stocked, continue manufacturing, and ensure that vital medications got to those who needed them. 

Two new directors joined the SAPICS Board at the AGM. Selepe Phetla is the national transport manager for bpSA. He is a seasoned supply chain professional with 19 years of experience in various supply chain roles and brings a wealth of expertise to the board. Phetla has been a SAPICS member since 2007 and has gained great insights serving on the SAPICS Conference speaker selection committee for the past two years. In addition to working with SAPICS, Phetla works as a volunteer to fundraise for the Hope Worldwide South Africa early childhood development programme.

New director Nikita Reddy is a senior academic at MANCOSA Training Solutions, with an education perspective and a PhD candidature in Higher Education. Reddy says that she will contribute to SAPICS’ mission of promoting excellence in supply chain and operations management, leveraging her expertise to develop educational content and resources that benefit SAPICS members and the wider community. In addition, Reddy will provide guidance and support SAPICS’ professional development programmes. She also aims to promote collaboration with other educational institutions and industry partners to drive knowledge sharing and best practices.

SAPICS is a not-for-profit company and sources its funds from four areas: education, events and workshops, membership, and the annual conference. Schoemaker said that the 2022 SAPICS Conference – the organisation’s flagship event and Africa’s leading education, knowledge sharing and networking event – was a huge success. “Having missed two vital years due to the pandemic, the 44^th annual SAPICS Conference was really something to look forward to,” she enthused. “Just over 600 SAPICS community members gathered at the Century City Conference Centre for the long-awaited reunion. Many people travelled from overseas to join us. Once again, we saw that more and more individuals and organisations realise the importance of supply chain education and training to manage operations.”

The SAPICS supply chain community also enjoyed another vibrant Young Professional and Student Conference last year. “It is absolutely imperative that we continue to grow the pipeline of talent that this profession needs,” stressed Schoemaker. “By nurturing the young and providing them with motivation, inspiration, and mentoring we can be assured that the future will look positive for the profession.”

Schoemaker said that the professionalisation of supply chain management remains a core focus of SAPICS, and she commended all the new designees who have demonstrated their supply chain competence. SAPICS is currently assessing recent policy and process changes by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and expects to be able to welcome many more professional designees in due course, she stated.

At the 2022 AGM, Schoemaker also recognised the work of the SAPICS Authorised Education Partners who support the organisation in its important mission to develop a vibrant community of educated supply chain professionals: “In today’s increasingly challenging, volatile, and complex environment, there is more emphasis than ever on suitable supply chain qualifications and continuous skills development. We need forward thinking supply chains that can anticipate disruptions, along with skilled, proficient supply chain practitioners to manage them. It is vital for all these practitioners to keep updating their skill sets and knowledge and honing their expertise.”

Looking ahead, Schoemaker said that SAPICS was excited about the 45^th Annual SAPICS Conference, which is being organised with the support and professionalism of Upavon Management. “This is their 25^th anniversary of organising what has become a world-class event,” she asserted.

Finally, it was announced at the AGM that Schoemaker had been elected to serve another year as SAPICS president.