SAPICS: Collaborate and educate to fix logistics

As South Africa observes Transport Month, supply chain industry body SAPICS is shining a spotlight on the critical link between transport infrastructure and national supply chain resilience. The organisation says collaboration and education are essential to building a safe, world-class logistics ecosystem that supports growth and competitiveness.

“Port delays, rail disruptions, and infrastructure inefficiencies are costing the economy a reported R1 billion a day in lost trade. We have a disproportionate number of truck accidents contributing to our high road death toll,” notes SAPICS. “SMMEs in the transport sector have a crucial role to play in the economy as major sources of employment and drivers of inclusive growth, but they are not adequately supported and their growth is hampered by a lack of capital and limited access to skills development.

“The path to a stable, safe, inclusive, future-fit logistics system lies in cross-sector collaboration and investment in human capital – from skilled drivers and operators to highly qualified transport managers and supply chain professionals,” SAPICS continues. “Infrastructure alone won’t fix this crisis. We need educated, empowered people at every level of the logistics system and an environment where industry, government, and academia are working together, not in silos.”

At the recent 47^th SAPICS Conference in Cape Town, more than 700 supply chain professionals from across Africa and around the world convened to focus on the logistics crisis. SAPICS partnered with the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF) to provide critical updates on the National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC) and Operation Vulindlela, the joint Presidency and National Treasury reform programme.

A high-level panel moderated by Dr Juanita Maree, SAAFF CEO – alongside Operation Vulindlela rail and logistics adviser, Jaap van der Merwe; Presidency project management office director, Khule Duma; Shosholoza Ports Operations CEO, Innocentia Motau; and Maersk area sales head, Theo Pappas – agreed that while some stabilisation has occurred, recovery remains slow and fragmented. “We may not have turned the corner yet,” SAPICS notes, “but dialogue like this is essential to rebuild trust, align efforts, and drive real change.”

The organisation warns that without urgent investment in skills development, any infrastructure improvements will be short-lived. “The supply chain is only as strong as the people who run it,” it says. “From warehouse teams to logistics planners and fleet managers, we need qualified professionals who understand the complexity of modern supply chains.” 

To this end, SAPICS supports supply chain education at South African universities, aligns academic training with industry needs, and offers internationally-recognised certifications, including the APICS Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD).

Education is also central to safety. SAPICS highlights the need to address South Africa’s unacceptably high rate of truck-related road deaths using training and accountability. “It’s not just about compliance; it’s about understanding and ensuring that all role-players take ownership of safety on our roads,” says SAPICS director and supply chain and fleet management expert Jonathan Mphake.

He notes that skilled fleet managers and route planners can improve safety by using fleet management systems for real-time route planning and driver monitoring, to enforce rigorous vehicle maintenance and pre-trip checks, establish driver fitness and wellness programmes, and apply data analytics to identify and address unsafe behaviours and road hazards. Specialist driver training should equip drivers to deal with hazards, rest requirements, and workload pressure, as well as build risk-mitigation skills and understand the benefits of technologies like video telematics. “It’s about fostering a shared sense of responsibility to protect not only the economy, but also the safety of all road users,” adds Mphake.

As Transport Month prompts national reflection, SAPICS is urging all logistics and supply chain stakeholders to invest in skills development and training, collaborate beyond their own sectors, and support the development of small businesses. “We need a collaborative, education-driven, action-focused approach,” SAPICS emphasises. “That’s the only way to build the resilient, inclusive logistics system South Africa urgently needs.”