Logistics sector is the backbone of SA's real economy

There are three key government initiatives driving change in the economy, and the transport warriors have been ready and waiting.

- By Lindsey Schutters

The electrical, mechanical and structural engineers who design and develop those massive wind turbines sprouting on mountaintops throughout South Africa love to poke fun at the civil engineers responsible for anchoring them to the ground.

But the joke is actually on the logistics industry and its interconnected network of sea and road freight forwarding, which get saddled with the burden of safely getting all the components from all over the world to the final resting place.

Despite its critical role in South Africa's economy, logistics often operates in the shadows. "There's no appreciation for it," says Nikita Reddy, head of logistics at ESL Freight. She is referring to the challenges the sector faces, particularly with the renewable energy boom exposing gaps in infrastructure for transporting large components.

"We've been moving huge loads for hundreds of years. This is nothing new," Reddy adds, noting the industry's resilience.

South Africa's logistics infrastructure has evolved from the continental hub handling specialised mining and resource extraction machinery for the continent, but the need for specialised equipment in a range of budding industries remains critical for the future.

The unsung hero of the energy transition

As the country accelerates its transition to renewable energy, its logistics infrastructure faces unprecedented challenges. Transporting massive wind turbine components requires specialised equipment, extensive planning and expertise few countries in Africa have.

"Mountaintop is a different conversation," Reddy says during an interview. "With the abnormal loads and the guys who have specialised remote modulated trailers, [the problem is] there are only a handful of them."