Abstract
M.Comm.
For many decades transport in this country was largely provided by South
African Railways and Harbours (SAR&H), a government body which
controlled everything - from the state airline, South African Airways (SAA), to
harbours and pipelines.
In 1990 the South African Transport Services (SATS), as it was later called,
received company status. A company representing the vast transportation
network was later formed and was appropriately called Transnet.
Spoomet, the largest of all the divisions in Transnet and providing by far the
major portion of Transnet's turnover, transports freight, containers, bulk goods
like ore and coal, and passengers by rail. It's assets are spread throughout
Southern Africa and its railway technology is comparable to the best in the
world.
Southern Africa's development is to a large extent determined by the
achievement in the manufacturing industry, mining and agricultural sectors.
The cost of products and their competitiveness on the world market is largely
dependent on efficient transport.
This is particularly the case for freight and bulk commodities because of the
long distances between the industrial and mining areas and the coast.
As the largest, most diverse and efficient rail transport organisation in
Southern Africa, Spoomet can be a key player in the creation of wealth,
employment, contribution to national budgets, international trade and general
economic development in the region.
Because of the deregulation of the transport industry, fierce competition is
already contributing to greater efficiency and ongoing innovation.