The road freight industry is a vital cornerstone of South Africa’s economy, and within it, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a pivotal role. Yet, these SMEs often grapple with daunting challenges, including regulatory compliance, funding constraints, limited resources, and navigating intricate cross-border transport networks.
These challenges can impede their growth and success. Recognising this, the Road Freight SME Summit is set to take place on October 20 and 21, 2023, at The Maslow Hotel in Sandton, strategically coinciding with Transport Month.
The Summit aims to confront these challenges head-on, serving as a platform to equip SMEs with invaluable insights, strategic guidance, and pragmatic solutions to fortify their businesses and advance the sector as a whole.
Florence Musundwa of GrowSupplier ZA, the event’s convenor, sheds light on the significance of SMEs in the road freight landscape, saying: “There are over 100,000 road freight businesses in South Africa, and over 90% of these are SMEs.
“These SMEs are not merely businesses; they are job creators and contributors to the national economy. The Summit’s primary focus is to provide an enabling platform for these SMEs to scale up and take their businesses to the next level.”
The Summit’s thematic alignment with this year’s Transport Month, ” SAKHILE…We have Built… And we continue to BUILD better Transport Infrastructure to grow South Africa Together”, reinforces the collective responsibility in constructing a more robust transport infrastructure that nurtures South Africa’s growth.
Musundwa further emphasises this connection: “When SMEs prosper and expand, they create employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth, contributing to the collective growth of the nation.”
Designed exclusively for SMEs, the Road Freight SME Summit is a knowledge-sharing and collaboration-focused event, ensuring attendees gain the tools and insights needed to enhance their businesses and foster sustainable growth.
The event boasts a distinguished line-up of speakers and industry veterans, delivering compelling presentations and engaging discussions across a wide spectrum of topics, including critical success factors, growth strategies, regulatory compliance, and innovative trends shaping the industry.
Confirmed speakers include esteemed personalities such as Jonathan Mphakhe – National Fleet Manager SBV, Gavin Kelly – Chief Executive of the Road Freight Association, Munesh Maharaj (CMILT) (AFIMASP) – National Sales Director: Savino Del Bene, Mihlali Gqada – Director: Logistics Infrastructure: Department of Transport and Patrick O’Leary – Publisher of Fleetwatch magazine.
The inaugural Summit has garnered robust industry support and sponsorship from key players in the road freight sector, including ABSA, Avis Fleet, Isuzu, JC Auditors, MasterDrive, MLM Logistics, Mamoja Trading & Project, Freight Logistics South Africa, Rambait Trading, MasterDrive, The Maslow Hotel, and the Transport Sector Retirement Fund.
Moreover, the event enjoys backing from prominent organisations such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport: South Africa, the Global Federation of Chambers, The Road Freight Association, SAPICS, and the SA Express Parcel Association.
To secure your place and explore further details about the event, please visit Road Freight SME Summit 2023 at https://www.2023.smeroadfreightsummit.co.za/