Forwarding and Clearing Chamber

The Acting Executive Officer of TETA’s Forwarding and Clearing Chamber is James Motha. He oversees the implementation of TETA’s mandate in Limpopo.

About the forwarding & clearing subsector

The forwarding and clearing industry, globally known as the “Architects of World Transport”, facilitates the international logistics and supply chains of goods on behalf of importers and exporters, applying cost-effective solutions using all modes of transport (air, sea, road and rail). This subsector is responsible for facilitating the movement of 90% of South Africa’s international trade.

Over the past 10 years, this subsector has evolved into the world of supply chain management, recognising the importance of international logistics within the management of global supply chains worldwide, providing end-to-end supply chain solutions to importers and exporters.The evolution of the industry has required strategic collaboration by TETA with industry stakeholders to facilitate the development of the required skills and associated occupational qualifications to ensure the South African industry meets international standards and become globally competitive.

The forwarding and clearing subsector is dynamic and can be classified within the following sub-industries:

• Freight Forwarding
• Customs Clearing
• Shipping Operators and Agencies
• International Couriers
• Importers and Exporters

From an industry perspective, this subsector is affected by continuous changes to technologies, systems integration, automation as well as legislation both locally and globally. The weak global economy as well as the slow economic growth in South Africa, has a direct impact on South Africa’s international trade and the ability of businesses to import or export their goods internationally.

Security issues as a result of international terrorism have affected operations across the international supply chains, leading to more legislative requirements and increased costs. This industry is highly exposed to risks associated with the global economy and the political wellbeing and influence of all trading partners to South Africa.

The challenges which TETA experiences with the implementation of its mandate and related strategies within the forwarding & clearing subsector include but are not limited to the following:

• Delays in having the occupational qualifications developed and registered on the national qualifications framework;
• Delays in, and lack of funding for the development of occupational qualifications and associated learning material;
• Lack of articulation and integration of the two educational streams and qualifications within higher education (post NQF level 5), within the Council for Higher Education and the Quality Council for Trade and Occupations;
• Scarcity of accredited training providers to train within the occupational stream post NQF level 5, as universities do not provide for occupational qualifications post NQF level 5.
• Corona virus has had a negative impact in that most employees were retrenched

• Continue with the development of the supply chain management development framework with both the private and public sectors so as to ensure integration and alignment of the skills required;
• Re-engineer the occupational qualifications in supply chain management NQF levels 6 and 7 to meet the requirements and standards of industry;
• Continue the strategic support for skills development provided to the Department of National Treasury and the Department of Trade and Industry within the scope of the National Development Plan and the National Exporter’s Development Program;
• Establish formal AQP partnerships with various professional bodies within supply chain management.

Some of the key achievements over the past five years include:

• Attaining 100% participation of large and medium companies within the mandatory grant application process;
• Entering into successful MOU’s with both the Dept. of National Treasury and the Dept. of Trade and Industry respectively in support of their national skills priorities;
• Funding and developing the occupational qualifications in freight forwarding, supply chain management and management of customs compliance in line with the legislative requirements of South African Revenue Services (SARS) and the World Customs Organization;
• Funding research on skills deficiencies within the context of cross border logistics within supply chain management, and subsequently funding training initiatives based on the outcomes identified within the research findings;
• Developing the supply chain management framework for skills development in collaboration with industry which was presented and accepted at the SAPICS Conference 2017 and the Africa Ports Evolution Conference respectively. Development initiatives will be done within this framework to ensure alignment of skills to the profession;
• Attaining the AQP status for the Supply Chain Management occupations and associated qualifications from the Quality Council for Trade and Occupations;
• Entering into an MoU with the Dept. of Transport in Limpopo and implementing the first road safety initiative within the province.