The South African Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff ) has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to address the numerous challenges transporters and cargo owners face at border crossings every day. Freight NewsFeatures editor, Liesl Venter, spoke to Dr Juanita Maree, Saaff chairperson, about what is happening on the ground.FN: Border congestion has been a major challenge in southern Africa for years. Could you share some of the history of the situation?JM: Trade f lows have continuously been increasing. Approximately 85% or more of intra-Africa goods by volume are moved via road freight. At the same time trade facilitation measures have been implemented; however, the efforts have not increased in parallel with the increase in volume. Also, infrastructure constraints persist. The increase in volume, coupled with any potential breakdown of the system, results in delays, as the current system is ill-equipped to combat these constraints. Some of the border delays are costing the industry dearly, with delays at Beitbridge, for example, costing the industry an estimated R100 million a week, according to Fesarta (Federation of East and Southern African Road Transport Associations).FN: Solutions have been tabled to address the challenges. What work has been done to date from your side?JM: Most solutions revolve around successful public-private-partnership agreements. We have seen some very real successes in this regard, including more bilateral commitments and capacity building, increased private sector stakeholder consultation, and enhancement of the SMART border concept, as advocated by the World Customs Organization (WCO), as well as the Single Window System (SWS). There has also been a move to accelerate the uptake of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme.FN: Government and Saaff have been working closely on the issue of border posts. What progress has been made to date and what is the situation at present?JM: There has been absolute consensus that public-private partnership (PPP) agreements are critical to the success of our borders. Saaff has engaged extensively on a wide range of issues with the government. This has included work on the One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) Policy document in collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Road Freight Association (RFA), the Federation of East and Southern Africa Road Transport Associations (Fesarta), the Cato Ridge Logistics Hub Consortium (CRLHC), the SA Express Parcel Association (Saepa), the Technical Service Providers Association (TSPA), Nepad, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport: South Africa (Ciltsa), and Economists.co.za.We are also involved in the rules of origin certification process, as well as the updating the National Regulation for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) process. Accelerating the concept of the SWS by incorporating other government authorities (OGAs) on a single platform with Sars Customs has remained a priority for Saaff. We also work closely with the Pharmaceutical Task Group (PTG) and Saepa. Accelerating the AEO under the auspices of BUSA (Business Unity South Africa) with Sars Customs in developing a working TOR remains at the top of the agenda, as does our role to provide the industry in collaboration BUSA and government, specifically DTIC with insightful weekly reports on the security of the supply chain.Since Saaff is the current custodian of the WCO ESA RPSG (World Customs Organization’s East and Southern Africa Regional Office for Capacity Building), work stretches into the region. Regular webinars are held to inform industry on the progress made. FN: What does South Africa need from a freight forwarding perspective at the border posts to ensure cargo is not held up?JM: There is a need for a joint structure responsible for aligning the Department of Home Affairs (DHA)/ Border Management Authority. Dr Juanita Maree
