Growing a small business in the increasingly difficult global economic climate is not easy. Despite the small, medium, and micro enterprise (SMME) industry being a big driver of employment and economic growth for South Africa, many of these businesses face several challenges during the start-up phase. Oliver Naidoo, Managing Director of SANASaccredited certification body JC Auditors (JCA), says early implementation of credible standards and certifications can accelerate the progress of a business overcoming some of these challenges. “Certification to the Road Transport Management System (RTMS) promotes safety, compliance, and efficiency in a commercial fleet – regardless of the size. Along with ISO standards, these are proven mechanisms that enable a business to achieve safety, efficiency, and cost gains,” he says.

RTMS is an industry-led, government-supported, voluntary, self-regulation scheme that encourages consignees, consignors, and road transport operators to implement a set of standards that demonstrate compliance with road traffic regulations and contributes to preserving road infrastructure, improving road safety, and increasing productivity. ISO standards are internationally agreed upon by experts and manage various systems within a business, with the core goals of risk mitigation, continual improvement, and promoting business sustainability.

Annah Ngxeketo, Managing Director of Mamoja Trading & Projects, says the decision to implement management systems from the ‘get-go’ delivered unforeseen results to the fledgling transport company. Based in Marikana, North West, Mamoja has signed some of South Africa’s biggest mining houses to its books since becoming RTMS and ISO 9001 accredited, within a year of starting its operations. Not only has the accreditation delivered more work to the business, but it has also delivered a host of other benefits such as reduced downtime, improved fuel consumption, and operating efficiency. Other benefits include a reduction in traffic violations and traffic incidents. Driver behavior has also seen a major improvement, adds Ngxeketo.      

According to Oliver, JCA has been conducting RTMS certification audits since 2007 and has witnessed first-hand the performance improvements in companies such as Mamoja. “RTMS certification involves a two-stage audit process as per the ISO 17021 standard, which is the international standard applicable to all certification bodies. The audits are based on a sample population of trip data, vehicle history, driver information, telematics data, policies, and procedures,” he explains.

Compliance requires that a company demonstrates that it manages its transport operations with due consideration to road safety, compliance, and operational risks. The RTMS processes are developed so that procedures are compiled and consistently implemented to minimise the risks identified.

“A fundamental RTMS requirement is the need to incorporate a safe culture within the operation. This often requires a change in attitude, mindset, and driving behavior. This culture change is crucial considering South Africa’s unacceptably high crash rates, especially in recent times. It is thus very encouraging to see the emerging transporters actively embrace good governance in their businesses,” concludes Oliver.