Saaff plays an important role in supporting South Africa’s freight and logistics ecosystem. The association’s effectiveness is critical to ensuring that exporters are able to move goods efficiently through the country’s ports and border posts.

“Regional structures have historically played an important role in maintaining close working relationships with port authorities, customs officials and other key stakeholders on the ground,” said Terry Gale, Chairman of Exporters Western Cape. “These relationships are essential in resolving operational challenges quickly and ensuring continuity in cargo flows.”

EWC is concerned that any disruption to these established engagement mechanisms could impact exporters’ ability to address operational challenges efficiently. Maintaining effective communication channels between industry participants, logistics providers and regional authorities remains essential to ensuring continuity, responsiveness and service delivery.

“We look forward to engaging constructively with Saaff and other industry partners as these changes unfold,” said Gale. “It is important that the evolving structure continues to support strong industry representation and remains responsive to the practical needs of exporters.”

Exporters Western Cape is a non-profit organisation established in 1979 to support and promote active, sustainable exporting in the Western Cape. The organisation provides a trusted platform for exporters and stakeholders across the trade ecosystem to connect, share knowledge and engage on key issues affecting export growth. Through a programme of informative and interactive networking events, Exporters Western Cape facilitates dialogue between business, government and trade associations, while signposting both new and established exporters to relevant expertise, insights and market opportunities.