Over 40 deserving people were recognised and celebrated at the inaugural South African Freight Awards, which took place on 15 October 2022 at The Maslow Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg. The Awards were established to assist in the continuous quality improvement of emerging and qualifying enterprises and suppliers in the road freight sector.

“Our vision is to enable small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the road freight sector to build businesses that last and to foster collaboration, in support of empowering black entrepreneurs,” explained event organiser Florence Musundwa, Founder of GrowSupplierZA. “Through the Awards, we have created a curated ecosystem platform that enables public and private stakeholders to exchange knowledge and best practice.”

Awards were presented in four categories:

• Youth Achievers Awards
• Special Industry Recognition Awards
• Special industry Recognition Awards: Enterprise Supplier Development Programme
• Excellent Achiever Award in Freight 

Honorary Industry Advocacy Award – President of TASA (Truckers Association of South Africa)

Truckers Association of South Africa (TASA) Founder Mary Phadi was recognised for her contribution to the road freight industry. A mother and an entrepreneur who entered the male-dominated world of the trucking Industry in 2006 as a Director of Basadi Logistics, Phadi has achieved great successes. She is the author of the book ‘Destined to Reign’; is the former Spokesperson of the Coal Transporters Forum, a former member of the sector broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Charter Council; and, the former National Chairperson of the South African Network for Women in Transport (SANWIT). Phadi also represented truckers in the SADC Region in 2014. In addition, she was one of the top five students in her cohort for the Goldman Sachs’- GIBS 10 000 Women Certificate Programme for Entrepreneurs. This year, she also served as a judge of the Women in Transport Awards. Phadi founded TASA in 2015.

The other recipients of the Awards were:

Excellent Youth Achiever

Annah Ngxeketo - Founder and CEO: Mamoja Trading and Projects

Bruce Diale - Legacy 30

Lebohang Phadi  - Chief Executive Officer: Basadi Logistics

Lentswe Tlhogo - Voice Express

Mark Makhubalo - MLM Logistics

Nkashi Mphahlele – Founder and CEO: Makwaria Holdings

Sheina Gokool – Director: Gecko Group

Tonny Modise  - Inhalt Buz Solutions

Special Industry Recognition Award

Bongani Msimango  - Eskom Rotek Industries SOC

Bongani Ndebele – Managing Director: Lwaze Lwanda General Traders

Dikeledi Mosalo – Executive Officer, Road Freight Chamber: Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA)

Joe Letswalo - Principal Officer: Transport Sector Retirement Fund

Kesegan Subramoney - Director: SFT Energy

Lebo Letsoalo – Founder and Owner: Sincpoint

Mookho Morienyane - Assessment specialist: South African National Accreditation Systems (SANAS)

Enterprise Supplier Development

Charlin Ntuli – Enterprise and Supplier Development Superintendent: Glencore

Dan Seripe  - Manager: Royal Bafokeng Enterprise Development

Lukhanyo Ntshobodwana - Procurement Strategy and Transformation Manager: BP Southern Africa

Excellent Achiever in Road Freight

Beyers Mamakoko  - Emcaf Engineering

Christine Mackay - Macatlas Freight

Donald Msimanga-  Soliphetha Trading Enterprise

Greg Richardson – Executive: Colt Logistics

Jan Shongwe - Millira Transport

Johannes Choeu - JR Choeu Africa

Madoda Ngcobo - Ossebn CC

Maxwell Mlangeni -  Director: Today’s Destiny Logistics

Mpho Magano – Founder and Owner: Rambait Trading

Nomvula Twala -  Zibuse Transport

Ntuthuko Mhlongo - CEO and Owner: Dinjoms Trading

Palesa Nzimande - Tupapele Solutions

Phaphama Jonas - Sanoj Project Solutions

Roann Vetter – Manager Director: Roclin Transport

Robby Mogoashoa - Mamonkwe Trading CC

Samuel Maphosa – Managing Director: Njini Enterprise and Projects

Shirley Kgalalelo Bidi  - CMED Logistics

Sipho Lukhele – Managing Director:  Msika Business Enterprise

The Awards were supported by the Department of Transport, the Department of Small Business Development, the Transport Sector Retirement Fund, the Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA), MLM Logistics, Sun International, JC Auditors, Mamoja Trading & Projects (Gold sponsor) and the Truckers Association of South Africa, (TASA).