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Manica Africa, an international freight forwarding and storage firm, said on Tuesday it is looking into offering customers logistical solutions to make landlocked Malawi’s imports and exports more competitive.
Manica Africa group chairman Piet Steyn said in an interview in Blantyre that Malawi being a landlocked country, her imports and exports go through different systems and countries hence the need to provide logistical solutions.
“These logistical solutions include provision of warehouses for storage as well as an efficient transport system across the borders to the sea,” Steyn said after presiding over Manica Malawi’s long service awards at Mulika Club in Blantyre.
Steyn said Manica lost 70 percent of its 80 percent market share as of 30 years ago to the estimated 400 clearing agents and briefcase firms operating in Malawi and is now concentrating on developing transport logistics, container depots, warehousing and air freight.
“Despite all this, we are optimistic about the future in the areas of our concentration,” he said.
Commenting on Manica Africa’s new investment in Tanzania, Steyn said Manica believes this is good news for Malawi because the country needs as many options as possible to the sea.
Manica Malawi managing director Alex Chitsime said last year the company spent K15 million ($141,509) to upgrade its warehouses in Lilongwe and Blantyre as part of its drive to give money back to the people and assets.
He also said Manica Malawi spent another K15 million rehabilitating its forklift while this year the company plans to spend more on upgrading its computer systems and training of staff to offer the best service.
Steyn also said besides the flourishing of briefcase clearing agents and firms doing own clearing, Manica’s change of focus, has come about because some shipping lines such as P & O Nedlloyd which Manica used to represent have opened own offices in the country.
And in his address to Manica Malawi staff, Steyn challenged them to take to management ideas they feel can help the company forge ahead.
He also bemoaned what he described as a worrying trend of fraud in the region which, he said, explains why Manica Africa put in place strict procedures.
Manica Africa Group has subsidiaries in Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
During the long service awards ceremony, seven Manica Malawi employees received certificates and K3,190 cheques for serving five years, three received certificates and K6,380 for a 10-year service, two got K9,790 for a 15-year service while two, driver Peter Kasandara and air-freight manager Exford Kaphuka were given certificates and K14,300 for serving Manica Malawi for 25 years.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Kaphuka said he was grateful to the company for appreciating the service given by the employees.
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