Gatvol Business has finally lost patience on Transnet disaster of “epic” proportions

The most authentic voice of South Africa’s organised business comes from local chambers of commerce, whose membership has a high proportion of entrepreneurs and owner-managers because they rely less on government business than often too-beholden corporates. So, to really know what SA Business is thinking, there’s nobody better to listen to than Melanie Veness, who chairs the association of all SA’s chambers. She is no stranger to talking truth to power. As the long-serving CEO of the Pietermaritzburg and KZN Midlands chamber, Veness has taken on many controversial challenges, including during the July 2021 Riots when she was the voice of those hardest hit by the destruction. She is at her most feisty while explaining why businesses have ‘had it’ with Transnet, a once-efficient operation destroyed by being stuffed with incompetent and often arrogant ANC deployed cadres. Veness demands decisive action from Transnet management’s ultimate boss, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan. Here’s why. - Alec Hogg