Johannesburg 19 May 2000
Master of Ceremony
The Directors of Emtateni Marine Corporation
Chairmen and CEO's of Various Companies
Representantives of Parastals
Members of the Shipping Fraternity
Government Ministers present
Ladies and Gentlemen
Thank you for inviting me to share with you in celebrating the launch of this joint venture that has seen the birth of Emtateni Marine Corporation. The economic empowerment and development of our people is a matter that is close to my heart and therefore I am truly honoured to be a part of this occasion.
Shipping is a crucial sector of our economy because of our strategic location between East and West.
Reports show that this industry is expanding rapidly in our country and is set to expand even further with the increased integration of our economy into world markets following our re-entry into the world of nations. The industry is therefore of great importance to the economic development of our country.
The location of the company in Durban, the gateway into the rest of the country and the shipping hub of Southern Africa can only enhance the activities of the company as the city and Richards Bay form the backbone of the shipping industry.
Given the importance of this industry, as it encompasses a wide area of the Southern African region, it is unfortunate that it remains a sector that shows a marked absence of black players. In this regard I am encouraged by the company's commitment to the recruitment, training and development of personnel from previously disadvantaged communities that will see them empowered to enter the industry and be significant players.
I believe that this marriage between the two companies is only the beginning of a welcome process of involvement of all the diverse peoples of our society in this very important industry.
I am heartened also by the long term objectives of the new company to see themselves progressing beyond their current activities to eventually run their own shipping line. I have often said that black business people, in particular, need to think bigger than the small businesses that they have traditionally been involved in. These tend to be restricted to small-scale retailing and the taxi industry to name a few and have become saturated, leading to endless battles for turf.
For real and sustainable black empowerment to take place more black people will have to be involved in joint ventures such as this one. Although we still have a long way to go, to completely reverse the legacy of our unfortunate past, government has to a great extent, put in place most of the necessary framework to enable our people to take their place in our society, particularly as economic players.
However government itself is not going to create jobs and this matter has been raised by many of us. What is needed is for South Africans and in particular, black South Africans, to be on the look out for opportunities and seize these when they present themselves. Black South Africans will have to be more active in efforts to unshackle themselves from the constraints placed on them by apartheid.
I believe that the success of this joint venture will lie in the fact that Southern Seas Shipping, as a foreign company, is not burdened with the prejudices of the past in their dealings with their black partners. They, and other foreign companies, are therefore in a significantly better position to play an important role in bringing about real black economic empowerment.
I commend Southern Seas Shipping for showing such confidence in black business people in our country by choosing to enter into a partnership with Emtateni Freight Plus.
I am hopeful that this merger marks a turning point in the shipping industry and will see greater numbers of our people thinking outside of the box and taking up opportunities in the shipping industry. I am confident that it will add value to the process of finding options for black business people to establish themselves in the South African economy.
We look forward to seeing this company grow from strength to strength, thereby contributing to the consolidation of the real empowerment of our people.
Thank you.
J.G. ZUMA