THE first group of Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) employees, referred to as the “early movers,” recently settled into the iconic TNPA eMendi building, after finally implementing their decision to move their head office operations to the Port of Ngqura in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Approximately 25 employees, including 15 executive management employees, started working from their new office last week and were given a warm welcome by Nelson Mandela Bay stakeholders, including academia, the business sector and ordinary residents who see this move as a big step towards the rejuvenation of the metro’s economy.
In total, 221 employees from Durban and Johannesburg will move.
TNPA is still doing final touches to the offices to ensure that the remainder of these employees can start work without delay when they arrive.
Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor, Nqaba Bhanga, said, “As the city, we take this move as an historic incident in history. It is our duty then, as the municipality, to make sure that we create a conducive platform for TNPA to adjust quickly and give them all the support so that the impact of this move can be realised. The people of this city have got so much hope about this move,” Bhanga said.
“This move must not only benefit Nelson Mandela Bay, but also from here to Buffalo City and all the way to the Port St Johns coastal line,” he added.
TNPA acting general manager of the office of the chief executive, Phyllis Difeto, said that ever since this move was announced, they had only received love and warmth from all sectors of the metro.
She added that, as TNPA, they were confident that this move would contribute positively towards economic development and the creation of jobs.
“Indeed, there is logic behind this move. Employees that will be relocating have embraced this move and understand that it is a huge step for the people of this province,” she said.
Eastern Cape Maritime Business Chamber chairperson, Unathi Sonti, said that the TNPA move promised a great future for the Eastern Cape maritime sector.
“The investments that are coming into the region will position Nelson Mandela Bay and the Coega Development Corporation as Africa’s top special economic zone,” Sonti said.
