A new man is at the helm of port operations in South Africa – Transnet National Ports Authority has announced the appointment of Herbert Msagala as General Manager: Port Operations effective June 2012.
Msagala will be tasked with the responsibility of providing effective and efficient, safe and affordable port services in support of TNPA’s strategic objectives.
He will focus particularly on improving port operations in close conjunction with both the Chief Harbour Master responsible for Marine Services and the GM: Infrastructure and Port Planning tasked with driving capital investment and infrastructure developments.
Msagala’s appointment is in keeping with the organisational transformation that TNPA is embarking on to redefine the role of TNPA in terms of the National Ports Act No 12 of 2005 and to deliver on Transnet’s Market Demand Strategy (MDS).
He said his experience at Transnet Freight Rail since 2000 where he eventually rose to the position of General Manager: Resource Management had afforded him the skills, experience and industry knowledge to successfully fulfill the requirements of the position.
“Spending more than a decade at TFR allowed me to develop overall, especially in terms of the development of my leadership skills as well as being a strategic change agent within the organisation.
“I have been utilised in the establishment and developing of key departments to drive strategic goals of the organisation.
“I hope to put all this knowledge in experience in driving TNPA towards greater efficiency and profitability,” he said.
Msagala holds a diploma in national mechanical engineering from the Mangosuthu University of Technology and is presently studying for a MBA through Mancosa.
During his spare time, his sporting interests are tennis, soccer and golf.
Tau Morwe, Chief Executive of TNPA said Msagala’s appointment came “after an exhaustive search for a suitable candidate”.
“I am confident that Herbert Msagala’s new role will contribute to the achievement of the MDS whereby Transnet has partnered with government to build an economic infrastructure that will facilitate the movement of goods and reduce the cost of doing business in South Africa.”
