Need More Guidance?
Where to find a mentor to assist in launching a Transport and Logistics business
The Transport and Logistic industry in South Africa is very competitive and because this over-supplied market, mentorship will be very useful when starting a new business.
Many mentors have specific knowledge of specific types of businesses such as a transport or logistic business, a restaurant, hotel, bakery, butchery, supermarket, garage, or businesses in security, manufacturing, trading, or services.
Business Partners
Business Partners is the largest mentorship consultancy in South Africa and is a specialist risk finance company, and one of the few that provide debt and equity investment and property management services for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Business Partners invests in formal small and medium enterprises in all sectors of the economy. Business Partners Mentors assign the right mentor with the proven experience and skills, to assist start-ups such as yours.
The type of mentor you need
“Depending on the need, we would assign a suitable specialist to help. In this case, the need seems to be finance and marketing. We have specialist mentors who can help – even our typical generalist mentor could assist in this situation”, explains Pierre Mey, General Manager, Support Services for Business Partners.
”Our mentors provide a comprehensive service, covering everything you need to know about business management from basic, practical business functions, as well as to provide coaching, problem diagnosis, customised solutions, implementation assistance, and even investigations,” says Mey.
Mentors generally charge (a reasonable fee) on an hourly basis. You can also approach The Small Enterprise Development Agency (seda) who is the Department of Trade and Industry’s agency for supporting small business in South Africa. They offer help and guidance and usually do not charge for their services.
RFA SMME Starter Kit
The Road Freight Association of South Africa (RFA) offers an SMME Starter Kit specially designed for Start-up Business which includes hints and tips on how to get into transport industry, how to source contracts, how to calculate financial projections and other important information.
Where to find training to help you start a transport or logistics business
The Road Traffic Management Corporation provides regulated, professional training courses such as a National Certificate in Freight Handling. Contact TETA for a list of accredited training institutions.
More information
Regulatory bodies
- South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral)
- Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (CBRTA)
- Transport Appeal Tribunal
- Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC)
- Road Accident Fund (RAF)
- The South African Bureau of Standards has developed a set of standards (Stansa TCI181B) called the Road Transport Management System (RTMS)
Useful contacts
- To enquire about the operating license to transport scholars, tourists and general public The Registration and Licensing Chief Directorate of the Department of Public Transport, Roads and Works is responsible for the issuing of operating licenses.
- Call +27 11 355 9251 for information.
- Where to register a motor vehicle? The provincial motor vehicle licensing and registration (E-Natis office) can be reached +27 11 891 0107 during office hours.