In the past, international trade was about efficiency and predictability. Today, South African importers face a very different landscape. Global conflicts, shifting tariffs, domestic port delays, and load shedding have created a perfect storm of volatility. The result? Disruption is no longer the exception – it’s the rule.
According to Vernon Sinden, Head of Logistics at Investec, companies can survive, but only with the right foundations in place. “Agility and supplier resilience aren’t just nice to have anymore. They’re survival tools.”
Silver Linings in a Challenging Market
Despite challenges facing Transnet, which reported a R1.9 billion loss for the year ending March 2025, government intervention has created optimism. State guarantees of R94.8 billion underscore a commitment to reinforcing South Africa’s logistics backbone – a crucial step for long-term growth.
This investment signals that while challenges remain, there’s momentum towards stabilisation and improvement in the national supply chain infrastructure.
Why Supplier Relationships Are Your Greatest Asset
“In this environment, the businesses that will endure are those that treat suppliers as strategic allies, not transactional vendors,” Sinden notes. Strong supplier partnerships translate to priority access, flexibility, and creative solutions when disruption inevitably hits.
Early warning signs – like slippages in lead times, unreliable shipping, or inventory turnover gaps – should trigger action before costs spiral. Diversifying supply and renegotiating terms proactively is often the difference between resilience and crisis.
The Consumer Factor: Smarter Systems Needed
South African consumers are increasingly price-sensitive and migrating online, intensifying pressure on stock management.
“Overstocking eats into margins, understocking risks customer loyalty. The result? Importers are being forced to invest in smarter systems and forecasting tools to synchronise demand with supply,” Sinden explains.
Technology can sharpen forecasting, but it’s mindset – flexibility, transparency, and collaboration – that ultimately drives resilience.
Turning Disruption into Opportunity
Crisis management today is about preparation and posture. Holding buffer stock where necessary, building open communication lines with suppliers, and showing willingness to negotiate or adapt logistics models transforms relationships from fragile to formidable.
“The reality is that resilience in South Africa isn’t a corporate cliché. It’s a survival strategy,” says Sinden. “Importers who cultivate suppliers as strategic allies will be best positioned to turn disruption into opportunity.”
