Phumuzi Ernest Sigasa has taken up the reigns as the Executive Manager of the newly created Port Security Portfolio at Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA).
Created as a department reporting to the office of the Chief Executive, the security portfolio has been disengaged from the operations function of the Authority in order to strengthen its key strategic function.
With the majority of South Africa's import and export goods passing through TNPA's eight ports, earning revenue that contributes immensely to the country's economy, it would be "suicidal" to not properly safeguard our ports, says Sigasa.
Looking at the challenges faced in upping the security oversight at TNPA, Sigasa says there needs to be a balance between the commercial needs of ports and security imperatives. Collaboration between TNPA and other vital state security agencies also needs to be properly defined and strengthened.
It is important that when planning port expansions a coordinated and integrated approach between TNPA and local and provincial governments is taken, and that security is included in the elementary stage.
Saying he has grown up in security, this former MK regional commander has done a stint as a union official in Cosatu (in the then Paper Printing Wood and Allied Workers Union, PPWAWU) and, was a divisional industrial relations and continuous improvement manager in Nampak's Blow Moulding division before resigning in 1996 to "join hands" with a security company.
In 2009 Sigasa was the strategic advisor to the Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni Metro Municipality overseeing the Demilitarization Programme. This programme was an offshoot of the Special Presidential Projects which looks at the re-integration of MK veterans and Self Defence Units into society.
In contrast to the world of high security Sigasa likes flowers, and watching films has replaced all his other hobbies including music which used to be his passion. When not absorbed in movies he prefers to be in silence "just thinking".
Born in rural Free State, not far from Vrede, Sigasa is a farm boy at heart and says that when he retires he would like to have livestock to look after on a farm like his forbearers had before township life.
Created as a department reporting to the office of the Chief Executive, the security portfolio has been disengaged from the operations function of the Authority in order to strengthen its key strategic function.
With the majority of South Africa's import and export goods passing through TNPA's eight ports, earning revenue that contributes immensely to the country's economy, it would be "suicidal" to not properly safeguard our ports, says Sigasa.
Looking at the challenges faced in upping the security oversight at TNPA, Sigasa says there needs to be a balance between the commercial needs of ports and security imperatives. Collaboration between TNPA and other vital state security agencies also needs to be properly defined and strengthened.
It is important that when planning port expansions a coordinated and integrated approach between TNPA and local and provincial governments is taken, and that security is included in the elementary stage.
Saying he has grown up in security, this former MK regional commander has done a stint as a union official in Cosatu (in the then Paper Printing Wood and Allied Workers Union, PPWAWU) and, was a divisional industrial relations and continuous improvement manager in Nampak's Blow Moulding division before resigning in 1996 to "join hands" with a security company.
In 2009 Sigasa was the strategic advisor to the Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni Metro Municipality overseeing the Demilitarization Programme. This programme was an offshoot of the Special Presidential Projects which looks at the re-integration of MK veterans and Self Defence Units into society.
In contrast to the world of high security Sigasa likes flowers, and watching films has replaced all his other hobbies including music which used to be his passion. When not absorbed in movies he prefers to be in silence "just thinking".
Born in rural Free State, not far from Vrede, Sigasa is a farm boy at heart and says that when he retires he would like to have livestock to look after on a farm like his forbearers had before township life.