Make Growth Happen: A Unitrans Journey

Unitrans

What does real growth look like in Africa — and what does it take to make it happen? Make Growth Happen is Unitrans’ podcast series exploring the ideas, people, partnerships and innovations shaping Africa’s logistics, transport and supply chain future. Season 1 celebrated Transport Month 2024 . We embarked on a journey through the heart of Unitrans, exploring the company's pursuit of excellence, innovation and people-centred values. In Season 2, we move beyond showcasing projects to tackling the real problems that matter-from road safety & smart logistics to sustainability & inclusive growth.

  1. قبل ٥ أيام

    Episode 12: Redefining Sustainable Growth in Africa

    Building Resilience, Partnerships and Progress That Lasts What does sustainable growth really look like in Africa? In a world shaped by economic uncertainty, changing customer expectations and increasing operational complexity, sustainable growth is about far more than financial performance. It requires resilient supply chains, long‑term thinking, responsible leadership and the ability to adapt in rapidly changing environments. In this episode of Make Growth Happen, Edwin Hewitt, CEO of Unitrans, and Sean Jackson, Unitrans Executive: Freight, explore what sustainable progress looks like in practice and how organisations can create lasting value across Africa. Drawing on their experience leading large, complex logistics operations, they discuss why resilience is built through deliberate choices, strong partnerships and a commitment to continuous improvement. The conversation examines the role of scale, technology, data and operational discipline in helping organisations anticipate change, respond to disruption and remain competitive over the long term. In this episode, we explore: What sustainable growth means in the context of African economies and industriesHow resilient supply chains help organisations adapt to uncertainty and disruptionWhy data, technology and operational visibility drive better decision‑makingThe advantages of scale, agility and continuous improvement in complex marketsHow partnerships across customers, suppliers, governments and industry strengthen long‑term outcomesWhy leadership, culture and disciplined investment remain essential to sustainable success This is a thoughtful and practical conversation about moving beyond short‑term gains to build stronger systems, stronger partnerships and stronger organisations that can thrive through change. Available on our website, YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts Subscribe for more conversations shaping Africa’s growth story Because sustainable growth isn't built on quick wins. It's built on resilience, partnership and the courage to think long term.

    Episode 12: Redefining Sustainable Growth in Africa
  2. ٥ أغسطس

    Episode 11: Crossing Lines - The Real Work of Seamless Trade in Africa

    Cross-border trade is often discussed in terms of opportunity and growth. But behind every successful shipment lies a complex network of systems, processes and partnerships working together to keep goods moving. In this episode of Make Growth Happen, we sit down with Juanita Maree, CEO of SAAFF, and Hugo Nieuwenhuizen, Customs Manager at Unitrans, to explore the realities of cross-border logistics and the critical role it plays in connecting economies across Africa. From customs compliance and documentation requirements to border post operations and risk management, this conversation unpacks the often unseen work required to move goods reliably through increasingly complex trade corridors. As regional trade continues to grow, the challenge is not just moving cargo faster, but moving it more predictably, transparently and efficiently.In this episode, we explore: Why cross-border logistics involves far more than transportation aloneHow documentation accuracy and compliance directly impact border efficiencyThe practical challenges created by differing regulations, systems and processes across countriesHow digitalisation, pre-clearance processes and data sharing are helping reduce delaysThe growing role of AI, automation and real-time visibility in future trade corridorsWhy collaboration between customs authorities, logistics providers, governments and industry stakeholders remains the key to unlocking seamless trade across AfricaGrounded in decades of industry experience, this episode highlights how stronger partnerships, smarter systems and better coordination can reduce friction, improve resilience and unlock new opportunities for regional trade. Available on our website, YouTube, Spotify and Apple PodcastsSubscribe for more conversations shaping Africa’s growth story Because seamless trade doesn't happen at the border. It happens through collaboration, trust and execution long before a truck reaches the crossing.

    Episode 11: Crossing Lines - The Real Work of Seamless Trade in Africa
  3. ١٤ يوليو

    Episode 10: The Everyday Hero

    How Everyday Decisions Shape Safer, Stronger Logistics Operations What separates good operations from great ones? It’s not always cutting‑edge technology, complex systems or major strategic decisions. More often, it’s the small choices people make every day, especially when nobody is watching. In this episode of Make Growth Happen, we sit down with Abdullah Moerat, People Development Manager at Unitrans, and Hubert Jacobs, Driver Trainer at Unitrans, to explore the role of leadership, mindset and personal responsibility in creating safer, more reliable operations. Drawing on decades of experience in driver development, coaching and people leadership, they share why resilience is built through consistent daily actions rather than isolated moments of excellence, and why the most important safety decisions are often the ones that go unseen. In this episode, we explore: Why people make the biggest difference when conditions are uncertain or challengingHow consistency, reliability and clear communication build trust across teams Why operational excellence is the result of thousands of small decisions made every day The power of mentorship, coaching and continuous learning in developing confident professionalsThe habits that distinguish high‑performing frontline teams — from preparation and punctuality to proactive communication and sound judgement How a people‑first culture strengthens safety by helping individuals choose to do the right thing because they believe in it, not simply because they are told toThis is an authentic and inspiring conversation about the people who keep logistics moving every day - the mentors, trainers, leaders and frontline teams whose actions create safer journeys, stronger teams and better outcomes. Available on Unitrans' website, YouTube, Spotify and Apple PodcastsFollow or Subscribe for more conversations shaping Africa’s growth story Because behind every successful operation is an everyday hero who chooses to do the right thing, every single day.

    Episode 10: The Everyday Hero
  4. ١٧ يونيو

    Episode 8: Green Solutions that Spark Growth

    What Sustainability Really Looks Like in African Logistics? What does sustainability actually look like in practice and not only in theory? In this episode of Make Growth Happen, we unpack how sustainability in African logistics is being shaped by real operational decisions, not just long‑term ambition. Featuring Liesl De Wet (Unitrans' Head of Sustainability), this conversation explores how the industry is navigating the balance between efficiency, reliability and decarbonisation in environments where infrastructure, cost pressures and operational realities demand practical solutions. Rather than chasing idealistic targets, the discussion focuses on what’s working now: how innovation, electrification readiness and smarter fleet performance are being applied in ways that make both environmental and business sense. In this episode, we discuss: * Why sustainability in Africa is about progress, not perfection * The realities of electrification and green transport adoption * How efficiency improvements already reduce emissions and cost * What it takes to scale sustainable solutions in complex environments This is a grounded, forward‑looking conversation that moves beyond buzzwords, offering a clear view of how sustainability is being implemented in the real world. Available on our website, YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Subscribe for more conversations shaping Africa’s growth story. Because sustainable growth isn’t theoretical - it’s built through practical action.

    Episode 8: Green Solutions that Spark Growth

حول

What does real growth look like in Africa — and what does it take to make it happen? Make Growth Happen is Unitrans’ podcast series exploring the ideas, people, partnerships and innovations shaping Africa’s logistics, transport and supply chain future. Season 1 celebrated Transport Month 2024 . We embarked on a journey through the heart of Unitrans, exploring the company's pursuit of excellence, innovation and people-centred values. In Season 2, we move beyond showcasing projects to tackling the real problems that matter-from road safety & smart logistics to sustainability & inclusive growth.