Page 27 - Logistics News - November December 2022

ROAD TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

RTMS opens doors for

emerging entrepreneurs

Road Transport Management System (RTMS) certification is paving the way for SMMEs to grow their

business and improve efficiency and operating costs.

rowing a small business in the increasingly difficult with the core goals of risk mitigation, continual improvement
global economic climate is not easy. Despite the and promoting business sustainability.
G small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME)
industry being a big driver of employment and economic Annah Ngxeketo, Managing Director of Mamoja Trading &
growth for South Africa, many of these businesses face Projects, says the decision to implement management systems
several challenges during the start-up phase. from the ‘get-go’ delivered unforeseen results to the fledgling
transport company. Based in Marikana, North West, Mamoja
Oliver Naidoo, Managing Director of SANAS- has signed some of South Africa’s biggest mining houses to its
accredited certification body JC Auditors (JCA), says early books since becoming RTMS and ISO 9001 accredited, within
implementation of credible standards and certifications a year of starting its operations. Not only has the accreditation
can accelerate the progress of a business overcoming some delivered more work to the business, but it has also delivered a
of these challenges. “Certification to the Road Transport host of other benefits such as reduced downtime, improved fuel
Management System (RTMS) promotes safety, compliance consumption and operating efficiency. Other benefits include
and efficiency in a commercial fleet – regardless of the size. a reduction in traffic violations and traffic incidents. Driver
Along with ISO standards, these are proven mechanisms behaviour has also seen a major improvement, adds Ngxeketo.
that enable a business to achieve safety, efficiency and cost
gains,” he says. According to Oliver, JCA has been conducting RTMS
certification audits since 2007 and has witnessed first-hand
RTMS is an industry-led, government-supported, the performance improvements in companies such as Mamoja.
voluntary, self-regulation scheme that encourages “RTMS certification involves a two-stage audit process as per
consignees, consignors and road transport operators to the ISO 17021 standard, which is the international standard
implement a set of standards that demonstrate compliance applicable to all certification bodies. The audits are based
with road traffic regulations and contributes to preserving on a sample population of trip data, vehicle history, driver
road infrastructure, improving road safety and increasing information, telematics data, policies and procedures,” he
productivity. ISO standards are internationally agreed upon explains.
by experts and manage various systems within a business,
Compliance requires that a company demonstrates that
it manages its transport operations with due consideration
to road safety, compliance and operational risks. The RTMS
processes are developed so that procedures are compiled and
consistently implemented to minimise the risks identified.

“A fundamental RTMS requirement is the need to
incorporate a safe culture within the operation. This often
requires a change in attitude, mindset and driving behaviour.
This culture change is crucial considering South Africa’s
unacceptably high crash rates, especially of recent times. It
Under Annah Ngxeketo’s leadership and strategic direction, L O GI S T I CS NEWS
Mamoja Trading’s shapeshifting contribution to the North is thus very encouraging to see the emerging transporters
West mining sector has seen the business build a successful and actively embrace good governance in their businesses,”
credible pipeline of local and multinational clients. concludes Oliver. •

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