By Koena Moabelo
The Gauteng Provincial Government in collaboration with the National Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) hosted a roundtable panel discussion on the freight and logistics industry in the province. His took place on Tuesday, 23 November 2021 at the Emperors Palace Hotel, Kempton Park – City of Ekurhuleni.
Themed "Creating a competitive, safe, secure and sustainable freight and logistics industry", the roundtable served to find strategies and interventions to improve movements of freight within and across the provincial boundaries. 
It also enabled government, the private sector, industry associations and consumers to deliberate on interventions to finding a smart freight transport solutions.
In his remarks, Premier David Makhura said the Provincial Government has recognised that expansions, establishments and modernizations of freight and logistics are the future driving forces of the economy. 
"The freight hubs are key to economic growth as they contribute to the effectiveness of the entire freight transport system. It is noteworthy to mention that this industry is the lifeblood of the Gauteng economic future growth", said the Premier.
"Gauteng province functional freight hubs that operate at different intensities are Tambo-Springs, City Deep in Johannesburg, one situated on the West Rand as well as the Vaal logistics hubs. They form Gauteng's Catalytic Infrastructure Programme aimed at increasing the province's advantages - fast tracking the establishment of freight and logistic hubs", he added.
The Tambo-Springs Freight and Logistic Hub, an approved Presidential Strategic Infrastructure Project, has been prioritized and is undertaken as part of national and provincial plans. It is a multi-year project and is strategically located along the Gauteng- Free State- KZN corridor. 
Tambo-Springs site is 22km from the City Deep Terminal and 25km from the OR Tambo Air Freight Terminal. It aims to increase efficiency and decrease costs of containerised cargo moving in and out of the province. It is in the southern part of Johannesburg and within the Johannesburg/Durban road freight and rail corridor. 
"We need to make sure we make decisions to avoid losing global competitiveness. We are positioning ourselves to continue being and investment destination, the world and Africa are not waiting for anyone. We have the advantage of driving development and solve problems around the freight and logistics industry", reiterated Premier Makhura.
The freight and logistic hub forms part of the Gauteng's Catalytic Infrastructure Programme aimed at increasing the province's advantages – "creating a competitive, safe, secure and sustainable freight and logistics industry". Other benefits include improved quality of life, less congestion on roads, reduced travelling times, reduced road fatalities, reduced air and noise pollution.