Working in the ports systems propelled Mr Donovan Govender on a voyage culminating in him securing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree despite formidable challenges presented by the pandemic.
‘My passion involving marine ports and the seaborne trade industry motivated me to pursue an MBA with a focus on understanding how disruptions affect the ports industry,’ said Govender.
A risk management specialist at Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) in Durban, Govender said studying while working during the pandemic was not easy, especially since classes had to be conducted online, making it challenging for research work.
‘My experience was both exhilarating and stressful, but overall I thrive on challenges and thoroughly enjoyed the experience,’ he said.
COVID-19 also had a profound impact on the efficiency of port operations, which directly influenced a region’s economic well-being. It is for this reason that Govender conducted the study under the guidance of Professor Mihalis Chasomeris, looking into how the pandemic affected marine operations at the Port of Durban, which is one of South Africa’s largest and busiest commercial seaports, handling massive amounts of maritime traffic.
‘Ports are gateways to international markets that handle about 90% of international trade and are essential for promoting global trade and economic expansion,’ he said.
Findings and recommendations of his study provided the TNPA marine operations with information to plan for future disruptions and identify best practices that can be implemented at other South African seaports.
Govender said he intends to apply knowledge gained from pursuing his qualification in his work environment and also encouraged others who seek self-improvement and skill refinement to follow in his footsteps, saying he’s considering studying further.
‘The whole MBA programme was life changing. It really changed how I looked at challenges and how I addressed issues that arose,’ he added.
Words: Samukelisiwe Cele
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini