Shulami Qalinge has been appointed Chief Executive (CE) of Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), becoming the first female CE of the organization. Qalinge succeeds Richard Vallihu who has been appointed Group Executive: Operational Readiness, Transnet Corporate Center. Both appointments are effective, July 7, 2017.
Qalinge will provide strategic direction and leadership in the implementation of the overall TNPA strategic objectives and operational targets, including total oversight of the operation of eight commercial ports with more than 3,500 employees. She will also drive Transnet’s overall strategy to ensure attainment of growth targets and compliance to the National Ports Act 12 of 2005.
She joined Transnet 23 years ago as an engineering technician at Transnet Freight Rail (TFR). She rose through the ranks and held various General Management positions at TFR and at the Group Corporate Office before joining the Group Chief Executive’s office as General Manager. Qalinge has a demonstrable track record in people management and development, results orientation, building successful teams and a vast knowledge and understanding of the Transnet corporate direction and its operations. She also holds an MBA from De Montfort University in the U.K.
Qalinge, an Industrial Engineer by qualification, has most recently been Transnet’s Group Executive: Strategy, where she was responsible for leading and directing Transnet’s growth strategy in international markets, with particular focus on generating revenue from the rest of the African continent and the Middle East.
The appointment is of significance for an organization that prides itself on its advancement of women in the male dominated maritime industry. Fifty percent of TNPA’s executive committee is made up of females, while women can be found across the organization in operational roles previously reserved for men.