South Africa’s Transnet National Ports Authority has brought in Bridgette Gasa, one of the countries top environment engineers and an award-winning businesswomen, to revitalise its ports.
Gasa joins the state-owned port operator as its portfolio director for mega projects.
Transnet said Gasa’s role is to provide leadership on flagship infrastructure projects, including the finalisation of the KwaZulu-Natal port master plan and the development of the Durban Hub Port Development Programme.
Gasa has also been tasked with ensuring the successful delivery of the integrated Durban Logistics Hub strategy.
Her appointment was described as being aligned with Transnet’s goal of delivering all key infrastructure projects on time and on budget.
Transnet executives recently unveiled a draft master plan designed to restore the Durban’s port to its former position as the biggest, busiest port in Africa.
In recent years ports in Morocco and Egypt usurped Durban from the top spot.
The master plan aims to fast-track the port’s growth from its current 2.9m teu annual container handling capacity to 11.3m teu.
At the same time, Transnet plans to install the necessary infrastructure to allow LNG bunkering.
These plans are currently undergoing a wide-ranging consultation process towards approval and implementation.
Gasa, who holds a doctorate degree in construction management, was described by Transnet as being a "qualified built environment practitioner" with more than 27 years of industry experience in economic valuation of mega projects, construction project management, infrastructure development.
Gasa has held various leadership roles in private and public companies.
In 2008, she established The Elilox Group, a company focused on programme and project management consulting, infrastructure development and the provision of services within the rail sector.
In addition, Gasa currently serves as chairwoman of the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone and has been one of South Africa's national planning commissioners since 2010.
Gasa is also the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Department of Science & Technology Award for a Leading Woman Scientist in Industry in 2008, a 2013 award recognising her as South Africa’s most influential businesswoman in basic industries, and Africa’s Most Influential Woman in Building and Construction award in 2016.
