Logistics
Safety in Logistics – a Business Imperative
Amidst the chaos and disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic, safety is a growing focus for many companies. However, most view safety as a “tick box” exercise. For logistics operator Crossroads, however, safety goes far beyond that. Safety is one of the company’s core values: it is integrated into everything they practise and something for which everyone is responsible.
Established over 80 years ago in the Northern Cape (Springbok), Crossroads has established itself as a key role-player in the logistics and supply chain environment. An 80% Black-owned company with an 33% Women-ownership, the company employs approximately 680 employees and owns more than 400 vehicles.
Its Fuel and Bulk Liquids division boasts a long-standing history and modern tanker fleet throughout South Africa, providing dedicated, specialised transport services to tanker industries through South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and the broader SADC region.
Never compromise on Safety
Zero compromise on safety standards is at the core of Crossroads’ success. Over the years, it has developed a strong culture through adopting the “Reset Your Thinking” values. These values are Responsibility, Entrepreneurial, Safety, Excellence and Ethics and Trust. Safety is not just a set of rules, policies, procedures or practices, but is integrated into everything they do. This is what sets them apart.
“Everyone within Crossroads lives our culture,” explains Chief Executive Officer Arend du Preez. “We are all responsible for safety – it is not something that the SHEQ department is solely responsible for. Management ‘walks the talk’, with visible safety leadership.”
“At Crossroads, we never compromise on safety and the safety of our drivers,” he says. “Safety is always top of mind in our business and we are proud of our safety compliance record. Our ongoing driver training includes keeping our teams up-to-date with the risks associated with long-distance driving. Our drivers spend many hours on the road and we equip them with the knowledge, skills and tools they need to stay safe. Safety compliance goes a long way towards reducing risks”.
“Everyone deserves to go home. Delivering fuel for the big oil companies is a tight-margin business. But there is no margin for error where safety is concerned,” continues du Preez. “Crossroads has experienced people keeping a tight rein on operations, to make sure everyone meets all the safety standards and practices. “We use the latest technologies to help us monitor the fleet, the drivers, and the processes. Because everyone deserves to go home.”
Safety Processes and Covid-19
Whilst the Covid-19 pandemic has enforced new health and safety protocols for many, at Crossroads these were integrated into the existing culture of safety with ease. “We have included safety training as part of our internal values on which all staff are trained,” continues du Preez.
The company’s commitment to safety is reaping results, with its safety statistics improving year on year.
“Safety at Crossroads is an ongoing journey,” concludes du Preez. “We are evolving all the time but we know and understand that we can never do enough.”
Smarter infrastructure, better connected transport systems and airport experiences that reflect African creativity were at the centre of Runway to Railway: Project Maverick, held at the Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town on 22 October 2026. The gathering brought aviation, technology and creative perspectives into a discussion about how innovation can improve infrastructure and the experience of the people who use it.
Held under the theme Simply Connect Africa, the event forms part of the Runway to Railway vision conceived by Anna K Hecart, founder and director of Connected Group. The platform brings different sectors together to explore connections between infrastructure, business and opportunity across the continent.
Raising the Bar for African Infrastructure. Panel participants: Dirk Ackerman, moderator; Nicholas Ferguson, Executive Managing Director, RSA Aero; Hasnain Motlekar, Acting Chief Executive Officer, BCX; and York Ning, Director, ICT Marketing & Solution Sales Department, Huawei South Africa.
“Runway to Railway began with a belief that Africa’s progress depends on the connections we make between people, industries and ideas,” said Hecart. “We are pleased to announce the Runway to Railway Expo for November 2027. Our ambition is to bring the people shaping transport, infrastructure and technology together with investors and creative businesses to explore practical solutions and build partnerships that move Africa forward.”
The Expo is being developed as a meeting place for aviation, rail, logistics, infrastructure, technology, tourism and design professionals, alongside investors and public-sector stakeholders. Partners can expect opportunities to showcase their capabilities and connect with potential collaborators. Attendees can look forward to discovering innovations, exchanging ideas and exploring how better connected infrastructure can support African business and communities.
Anna K Hecart, Founder and Director of Connected Group and visionary behind Runway to Railway, addresses the gathering.
The infrastructure conversation brought the airport development perspective together with the technology expertise of BCX and Huawei. It considered how closer collaboration can support better passenger experiences, reliable operations and the practical delivery of connected infrastructure.
“The decisions that shape a passenger’s journey are made across many different organisations,” said Ackerman. “Bringing developers, operators and technology partners together early helps us see how those decisions fit together and where collaboration can make infrastructure work better.”
“An airport is part of a much wider economic network,” said Ferguson. “Its development needs to consider how people arrive, how businesses connect and how the surrounding region benefits. Innovation should support that wider purpose while making the everyday experience more efficient and welcoming.”
“The value of connected infrastructure lies in what it enables people and businesses to do,” said Motlekar. “Reliable networks, secure systems and useful information need to work together. Planning these capabilities from the outset helps organisations improve services and respond as demand changes.”
Gavin Rajah delivered the closing remarks, extending the conversation to the quality and character of retail experiences at African airports. He highlighted the opportunity to bring greater creativity and a stronger expression of African identity into spaces that shape travellers’ first and last impressions of a destination.
“An African airport should give travellers a real sense of place,” said Rajah. “Our retail spaces can do far more to showcase the continent’s design, fashion, food and craft. We have the talent and the stories. The opportunity is to present them with imagination and the quality they deserve, while creating space for African creative businesses to grow.”
Gavin Rajah, closing speaker, addresses creativity and African identity in the airport experience.
Event photographs
The Raising the Bar for African Infrastructure panel at Runway to Railway: Project Maverick.
An exchange during the infrastructure panel discussion.
A panellist contributes to the infrastructure discussion.
An on-stage presentation during Runway to Railway: Project Maverick.
Guests exchange ideas during the luncheon at the Vineyard Hotel.
Guests follow the programme at Runway to Railway: Project Maverick.
Guests seated during the event programme.
A guest listens during the luncheon.
Guests in conversation during the event.
Networking at Runway to Railway: Project Maverick.
Guests gather for a photograph at the Vineyard Hotel.
Guests connect outside the event venue.
Conversations continue between programme sessions.
A conversation during the event reception.
A conversation at Runway to Railway: Project Maverick.
*All photographs featured in this article were captured by: Elvis Nyelenzi
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