Stories of Hope: Episode 16 - Mfundo Ngwazi and Malibongwe Zungu
Mfundo Ngwazi and Malibongwe Zungu stories: Share their experiences and aspirations in the Freight & Logistics industry, discuss their experiences as freight forwarders, their participation in learnerships, and their aspirations in the sea transport and freight shipping industry. Read about our Stories of Hope: Episode 16 below or watch the video.
Mfundo Ngwazi:
(00:29) My name is Mfundo Ngwazi, I grew up in many places here in KZN, but then I started primary school at eSkhawini and then there I did for one year and after that, I moved to Port Shepstone you know due to some family issues. The family decided that I stay in Port Shepstone.
(00:50) And then from there I had to move to Durban you know to try and now to apply at university and get a school there. So when I went to University and try and apply at university I couldn’t get a space, you know, due to points. So the point system, I was short, you know, so I had to go and upgrade, and also that didn’t work in my favor as well, so I had to now, try and see what is it that I can do to better my life. So I decided to go and work, you know for a couple of years.
Malibongwe Zungu:
(01:32) My name is Malibongwe Zungu, I was born and bred in Umlazi township, I went ot Austerville Primary, and in high school I went to Futura High and I studied certificate in International Trade and Transport.
(01:52) Upon completion, I joined a company, where I was hired as a temp and I worked there for 11 years and unfortunately, due to financial difficulties, the company has to retrench and I was part of the people who were retrenched, and that is where I joined Fairship.
Mfundo Ngwazi:
(02:15) So here it’s more relaxed, it’s more like family oriented type environment. It’s a good working environment, I mean it playful sometimes, you know, it is serious when it’s needs to be serious, and it’s quite a nice environment to learn, you know, to bounce ideas. I’ve found that it’s quite easy to express myself as well, you know, and everything, everyone is accessible. [Classroom Conversation]
Malibongwe Zungu:
(02:47) I have enjoyed the years that I’ve been with Fairship, so far, and because they doing something different to what the other companies were doing, like experience wise, they decided to enroll me in the course with Edge Training, where I’ve learned a lot more about bulk and more about the port operations, and it’s has helped me a lot.
Mfundo Ngwazi:
(03:17) I was asked if I want to be part of a learnership which is provided by Edge Training, the learnership is Freight Forwarding and Customs Compliance. So I accepted the opportunity as the industry is changing on a daily basis, so I wanted to capitalize on the opportunity.
(03:33) So when we are studying there at edge, it’s very easy to understand the program and the learnership because the person who is teaching the learnership, she’s from the industry, and she when she’s making examples, she gives real, you know relatable examples, which link up with what we do on daily basis.
Malibongwe Zungu:
(03:55) At Fairship I’m working in clearing and forwarding department where we do mostly documentation and act as a supporting department for the operations team.
Mfundo Ngwazi:
(04:09) I have a lot of colleagues which are all over the country, there is some in Richards Bay, Saldanha, and also in Eat London. So they send requests to me on emails, so I have to read the emails, print the documents, frame the entries, and also, you know, I liaise with the shipping lines. I have to phone the shipping lines, I have to phone government agencies, and I have to, you know, update the clients on WhatsApp, you know, and I have to now email back all those requests to my colleagues. [mumbles over the phone].
(04:47) When I came into the industry, I wanted to learn the business side of things, I didn’t want to learn, you know, how to sail the vessel, so that why I chose to do shore base, which is more on the business side of things, you know, because fir the main reason, the ship only moves through deals that are made on land
Malibongwe Zungu:
(05:12) In future I see myself working more in like the operations side where I’ll be based more in the harbor, instead of doing mostly documentation, that’s what I wish to gain experience in and also working towards.
Mfundo Ngwazi:
(05:33) I would love, you know, in future to develop economics of sea transports and further my studies there so that I can be able to understand the markets better, and also, I will love to, you know, to open my own imports or exports industry. You know, I mean firm so that I can be able to trade because that was my intention, I want to do something and the eventually I was also want to start my own legacy for my own kids and my family.
Malibongwe Zungu:
(06:07) I would like to thank Fairship for upskilling me and giving me the chance to enroll with Edge Training and also thank Edge Training for the Knowledge they’ve provided with this course that I’m currently doing. Thank you.
Next Steps
Are you interested in changing the life of a student while maximising your BEE scorecard? Reach out to Edge Training today! We are an accredited training provider with over 24 years of experience in the Skills Development industry. We offer various learnership programmes so you can find a learnership that best suits your needs. Reach out to one of our representatives today, we can’t wait to hear from you!