CITY Logistics last weekend held its first top drivers’
competition, with 10 finalists competing in the worthy event for KZN fleet
operators.
Logistics guru in KZN, Dave Scott, was on hand to report on the
event for Fleeetwatch, alongside
Wheels, as both titles want to
encourage KZN’s many fleet operators to follow City Logistics’ lead by hosting
more driver of the year competitions in order to raise safety on SA’s
roads.
The first prize of R10 500 in City Logistics’ competition went to
Samson Mofokeng, the second prize of R7 500 to Anesh Sundar and the third prize
of R5 500 to Gilbert Chimvinga.
All 10 City Logistics’ finalists were treated to a gala dinner on
the night before the day-long competition. At his speech during the gala dinner,
City Logistics’ national fleet manager Clint Brooke hinted at one of the reasons
why City Logistics has grown so fast.
In explaining why each of the prizes ended on R500, he said this
was for the drivers, as he knew the rest would go to the wives.
All the drivers who Wheels spoke to said City is the first company they have
driven for that gives them time with their families, instead of trying to
squeeze in another “quick” six-day trip to Cape Town.
Transport director Anthony Naicker said the safety of both drivers
and loads is paramount at City. No truck will leave the yard if there is not
enough time in the day to reach the next depot within the company’s stipulated
hours.
The test day started with a tough theoretical multiple-question
exam, followed by even tougher practicals hosted by Jonke training. (One of the
easier questions in the exam asked how much faster a tyre would wear if the
tyres pressure went down by 0,7% bar.) For the practical test, the drivers were
rated on their rig inspection before being rated on the road, and in the yard
they had to execute a difficult alley dock with a three-axle trailer, then turn
the rig in a tight space before snaking through a lane without touching the
obstacles. The space was very tight and in the ribald but tense atmosphere, very
few drivers managed to dock their rig without making several small
mistakes.
Brook said the weekend’s event was City’s first competition, based
on similar driver competitions conducted at Spar. Drivers were selected on their
Mercedes-Benz Fleetboard scores. The Fleetboard system awards points up to 10
for smooth driving and the best in South Africa at the moment is 9,95.
To get to such a score, a driver has to be one with the topography
of the route, concentrating every second to feed just enough diesel into the
engine on the inclines and use the momentum of the load to maintain speed down
hills.
Good truck drivers don’t touch the brakes unless it is to bring the
rig to a gentle stop. As the saying goes: “Bad drivers brake, good drivers
regulate”, which is why truck drivers get antsy when a motorist nips in front of
the truck’s nose, only to realise too late there is no space and then slam on
brakes.
Explaining the various names connected to City, from Couriers to
Linehaul, marketing manager at City Logistics, Tessa Geyser, said City Logistics
is the new umbrella name for the group which has grown organically since its
dyslexic founder Richard Fisher saw a gap to deliver legal documents in Durban
in 1988. But their long-standing clients just call them “City”.
City Logistics’ top 10 drivers:
Thomas Moletsane
Charles Baleni
Micheal Govender
Paul Nyikadzino
Anesh Sundar (second)
Henk Goosen
Samson Mofokeng (first)
Gilbert Chimvinga (third
Sifelani Sibanda
Peter Mawononga.
