Activities and Events​​

ACTIVITIES WITHIN TaLSA, AMONGST OTHERS INCLUDE:

• Information on job opportunities
• Networking with other universities
• Company visits
• Activities organized by the Department of Transport and Supply Chain Management and Department of Transport (DoT)
• Information regarding vacation work
• First year experience
• Graduate empowerment
• Research engagement
• Guest speakers from the industry
• Fundraising to be self-sustainable

ACTIVITIES IN THE YEAR 2014/2015

1. South African Airways Cargo Excursion/ Tour

Amongst other activities TaLSA embarked on a Tour to SAA Cargo for experiencial learning on the 19th of August 2014. The second tour to SAA Cargo was organised for students on the 18th of August 2015 where 47 students participated under the supervision of departmental staff, Mr. Lunga Jacobs and Ms. Lebo Matubatuba.

The tours are part of giving students the exposure to the real world of work which assist and prepare them for the corporate world. Such tours also assist the students in their academic studies, should they have projects or assignments to complete pertaining to certain modules.

The tour lasted for two hours in the Warehouse, where students were exposed to warehouse activities which include the receiving of goods, dispatch, imports and exports, how international and domestic goods are sorted and loaded, etc.

The tours were made possible by Mr. Luthuli Justice (SAA Cargo), Ms. Thola Nzuza (SAA Cargo), Mr. Sibiya Bongani (SAA Cargo), Ms. Rochelle Adolph (SAA Cargo), Mr Lunga Jacobs (UJ Lecturer), Dr Rose Luke (UJ Lecturer), TaLSA executives and the support of the entire UJ Department of Transport and Supply Chain Management including the HoD (Prof Jackie Walters).

2. National Department of Transport Visit

In our attempt to realize our goals and objectives, TaLSA managed to meet with the Office of the Minister: National Department of Transport (NDoT), Dipuo Peters on the 31st of August 2015. The aim was to build a partnership with the Department for future mutual benefits. Some of the insights of the meeting was to look at establishing a Research Centre specifically aimed at transport and logistics students in the institution of higher learning (UJ for now) and other in the future.

Amongst those that attended the meeting included:TaLSA members – Mr Jacobs Lunga, Mr Reginald Kgwedi, Ms Carol Gaobodiwe, Mr Didimalang Modise, Mr Kevin Motshwanedi, Ms Mpho Mudzunga, Ms Euginia Singo and Ms Umi Osman. From NDoT – Ms Lorraine Stones, Ms Keitumetse Mathipa, Ms Hellen Mnguni, Ms Bukiwe Sangqu, Ms Dinah Maleka, Mr David Kgasago and Mr Sipho Ndala.

3. TaLSA Launch

TaLSA was officially launched on the 22nd of September 2015 at the University of Johannesburg Bunting Road Campus. The launch was to officially create awareness of the existence of TaLSA to the transport and logistics community within the university and to corporate organisations. We were honoured to have The Faculty of Management’s Dean, Prof. Daneel van Lill, the Deputy Dean Jane Spowart , The Department of Transport and Supply Chain Management’s HoD Prof. Jackie Walters, Mr. Lunga Jacobs (Lecturer) and other valued academic staff. From the corporate industry we had UTI represented by Pam van Olst and two staff members from the SABC.

The students have shown much interest to what TaLSA is working on to achieve. The number of students that attended the launch was recorded at ± 260 for the venue that was booked for 200 people. This has indicated the need for this society/ association in the Department of Transport and Supply Chain Management (DTSCM). The launch was made possible and sponsored by the department (DTSCM) including the venue and food provided.

4. Sandton EcoMobility World Festival Tour

Brief overview of Eco-mobility

Eco-mobility is travel through integrated, social inclusive and environment ally friendly options. This includes walking, cycling (wheeling), the use of public transport and car sharing (provided they are small urban vehicles powered by renewable energy). It is a way to prioritise such opportunities (walking, cycling, and public transport) in an integrated fashion and offer multi-modal transport options that meet the needs of most people. www.ecomobilityfestval.org

On the 22nd of October 2015, TaLSA participated in the initiative in Sandton by taking 50 students to experience the festival. The session started with a presentation of what EcoMobility is, what the future plans of the city (CoJ) are, presented by Mr Nhlapo Sipho. Students were later taken to the Exhibition area to experience the ecomobility products and a walk in West Street. The reason for the tour was to acquaint the students with the new developments in urban transport/ mobility. This was also to look at areas where students can contribute and add value to the plans of the city and the country as a whole. This also assisted students in their field of study by getting practical exposure in their field.

This was made possible by: Ms. Tebogo Mogashoa and Mr Sipho Nhlapho from the City of Johannesburg.

5. TaLSA engagements with the Transport Policy Makers at the NATMAP Colloquium.

On the 30th of October 2015 TaLSA sent three of its member students to the National Transport Master Plan 2050 (NATMAP 2050) Colloquium held in OR Tambo Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg. According to the South African Department of Transport website, this colloquium was meant to “present the output of the process to transport Stakeholders for endorsement before it is resubmitted to Cabinet.

6. TaLSA Annual General Meeting

TaLSA held its AGM on the 20th of November 2015, 12h30 – 16h00 at the APB Campus. The AGM was to draw the plans for the following year (2016), present the association report, and elect office bearers.