The Professional Body for Supply Chain Management (SAPICS) wrapped up a challenging but successful financial year with its recent well-attended annual general meeting (AGM) that was chaired by president MJ Schoemaker. Two new directors, Selepe Phetla and Nikita Reddy, have joined the SAPICS board.

Schoemaker applauded supply chain practitioners from around South Africa for pulling together in 2022 when, after COVID-19, supply chains were stretched even further by disasters of floods and droughts that affected the country. Supply chain professionals went the extra mile to keep shelves stocked, manufacturing going and to ensure that vital medications got to those who needed them, she stated.

Two new directors joined the SAPICS Board at the AGM. Selepe Phetla is the national transport manager for bpSA. He is a seasoned supply chain professional with 19 years of experience in various roles in supply chain. He brings a wealth of expertise to the SAPICS board. Phetla has been a SAPICS member since 2007. He has gained great insights serving on the SAPICS Conference speaker selection committee for the past two years. In addition to working with SAPICS, Phetla works as a volunteer to fund raise for the Hope Worldwide South Africa early childhood development programme.

New director Nikita Reddy is a senior academic at MANCOSA Training Solutions. With an education perspective and a Ph.D. candidate in Higher Education, Reddy says that she will contribute to SAPICS’s mission of promoting excellence in supply chain and operations management, leveraging her expertise to develop educational content and resources that benefit SAPICS members and the wider community. In addition, Reddy will provide guidance and support SAPICS' professional development programmes. She also aims to promote collaboration with other educational institutions and industry partners to drive knowledge sharing and best practices.

SAPICS is a not-for-profit company and sources its funds from four areas: education, events and workshops, membership and the annual conference. Schoemaker reported that the 2022 SAPICS Conference, the organisation’s flagship event and Africa’s leading education, knowledge sharing and networking event, was a huge success. “Having missed two vital years due to the pandemic, the 44th annual SAPICS Conference was really something to look forward to. Just over 600 SAPICS community members gathered at the Century City Conference Centre for the long-awaited reunion. Many people travelled from overseas to join us. Once again, we saw that more and more individuals and organisations realise the importance of supply chain education and training to manage operations.”

The SAPICS supply chain community enjoyed another vibrant Young Professional and Student Conference in 2022, Schoemaker reported. “It is absolutely imperative that we continue to grow the pipeline of talent that this profession needs,” she stressed. “By nurturing the young and providing them with motivation, inspiration and mentoring we can be assured that the future will look positive for the profession.”

Schoemaker said that the professionalisation of supply chain management remains a core focus of SAPICS, and she commended all the new designees who have demonstrated their supply chain competence. SAPICS is currently assessing recent policy and process changes by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and expects to be able to welcome many more professional designees in due course, she stated.

At the AGM, Schoemaker recognised the work of the SAPICS Authorised Education Partners that support the organisation in its important mission to develop a vibrant community of educated supply chain professionals. “In today’s increasingly challenging, volatile and complex environment, there is more emphasis than ever on suitable supply chain qualifications and continuous skills development. We need forward thinking supply chains than can anticipate disruptions, and skilled, proficient supply chain practitioners to manage them. It is vital for all supply chain practitioners to keep updating their skills sets and knowledge and honing their expertise.”

It was announced at the AGM that Schoemaker was elected to serve another year as SAPICS president.