Durban-raised Mondli Mbhele is among the first maritime economist graduates from the eThekwini Maritime Cluster (EMC), an experience that he says further exposed him to the intricacies of the maritime industry.
Mbhele’s interest in the maritime space was sparked by the proposal to develop the Durban Dig-Out Port, a multi-billion rand infrastructure project plan to build a new container terminal at the old Durban International Airport site.
“This initial curiosity led me to pursue postgraduate maritime studies after completing my BCom in Economics and Finance. My interest was further deepened through my Master of Business Administration dissertation, which evaluated how ports in South Africa set prices, with the aim of improving tariffs and making port operations more efficient,” he said.
Mbhele, who grew up in Clermont west of Durban, now serves as a strategic economist and infrastructure policy specialist at Transnet SOC Ltd.
He says he often visited the BAT Centre at the harbour, which played a big role in shaping his early appreciation for the maritime environment.
“With over 10 years of experience in South Africa’s transport and logistics sectors, my work at Transnet spans economic analysis, infrastructure pricing, regulatory policy, and strategic planning across network industries, with a focus on improving efficiency and sustainability in critical infrastructure systems.”
Mbhele has been fortunate to learn from several mentors whom he says have significantly influenced his professional development.
“These include Thato Tsauste, former Managing Director at the eThekwini Maritime Cluster; Dr Victor Munyama, former Chief Economist at Transnet National Ports Authority; Moshe Motlohi, Former Durban Port Manager; and Marina Petersen, former Business Strategy Manager at the Durban Port. Their guidance has positively shaped my analytical approach and my ability to be a strategic thinker – I am grateful for their leadership and influence on my career,” he adds.
As the eThekwini Maritime Cluster, we are proud of what Mondli Mbhele has achieved and wish him continued success in his career.