Future of Logistics in South Africa - A Conversation with Jaco Venter (TFS)

The future of logistics in South Africa is evolving rapidly, and few organisations demonstrate this shift more clearly than Takealot Fulfilment Solutions (TFS). In celebration of Transport Month, Tribe Magazine powered by BDCS sat down with Jaco Venter, Executive: Logistics at TFS, to explore how technology, people, and sustainable innovation are transforming the way goods move across the country and the continent.

How TFS Uses Technology to enhance the Future of Logistics in South Africa:Jaco explained that TFS initially served as Takealot’s internal delivery network, but has since grown into a scalable, tech-driven logistics ecosystem built to support businesses of all sizes. Today, TFS connects international freight, national warehousing, domestic courier services, and last-mile delivery through a single integrated digital platform.This level of visibility gives businesses real-time control of stock, costs, and delivery performance. In a market where customer expectations are rising and supply chains are increasingly complex, efficiency is no longer optional, it’s a competitive advantage. According to Jaco, this connected model is a major part of the future of logistics in South Africa, enabling companies to scale faster and more confidently.

Empowering People at TFS South Africa to Deliver Measurable Business Outcomes to affect Future of Logistics in South Africa:Despite rapid automation, logistics remains a human-centered industry. Jaco highlighted that technology alone does not create excellence, people do. Data, robotics, and automation may increase speed and accuracy, but skilled teams are the drivers of innovation, problem-solving and service culture. At TFS, measurable results come from this blend of human talent and smart systems: faster deliveries, reduced costs, improved reliability and happier customers.

Sustainability and innovation in actionSustainability is also redefining the future of logistics in South Africa. TFS is pioneering this shift with electric truck fleets and autonomous robotic sorting. These innovations reduce emissions, improve fuel efficiency, lower operational costs, and create new technology-focused job opportunities. It is proof that the logistics sector can support economic growth while reducing environmental impact.

Partnership, purpose and progress:As Transport Month reminds us, logistics is the backbone of trade, manufacturing, and e-commerce. Jaco believes progress is driven by collaboration between industry, technology partners and skilled workers. When logistics becomes accessible, scalable and sustainable, more businesses can reach more customers, which fuels national job creation and economic resilience.