By Anton Cornelissen, Head: Heavy Haulage, Santam

October is Transport Month, a time for reflection. For those of us in logistics and insurance, it’s when we take stock, not just of the challenges on our roads but of how this sector keeps South Africa’s economy moving.

With over 20 years of experience in insurance, South Africa’s heavy haulage sector has always been my point of passion. Over that time, one truth has never changed: without trucks, everything stops.

The backbone of our economy

There’s nothing around you right now that hasn’t been moved by a truck. Road freight keeps mines, factories, farms, and retailers running, contributing to South Africa’s GDP and supporting well over a million jobs.

That’s why the health of this sector matters to everyone. When fuel prices rise, transport operators feel it first. When ports slow down or when parts become too expensive, the impact ripples through the economy almost immediately.

Insurance, in this context, is about more than paying claims. It’s about protecting livelihoods, sustaining businesses, and keeping the wheels of trade turning.

A well-insured, high-stakes sector

Heavy haulage isn’t classified as a separate insurance line, it falls under motor and goods-in-transit (GIT) cover. These products are fairly standard, but tailored to the realities of long routes, high-value assets, and tight margins.

A brand-new truck can easily cost R3.5 million, so most operators rely on finance, which makes insurance essential. Liability insurance, too, is a legal requirement for freight movement, which means the industry is relatively well insured. It’s rare to find a financed commercial truck without cover.

The real challenge lies in maintaining affordability. Premiums on a new Truck combination can reach R100,000 per year, so operators are constantly seeking ways to reduce costs without increasing their exposure. In South Africa, the risks are high, and exposure is inevitable.

Managing infrastructure and weather risks

Infrastructure remains the sector’s biggest vulnerability. Our roads, ports, and railways are deeply interconnected. When one struggles, the whole system feels it.

Government’s long-term transport plan, which aims to move bulk commodities like coal back to rail, is a step in the right direction. Fewer heavy loads on the roads mean fewer accidents and less wear and tear. Many large operators and mines already contribute to maintaining the provincial roads they use, and that really makes a difference.

But off the main highways, conditions are tougher. Many secondary roads were never designed for large trucks and lack basic infrastructure like truck stops and lighting — and that’s where many incidents occur. Add increasingly unpredictable weather, from Cape storms to KwaZulu-Natal floods and snowstorms, and the risk landscape becomes more complex every year. That’s why the industry has come together from all angles.

Collaboration and innovation wins the day

The progress we’ve made in recent years comes down to collaboration. Santam continues to work closely with institutions like the Road Traffic Management Corporation, provincial authorities, and industry partners to improve road safety and driver wellbeing.

Through our partnerships, we support mobile wellness clinics that offer free medicals, blood pressure checks, and even Professional Driving Permit renewals for drivers while they’re on the road. We’ve also backed initiatives like Nikki Scott’s Safer Stops, which trains over 100 female drivers each year. And there is much more to come. And this goes hand-in-hand with the latest advancements.

Today, AI-based monitoring systems act as a second pair of eyes, identifying risks, reading road signs, and helping drivers adjust their behaviour in real time. Many large fleets now use these tools as training aids, even rewarding their safest drivers through internal competitions. In addition, we’ve supported the development of a truck stop mapping app. It literally helps drivers see where the stops are, plan their routes safely, find a place to rest, and get all the things they need while they’re on the road.

By giving drivers the tools they need to make smarter, safer decisions on the road, the results have been outstanding. So, it’s a no-brainer.

Driving safer roads together

Transport Month brings the industry together. Each October, we see wellness events, safety drives, and partnerships that remind us what’s possible when everyone pulls in the same direction.

But the real goal is to keep that focus year-round. We must continue to build safer roads, support healthier drivers, and strengthen the sector that drives our economy.

At Santam, we share this vision with our government and industry partners. To get every driver home safely and to make South Africa’s logistics sector stronger and more resilient for the long road towards economic growth.

Even in challenging times, with rising costs and pressures across the industry, we remain forever committed to keeping premiums steady, supporting operators, and ensuring that the wheels of our economy keep turning.