Should the Post Office be a courier service?

Clarence Ford spoke to DearSA spokesperson, Nolu Maki.

Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below [Skip to 1:23].

The Communications and Digital Technologies Department is reviewing the Postal Services Act.

The department is suggesting that the South African Post Office (SAPO) exclusively deliver packages of up to 1kg.

"The Post Office should come into the market as an option, not to come in and say the other markets should not actually compete. Maybe this would be its saving grace, maybe it will do better by resuscitating it by employing people that will make it efficient." 

 - Nolu Maki, DearSA spokesperson

Over the last few years, hundreds of Post Office branches closed down across the country because they couldn't afford to pay rent.

Ford says that the Post Office has lost its ability to reach the people living in the nooks and crannies of South Africa.

"The accessibility of a Post Office is not the same anymore - it's no longer there. This proves the incapability of this SOE." 

- Nolu Maki, DearSA spokesperson

"When it comes to delivering any items, it is about accessibility. I need to be close by to my items."

- Nolu Maki, DearSA spokesperson

Maki says that SAPO has proven to be insufficient.

She adds that when the public sector fails, the private sector steps in because people still need the service.

"The current government has got this curse of taking things that are working and destroying them. It wants to come in in the most bullish way and say we are going to be the ones taking over...the private sector has proven that they can do it better."

- Nolu Maki, DearSA spokesperson

If you want to add your thoughts to this topic, you can visit Dear SA's website here.

Scroll up to listen to the full interview.