Rooted in South Africa, at home in the global network: Three questions for Detlev Duve
By Hendrik Durst I 4 minute read
09/09/2026
In the latest episode of the DACHSER podcast “Network Talk”, Detlev Duve, Managing Director Air & Sea Logistics South Africa at DACHSER, talks about the development of DACHSER South Africa, the opportunities in the South African market, and the importance of a values-based corporate culture. We asked him three key questions.
How did you experience the integration of Jonen Freight into DACHSER’s global network – first as the owner of the South African freight forwarding company and now as Managing Director of DACHSER South Africa?
Detlev Duve: For us, becoming a part of DACHSER, first as a joint venture and later completely, was far more than a conventional acquisition. It gave us the opportunity to preserve the strengths of a family-owned business while becoming part of an international network. The shared values were especially important. Both Jonen Freight and DACHSER are shaped by a strong family culture, and that made the integration much easier. For us, it was crucial that DACHSER, despite its size, has retained many of the values of a family business.
The development since DACHSER came on board shows how successful our shared path has been. A regional freight forwarding company has grown into a significantly larger organization, today with around 230 employees and four locations. At the same time, our customers benefit from a worldwide network, uniform standards, and global contacts. What matters is that the personal service and closeness to our customers have remained. For me, this combination of local roots and global strength is what makes the integration such a success.
What matters is that the personal service and closeness to our customers have remained. For me, this combination of local roots and global strength is what makes the integration such a success.
What role does South Africa play in international supply chains today?
D. Duve: South Africa plays an important role as a logistics hub in Southern Africa. More and more goods enter the region via South African ports and are then distributed onward to neighboring markets. This creates interesting opportunities for companies looking to develop new sales and procurement markets.
At the same time, we are seeing infrastructure investment increase and important modernization projects being initiated. Despite existing challenges, the market continues to develop. Alongside traditional sectors such as mining and agriculture, growth is increasingly being driven by consumer goods, automotive, and Life Science & Healthcare. For our customers, predictable supply chains, reliability, and transparency are especially important – and this is exactly what we align our services with.
The latest episode of “Network Talk” with Detlev Duve provides more insight into the development of DACHSER South Africa and South Africa’s role in international trade.
Our goal is to open up prospects for people and support them on their path into working life. For me, this is an important expression of what defines DACHSER: logistics is, and remains, a people business.
What role do the employees of DACHSER South Africa play in increasingly digitalized logistics?
D. Duve: Digital technologies and AI help us make processes more efficient, process information faster, and offer our customers greater transparency. That is why we also use these solutions in various areas. At the same time, logistics remains a very practical business: goods have to be moved, handled, and delivered – and this will continue to require committed and qualified people. We therefore take a balanced approach: we use digital technologies where they create real added value, while also consciously investing in the development and qualification of people.
This understanding of a values-based company culture also shapes our social commitment. Together with partners such as Terre des Hommes and the Outreach Foundation, we support education and training programs for children, young people, and adults. Our goal is to open up prospects for people and support them on their path into working life. For me, this is an important expression of what defines DACHSER: logistics is, and remains, a people business.
To learn more about the development of DACHSER South Africa, listen to the latest episode of our podcast “Network Talk”. The full episode with Detlev Duve is available here and on all popular podcast platforms.
