History

Woker Freight Services is the oldest and longest running Namibian logistics company. WFS today is the product of the foresight and determination of Theodore ‘Tetje’ Woker, who started a humble shipping and forwarding company in partnership with Maertens in a small two-room building in Walvis Bay in 1 October 1924.

Tetje Woker’s ability to adapt and innovate during the early 1900’s lead to various improvements in the port of Walvis Bay and dramatic advancements in the local logistics industry. It is his vision, humility, flexibility, innovation and the pursuit of excellence that are the key ingredients of our success and the foundation on which WFS is built and continues to grow.

1924

Theodore ‘Tetje’ Woker starts a shipping and forwarding agency with Maertins called Maertins & Woker and acquires a stake in Sturrock (SWA) as a Trust.

1945

Sturrock (SWA) is incorporated into Mann George & Co (SWA). By 1954 Sturrock changed to Sturrock & Woker and later incorporates Dart & Howes (SWA).

1964

Mann George & Co (SWA) becomes Cory Mann George (SWA). By 1968 the Woker Trust acquired 66% shareholding in Sturrock.

1970

Cory Mann George (SWA) becomes Freight Services (SWA). Freight Services included the SWA assets and operations of Musgrove & Watson, Rennies and the South African Stevedores Services Company.

1976

Freight Services (SWA) turns into W. Woker Freight Services and is registered as such. By 1978 Dart & Howes (SWA) is merged into W. Woker Freight Services (Namibia).

1984

Freight Services (SA) merges with Rennies Consolidated and forms Rennies Group Ltd.
Safren consisting of Rennies, Safmarine and Sun International is created. At the time Rennies owned Manica Group Ltd. (comprising all Manica companies in Africa including Woker Freight Services in Namibia).

1987

W. Woker Freight Services (Namibia) changes its name to Woker Freight Services.

1990

Woker Freight Services creates a fishing division called Namsov Fishing Enterprises.

1995

Woker Freight Services changes its name to Manica Group Namibia with various divisions focusing on marine services, materials handling and logistics.

1998

Bidvest South Africa acquires Rennies with the split of Safren and with that attains ownership of Manica Group Namibia. Woker Freight Services remains a subsidiary company of Manica Group Nmaibia.

2006

Woker Freight Services as part of Manica Group now forms part of the newly created and NSX listed Bidvest Namibia (representing Bidvest South Africa’s interests in Namibia.)