Paul Wolff calls it a day

Paul Wolff began his journey at the Manica Group in 1964 as a trainee ships’ agent and leaves behind a legacy of dedication, resilience and invaluable contributions.Reflecting on the early days after joining the Group, Wolff reminisced about an era where challenges were met with a resolute spirit of “getting on with it”. In those bustling years at the port, he said late night and weekend shifts were the norm, creating an atmosphere where work seamlessly blended with camaraderie, often sharing moments over a drink with clients during working hours.Wolff’s journey with the group started when the company had just changed its name to Cory Mann George, and he witnessed the metamorphosis of the organisation as it changed to W. Woker Freight Services and various other changes over the decades. Having worked under seven different managing directors, Wolff acknowledged Harold Denneville as the figure who left the most significant imprint on his career and work ethic.The evolution of technology is also vivid in Wolff’s memories, as he recalls the days of telexes, typewriters and walkie-talkies – a stark contrast to the ever-present cellphones and computers of today.His role in securing oil and gas logistics business for the group with the visit of Haliburton and setting up a shore base at Lüderitz for Norsk-Shell exploration, showcases his role as a trailblazer in the oil and gas industry. His fingerprints are also evident in the first bulk exports of salt, fishmeal and copper cathodes that were trucked from Zambia to Grootfontein and from there transported on rail to the port of Walvis Bay.Wolff was instrumental in securing the Macs Shipping Agency and also witnessed the formation of the Namsov Fishing Company from the small fish logistics desk in Woker Freight Services. His vast knowledge of logistics and oil and gas has made him an invaluable resource to the group, contributing to its success across a spectrum of projects.In the group, Wolff has always been known to be professional, customer focused and has served as a fountain of logistics know-how for many staff members who needed logistics advice. However, he also has a witty sense of humour and will be remembered for the many pranks he played on his colleagues.When asked what he would miss most about Manica, Wolff said that amidst all the exciting projects and cargo in his career he would miss the “family” feeling that permeates the group. As Wolff takes his leave for a well-deserved rest, Manica Group Namibia pays tribute to a career that encapsulates resilience, adaptability and an unwavering commitment to the values that define the spirit of Manica.

Paul Wolff calls it a day

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Namibian Sun 2025-02-19

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Paul Wolff calls it a day

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Namibian Sun 2025-02-19

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