ForeRunner Magazine Issue 5

FO R E RUNNER BUSINESS | INVESTMENT | FINANCE | POLITICS | SATIRE

THE MAGAZINE THAT KEEPS YOU AT THE FOREFRONT

KHOMOTSO MOLEKE M84 Geotech Founder and Ceo

TECHNOLOGY & TRANSITION ENERGY MINING Emerging Technologies

INNOVATION BUSINESS

R49.90

COMPANIES & PRODUCTS SATIRE Nuclear, Shale

Events Sector Gaining Digital Recovery Skills Tech wars against Gas are Back Fastest-growing Politicus onSAPutin Groundbreaking digital illegal fishing companies platform Unlocking Open Going Green The Ongoing From the Copper makes a great Local Wonderbag takes Banking Crisis President’s Desk return world by storm

www.forerunner.co.za

th 3 4rd Quarter 2023 | ISSUE 5 4

V

ezinhlanhla is a 100% black-owned mining contractor which combines top-notch experience with the versatility and innovation required by the mining industry to be sustainable in the long term.

Established by Prince Vusi in 2017 to focus exclusively on the mining industry, Vezinhlanhla is an empowered turnkey contractor with capabilities across the underground and opencast contract-mining value chain. The company provides extensive services for coal, gold, iron ore, manganese ore, chrome ore, nickel and platinum group metals (PGMs) producers, undertaking mining operations with continuous miners, roadheaders and drill and blast applications, enabling its clients to outsource according to their unique needs. Its commitment to safety, health, quality and environmental management standards means the company works towards continuous improvements in risk management to better deliver project excellence. Vezinhlanhla’s blackempowerment credentials ensure that clients benefit fully in terms of the Mining Charter requirements and the contractual conditions of key minerals purchasers.

OUR COMMITMENT

Vezinhlanhla believes the empowerment of women, youth and disabled persons should be achieved in all aspects of work, and that bringing more women on board only strengthens the company’s capacity. It aims to employ more youth to pass on the skills to the next generation as the company grows. Bursary schemes will also be introduced for students to further their studies. Vezinhlanhla has developed a culture where there is no discrimination against disabled persons; hence, it will seek to find, train and employ disabled persons who show potential and enthusiasm.

OUR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Vezinhlanhla’s objective is to train its staff and empower them to take on new challenges. Community undergraduates studying at university and colleges, especially in the fields of engineering, safety or mining, will be given the opportunity to further their studies in the field at Vezinhlanhla.

OUR BLACK EMPOWERMENT POLICY Vezinhlanhla is committed to broad-based black economic empowerment. It supports the government’s policies of transformation and affirmative action and will continue to implement such initiatives where possible. Vezinhlanhla has initiated projects to source material and equipment

from black SMME companies, thus speeding up the process of empowering people in its communities. Vezinhlanhla Mining strives to become a leading blackowned, diversified mining contractor in Africa while ensuring participation in the discovery, exploration and beneficiation of Africa’s mineral resources. Vezinhlanhla is: • • • •

A 100% black-owned mining company Has capabilities across the underground and opencast contract-mining value chain Is solely focused on the mining industry Promotes sustainable partnerships and relationships with clients

MISSION • In its mission to become a leading black-owned South • African company, Vezinhlanhla aims to develop and • consolidate a diverse portfolio of high-quality assets • and services for the benefit of its stakeholders. Its goal • is to deliver value by: • Understanding the needs of stakeholders • Delivering on and exceeding those needs • Attracting and retaining the best talent • Focusing on acquiring and operating its own assets • Embracing diversity • Ensuring sustainability, growth and good governance THE FUTURE • Vezinhlahla intends to reinforce its position in the market as a reliable and competitive independent producer • The company intends to acquire coal, gold, iron ore,manganese ore, chrome ore, nickel and PGM assets to develop new projects • Power generation is a key area of opportunity – a synergistic venture that is now indelibly written into our corporate objectives.

VEZINHLANHLA SERVICES: Underground mining Opencast mining Project management Facilities management Plant maintenance Conveyor maintenance Crushing Screening Engineering Drilling Bulk material transportation Hauling

CONTACT DETAILS: info@vezinhlanhla.co.za | vezinhlanhla.co.za +27(0) 087 550 2087 | +27(0) 68 061 0184 Vezinhlanhla mining

Pragmatic solutions to real world challenges

www.ukwazi.com

CONTENTS features 18 TECHNOLOGY SA AND 4IR TECHNOLOGIES

18

INNOVATION 24 SA’S GROUND-BREAKING DIGITAL PLATFORM

24

30 AGRICULTURE PIONEERING CHANGE FOR AFRICAN FARMERS 36 MINING COPPER MAKES A GREAT COMEBACK ECONOMY 42 MARITIME SA AIMS TO BE WORLD LEADER

36

FISHERIES 46 NEW TECHNOLOGY TO FIGHT ILLEGAL FISHING INVESTMENT 52 TECH BMW TAKES SOUTH AFRICA A STEP UP THE EV LADDER

42 FORERUNNER | www.forerunner.co.za | Issue 5 |

7

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FFO OR RE E RUNNER RUNNER BUSINESS | INVESTMENT | FINANCE | POLITICS | SATIRE BUSINESS | INVESTMENT | FINANCE | POLITICS | SATIRE

THE MAGAZINE THAT KEEPS YOU AT THE FOREFRONT THE MAGAZINE THAT KEEPS YOU AT THE FOREFRONT

PUBLISHER

TTL Media FO R E RUNNER BUSINESS | INVESTMENT | FINANCE | POLITICS | SATIRE

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60

56 COMPANIES FASTEST GROWING COMPANIES IN SOUTH AFRICA 60 ENTRPRENEURS COOKING UP A REVOLUTIONARY STORM WITH THE WONDERBAG MARKETS 64 AFRICA IS THE FUTURE…SAY THE EXPERTS

70 COMPANIES SA’S TOP 5 COMPANIES BY MARKET CAP

REGULARs 11 REFLECTING ON 2023 AS WE HEAD INTO 2024 FROM THE EDITOR

www.forerunner.co.za MANAGING DIRECTOR : Michael Keys EDITOR: Stef Terblanche Phone: 076 647 8235 DIVISIONAL SALES FLOOR MANAGER: Marc Wessels Marc@ttlmedia.co.za SALES EXECUTIVES: Marc Wessels - marc@ttlmedia.co.za Kim Jeneke - kimjen@ttlmedia.co.za Nazeem Hoosen - Sales3@ttlmedia.co.za ACCOUNTS: Samantha Fox accounts@ttlmedia.co.za OFFICE MANAGER: Sumaya Abrahams sumaya@ttlmedia.co.za CLIENT LIAISON: Tania Johnson tania@ttlmedia.co.za ONLINE: Tina Lewis forerunner@ttlmedia.co.za DESIGNED BY: KCDA - Design Agency Jaco Kotze - jk@kcda.co.za www.kcda.co.za - 021 981 6333 PRINTED BY: F A PRINT CC Phone: 021 510 5039 Fax: 021 510 5038 Email: faprintcc@yahoo.com DISCLAIMER Views expressed in articles are those of the author and not necessarily those of FORERUNNER MAGAZINE. The publisher accepts no liability of whatever nature arising out of / or

BUZZ 13 BOARDROOM A SATIRICAL LOOK AT SOME BOARDROOM CHATTER profiles 80 focus G84 GEOTECH

in connection with contents of the publication. Copyright subsist in TTL MEDIA & FORERUNNER MAGAZINE and, in the case of freelance photographers and writers, in the individual concerned. Material in this publication may not be

reproduced in any form without the permission of the editor.

Digital Twin

Monitor

Diagnostics

Data Analytics & AI

Predictions

from the

EDITOR in the global electric vehicle (EV) market from its plant outside Pretoria; the 20 fastest growing companies in South Africa

Reflecting on 2023 as we head into 2024

as well as the top 5 companies by market capitalisation; and wonderful new products such as the locally invented and produced Wonderbag, among others.

As the year draws to a close, it’s that time

Meanwhile, the world continues charging

once again when we look back and reflect

full steam ahead into the 5th Industrial

We hope you will enjoy the read. And, as

on the year that was. And what a year it has

Revolution (5IR) as Artificial Intelligence

it is the end of the year, we wish you a

been.

(AI) becomes a “real thing” and not just

pleasant and peaceful festive season and

buzz terminology that only IT wizards

everything of the best for 2024. Remember

After an uneasy year for global economies

can understand. This, as everything goes

to be safe wherever you will be.

confronted with high inflation and low

electric, and electric is going green. And

growth, the outlook going forward to next

along with all this momentum, we here at

Stef Terblanche

year is not much better. According to

Forerunner magazine try to stay apace or

Editor

the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in

even ahead of these exciting developments,

October, advanced economies are expected

bringing you the latest in innovation,

to either slow somewhat more around low

development, invention, and forward-

growth points in 2024 as policy tightening

looking developments in business.

takes its toll, while emerging market and developing economies are projected to

With this in mind, we have filled this edition

continue having a modest decline in growth

with articles about emerging technologies;

in both 2023 and 2024.

South Africa’s ground-breaking digital

FO R E RUNNER BUSINESS | INVESTMENT | FINANCE | POLITICS | SATIRE

THE MAGAZINE THAT KEEPS YOU AT THE FOREFRONT

platform created by the by the Department Coupled to that, there have been some

of Science and Innovation and known as

major events on the world stage that

the Innovation Bridge Portal; the efforts

continued to shake the world and remind us

of Malapane Thamaga who has been

all of just how fragile and vulnerable things

pioneering change for African farmers; the

can be. These included the ongoing Russian

new copper revolution that has taken hold

war against Ukraine, and event that has

in domestic mining; the news focus on

since been completely overshadowed by

making South Africa a leader in the global

the shocking violence in Israel ad Gaza. The

maritime market; new innovative technology

resultant wider impacts for the world have

being used in South African fishing waters

yet to be calculated but could already be

in the fight against illegal fishing and

seen in the markets.

poaching; BMW that is investing heavily

KHOMOTSO MOLEKE M84 Geotech Founder and Ceo

INNOVATION BUSINESS

R49.90

TECHNOLOGY & TRANSITION ENERGY

COMPANIES &

MINING PRODUCTS SATIRE Emerging Technologies Events Sector Gaining Digital Nuclear, Shale Recovery Skills Tech wars against Gas are Back Fastest-growing Politicus onSAPutin Groundbreaking digital illegal fishing companies platform Unlocking Open Going Green The Ongoing From the Copper makes a Local Wonderbag takes Banking Crisis President’s Desk great return world by storm

www.forerunner.co.za

th 3 4rd Quarter 2023 | ISSUE 5 4

FORERUNNER | www.forerunner.co.za | Issue 5 |

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Grapevine

BOARDROOM BUZZ BUSINNESS PRESSURE OVER TRANSNET, AND DERBY GREETS

imposed on them by bad policies, poor

of entrepreneurs and owner-managers,

implementation, corruption, and resultant

people and entities who rely less on

pressures on the economy. And they are

government business than their corporate

While business entities in South Africa

now loudly saying so. Among the voices

counterparts and are therefore less afraid

watched with alarm how things in South

heard from South Africa’s organised

to speak their minds.

Africa were going from bad to worse under

business forums, is that of Melanie

poor political management of the country,

Veness, chairperson of the association

Interviewed by Alec Hogg on his BizNews

they mostly remained quiet, believing it

of all of South Africa’s chambers of

podcast, Melanie expressed her concern

was not their place to get involved in the

commerce. She is also the long-serving

about a figure of around a billion rand daily

political arena – a rather old-fashioned

Chief Executive of the Pietermaritzburg

lost daily by business due to the failures

idea. But no more.

and Midlands Chamber of Business.

of Transnet, calling it a catastrophe that must be dealt with. She wrote to Minister

Increasingly over the past year business

The chamber that she heads has a

of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan about

leaders have stepped up to the challenges

membership consisting of a high proportion

this sorry state of affairs – a precursor

FORERUNNER| www.forerunner.co.za|Issue 5 | 13

In fact, for many years investors and analysts were very critical of the skills of this highly paid exec serving at the head of such a large and wealthy tech investment company. They pointed out the widening discount between the Naspers share price and the value of the group’s investments relating mostly to its Chinese investment, Tencent. It didn’t help stem the criticism when expensive corporate advisers were employed more recently to find a solution that didn’t come. In the end, the only solution seemed to be the notice that told Bob to go, ending his 10

geoffsp - iStock

years in charge. It seemed the final straw

to having a meeting with him. She said

the concerns raised with him, and if “that

came when shares in Prosus declined

she hope for “a positive outcome from

involves leadership changes, there’s just

sharply on news of its upcoming share

this engagement”.

cause for it”.

issue plan. The very next day Prosus and its parent company, Naspers, announced

Melanie wants to kick ass, saying she can’t

Well, the good news is Derby is out, stepping

the leadership change with immediate

speak for other business organisations,

aside as Transnet CEO along with a few

effect. But Van Dijk remains around as

but that the current crisis should definitely

other departures. The bad news is, given

an independent consultant to the board

be on everyone’s agenda. “We’re closer

the snail’s pace at which Gordhan operates,

until September next year.

to the coalface and see the struggles

Transnet could, just like Eskom, find itself

of all businesses, from SMEs to large

leaderless for a long time, something these

Even so, upon sending Bob on his way,

corporations. The inefficiency is costing

ailing state-owned companies can least

group chairperson Koos Bekker had

us dearly, and it’s unacceptable,” she told

afford. One can only hope Gordhan will

some kind words for Van Dijk, saying

Hogg. “We’re losing about a billion rand a

stop being the nodding dog in the car’s

he had contributed meaningfully to the

day because of Transnet’s inefficiencies.

back window…remember those? But good

group’s success and future, and that he

This is going to result in a 5% reduction in

for Melanie and those like her!

wanted to thank Bob for his leadership

our GDP this year, which we can’t afford given our unemployment rates. Our ports

over a full decade. “We appreciate Bob’s

rank extremely low globally, amongst the

BYE BYE BOB

very worst in the world, which is totally

It’s not only Derby and other Transnet

unacceptable”.

executives who have been shown the door. Over at Naspers and its international

contributions and wish him much success with his future career,” said Koos. Well, they always say that, don’t they now?

… BUT DOES BOB CARE WITH ALL THE MONEY HE MADE?

Melanie also met with Transnet CEO

arm Prosus, Bob van Dijk has been told

Portia Derby and said about that: “If I

to step down as head of the JSE’s largest

were in her position, I would be mortified

group. He was replaced by Ervin Tu, the

by the impact Transnet is having on the

group’s chief investment officer, on an

That’s the million-rand question, one could

economy. Instead, there’s an unapologetic

interim basis. So, what was behind this

say. Or more precisely, the R1.5 billion

and even arrogant attitude, which is just

announcement? Well, while the move was

question. Would you be all that concerned

bewildering”. Melanie said she couldn’t

considered to be somewhat mysterious by

if over a nine-year period you earned an

dictate to the minister what to do, but

some, it didn’t really come as any surprise

average of R470,000 per day? We don’t

she expected the minister to address

to those in the know.

think so. The R1.5 billion he received is

14 |Issue 5|www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

Grapevine made up of a 10% base salary, a 10% cash

years,” said Pick n Pay chairman Gareth

on CEOs. Shareholders have told them in

bonus, and 80% long-term incentives.

Ackerman. “He became our CEO while

no uncertain terms that they are ripe for

But it’s calculated that he must hold

the Covid pandemic was still raging,

executive changes after failing to impress

ten times his annual salary in Naspers

and has led the business through some

with their executive performances.

and Prosus shares, as well. Not bad. At

extraordinary challenges, including the

more than R470,000 a day that’s more

transition out of the Covid lockdown, the

In one such an example, the American

than 1.5 times what the average formally

unprecedented civil unrest in 2021, and

investment management firm Artisan

employed worker in South Africa earns

the current load-shedding crisis.”

Partners based in Milwaukee sent an open

in an entire year. But for Bob the writing

letter to an incoming member of French

was probably on the wall when his total

And then the rider: “Unfortunately, in a very

multinational food-products corporation

compensation more than halved this year

difficult environment, the performance of

Danone’s board, saying it had built a stake

compared to previous years, a fact due

our core Pick n Pay business has been

of more than 3% in the food giant. “Artisan

largely to the substantial decline in his

very challenging over the past months

complained that on almost every measure,

performance awards.

and has not met expectations.”

Danone’s performance had lagged, and called for change. About a month later,

This development has brought new attention to Naspers’ remuneration policy which has been a very contentious topic over recent years, with almost 80% of

Danone’s then-CEO and chair, Emmanuel

HOWEVER, CEOs EVERYWHERE ARE FEELING THE PAIN

Faber, was ousted and its board overhauled in a high-profile victory for shareholder activism. In the aftermath, Artisan became

Naspers N shareholders voting against

It’s not only in sunny Sout Africa where such

Danone’s top shareholder with a 7%

the company’s remuneration policy at its

things are happening - activist investors

stake. If its any consolation, Danone is

annual meeting in August.

everywhere are eyeing food and consumer

not alone – it’s currently a growing trend

goods companies as they turn the screws

around the world.

AND THEN THERE’S PICK ‘N PAY….

Not only was Bob shown the door at Naspers and Prosus but over at Pick ‘n Pay the same fate befell CEO Pieter Boone, after he and the board agreed he would step down with immediate effect. His last day in the office was 30 September 2023. Not wasting any time, the Pick ‘n Pay board quickly brought back veteran Sean Summers, who ran the company as MD and CEO for 11 years. However, none of this could mask the company’s really terrible half-year trading update. It said it expects to report a loss of between 98.18 and 79.31 cents per share – a massive decline from last year.

Nice words were had for Boone too. “I want to thank Pieter for his dedication to Pick n Pay over the past two-and-a-half RapidEye - iStock

FORERUNNER| www.forerunner.co.za|Issue 5 | 15

KWIKSPACE: LEADERS IN PREFABRICATED SOLUTIONS FOR OVER 50 YEARS

K

wikspace, Africa’s foremost provider of prefabricated buildings for rent or sale, celebrates over five decades of delivering tailor-made solutions across diverse industries. With expertise spanning schools, clinics, mining, construction, and humanitarian efforts, Kwikspace consistently prioritises exceptional customer service and topquality products. The company offers Agrément certification upon client request, coupled with adherence to stringent manufacturing standards like ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 9001:2015.

The ‘Kwik’ solution With the largest rental fleet in sub-Saharan Africa, Kwikspace sets the industry standard with extra ‘Kwik’ turn-around times.

They cater to various needs from single homes to comprehensive mining and construction camps. Their structures, ranging from offices and houses to ablutions and storage facilities, come with a minimum rated lifespan of 20 years and a maintenance plan. The Kwikspace rental solution allows construction and mining companies immediate expansion as their workforces grow. Kwikspace’s commitment to efficiency is further reflected in their rapid delivery and installation, ensuring units become livable within days.

Versatile solutions for every need For those seeking a more permanent solution, Kwikspace offers Kwik Kits–buildings available in kit form for DIY projects. Easy to assemble with instructions and drawings, these structures provide a cost-effective and customisable alternative. With offthe-shelf panels, windows, and doors, Kwik Kits offer flexibility in design, ensuring a tailored fit for any project.

Providing comfort in the mining sector Kwikspace’s modular buildings are highly sought after in the mining sector, offering mine workers a comfortable space after long, strenuous days. Beyond housing, their structures provide ablutions, offices, and recreational facilities, contributing to the overall well-being and work fulfilment of miners. Choosing a Kwikspace prefab means choosing a convenient solution that complies with industry working standards while giving workers a home away from home.

A network that reaches everywhere With strategically positioned branches in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth, Kwikspace ensures efficient access to sites across the entire continent of Africa. Additional satellite facilities in Kathu, Nelspruit, Secunda, and Richards Bay, coupled with a new facility in George and Polokwane, showcases Kwikspace’s commitment to expanding their reach and capabilities. A state-of-the-art panel manufacturing plant ensures stringent processes, guaranteeing the highest quality fit for onsite and mobile units.

Explore further by visiting www.kwikspace.co.za for details on Kwikspace’s cutting-edge modular building solutions.

Contact information: Kwikspace T: +27 11 617 8000 / 087 806 9000 E: sales@kwikspace.co.ze W: www.kwikspace.co.za

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DIGITAL SKILLS

Quality Buildings You can Trust

DESPITE COVID-19 INDUCED PROGRESS, SA HAS YET TO MASTER THE FULL SCOPE OF 4IR TECHNOLOGIES

Technology

S

outh Africa, which is beset by the triple challenge of income inequality, unemployment and poverty, amidst a prematurely deindustrializing economy, is now facing the realities of a paradigm shift in

the way business is done and how we live and work as a result of the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

But, while South Africa’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic has for the most part been quite effective, it is not yet in a position to deploy the entire range of currently available 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies.

This is the conclusion drawn by Oluseye Jegede, South African Research Chair in Entrepreneurship Education at the College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg.

Jegede’s thoughts are contained in an opinion piece that is part of a series of articles commissioned by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Department of Policy Research and Statistics. UNIDO is a specialized agency of the United Nations with a unique mandate to promote, dynamize and accelerate industrial development.

Jegede says that prior to the outbreak of the Cobid-19 pandemic, concerns about the disruptive force of the 4IR and fears of robots displacing workers were widespread in Africa. Calls in South Africa intensified for government to create more employment and protect jobs in labour-intensive industries from automation. These demands continued until Covid-19 broke out first in China and then rapidly spread around the world.

In response to the pandemic, the South African government introduced pivotal measures, including a national lockdown, to contain the spread of the virus. Since the way we work, live and socialize has changed significantly, South Africa has been left with little choice but to embrace the much dreaded 4IR technologies. In the meantime, even those at high risk of losing their jobs to automation have come to appreciate the benefits 4IR technologies can offer, says Jegede.

During the pandemic, South Africans welcomed the possibility of ordering food and medicine online and have them delivered directly to their doorstep. Moreover, artificial intelligence (AI) and mobile technology integrate data collection tools that can be used for contact tracing, symptom monitoring, detection of outbreaks and risk assessment. Employers relied heavily on video conferencing tools such as Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams. Instead of face-to-face learning, universities and schools moved online using various technological platforms including Ikamva, Blackboard, etc. Researchers continue to use Webex to organize conferences. There are strong indications that many platforms for e-commerce,

Kwarkot - iStock

FORERUNNER | www.forerunner.co.za |Issue 5| 19

video conferencing, remote working and telemedicine will

creating strong science and technology institutions with an

continue to flourish long after the pandemic.

emphasis on linkages and interactions within the national innovation system.

The 4IR technologies that saw the biggest surge in South Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic include AI in medical

“The Covid-19 pandemic has opened a unique opportunity

diagnosis, the Internet of Things (IoT) for consumer goods, and

for closer collaboration between the key actors of South

mobile applications for financial transactions, transportation

Africa’s innovation system.” (Also see our article on the

and utility vending. Other important technologies include

Innovation Bridge Portal).

digital learning platforms used by universities and schools, augmented and virtual reality in teaching and learning, as

“Following the outbreak of the pandemic, the government,

well as in entertainment, drones for delivering medicine to

industry and universities rushed to cooperate to mitigate the

rural areas, and 3D printing for medical use.

impacts of the crisis. South African universities collaborated with the national and local governments and industry to

According to Jegede, history has recorded four paradigm

produce personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilators.

shifts in the way industry is structured and in the way we

For instance, among others, the Cape Peninsula University

work. The first such shift, the First Industrial Revolution, was

of Technology cooperated with the provincial government of

premised on scientific discoveries which produced the steam

the Western Cape and the Department of Trade and Industry

engine and introduced the mechanization of production. In

to develop and manufacture PPE for frontline workers and

South Africa this increased efficiency in mining, agriculture

the general public,” says Jegede.

and manufacturing, and accelerated the transportation of goods from manufacturing plants and farms, as well as of

“The Central University of Technology’s Centre for Rapid

diamonds from the mines to the market.

Prototyping and Manufacturing (CRPM), the Product Development Technology Station (PDTS), the Centre on

The Second Industrial Revolution integrated scientific

Quality of Health and Living (CQHL) and CUT Innovation

knowledge into technological developments, leading to

Services (CUTis) have been working together with the Free

electrification used to power equipment, machinery and tools,

State Provincial Departments of Health and Education and the

thereby introducing the assembly line and mass production.

private sector to develop hospital equipment and protective

Electricity in South Africa was first used to light up mine

gear for public use,” he continues. “An engineering team of

tunnels to increase workers’ productivity.

the University of Johannesburg designed and developed portable 3D-printed mechanical ventilators with a customizable

The Third Industrial Revolution was largely based on the

base plate to simultaneously treat multiple patients. Other

discovery of the semiconductor chip, making the digital

tangible outcomes include the production of non-invasive

revolution possible. IBM set up its first major office in South

ventilators, oxygen connectors and splitters, mouthpieces/

Africa in 1952, signifying the advent of the Third Industrial

masks, ventilation helmets, shields and hand sanitizer.”

Revolution in the country.

According to Jegede, South Africa’s national and local The Fourth Industrial Revolution is characterized by intelligent

governments have played an essential role in creating an

machines, enabling human-machine interaction to achieve

enabling environment for knowledge development and

ever higher productivity. It is fuelled by an increasing number

innovation. This has been achieved by providing tax and

of digital connections between people and machines and

loan repayment holidays, cutting costs, increasing social

has led to new technologies including artificial intelligence,

security grants and making funds available to build health

augmented reality, blockchain, drones, the Internet of Things,

infrastructure. However, the role of universities in knowledge

robotics, virtual reality, 3D printing and simulations. Covid-19,

generation throughout the pandemic can also not be

in turn, has accelerated these technology trends in South

overemphasized enough, he says.

Africa and beyond, but their use remains limited. According to Jegede, it can be argued that South Africa is still stuck in

While South African universities were already engaged in

the Second and Third Industrial Revolutions.

applied R&D before the outbreak of the pandemic, with

He says that according to South Africa’s 1996 and 2019

some of the universities’ research outputs being integrated

White Papers on Science and Technology, the country follows

into the country’s manufacturing system, the accumulated

a ‘linear model of innovation’ with a focus on increasing

research, knowledge and technology was not adequately

investment in research and development (R&D) and on

being incorporated into the country’s broader innovation

20 | Issue 5| www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

ITHUBA CHANGING LIVES ONE FAMILY AT A TIME DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON ITHUBA UPLIFTS LOCAL COMMUNITIES THROUGH THEIR HOUSING INITIATIVE ITHUBA, South Africa’s National Lottery Operator, is proud to showcase its second national housing initiative.

As part of the outreach efforts for 2023, ITHUBA embarked on a multi-provincial roadshow over the festive season in December 2023, handing out keys to 20 new homeowners.

ITHUBA’s journey has been a fulfilling and exciting one to watch since its tenure as the National Lottery Operator in 2015. Having successfully reinvigorated the National Lottery, ITHUBA has continued to display transparency and tenacity, going from strength to strength, solidifying its position as the top operator in Africa. From humble beginnings to extraordinary success, the ITHUBA journey is a remarkable tale of innovation, excellence, and philanthropy.

The undeniable force of Ubuntu lives strong in the ITHUBA company values. It is the driving force behind their CSI initiatives, with their CEO Charmaine Mabuza always looking for innovative ways in which the company can localise their initiatives to have a measurable impact.

Passionate about playing a part in ensuring that more South Africans have a home to call their own, Mabuza says, “Addressing the housing crisis is of paramount importance to us at ITHUBA – we firmly believe that providing families with secure housing lays the foundation for their future success and well-being.”

ITHUBA has long played a hand in addressing the housing crisis, starting with an internal housing project for staff members in need before moving their focus toward larger housing projects. In December 2022, ITHUBA provided newly built homes for several families who had lost their homes due to unforeseen tragedies and widespread waterravaged disasters, such as in KwaZulu Natal. In 2023 ITHUBA decided to give away more homes to those who need it most and the make the festive season a greater reason to celebrate. For the houses handed over in December, ITHUBA partnered with Disabled People South Africa (DPSA) to provide homes for beneficiaries who are differently abled.

These beneficiaries now finally have access to facilities that make their lives unimaginably easier, such as Harold Ntsoto, a paraplegic who has been wheelchair-bound for the past 32 years. Due to Ntsoto’s situation, he needs easy access and his own bathroom, which is possible in his new home. His excitement is palpable, “I feel so fortunate to have been

chosen by ITHUBA to receive a new home. I will forever be grateful to them for the gift of dignity.”

Starting in Gauteng, ITHUBA travelled across the country, handing over new homes and paving the way forward for lasting change and spreading the festive cheer. A home is more than simply a shelter, but rather a place where dreams can transform into reality, changing the future of the individuals receiving the homes and future generations to come.

ITHUBA took special care to ensure that these homes cater to the beneficiaries’ unique needs, with Mabuza drawing on her experience as a mother. She emphatically believes that a solid home foundation provides the nurturing environment children need to thrive.

“Every person deserves to have a roof over their head and a place they can call home. This is a big challenge for South Africans but one I believe we can overcome if we work together. At ITHUBA, we want to show people we are committed to improving their lives. We want to live the saying, ‘umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu’ - a person is a person because of other people. This proverb is a core value of my organisation and to me personally. Our roadshow took a few steps towards that vision of a better society. Every journey starts with just a few steps, and we plan to take several more until the people most in need can enjoy the sense and safety of a home,” says Mrs Mabuza.

ITHUBA encourages all South Africans to take the opportunity to pay it forward this new year - no matter how big or small their contribution is.

“It is inspiring to see the positive impact our initiatives have on the lives of the beneficiaries. My advice to fellow South Africans is to recognise the power each individual has to make a difference.”

system. Increased integration of research outputs can only

link the trade of new products and production technologies

be achieved in cooperation with industry, which ensures

to industrialization. For instance, the pioneering study

that research conducted at universities is demand-driven

of Dagenais, Mohnen & Therrien (1997) on Canada’s

and problem-based.

manufacturing sector finds that the output elasticity of foreign R&D trade is more important than that of

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in changes in South

domestic R&D.

Africa’s private sector as well. 4IR technologies are being implemented to varying degrees depending on the firms’

•

Reverse engineering and imitation. Lee & Lim (2001)

capabilities. Those that could not deploy these technologies

highlight the importance of imitation and reverse

have either shut down or had to close temporarily. Although

engineering for industrial growth and innovation, writes

digitization and automation already began developing during

Jegede. Frost (1997) explores the Republic of Korea’s

the Third Industrial Revolution, we are now witnessing an

remarkable development from a subsistent agricultural

increasing integration of such technologies in how we work

economy to a newly industrialized economy within just

and live, says Jegede.

30 years based on imitation and reversed engineering in the automobile, electronics and semiconductor industries

“Overall, the South African government, industry and universities

and the active promotion of small and medium enterprises

have weathered the storm unleashed by COVID-19 quite well,”

(SMEs). Today, the Republic of Korea is a major global

he says. “The responses to the pandemic’s disruptions are just

player in the semiconductor industry.

the beginning of South Africa’s experience with 4IR. Yet the interventions developed by universities in collaboration with

•

R&D and technology consortia. Establishing R&D and

the government and industry might not be sustainable when

technology consortia with countries at the frontier of 4IR

looking at South Africa’s current innovation and industrial

technologies is another viable option for South Africa.

policies. The country’s research intensity (gross expenditure

This approach proved particularly effective in Asia.

on R&D as a percentage of its gross domestic product (GDP)) hovers at around 0.7 per cent. This figure is much lower

Jegede holds that South Africa’s response to the Covid-19

compared to countries that are already successfully deploying

pandemic has “for the most part been quite effective but is

4IR technologies, e.g. the UAE (1.3%), Brazil (1.26%), China

not yet in a position to deploy the entire range of currently

(2.19%), Japan (3.36%), the Republic of Korea (4.81%) and

available 4IR technologies to assuage the pandemic’s

Israel (4.95%) (UNTAD, 2020).”

large-scale disruptions and improve the efficiency of its manufacturing sector (with the exception of its automobile

According to Jegede, many African countries do not yet

industry).”

have the technological capability to deploy 4IR technologies effectively and efficiently. African policymakers should adopt

While South Africa’s research and innovation system is

some time-tested approaches and strategies in their post-

characterized by strong institutions, the relatively low level

Covid-19 recovery plans. Some of the possible approaches

of interaction among the innovation system’s key actors

and strategies include:

continues to hamper South Africa’s capacity to fully deploy 4IR technologies, he says. The country’s innovation policies

•

Foreign direct investment (FDI), that can help promote

must be aligned with its innovation system, which encourages

the exchange of scientific and technological knowledge

collaborative production of knowledge, technology and

and accelerates the national diffusion of imported

innovation.

technologies. The highest FDI inflows in South Africa

•

are from Beijing Automotive Industry Holding, BMW,

Closer coordination between South Africa’s internal resources

Nissan and Mainstream Renewable Energy, primarily

(financial, human, natural, physical and institutional) and its

to special economic zones (SEZs).

external ones (FDI, trade in technology-intensive products,

Acquisition of external knowledge. Patents and other

acquisition of external technologies, reverse engineering and

intellectual property rights (IPRs) (industrial designs, trade

R&D consortia) could help South Africa build more capacity

secrets) are eventually transferred from the technological

to leapfrog, and to become a global contributor to the Fourth

frontier to developing countries. Developing countries

Industrial Revolution, says Jegede.

thereby gain access to knowledge and technology developed at the global frontier.

•

Trade of technology-intensive products. Several studies

22 | Issue 5| www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

- Staff Writer

INNOVATION AND SUPPORT FOR THE FUTURE

SA’S GROUND-BREAKING DIGITAL PLATFORM

Innovation

portal’s wider ecosystem of development initiatives that are being run under its banner.

So, what exactly is the Innovation Bridge Portal? It is groundbreaking new portal assisting small businesses and is an initiative of the South African Government led by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) in conjunction with the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD). The initiative is co-funded by the European Union (EU) through the Ecosystems Development for Small Enterprises Programme (ESDE) and supported by the World Bank Group. The portal aims to connect innovative South African and regional projects and businesses with potential investors, partners, or people and entities with an interest in innovations in South Africa.

“The Innovation Bridge Portal is the only local platform that the public can visit to get a sense of some of the many innovations being developed in universities and science councils. It accelerates the journey of an entrepreneur and innovator by providing quality, relevant and timeous information and opportunities, revealing the ecosystem, and easing the burden of having to register on multiple government websites,” explained Michelle Harding, a programme manager at the DSI who has been heavily involved with the IBP, in a recent News24 interview.

To date the platform has received over 690,000 page views and has some 3,220 registered users. The goal of the creators of this platform was to enable entrepreneurs and innovators to gain exposure for their initiatives in a system which relies on featured businesses taking up possible matches generated

A

Thicha Satapitanon - iStock

by the system, allowing them to respond to inquiries on the platform.

groundbreaking new online platform to empower small businesses in South Africa and the wider region, was created in 2017 by the by the Department of Science

Bringing ecosystem stakeholders together

and Innovation (DSI). Known as the Innovation Bridge

Portal, it connects investors and partners with innovative South

The Innovation Bridge Digital Community seeks to be a not-for-

African projects and allows them to interact.

profit open innovation platform that brings entrepreneurship ecosystem stakeholders together for the benefit of innovators

A few years on, and the portal has gone from strength to

and entrepreneurs. It seeks to promote collaboration amongst

strength with a large portfolio of participants benefitting

public and private ecosystem stakeholders, to become that

from this unique service. Just recently, for instance, though

“one-stop shop” repository of information, opportunity, and

the portal’s Fintech Challenge, the World Bank awarded 10

network connection to help entrepreneurs and innovators along

Southern African fintech start-ups $5,000 (R94,020) each to

their journey. Furthermore, the digital community wishes to

help bridge the gap in financial access for innovative emerging

create a pathway for all African entrepreneurs and innovators

companies in underserved communities. The portal’s Fintech

to effectively realise their vision.

Challenge is aimed at helping underserved entrepreneurs with businesses investment designed to facilitate their entry

The portal says it recognizes that each stakeholder embarks

to markets, improve business relevant networks, and open up

on a unique journey in terms of trajectory and direction. By

new investment opportunities. The event formed part of the

forming a supportive community comprising stakeholders

FORERUNNER | www.forerunner.co.za |Issue 5| 25

which include entrepreneurs, ecosystem participants and

Kamwebtech (Pty) Ltd is a startup looking to do business in

relevant government agencies and departments, this platform

the line of educational technology which is currently building

is creating an enabling structure “that allows passage in a

its product (a mobile and web application). The product, it

desirable direction to a desirable destination”.

says, allows students to register, screen and meet tutors, book instant or schedules online classes, communicate with tutors,

The portal is therefore designed to serve as a roadmap uniquely

join online classes, and so forth.

customised to the specific needs of its ecosystem users. Users are guided and supported towards their next best step forward

Vuligqondo Smart and Organic Farming System Model is a

in their unique trajectories.

private company with a focus on smart and organic farming technologies. They specialize in hydroponics farming, organic

“Innovators will connect with a wider ecosystem by accessing a

farming, poultry production, egg incubator (chicks production)

comprehensive pool of end users and potential commercialization

and solar farming system (renewable energy).

partners, access corporate open innovation challenges and even opt in to guide an entrepreneur.

Turning to innovators on the portal, here are some examples of what can be found there:

“Entrepreneurs will save time and accelerate their journey through accessing quality, relevant information at the exact

YetuPay Technologies is a Namibian-based FinTech start-

moment they need it. No more internet searches to try and

up that aims to become Namibia’s leading Payment Service

find funding or support. We also plan to integrate with other

Provider (PSP) and create opportunities for Entrepreneurs and

ecosystem stakeholder systems to become that ultimate single

Small businesses (SMEs) to get paid and be more successful

point of entry platform that eases the burden of application

by accepting card payments. They want to establish untapped

for support and funding.

markets.

“Investors will engage with a comprehensive pipeline of vetted prospects relevant to their areas of interest and create a channel for fund applications.

“And ecosystem support providers will collaborate more effectively with stakeholders in need of their support and make their services known to the greater ecosystem,” say the creators of the portal.

Community of entrepreneurs The portal’s community of entrepreneurs consists of SMMEs in different stages of their entrepreneur journey. Among them one finds SMMEs offering products or services, and looking for investment or scaling opportunities in the region. Representing entrepreneurs across Africa, but particularly Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa, platform users can select a profile to find out more about an entrepreneur, their work, and how to communicate directly with them. For instance, among the community of entrepreneurs on the portal, requests or introductions like the following are regularly posted: Water Plant - Phoenix Pure Water is a high-level water purification and contaminated water remediation technology company with a state-of-the-art purification system from Pure Water.

PeopleImages - iStock

26 | Issue 5| www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

Innovation

Inclusivity Solutions is an Inclusive Insurtech and one of the

Nafasi Water focuses on water reclamation and desalination

globally recognised “Inclusive Fintech 50”. Leveraging the

technology for application in complex industrial and wastewater

latest technology and Open APIs Inclusivity Solutions has

systems. It began a journey in 2003 to develop, implement

launched digital insurance initiatives across eight African

and operate world-class industrial desalination projects and

countries and counting.

is a 100% black-owned South African leading water company.

HardTech Medical (HTM) supports the medical device industry with product development from early stage prototyping to

Wide range of industries

clinical studies. It has substantial experience in Class II & III device development, together with in-house design, assembly

A wide range of industries are served by the portal with its

and testing capabilities.

listings of innovators, such as human health and social work activities; agriculture, forestry and fishing; electricity, gas,

API BIO develops innovative functional molecules with impactful

steam and air conditioning supply; manufacturing; water supply;

applications in healthcare, bioremediation and agriculture.

sewerage, waste management and remediation activities;

Their molecules are derived from high-burden land-fill waste

information and communication; mining and quarrying;

as well as other sources of organic waste from various food

professional, scientific and technical activities; construction;

and manufacturing industries.

education; financial and insurance activities; transportation and storage; wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles

Jaspa describes itself as a group of nerds that love taking

and motorcycles; accommodation and food service activities;

on challenges. With collaboration at their core, they say they

public administration and defence; compulsory social security;

are ready to work with partners to handcraft winning mobile

administrative and support service activities; arts, entertainment

and web solutions.

and recreation; real estate activities; activities of households as employers; undifferentiated goods-and-service-producing activities of households for own use; among other service activities including membership organisation activities and personal services.

Needless to say, investors form a major part of this portal service. According to the department, the region has a wealth of investors looking for vetted investment opportunities which are frequently overlooked due to mismatched applications, and lack of knowledge of what is required to qualify. On the portal a service is therefore offered whereby a profile can be selected to find out more about an investor, their sectors of interest, other criteria listings, and how those seeking investors can communicate directly with them. Some examples are: Microtraction, an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in African startups at the pre-seed stage. Microtraction is sector agnostic and heavily biased towards smart, relentlessly resourceful founders who are building high growth, technology driven businesses in billion dollar markets, it says.

In turn, Rheinmetall Denel Munition (Pty) Ltd specialises in the development, design and manufacture of large- and mediumcalibre ammunition families and says it is a world leader in the field of artillery, mortar and infantry systems as well as plant engineering.

FORERUNNER | www.forerunner.co.za |Issue 5| 27

Another investor is Tender Capital Africa, a woman and black-

associations, mentoring and coaching, business planning/

owned Financial Inclusion Enterprise, whose business mandate

modelling, product development, marketing and sales, regulatory

is to help remove financial barriers that deter SMMEs from

support, human resources, workforce and talent, legal services,

participating in South Africa’s mainstream economy.

events and community building, buying and selling, import and export assistance, operations and logistics, and economic and

Investors using the portal have typically come form countries

site development.

such as South Africa (149), Namibia (33), Botswana (31), Lesotho (8), Eswatini (6), United Kingdom (2), Nigeria (1) and

The department and the portal platform also promote a special

Seychelles (1). The types of investors have ranged from venture

focus on health sector innovation.

capital firms to, private equity firms, debt providers, government entities, corporate venture arms, banks, development finance,

“At the Department of Science and Innovation, we understand

seed funds and donors.

there is no shortage of remarkable ideas or people. We enable local innovations to scale for business, drive efficiencies, improve speed to market, reduce costs, and support the needs

Support services providers

of society. Through meaningful partnerships and business relationships, we support and empower nuclear medicine

There are also a number of companies on the site that offer

research and drug development, the manufacturing of vaccines

support services. These are organisations dedicated to providing

and active pharmaceutical ingredients, and tests used for

support services to role players and stakeholders on the platform.

diagnostics, as well as harness indigenous knowledge for

For instance, among them are Raizcorp which offers support

product development,” says the department.

and scales entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurial ecosystem, as well as accelerating the success of entrepreneurs with

It also hosts the Medical Advice and Diagnostic Innovation

offerings such as pre-incubation programmes, incubation

Cluster. Its vision is to stimulate and advance the creation of

programmes, acceleration programmes, and equity partnerships.

a sustainable, dynamic and internationally competitive South

The entrepreneurial benefits include training and guiding.

African medical device and diagnostic ecosystem in which ideas can become realities that positively impact healthcare

Another support service offering is that of Climate Innovation

and outcomes in Africa. It further says its mission is to

Centre South Africa (CICSA) which provides business development

develop a vibrant, cohesive ecosystem in which stakeholders

support to start-ups in the South African green economy in

co-operate and collaborate pre-competitively to seamlessly

collaboration with the World Bank’s InfoDev, and the Development

design, develop, manufacture and commercialize medical

Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)’s green fund. Its focus sectors

devices with a significantly increased local content, thereby

are energy, water and waste. Then there is the South African

contributing to the sector and broader economic development.

Creative Industries Incubator (SACII), an experienced business

This Medical Device Portal is aimed at improving access to sector

development and incubation entity that has been working in

information and facilitating collaboration and the identification

the creative SMME environment for the past eight years, with

of new opportunities. It provides access to information specific

a particular focus on the creative industries.

to the medical devices sector in the categories listed below.

The types of ecosystem support offered on this platform range from accelerators and incubators to networking and

– Staff Writer

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MALAPANE THAMAGA, PIONEERING CHANGE FOR AFRICAN FARMERS 30 | Issue 5| www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

Agriculture

M

alapane Thamaga was recently announced as one of the four changemakers for exceptional dedication and passion for farming and agriculture.

As the manager in the office of both the president

and CEO of the African Farmers Association of South Africa (Afasa), he played a vital role in establishing the African Farmers’ Association of South Africa Commodity Chambers.

With a background as an agricultural economist and experience representing the minister of agriculture, land reform and rural development on the Maize Trust, Thamaga brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the agricultural sector.

In an interview with Food For Mzansi, Thamaga reflected on what the award means to him.

“This award, therefore, signifies that someone somewhere is watching and is impressed with the work we put in daily towards growing the developing section of the agricultural sector in South Africa,” he said. Tiisetso Manoko of Food for Mzansi, the new face of South African agriculture, interviewed him. The interview is republished here with kind permission from Food for Mzansi.

TM: Congratulations. What does this award mean to you?

MT: For me, the Food For Mzansi’s Changemakers award symbolises recognition for the work that one is doing in the agricultural sector. Unlike in other fields or areas of speciality where you can easily judge or gauge your performance daily by the profit or turnover you have realised, the area of policy, lobbying and advocacy tend to be long-term and, in most cases, close to impossible to measure the impact you make at least in the short term.

TM: What has been your personal achievement in realising

The former national manager of the African Farmers Association of South Africa (Afasa), Malapane Thamaga, has been recognised for his work in the areas of policy, lobbying and advocacy while taking agricultural development in the country to new levels. As one of Food For Mzansi’s Changemakers award winners, he has dedicated his award to fellow passionate activists in the agricultural space. The announcement was made during the recent annual Young Farmers Indaba held in Gauteng.

growth and development in the sector?

MT: I am always tempted to gauge my achievement in the sector by the number of farmers we have been able to help realise their goals. Three factors stand out for me. Since I joined organised agriculture, my biggest achievement has been to help cement Afasa’s role in accommodating more than just the red-meat sector but other commodities including value chain players. This was achieved by working very closely with the late president of Afasa, Dr Vuyo Mahlati. It’s also important to create platforms for farmers to engage captains of the industry and high-level government officials.

Spearheading these platforms has allowed farmers to gain direct access to captains of the industry and high-level government officials, including the office of the Presidency, through the annual Afasa agricultural transformation conference, and Afasa

FORERUNNER | www.forerunner.co.za |Issue 5| 31

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Malapane Thamaga

business breakfast sessions. Serving in different agricultural

engage with organised agriculture because there are so many

bodies, including the AgriBEE council and the Maize Trust,

voices coming from various corners.

means that the views of the developing section of the sector are brought into discussions.

Splinters generally happen for three reasons, differences, an inability to resolve conflicts, being bigger than the organisation

TM: What do you think is lacking in terms of eradicating

you represent and a lack of strong governance structure.

bottlenecks in the agricultural sector?

MT: Young people generally shy away from taking leadership

TM: Finally, your message to farmers in Mzansi?

roles and allow only the older generation to lead their path while

MT: You cannot farm alone, join organised agriculture, strive

they remain spectators or just armchair critics. Sometimes, they

for improvement and make a provision for risk. You never

do so because they don’t want to get involved in organisational

stop learning in agriculture, therefore young farmers are

politics yet there is no institution without politics for as long

encouraged to always be involved in one training or another

as a group of people must take decisions.

including farmers’ days to have access to the latest agricultural development and networking.

I would therefore urge young people to get involved in leadership roles by volunteering their time to serve in the sector. You do not

Also, you need to measure yourself (increased yields, weaning

need to serve as a national or provincial leader to get started.

percentages, increased gross margins, etc.) against the best

This could be done from the level by organising study groups

and work towards improving in that direction.

and helping facilitate farmers’ days and you grow from there. * Food for Mzansi is an agricultural publication and movement TM: How can organised agriculture organisations improve

that salutes the unsung heroes of South African agriculture.

in South Africa?

It promotes using the power of agriculture towards nation-

MT: Organisations are often created in a rush with less

building and social cohesion by telling the stories that are often

consideration invested towards strengthening the governance

overlooked by broader society.

structure so that there is accountability and processes are followed to solve disputes. This, unfortunately, creates a

* Tiisetso Manoko is a seasoned journalist with vast experience

situation where you have many organisations doing the same

in community media. He has a diploma in media studies majoring

work, making it impossible for the government to regularly

in journalism and a certificate in civic leadership.

FORERUNNER | www.forerunner.co.za |Issue 5| 33

HEADER TANK YOUR SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY PREVENTING INJURY TO HEAVY MACHINE OPERATORS BSSC Radiators, a leading provider of engine cooling systems, has developed a groundbreaking solution to address safety concerns related to filling hot radiators in heavy equipment.

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CASE STUDY This follows a special request from a longstanding customer concerned about the risk of injury caused to operators or assistants opening radiator filler caps of machines under pressure and getting badly burned in the process. With safety at the heart of the South African-based company, it tackled the challenge head-on and devised an ingenious system to prevent accidents and burns caused by pressure blowoff. Its patented safety filler system both prevents people without the specially designed tool from opening the cap, while additional safety mechanisms built into the device ensures a slow release of pressure with little risk of burns.

SAFER

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PRESSURE BLAST BSSC Radiators CEO, Dillan Bennett says the customer was operating underground mining equipment and found the pressure cap on the equipment’s surge tank to be a safety concern and prone to dislodging under pressure. This could cause dangerous situations for operators and the company recognised the urgency of the problem and went back to the drawing board to develop a safer alternative solution.

“The core of our innovation lies in the implementation of an alternative pressure release valve fixed on a flange. This design effectively moves the pressure away from the operator who fills the system and ensures their safety. To add an extra layer of security we also introduced a tamper-proof bolt unique to their system, which prevents unauthorized access and ensures that only trained personnel can open the pressure release valve.

“Furthermore, we incorporated a deviation system into the design which features a screw-on type cap made of durable stainless steel which has more threads for a better fit and preventing rusting. The cap contains deviation rings that gradually release trapped pressure as water flows through them, effectively eliminating the risk of sudden pressure release during system filling,” says Dillan.

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“As with our radiators and other systems, we are already in the process of working with OEMs and dealers to offer these solutions to the market locally and abroad.

We remain committed to further development and adaptation of all cooling systems to meet the diverse needs of our customers and to find solutions to the industry’s challenges,” concludes Dillan.

Award presented to BSSC Radiators (Pty) Ltd

EASY RETROFIT Technical sales manager, Morne Bouwer, part of the development team, explains that in order to complement their innovative solution, BSSC Radiators developed a specialised tool that accompanies the tamper-proof bolt, ensuring that only authorised individuals can access and operate the system.

This comprehensive approach not only improves safety but also minimizes the possibility of operators who are in a rush to make their daily quotas are not tempted to bypass procedures and open the system themselves in order to save time.

Most importantly, the system will be able to be retrofitted to almost any mobile and stationary underground and opencast mining equipments. Its design ensures that performance of the original cooling system is not adversely affected.

Eric Bruggeman (CEO of the South African Capital Equipment Export Council) & Dillan Bennett (CEO of BSSC Radiators ) Publishments: Cape Business News, Creamer Media Engineering news, Modern Mining, Mining Business Africa, Fore Runner, SABS.

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Namaqualand flowers as its copper reserves are given a new shine

T

he barren Namaqualand region of South Africa, well-

clean energy and a green economy has caused the demand for

known for its annual wildflower spectacle, is on the cusp

batteries to skyrocket as everything goes electric. In turn that has

of an economic upswing as that diehard metal, copper,

brought a new shine for copper which finds itself in great demand.

makes its comeback as a key part of the world’s green

transition. It’s part of the worldwide revival of copper.

It is estimated that due to the enormous drive towards electrification, the global energy sector’s share of total copper consumption will

As the technological explosion of the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR)

increase to 40 % in the next two decades. It’s clear that as the

charges on and the 5th is already starting, the world’s transition to

world weans itself off its fossil fuels addiction, copper will be a

36 | Issue 5|www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

Mining

GroblerduPreez - iStock

major component of the next basket of industrial and technological

the Alternative Exchange (AltX Board) of Copper 360 Limited.

mineral drugs.

Copper 360 Limited was formed in November last year following a reverse take-over of Big Tree Copper, and copper mining

And in South Africa new and old players in the sector have already

company SHiP Copper. The company has based itself in the

for some time been gearing up for a slice of the action in the

Northern Cape and is focused on producing premium copper

great copper revival.

that will yield a high cash margin.

Historically the Northern Cape’s Namaqualand region has been home

The company’s Mining Right covering 19,000 hectares to the

to the local copper mining industry, with these mines concentrated

north of the town of Springbok holds 12 copper mines (some

around the towns of Okiep and Springbok, and further east around

with developed infrastructure) and 60 copper prospects with

Prieska. However, much of this copper mining shut down in the

advanced geological datasets. It is estimated that the Life-of-

early 2000s when the former Gold Fields of South Africa finally

Mine across the various operations is over 100 years.

closed its Okiep mine. Now, however, mining in the region is preparing for a new lease of life as the Australian and JSE-listed

Jan Nelson, chief executive of Copper 360 said: “Coming to the

miner, Orion, has been carrying out extensive exploration here with

market means we give South Africans exposure to the only pure

a view to reopening the former Prieska and Okiep Copper Mines.

copper exposure available to them with further major growth.

It opens up a capital market for us and allows us a network to

And other new miners have started operations here. In April the

further develop strategic partnerships. It also raises our profile.”

Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) announced the listing on

FORERUNNER | www.forerunner.co.za |Issue 5 | 37

Wirestock - iStock

Using a cluster mining model developed by company chair,

measured resource as declared was immediately accessible

Shirley Hayes – where several mines feed into one process

on five levels with mining expected to commence in the fourth

facility – Copper 360 says it will create a new “Copper Country”.

quarter of 2023. Nelson said the company was now looking at

With a centralised process facility, smaller orebodies become

about R12-billion to R15-billion rands worth of copper in the

economically viable, and have the potential to add up to greater

ground. What the company found in the ground exceeded their

benefits for copper mining in the region.

best expectations.

Earlier this year the company found itself facing off with the

Nonetheless, according to GlobalData Plc, a data analytics and

local 5,000-strong community of Concordia that objected to

consulting company headquartered in London, there are more

what they saw as the disruptive resumption of copper mining

than 696 copper mines worldwide, of which 127 are situated

in the area. They took issue with the resurrection of an old

in South Africa. According to Statista, South Africa’s copper

mine, Wheal Julia, right on the edge of their town some 20km

production in 2018 fell to 48,100 metric tonnes, its lowest

northeast of Springbok, saying their quiet and peaceful way of

production output in a decade. But that is about to change.

life was being threatened. The miner is SHiP, now a subsidiary of Copper 360.

Another company, Big Tree Copper, started production in the Okiep region last year as a small-scale copper project treating

But trouble with the locals aside, Copper 360 is confident of its

dump material. This operation was also being expanded this

future, with CEO Jan Nelson saying he believes the company’s

year with the construction of a full-blown SX-EW recovery plant

share price could be R8 in a year’s time. Everything will, however,

with a projected production level of 160 tonnes per month of

hinge on the copper price, putting more shares in issue, and

copper cathode within its first three months of operation.

getting the production right – and one supposes, avoiding trouble with the locals. And things seem to be well on track.

Some of the major other copper mines already operating in South Africa, include Palabora Copper (Pty) Ltd, a subsidiary of

Just recently, Copper 360 announced a significant upgrade of

Palabora Mining Company. Its copper mining operation located

its mineral resources at the company’s Rietberg mine, also in

in Limpopo consists of a surface and underground that produced

the Northern Cape. What this meant is that its total resource

an estimated 22.01 thousand tonnes of copper in 2022. The mine

of contained copper increased by 220%, from 25,275 t in 2022

is expected to operate until 2034. The company also operates

to 81,200 t, with a declared maiden and indicated resource of

a smelter and refinery complex in the town of Phalaborwa.

60,800 t of copper. The company said the total indicated and

38 | Issue 5|www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

Another major copper mine is one owned by Sedibelo Platinum

Study Group (ICSG) anticipated global copper mine production

Mines in the Pilanesberg in North West. It produced an estimated

to grow by 3.9% in 2022 and 5.3% this year, but since then has

0.7 thousand tonnes of copper in 2022. Then there is Anglo

had to revise its forecast down to 3% for both years.

American’s Mogalakwena Mine located in Limpopo which produced an estimated 8.24 thousand tonnes of copper in

Freeport CEO Richard Adkerson told Bloomberg in an interview

2022. This mine is expected to remain active until around

that there simply wouldn’t be enough copper supply to meet

2050. Rustenburg Complex is another copper mine operation

the new demand. He explained that even despite the rising high

located in North West and owned by Sibanye Stillwater. This

price of copper at present, the major headache was the amount

mine produced an estimated 1.08 thousand tonnes of copper

of time it would take to develop or expand new and old mines

in 2022 and is also expected to operate until around 2050.

to meet the new demand – a process the International Energy Agency (IEA) says takes 17 years on average.

Copper hasn’t always been met with glowing praise. It is sometimes referred to as the ‘eternal metal’ or even a wonder

Again, there’s that paradox of being both blessing and curse.

metal. Without copper the world probably would not have had

On the one hand copper will drive the current electrification

electricity or electric lights. Yet at the same time a country like

transition as a key ingredient; on the other hand, its looming

Zambia that produced much of the world’s copper in the Copper

scarcity could actually slow down the transition.

Belt around Kitwe but remained one of the poorest countries, saw it as a resource curse. Referring to the many problems the

Copper is currently trading at around US$8,418.00 per metric

abundance of the metal had brought, independent Zambia’s

ton, having peaked at around US$ 9,322 in 2021, but still up

first president, Kenneth Kaunda, remarked that “Zambia was

by double from around US$4,868 in 2016. Experts expect the

paying the price for having been born with a copper spoon in

price to rise even more. That could escalate quite dramatically

our mouths.”

if there is a big future shortfall.

In South Africa the copper mining industry has a long history

Justin Lin of the Australian financial services firm Global X

going back all the way to the early Khoi tribes of the Northern

Management Limited, points out that geopolitics is a major

Cape region, and to the Dutch governor Simon van der Stel who

contributing factor to the shortfall in global copper supply. Of

in 1685 led an expedition to seek out – and found - the fabled

the 20 million tonnes of copper produced in 2020, more than

copper riches of Namaqualand.

half were from nations categorised as “Unstable” or “Extremely Unstable”. Since December 2022, Peru, the second largest copper

Now, with the green transition to clean energy, electric vehicles

producer in the world, has been rocked by political turmoil. The

and batteries, copper is again in great demand alongside other

nation has experienced daily rioting, meaning supply chains

critical metals like lithium. But copper is the big one. Last year,

across the country have been crunched, says Lin.

S&P Global Market Intelligence forecast that annual global copper demand will nearly double from 25 million to roughly

For now, however, many of the world’s major miners are not

50 million metric tonnes by 2035. Compare this to 22 million

sitting still waiting for the copper scenario to fully play out.

tonnes of last year and the 25 million tonnes of 2021.

They know a good thing coming when they see one.

Rival consulting firm McKinsey puts the expected increase in

Mining majors like BHP, Glencore, Rio Tinto, China’s Zijin Mining

annual copper demand at 36.6 megatons by 2031, with supply

Group, Kamoa-Kakula in the DRC, First Quantum Minerals in

forecast to be around 30.1 mega tonnes (from the current 22

Zambia, among many others, have all launched expansions

mega tonnes), creating a 6.5 mega tonnes deficit at the start of

of existing mines, new joint ventures, or new mines of their

the next decade. In December 2022, Glencore forecast a 50 mega

own, as everyone is getting in on the copper-for-electrification

tonnes supply shortage by 2030. Either way, that represents a

action. And with it, Namaqualand’s flowers are set to shine with

massive increase challenged by a major supply deficit.

a lucrative new copper sheen.

Some industry forecasts are warning the shortfall could manifest as early as 2025. In October last year the International Copper

40 | Issue 5|www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

– Staff Writer

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Cape Town, South Africa

W

ith a vast and rich coastline of almost 3,000 kilometres and a modern economy that grew on the back of maritime trade stretching back to the 1600s, one would expect South Africa

to be a seafaring nation with a vibrant maritime economy. And indeed, there has been much talk about launching a national South African shipping company alongside strategies and policy documents aimed at advancing a thriving blue economy.

In October last year a webinar was held in South Africa to report on the progress that has been made in the maritime sector over the past 10 years. Much of it was focused around the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime strategy (2050 AIM) adopted over a decade ago to strengthen the continent’s regional and international partnerships and advance individual countries’ economic well-being, while promoting Africa in becoming a leader in the global maritime market. So, how have these grand plans and objectives – particularly in South Africa’s case and around vessel ownership - panned out since they were announced?

For years now there has been much talk about a South African national shipping company and bolstering the national shipping registry among international shipping operators. The creation of a national shipping line has been on the drawing board more seriously since 2017.

In 2022, the Department of Transport released the first draft of the South African Shipping Company Bill, which aims to establish the country’s national carrier, South African Shipping Company (SASCO). In terms of this draft, it emerged that the government was eyeing everything from crude and chemical tankers to containerships, dry bulk vessels and bunker barges, both newbuild and second-hand. All ships would be flagged in South Africa, registered on the national registry. Ambitious plans indeed.

UserGI15667539 - iStock

SA AIMING TO BE A LEADER IN THE GLOBAL MARITIME MARKET 42 | Issue 5|www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

Maritime Economy

“Despite the country being a cargo-owning nation that generates

new parent. In 2020 Safmarine was fully subsumed into Maersk

approximately more than 80% of export cargo, the carriage of

Line. Now South Africa is the only country among the BRICS

cargo is predominantly undertaken by foreign-owned ships,” the

member nations that does not have its own ships, which the

bill states.

Department of Transport says is a strategic vulnerability. That vulnerability became pretty apparent during the global supply

However, it should be pointed out that South Africa once was home

chain crisis that followed hot on the heels of the Covid-19

to one of the most respected and profitable shipping lines in the

pandemic.

world, called Safmarine. Established in 1946, in its heyday it owned and operated around 30 container ships, known as ‘great whites’

As a result, South Africa has become the latest country to

in the industry due to their distinct appearance. In 1999, the line

announce plans to start a national shipping line in response

was taken over by the Danish global shipping giant, Maersk, and

to the vulnerabilities that were highlighted by the supply chain

Safmarine all but disappeared as it became integrated with its

disruptions. The Department of Transport released the first draft

FORERUNNER | www.forerunner.co.za |Issue 5 | 43

of legislation for the formation of the South African Shipping

ports. So, perhaps a state-owned shipping company is not

Company (SASCO) which it said could be launched as early as

such a good idea.

2023. However, to date nothing has yet followed.

Nonetheless, government maintains that in addition to a shipping The draft proposal elaborated on a government initiative outlined

fleet, the proposed SASCO company would also own and operate

five years earlier to overhaul South Africa’s maritime industry,

goods clearance, stevedoring, warehousing, and other logistics

called the Comprehensive Maritime Transport Policy (CMTP).

infrastructure and services. The bill further calls for SASCO to

It was adopted in 2017 and set goals for growing the maritime

engage in a broad range of services including container and

transport sector. It called for the establishment of a national

bulk cargo, tankers, feeder service coastal shipping, and a

shipping carrier as a strategic pillar in the revival of the maritime

bunkering operation.

transport industry. The CMTP would promote the development of the national shipping company by giving it a priority in South

The bill proposes the acquisition of a container vessel, a crude

Africa’s ports.

oil and chemical tankers, a multipurpose bulk cargo ship suited for coal and grains, and a smaller coastal shipping vessel, as

Recently Africa has become the focus of new competition

well as one or more bunker barges. In November last year, after

among some of the major shipping companies, including Maersk,

the bill’s release, the Department of Transport said it would

Hapag-Lloyd, and MSC, each of which has made investments

begin immediately with meeting stakeholders to explore their

in the shipping and logistics sectors in Africa. However, the

interest and commitment to such a shipping company. We

South African government is concerned that due to the country’s

haven’t heard much since.

reliance on foreign shipping companies, it may not be able to protect itself from future supply chain disruption, especially

It has been over a decade since the AU signed the 2050 AIM to

during times of natural disaster or international conflict.

strengthen the continent’s regional and international partnerships and advance individual countries’ economic well-being. At the

So, accordingly the bill outlines an aggressive plan for the

above-mentioned webinar it was pointed out that up to 90%

proposed SASCO with the objective for the line to participate

of South Africa’s trade is sea-borne, but that challenges were

in the carriage of exports and imports as the preferred national

holding the country and continent back from developing a

shipping carrier. It would be overseen by a government minister

maritime industry.

who would appoint the board of directors and chief executive with the goal of building a company that would be competitive

Vusi September, Executive for Corporate Affairs at the South

in global trade. However, this is where many industry experts

African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), provided an overview

raised their eyebrows. Given the way the current government

of the industry.

has run once world-class state-owned companies like Eskom (electricity) and Transnet (rail transport and ports) into the

“Despite a notable growth rate, accelerated by the intensification

ground, few will wager a cent on the government being able to

of trade relations with the Asian continent in particular, Africa’s

successfully run such a shipping company.

share represents about 3% of the world’s share of international freight transport, about 5% of world trade, less than 3% share

In September Transnet unveiled a financial loss of R5.7bn, while

of global seafaring community and less than 3% of the world’s

business organisations said the up to R1 billion was lost each

container traffic,” September said.

day because of Transnet inefficiencies. Shortly afterward CEO Portia Derby submitted her resignation. At the presentation of

A key objective of the 2050 AIM is to promote and grow the

the Transnet results, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan,

African ship register. That means tax and non-tax incentives

had few good things to say about the Transnet executives

must be established to build the register and a domestic ship

and the board for the terrible performance of the state-owned

ownership market. September suggested that support for the

enterprise. He ordered the board to deliver a turnaround strategy

local registry of vessels could be gained through incentives

and a review of skills at the top, a clear indication that Gordhan

and the encouragement to use SA-flagged ships for cargo and

had lost confidence in Derby. In the three years that she had

coastal operations. This aligns with the aims of the SASCO bill.

headed the company, Transnet’s ports bacame the world’s most inefficient and its rail network became totally unreliable,

“South Africa’s primary motivations for developing its maritime

failing to get coal exports and other products to the country’s

industry are employment creation, domestic involvement in

44 | Issue 5|www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

Maritime Economy

import and export supply chains, expansion of the shipping register

South Africa’s vast coastline now supports many communities

and investment and development in industries that are peripheral

and is a potential hub for a thriving ocean economy, says a

to ship ownership and operation, such as insurance and maritime

study conducted by the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.

law,” said September.

The study found that the oceans around the country have the potential to contribute R54 billion to the national GDP and an

Also, during the webinar, Joy Balepile, Head of Automotive and

estimated potential to create 316,000 jobs. At the launch of

Transport Equipment for the Industrial Development Corporation

Operation Phakisa in 2015, South Africa’s blueprint for a blue

(IDC), spoke about the scope of the maritime industry. She pointed

economy, marine transport and manufacturing were estimated

out that South Africa is positioned along one of the world’s

to contribute nearly R25 billion to the GDP by 2020, and an

busiest shipping routes and has eight commercial ports and 44

excess of 15,000 direct and 45,000 indirect jobs within the

non-commercial harbours.

same timeframe. But sadly that has not really happened.

She also pointed out the challenges the industry faced, such as

But Government remains optimistic and holds that the ocean

cyclical build and fluctuating demand, being small in size with

economy has the potential to contribute up to R177 billion to

a limited number of players, being heavily reliant on imported

GDP and create just over one million jobs by 2033. As part of

components, the need for long-term funding, high capital investment

Operation Phakisa, which was spearheaded by the Department

requirements, limited transformation, insufficient dry-dock and

of Environmental Affairs in partnership with various other

repair facilities, dependence on port infrastructure and equipment,

departments, the future potential of the ocean economy is

declining numbers of ships calling to South African ports, and a

highly concentrated with four major new growth areas. These

lack of local component manufacturers.

are marine transport and manufacturing activities, (coastal shipping, trans-shipment, boat building, repair and refurbishment,

But all is not negative, and Balepile listed some of the marine

etc.), offshore oil and gas exploration, aquaculture, and marine

manufacturing subsector opportunities that existed, such as

protection services and ocean governance.

building and repairing watercraft of various classes; building or servicing drilling platforms, barges, pontoons and other floating

SAMSA says South Africa is a maritime country which accounts

or submersible structures; provision of marine components and

for 3.5% of world sea trade with 80% of trade value being driven

equipment; and marketing, sales and distribution of vessels and

by sea, and says South Africa is in the top 15 countries that

equipment.

conducts trade on sea by distance. In a 2018 PwC report on Strengthening Africa’s gateway to trade and trade in southern

However, the commercial market for vessel construction and repairs

Africa, it is said that trade in the region is dominated by South

has been progressively declining since the 1990s and shipbuilders

African ports, which make up 76% of containerized traffic in

are dealing primarily in domestic and regional markets where

sub-Saharan Africa.

business is sourced from government contracts, the offshore fishing industry, the commercial diving sector and offshore natural

The reports shows that Durban is the largest container port in

gas and diamond-mining industries.

the region by far, accounting for almost half of all containers moving through the region’s ports. The report also shows that

Looking at the prospects for the broader blue economy along South

four of the eight largest bulk ports are located in South Africa,

Africa’s coast, Unathi Sonti, who chairs the Eastern Cape Maritime

of which two, Saldanha and Richards Bay, are specialist ports

Business Chamber, laments some of the failures and shortcomings,

handling iron ore and coal respectively. South Africa’s oceans

saying that only with targeted government intervention, by cutting

economy also presents an opportunity to stimulate growth in

red tape and making the commercial conditions work for companies,

the management of shipyards, dry docks, marine repair shops

can South Africa’s blue economy reach its full potential.

and similar enterprises.

According to Sonti, prominent industry leaders say developing

So, great opportunities abound; the intentions of various

South Africa’s maritime economy will have huge benefits for the

stakeholders are excellent; and now only the action awaits to

entire country. However, rather than being supported, private-

take South Africa to becoming a leader in the global maritime

sector companies looking to invest in coastal communities are

market.

struggling to get their projects approved.

– Staff Writer

FORERUNNER | www.forerunner.co.za |Issue 5 | 45

NEW TECHNOLOGY USED IN THE FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL FISHING Lina Moiseienko - iStock

46 | Issue 5|www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

Fisheries

I

llegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and poaching of protected species have become a global scourge that is regarded as one of the most significant threats facing marine ecosystems and coastal economies around the world, particularly those of developing nations. Often it is linked to organised crime cartels, as is the case in South Africa.

Research by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has shown that Southern and East Africa lose an estimated R12.2 billion (more than $717 million) to IUU fishing annually. The IUU criminals often have sophisticated operations with fishing vessels brimming with anti-detection technology. In

South Africa’s coastal waters, the fight against IUU fishing has been hampered by too few patrol vessels and personnels, among others.

However, increasingly, sophisticated new technologies are being used in many countries to fight illegal fishing and poaching, including South Africa. For instance, Global Fishing Watch, Trygg Mat Tracking, Oceana, Ocean Unite and the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance partnered to create an innovative risk assessment tool to help insurers identify vessels that may engage in IUU fishing. These vessels are then denied insurance which tends to discourage them from engaging in illegal activities.

FORERUNNER | www.forerunner.co.za |Issue 5 | 47

In another tech-related development TRAFFIC, WWF and Hewlett

In some cases stricter prosecution with heavier sentences have

Packard Enterprise teamed up a few years ago to develop a

recently been applied. This, says Van As, needs to become the

new web-based tool called DETECT-IT. It is a data analytics

norm because overall local marine resources are not being

tool that helps businesses, non-governmental organizations,

protected in the same way that South Africa protects its gold or

customs officers, law enforcement and fisheries officials to

rhinos. Time is not on South Africa’s side and far more stringent

search quickly through fish trade data to identify potential

laws, combined with specialised policing and intelligence

illegally caught and traded fish products around the world and

gathering for fisheries organised crimes, as well as harsh

traces it back to specific vessels.

sentences, need to be prioritised at a national and international level, says Van As.

The illegal harvesting, processing and trading of fish and seafood globally, with direct links to organised crime, is so huge that it

Technology also needs to be harnessed to enhance marine

operates in effect as a parallel economic system, undermining

vigilance, he says. So, FishFORCE has tuned to utilising some

sustainable economic growth and posing a significant challenge

of the latest advances in technology to combat IUU fishing

to fisheries law enforcement agencies around the world.

around South Africa. Last year, Van As and Michael de Lange, FishFORCE’s chief operating officer, travelled to Australia’s

In an effort to help stem the scourge along South Africa’s hard-

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

to-patrol coastline of 2,800km, Professor Hennie van As, an

(CSIRO) in Tasmania, where sound-detecting technology known

admitted advocate and director of the Centre for Law in Action

as hydrophones have been developed and used with much

(CLA) at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha, established

success to alert authorities of suspicious sea activity.

FishFORCE in 2016, Africa’s first fisheries law enforcement

The hydrophones are put in the water around marine protected

academy which is also situated at the university.

areas (MPAs) for targeted law enforcement. They can detect the full range of sounds – from the smallest, such as scuba-

According to Van As much of the global fisheries crime activity

diving bubbles, to inboard and outboard motors and seismic

linked with fishing is happening off the coast of South Africa

blasting. The sounds indicate if there is possible illegal activity

and Namibia and the east coast of Africa. The fishing vessels

in or near the MPA by sending a warning signal to computer

that illegally fish in South Africa’s exclusive economic zone don’t

systems operated by law enforcement agencies.

need to visit local harbours – they make their transshipments offshore. According to Van As, South Africa does not have the

Following consultations with the national priority crimes

capacity to deal with it as there are far too few patrol vessels and

committee, the operational arm of Operation Phakisa, FishFORCE

fisheries control officers for South Africa’s 2,800km coastline.

entered into an agreement with CSIRO where both parties will partly fund hydrophones for a pilot project in South African MPAs.

Van As says a considerable upscaling of governance and management of South Africa’s marine living resources is required.

The tube-shaped hydrophones remain underwater with a small

He believes that fisheries law enforcement is transdisciplinary

surface aerial to transmit to the reception points. The system is

by nature, requiring expertise in law, criminology, police science,

cost-effective and has already been tested in Indonesia to great

fisheries science, fisheries management and marine living

effect. It promotes targeted, intelligence-driven law enforcement,

resources conservation.

and could prove far more effective than the current attempts to patrol South Africa’s 42 MPAs, particularly since we have a

Since its establishment, FishFORCE has focused on improving the knowledge and skills of fisheries control officers and inspectors, to promote the prioritisation of fisheries crime and intelligence-led investigations and to improve prosecutions of fisheries crime in Africa and globally. From the outset Van As and his colleagues have strongly advocated that fisheries crimes be addressed as priority crimes due to their links to transnational organised crime, and prosecuted as such under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, with severe penalties of 25 years to life.

48 | Issue 5|www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

frightening shortage of fisheries control officers.

Fisheries

Igor-Kardasov - iStock

Lucia Gajdosikova - iStock

Van As says that over the past six years, with funding from the

protect marine living resources and help ensure food security,

Norwegian government, they have worked hard at expanding

thereby promoting economic development. To contribute to

FishFORCE’s national and international strategies and training

this, FishFORCE has a strong and growing presence in Africa.

programmes for fisheries law enforcement aimed at combating

They have established training academies in Kenya, Tanzania,

organised crime in the fisheries environment. Their approach

Mozambique and Mauritius.

increasingly includes the use of tech.

Their agreements are with universities in the respective countries, Another project they have been working on is a gamification

mainly through their law faculties. They then get the permissions

training tool. In this regard they have been collaborating with

and paperwork done with their governments.

an immersive technologies company in Cape Town called Sea Monster to develop a virtual law enforcement game designed for

“They are very receptive as we are all facing major fisheries

law enforcement officers in the fisheries crime environment. The

organised crime. Mauritius, for example, has a serious issue

prototype became available at the end of last year. It presents

with illegal offshore fishing by big trawlers. Mozambique faces

a range of scenarios which the officers must navigate to learn

massive illegal trade in rays, and the illegal shark fin trade is a

how to correctly conduct vessel inspections so that they don’t

problem everywhere,” says Van As.

lose cases on technicalities.

“As with our abalone, the major destination for illegal wildlife The game can be used internationally and FishFORCE said

resources is Hong Kong. It’s the gateway to China. We’re talking

it would be making it available to all their partner countries

about a parallel economy that includes a range of marine and

– Namibia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya and the Western

wildlife resources. Money laundering and drug and human

Indian Ocean island nations of Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros,

trafficking are all part of it. Pilot training “In collaboration with

Reunion and Madagascar – and to any other international law

WWF and the South African Judicial Education Institute, and

enforcement agencies that request it.

with funding from USAID, we recently completed a pilot online training programme for regional court magistrates on illegal

Increasing the skills of law enforcement officers to investigate

wildlife trade, including fisheries organised crime. The first

and prosecute fisheries crime is essential for crime control to

training for magistrates took place in June.

50 | Issue 5|www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

“The number of port inspections and their effectiveness are too low in the region. The best results will be achieved if many states collaborate. Angola, Tanzania and Comoros need to become parties to the PSMA, as these are the only remaining states in southern and East Africa not to have ratified the agreement.

“This would facilitate joint plans for the implementation of the PSMA and other relevant international instruments, such as International Labour Organization instruments on working conditions on fishing vessels,” says Van As. On its website (https://fishforce.mandela.ac.za/AboutFishFORCE) FishFORCE describes itself as an Academy for the training of officials who are involved in the fight against fisheries crime that has been established at the Nelson Mandela University.

“This is a collaboration between the Nelson Mandela University and the Norwegian Government. The project will aim to establish fisheries crime law enforcement as a new and emerging fisheries compliance model and will endeavour to achieve knowledge and intelligence led investigations and increase successful prosecutions of criminals engaged in fisheries crime. Whilst “The concepts of fisheries crime and the protection of marine living

building capacity, the project will also enable fisheries law

resources are part of the training curriculum, which previously

enforcement officers to obtain formal qualifications in their

only dealt with terrestrial fauna and flora. The programme is

chosen field of expertise. These qualifications will include

also focused on increasing the awareness among members of

higher certificates, diplomas and a post-graduate diploma, which

the judiciary with regards to the nature, extent and impact of

will also provide access to further academic qualifications.

fisheries organised crime.

The project will be approached in three phases namely:

“To continue building regional and international law enforcement

•

Phase 1: Establishment of a baseline of fisheries law

expertise and strengthen cooperation between partner countries,

enforcement and prosecutions and undertaking of pilot

FishFORCE, together with Stop Illegal Fishing, hosted three training

training;

workshops in 2022 in Dar es Salaam, Maputo and Mombasa on the

•

implementation of the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA).

Phase 2: Establishing a regional training centre for SubSaharan Africa and coordinating with strategic partners to facilitate cross-border and inter-agency law enforcement

“Port state measures are recognised as an effective tool to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The use of South African ports by distant fleets which engage in IUU fishing is an

of fisheries crime; •

Phase 3: Adjustment and improvement of the geographical spread to countries in South-East Asia.

example of the need for stronger implementation of port state measures. Inspections in ports undertaken as multi-agency efforts

Over the past six years, Nelson Mandela University has

are key for addressing illicit activities in fishing in a cost-

established itself as a world leader in the training of fisheries

efficient manner.

law enforcement agencies and in research and advocacy aimed at combating organised crime in the fisheries environment.

“To ensure that training in the PSMA implementation is effectively

Important work, indeed, to protect South Africa’s vulnerable

targeted, FishFORCE produced a report on the readiness of countries

marine resources and threatened species.

(South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Seychelles, Madagascar and Mauritius) to implement the agreement.

– Staff Writer

FORERUNNER | www.forerunner.co.za |Issue 5 | 51

pwmotion - iStock

BMW takes South Africa a step up the EV ladder

Tech Investment

Y

ou may be forgiven if you thought Eskom’s loadshedding

The BMW Group says it remains committed to the long-term

and electric vehicles don’t go together. However, the

development of South Africa. This kinvestment means BMW

number of electric vehicle (EV) brands already available

Group is electrifying another location in its production network

at the retail end in South Africa will prove you wrong.

following the global BMW iFACTORY masterplan for automotive

And now BMW has taken South Africa a step closer to EV heaven

production. This further drives the development of high-quality,

on the manufacturing side with a R4.2 billion investment in

intelligent and resource-efficient manufacturing, which is central

electrification of its Rosslyn plant where the next generation BMW

to BMW Group Plant Rosslyn’s strategic direction and ensures

X3 will be produced as a plug-in hybrid from next year.

highly skilled jobs are retained. Of course it also introduces this high-end technology in South Africa.

That should be a good incentive for Eskom to get its power house in order and catch up so it can share in the lucrative action. But

More than 1.6 million vehicles have been manufactured in

cynicism and jokes aside, BMW’s investment is a major boost for

Rosslyn to date and exported to more than 40 countries

South Africa, not only in terms of the economic spin-off, but also

worldwide, including 14 African countries. The production

in terms of establishing EV technology on local soil.

portfolio in Rosslyn included the BMW 1800 SA and BMW 2000 SA, as well as BMW 5 Series and BMW 7 Series vehicles.

BMW Group’s Rosslyn site outside Pretoria has been a stable

Rosslyn had been an important pillar for the production of the

part of the company’s worldwide production network since its

BMW 3 Series from 1983 until 2018 when the BMW X3, the

founding exactly 50 years ago as the first BMW Group plant outside

best-selling BMW vehicle in South Africa, started rolling off

Germany. To mark this anniversary, Dr Milan Nedeljković, board

the assembly line.

member of BMW AG for Production and chairman of BMW Group South Africa, announced the electrification of the Rosslyn plant.

BMW says it plans to use its South African base as a pilot market for innovations and that the electrified and digitalised

“From 2024, we will produce the BMW X3 in South Africa as a plug-

plant will be “a blueprint for social, environmental and economic

in hybrid and export it to the world. To this end, the BMW Group

sustainability”. Since 2015, the plant has sourced part of its

is investing R4.2 billion in the site over five years.”

energy requirement from a nearby biogas plant known as Bio2Watt.

With this investment in electrification and digitalisation, the BMW Group is further underlining its commitment to South Africa in a

But Nedeljković underlined that the BMW Group builds more

partnership forged over five decades in the country. This secures

than just cars in this country: “In South Africa, we have not

the future of BMW Group Plant Rosslyn, as well as the livelihoods

only built a plant that creates jobs and contributes to industry.

of more than 20,000 people directly and indirectly employed at

Furthermore, we have been demonstrating here for years what

BMW Group South Africa’s facilities and within its supply chain.

social responsibility means.”

Additionally, it underscores the BMW Group’s role as a key player in the South African automotive industry’s move towards a green

As a responsible corporate citizen invested in the wellbeing of

economy.

the communities it supports, the BMW Group also announced a donation of R30 million to support a United Nations Children’s

Plant Director Dr Niklas Fichtmüller will be responsible for ensuring

Fund (UNICEF) programme. The BMW Group and UNICEF will

the Rosslyn plant’s readiness for the new product to roll off the

embark on a joint effort targeted at thousands of South African

assembly line, come next year.

primary and secondary school learners to extend and deepen their knowledge in science, technology, engineering, arts, and

“BMW Group South Africa prides itself on building communities,

mathematics (STEAM).

opportunities, and sustainable solutions. More than that – we are committed to transformation and our associates’ skills development

“For 50 years, BMW Group South Africa has been practising

with the implementation of a plant-wide training programme for

sustainable development through social investment, particularly

the new model. In addition, more than 300 BMW Group Plant

in education. We are honoured to have UNICEF’s support as

Rosslyn associates will receive specialised training to support

we inspire and mould a new generation of leaders that will

the production of the next-generation BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid

continue the BMW Group’s success story in South Africa for

Vehicle,” says Fichtmüller.

the next 50 years,” Nedeljkovic said.

FORERUNNER | www.forerunner.co.za |Issue 5 | 53

Dr Fichtmuller

Dr Nedeljkovic Previously, the automaker’s other investments in South Africa

this, R3 billion was reserved for suppliers, launch costs and

included opening more offices here for its global IT hub last

training of employees, while the other R3 billion was invested

year. This now houses 2,000 employees who provide global

in state-of-the-art infrastructure. That infrastructure is now

services for the BMW group, and has been piloting direct

being further upgraded with the latest investment.

sales with trading partners in South Africa since 2020. Also previously, in 2018, BMW announced a R6 billion investment

Meanwhile, production of the next generation BMW X3 hybrid

to prepare the Rosslyn plant for the production of the X3. Of

plug in vehicle at the Rosslyn plant is expected to begin in 2024

54 | Issue 5|www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

Tech Investment

with some 300 employees at the plant to undergo specialist training

BMW i Series

to this end. Attending the recent 50 years anniversary at which

BMW offers three i-class variants, the iX3, i4 M50, and the iX.

the announcement was made, Deputy President Paul Mashatile

These are electric versions of already available non-electric

said the investment was a vote of confidence in the country as

BMWs. The price tag for the iX is around R2.2 million. It has

an investment destination.

a range of 600km.

“What BMW has done through this investment shows that South

Mercedes-Benz EQ Range

Africa is open for business. What [they] have done through this

Be prepared to spend well over a million rand for this luxury

investment is to give confidence to say South Africa…is an excellent

EV model. Mercedes offers a whole range of EVs in its EQ

investment choice and of course, we are a gateway to Africa.

series. The EQ range starts at around R1.1 million for an EQA and goes up to around R2.75 million for the EQS luxury sedan.

“We are aware through your R4.2 billion investment in electrification

The range of these cars on a fully charged battery is between

and digitisation, you have secured the future of BMW Group plant

486km and 586km.

in Rosslyn for another 50 years,” he said.

Mini Cooper SE Deputy President Mashatile said government has implemented

This is a more affordable EV on the local market with a starting

several measures to make South Africa even more attractive to

price of around R742,100. However, at the lower price you also

investors.

get a lower range at around 215km.

“One of the things that we are doing is establishing Special

Volvo XC40 P6 Recharge

Economic Zones…where we are offering tax breaks, custom duty

Volvo’s XC40 Recharge is a no-frills regular, yet stylish Volvo

exemptions and infrastructure development subsidies. Those are

adapted to be an EV. It has a range of around 420km and comes

the things that we think will help grow businesses together with

with a R1.075 million price tag.

yourselves and employ more people.

Jaguar I-Pace “Secondly, we are investing more in skills development and training

Jaguar’s I-Pace was one of the first EVs to go on sale in South

programmes to upskill the South African workforce – particularly

Africa, introduced her in 2018. Those who have driven it, swear

those in manufacturing – and also to invest in infrastructure,” he

by it. Setting you back some R2.25 million, it will give you a

said. Mashatile said the Rosslyn Plant has played a significant

range of 446km.

role in South Africa’s automotive sector.

Audi e-Tron “Even more noteworthy, over these past 50 years, this facility

Moving up the price tag ladder, Audi provides a bit more speed

has played a significant role in creating jobs. For us that is very

together with style a la petrol cars. Its speed star is the Audi RS

important. We want that as we bring in investments. We want

e-tron GT quattro with a top speed of 250km/h. This model is

those investments that are going to create jobs.

yours at R3.35 million. But there’s always the more affordable Audi e-tron 55 quattro which starts at R1.9 million.

“Additionally, we appreciate your contribution to the advancement of technology and the high standards that you have set for responsible

Porsche Taycan

business practices in accordance with our Automotive Production

Now we get to the EV that separates the men from the boys.

and Development Programme [APDP].

Porche’s top-of-the-range Taycan Turbo S will set you back a cool R4.134-million, while the cheapest Taycan variant, the

“Through this APDP we aim to promote production volumes…and

Porsche Taycan GTS, costs a little less at R3.059 million. But

promoting added value in automotive components industry thus

these cars incorporate speed and muscle. Happy driving.

creating employment through the value chain,” Mashatile said.

The BMW X3 will be a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. There are

– Staff Writer

already a number of hybrid models on offer in South Africa. But what about full-on EVs? We had a look around and found the following.

FORERUNNER | www.forerunner.co.za |Issue 5 | 55

warrengoldswain - iStock

The twenty fastest growing companies in South Africa

W

hile most of the world shut down and came to a

The ranking, now in its second year, shows that companies in sectors

complete standstill during the worst of the Covid-19

including fintech, renewable energy, healthcare, commodities and

pandemic, some companies in certain sectors did

agriculture were managing to grow their businesses while much

not flinch, and simply kept on growing. After a recent

of the world shut down during the Covid-19 pandemic, said the FT.

period in which capital flows to emerging markets slowed and start-up companies were rattled by the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, the FT/

“Covid appears to have accelerated the move online, with companies

Statista 2023 annual ranking of Africa’s fastest-growing companies

providing digital services in finance, payments, trade facilitation

“casts its gaze back to encapsulate a time of corporate dynamism at

and healthcare all making headway,” the report said.

what was the height of the pandemic”, commented the FT.

56 | Issue 5|www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

Companies

Nigerian companies at the top According to the FT’s report, two Nigerian companies top list of the continent’s fastest growing companies. Number one is Abuja-based Afex Commodities Exchange, which provides brokerage and trade finance services for commodities such as maize, sorghum, cocoa and rice, is in first position, with a compound annual growth rate

Are you in the right business or in the right sector? Find out here. The Financial Times (FT), in partnership with Statista, has released its annual ranking of Africa’s top 100 fastest-growing companies for 2023, listing over 30 South African companies among them. Of these, we show the top 20 fastest-growing companies in South Africa and took a closer look at the top 5.

over three years of more than 500 per cent. The second ranked company is Moniepoint, a Lagos-based company that offers banking for small businesses, rates second. Venture capital group Novastar was an early funder.

The third ranked company is Kenya’s Wasoko, which headed the list in the previous year. Headquartered in Nairobi, this ecommerce company helps small traders access inventory through more efficient supply chains in seven African countries.

The FT noted that, as in the inaugural year of this ranking, start-ups again dominated the list. However, more established companies in metals and mining, telecoms and construction also made the top 100. The fintech and IT and software sectors are of key importance in the list, says the FT, but a noticeable feature of the top 100 is the sheer variety of corporate activity. The fastestgrowing companies include a Namibian winery, a Kenyan fish farm, a South African company that conducts remote hearing tests, and renewable energy companies in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone.

According to the FT, many of these fast-growing companies are privately held and do not publicly disclose detailed financial data,

“It also seems to have been the time in which Silicon Valley investors,

which means a ranking like this relies on approximation and the

as well as those in Asia and Europe, discovered potential in the African

list therefore does not claim to be definitive. But the elaborate

start-up scene, particularly in the tech hubs of Lagos, Cape Town,

disclosure and screening process employed, which also requires

Johannesburg, Nairobi and Cairo,” it added. The FT/Statista rankings

senior executives to sign off on the figures submitted by their

listed the companies according to their compound annual growth rate

companies, suggests that “the ranking offers a helpful guide to

(CAGR) in revenue between 2018 and 2021.

the companies and sectors that are managing to do business in a complex and fast-changing environment”.

The FT quoted Steve Beck, co-founder of Novastar Ventures, a Nairobibased venture capital firm, as saying that “A lot of my friends… in Silicon Valley were getting FOMO [fear of missing out] about Africa.

Criteria for inclusion in the list

They were starting to put money to work on the continent, flying in and out and pushing up valuations.”

According to the FT, to be included in the list of the Africa’s fastest growing companies, a company had to meet the following criteria:

The FT further reported that Beck noted that figures from San Francisco-based tech and digital investment platform Partech,

•

Revenue of at least US $100.000 generated in 2018

show that African tech start-ups raised $5.2bn in 2021, three times

•

Revenue of at least US $1.5mn generated in 2021

more than the previous year. Valuations, however, have come under

•

The company is independent (the company is not a subsidiary

pressure in recent months.

or branch office of any kind)

FORERUNNER | www.forerunner.co.za |Issue 5 | 57

• •

The company’s operational headquarters are located in one

departure of CEO Bob van Dijk (who also headed up the Naspers

of the African countries

international arm, Prosus).

The revenue growth between 2018 and 2021 was primarily organic (i.e., “internally” stimulated)

The other nine top ten JSE companies that did not make it into the FT/Statista rankings based on CAGR, are BHP Billiton, Prosus, AB InBev, British American Tobacco, Glencore, Richemont, Anglo

South African companies

American, FirstRand, and Standard Bank.

South African companies that made the list operate in a variety of sectors such as healthcare, e-commerce, IT and software, mining,

The top five in SA

retail and media. Topping the list, the 5 fastest-growing South African companies, were (1) Deimos, (2) Bluesky Digital Solutions,

Let’s take a closer look at the top 5 South African companies on

(3) Northam Platinum Holding, (4) Vertice Medtech Holdings, and

the list.

(5) Impala Platinum Holdings.

Deimos Cloud is a local technology company that provides cloud Deimos is a local technology-orientated company that provides

and software services, such as custom software development,

cloud and software services; and Bluesky is also an IT and software

cloud-native architectures, large-scale cloud migrations, developer

company that provides cloud computing services and custom

automation, security, and more. It says it is a company made up of

application development, among others. They are followed by

and built by seasoned and certified engineers who are the authorities

Northam (mining), Vertice (healthcare), and Impala (mining).

on helping clients with cloud related services. Deimos recorded a

Alongside Northam and Impala, other South African mining

compound annual growth rate of 177% in revenue between 2018

companies also featured relatively prominently on the list. They

and 2021, from $500,000 to $9.5 million.

included Sibanye Stillwater, Pan African Resources and African Rainbow Minerals.

Bluesky Digital Solutions is another IT and software company that has strategic partnerships with Salesforce, AWS, Tableau and Alteryx

Interestingly enough, only one of the ten most valuable companies

to offer the best cloud-based solutions to businesses on the ground,

listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) made it into

it says. The company provides cloud computing services, custom

the FT/Statista rankings. That honour went to Naspers, which

application development, architecture, configuration, business

was ranked 19th in South Africa and 52nd in Africa. It reported

analysis, training, and delivery management. It reported a CAGR

a healthy CAGR of 34.1% in revenue between 2018 and 2021,

of 94.6% in revenue between 2018 and 2021, from $1.7 million to

from $3.3 billion to $7.9 billion. The ranking, however, was before

$11.1 million. Founded by CEO Mark Surkont, the company says it

things at Naspers more recently went a bit sour, resulting in the

is an award-winning, fully independent and proudly South African

vlbentley - iStock

58 | Issue 5|www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

Companies

South Africa ranking

Africa ranking

Company

Sector

CAGR (revenue growth)

1

6

Deimos Cloud

IT & Software

177.2%

2

12

Bluesky Digital Solutions

IT & Software

94.6%

3

23

Northam Platinum Holdings

Metals & Mining

62.9%

4

28

Vertice Medtech Holdings

Healthcare & Life Sciences

53.6%

5

29

Impala Platinum Holdings

Metals & Mining

53.5%

6

31

Routed Hosting

IT & Software

51.5%

7

33

Sibanye Stillwater

Metals & Mining

50.4%

8

36

Herholdt’S Group

Energy & Utilities

48.9%

9

37

Luxity

E-commerce

48.8%

10

38

Linkfields Innovations

IT & Software

47.5%

11

40

Leatt

Retail

43.8%

12

41

Nclose

IT & Software

42.9%

13

42

Purple Group

Fintech, Financial Services & Insurance

42.9%

14

45

Entelect Software

IT & Software

40.9%

15

47

Expert South Africa

E-commerce

38.5%

16

48

Hearx

Healthcare & Life Sciences

37.6%

17

49

Pan African Resources

Metals & Mining

36.2%

18

51

African Rainbow Minerals

Metals & Mining

34.1%

19

52

Naspers

Media & Telecommunications

34.1%

20

57

Spark Schools

Education & Social Services

30.6%

B-BBEE level 1 company with deep cloud-computing experience. It

the need to bridge the gap between healthcare and technology

says it is perfectly placed to help businesses jumpstart their journey

and recognised a need for innovative medical solutions that not

to the cloud and gain the competitive advantage of digitisation.

only enriched patient health outcomes but equipped healthcare providers with the resources to enhance value-based care across

Northam Platinum Holdings is a JSE-listed South African mining

the healthcare supply chain. The company recorded a CAGR of

and platinum group metals producer (PGM) focusing on platinum,

53.6% between 2018 and 2021, from $23.7 million to $78.4 million.

palladium, and rhodium with a number of mining operations centred on three wholly owned mines, Zondereinde, Booysendal and Eland,

Impala Platinum Holdings is a JSE-listed mining company that

with additional metallurgical operations at Zondereinde including a

showed a CAGR of 53.46% between 2018 and 2021, from $2.8

smelter and base metals removal plant. This independent, empowered,

billion to $8.4 billion. The company presents itself as a leading

and integrated PGM producer recorded a CAGR of 62.9% in revenue

producer of platinum group metals (PGMs), structured around

between 2018 and 2021, from $587.5 million to $2.1 billion.

six mining operations and its refining business, Impala Refining Services. Its operations are located on the Bushveld Complex in

Vertice MedTech Holdings is a South African based medical technology

South Africa, the Great Dyke in Zimbabwe – the two most significant

company established in 2018. It has a continent-wide footprint that

PGM-bearing ore bodies in the world – and the Canadian Shield.

provides turnkey medical solutions across several healthcare sectors

The company has a primary listing on the JSE in South Africa, a

to achieve the best possible healthcare delivery. Over the years, their

secondary listing A2X and a level 1 American Depositary Receipt

diversified portfolio has grown through strategic acquisitions and

programme in the USA.

partnerships that have positioned the company as a leading medical distributor and service provider in Africa. It says it was born from

– Staff Writer

FORERUNNER | www.forerunner.co.za |Issue 5 | 59

I

t’s not every day that your company gets to be voted one of the world’s Top 50 Genius Companies by Time Magazine, and that on the basis of a product that at first glance looks like

little more than a blanket lying in a heap. But that’s exactly what happened to Sarah Collins and her Wonderbag product that has taken the world by storm, thanks to – you won’t believe this – Eskom and loadshedding.

The Eskom angle gives credence to the old adage that the best ideas are born when people turn adversity into opportunity. In 2008, Sarah, a South African entrepreneur and social activist, founded her company and developed the Wonderbag as an answer to the South African energy shortage forcing blackouts across the country - with the aim of allowing families to continue cooking daily meals even with the absence of power. It also promised to make easier the lives of rural people who have never known electricity, only fires.

What is a Wonderbag?

Just what is the Wonderbag, you may rightly ask if you have never come across it. The idea is so simple you’ll cry that you didn’t think of it first. The Wonderbag is a non-electric bag made up of repurposed chipped foam that is housed in colourful, African-inspired printed fabrics with a drawstring at the top to retain the heat. Food is brought to the boil by normal conventional cooking methods – that is with fire, gas, electric stove etc. - and then put into the Wonderbag where it will continue to slow cook for up to 12 hours.

It serves as a non-electric slow cooker that uses heat-retention technology to continue cooking food once your pan or pot has been removed from the heat source. The method of cooking in the Wonderbag is generally the same for different recipes. It requires some initial time of plus minus 15 minutes on the hob to get the food to a cooking temperature, then a few hours in the Wonderbag to continue cooking, it’s that easy! And can just leave it in the bag without having to watch it.

60 | Issue 5|www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

COOKING UP A REVOLUTIONARY STORM WITH THE WONDERBAG

Entrepreneurs

The Wonderbag is light and portable, and easy to use in the comfort of your own home as well as in the great outdoors for camping and travelling.

The heat retention properties of this ingenious bag means that it not only keeps food hot, but it keeps things cool too!

Sarah remembered and was inspired by a method her grandmother had used in the 1970s to help save power when cooking, and similar to the concept of a haybox - which was used to keep food warm and preserve fuel during World War Two - Sarah first tested her idea by surrounding a pan of hot food with cushions after she had turned off the stove.

Her brainwave was an instant success. To her amazement the food had continued to cook for several hours without any fuss or further action needed! From here, Sarah developed the Wonderbag and started taking her bags into communities to see first-hand what impact they could have. The reaction from these women was overwhelming, she says, and she knew straight away that her simple idea could potentially change millions of lives around the world.

It’s also a great cost-saver in the midst of a global cost-of-living crisis.

Environmental benefits The Wonderbag journey through the years has been nothing short of inspiring, says Sarah, resulting also in an innovative solution for Africa’s most vulnerable communities and the environment. It has great environmental benefits too.

With its Wonderbag Carbon Project, the company measured the difference between the cooking fuel used without a Wonderbag, and the cooking fuel used with a Wonderbag. This difference is the carbon offset, or the carbon credit, produced by a Wonderbag.

Just one Wonderbag used over a year reduces up to 1.5 tons of carbon emissions annually and in houses cooking with wood it reduces exposure to indoor air pollution by up to 60%. It also saves five trees annually from being cut down to slow deforestation,

FORERUNNER | www.forerunner.co.za |Issue 5 | 61

Sarah Collins, inventor of the Wonderbag

reduces fuel costs for cooking by up to 80%, and saves over

with satisfied customers around the world, is now shipping to

1,000 litres of water per annum, according to Sarah’s company.

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy,

To date Wonderbag has been a pioneer in advocating for carbon

Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Spain,

neutrality by 2050 with companies like Sasol, Faithful to Nature

Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, USA, and United Kingdom, and

and Nandos UK offsetting their carbon through the Wonderbag

a few more.

project. Users of a Wonderbag can therefore consider themselves to be changemakers and part of the movement for change to

For those using the Wonderbag, it’s important to remember to

save the planet for future generations.

use the right size pot for the amount of food you wish to cook so that the pot is mostly full as this will help maintain proper

Social benefits too

cooking temperatures. Use a metal or glassware pot with short handles. Do not use clay or ceramic and make sure to use a tight-fitting lid.

The success of the Wonderbag also fulfils an underlying aim Sarah had always had. If not an outright social enterprise, she

Another tip - heat retention is more effective when the pot is

had all along intended the Wonderbag to be something that could

almost full and sealed with a tight-fitting lid, so don’t open the

have a very positive impact on the world, on the environment,

lid to check on the cooking food. Opening the lid will lower

and more specifically within those communities that needed

the temperature of the food, so if you do need to check, bring

this kind of help.

your pot of food back to the boil before putting it back in the Wonderbag. The Wonderbag can be spot washed and hung to

The Wonderbag has literally taken the world by storm and,

62 | Issue 5|www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

dry. Front loading washing machines with a gentle wash cycle

Entrepreneurs

can also be used with cold water and minimal detergent. Hang

It’s important to find other markets, she says. If an entrepreneur

dry or in a tumble dryer on a low temperature setting. It’s all as

wants to take a brand global, one needs to consider how it can

simple as that.

be marketed and sold in various parts of the world.

Entrepreneurial advice

“Try to find alternative uses and markets for your product,” she advises. “With the Wonderbag, for instance, we at one

For entrepreneurs like herself she offers some advice. It’s hard

stage focused on the leisure market. Being able to prepare

entering foreign markets, she says, and it will almost always be

food through heat-retention cooking is a great idea and help

harder and take longer than you anticipated, with unexpected

if you’re a camper or overlander. Suddenly, we were selling the

hurdles cropping up along the way.

Wonderbag to a very different kind of customer,” Sarah says.

“So, you have to be realistic with your predictions and projections, even a little pessimistic, I would say. But don’t get discouraged.

Philanthropy

Remain determined and continue plugging away at it. It’s a good idea to not only be in it for the money if you want to build a successful

Her Wonderbag also made its mark in Ukraine’s war with Russia.

international brand. Having a mission is the key to great success,

In 2022, shortly after the invasion, over 2,500 Wonderbags

and not just trying to make money.”

were donated to two NGO’s in Ukraine supporting families during the war.

And don’t think being at the southern tip of Africa is an obstacle to engaging with the rest of the world, she says. She recalls that

The Wonderbags were sent from their UK warehouse and were

she didn’t know Jeff Bezos from a bar of soap, but she took a

distributed to families fleeing from war-torn areas, such as

chance and sent him an email, and now Wonderbags are sold

Mariupol, as well as families remaining in Ukraine but who had

through Amazon around the world.

limited access to gas and electric for cooking.

The philanthropic approach with Wonderbag also goes back to 2020 and the Covid-19 pandemic. At the time, over 60,000 Wonderbag non-electric slow cookers were produced as a well-timed response to the global pandemic. The funding came from a socially responsible investment designed for maximum environmental and social benefit. Wonderbag partnered with a like-minded organisation, PMB Community Chest, and other NGOs to distribute the bags and help families in need.

The Wonderbag is also glowingly endorsed by Agnes Wani who participated in the company’s Red Cross Evaluation, Ugandan Refugee Settlements survey.

“I am so happy for this invention. I am a member of a community farming group. The Wonderbag has been of great help since we carry our cooking food to the farm land. I would not hesitate to strongly recommend others to use this technology!” said Agnes, a member of the BidiBidi settlement.

– Staff Reporter

FORERUNNER | www.forerunner.co.za |Issue 5 | 63

Africa is the future… say the experts

burcu demir - iStock

I

n a speech during the opening of the Pan African Parliament

the Biden administration’s foreign policy. He too declared that

(PAP) in September 2004, the then South African president,

“Africa is the future.”

Thabo Mbeki, said “Africa’s time has come”. The theme was repeated in a published collection of Mbeki’s speeches, the

title of which was, “Africa, the time has come”.

It’s true that in the context of the current world condition, Africa potentially has much to offer the world. Not only does it offer a huge, youthful and largely untapped market, but it also

Since then, a variety of African leaders have stated the same

offers the world and abundance of commodities and food as

on various platforms, including President Cyril Ramaphosa.

well as energy resources, all of it extremely important in the

More recently, in August last year, US Secretary of State Antony

face of climate change, the Ukraine-Russia conflict, and now

Blinken, as part of his second tour of Africa, gave a speech

the Israeli-Pelstinaina war in Gaza. All eyes may well be turning

to students at the University of Pretoria in which he outlined

towards Africa as a possible solution.

64 | Issue 5|www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

Markets

In recent times a growing list of specialist writers from specialist

outlined the Biden administration’s foreign policy, declaring

organisations and media, focusing on Africa, have given more

that “Africa is the future.”

flesh to the theme that Africa has much to offer the world now and going into the future.

Youngest continent

Trade Finance Global (TFG) a leading B2B fintech in trade finance “As the world’s youngest continent, with a median age of 20 years and 60 % of the population under the age of 25, Africa has the potential to shape geopolitics and world economics in the decades to come. Many believe that America is one of several countries recognising what these demographics may mean.

“For one, it signals major opportunities for economic growth.

However, it could point to greater economic challenges and more political uncertainty if key problems such as famine, climate change, and infrastructure problems are not addressed,” wrote Mendes.

According to Secretary Blinken (in his speech at the time), America’s strategy in Africa is centred around five key aims, namely, to enhance US-Africa trade ties; to halt climate change; to help the region; to assist the continent in dealing with Covid-19; to promote democracy; and to help build more peace and security across the continent.

Aside from issues such as global food security, which have been exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict (Africa imports a large proportion of its staple grains from the region), many believe that America’s desire to increase trade with the continent may be related to energy (Nigeria is a major oil-producing nation), writes Mendes.

She further wrote at the time that it may also be no coincidence that Blinken’s visit coincided with the implementation of the first phase of a pan-African free trade agreement in January 2021, a deal she wrote, that aimed to gradually abolish crossborder trade tariffs on 90% of goods and services for its 55 that promotes trade finance without barriers and connects

member states across the continent.

companies with innovative trade and receivables finance solutions from over 300 financial institutions, has also approached the

“Once fully implemented––a goal set for 2030––the African

topic. Lisa Mendes, who works as a copy editor and writer for

Continental Free Trade Area agreement (AfCFTA) has the

TFG, wrote in August 2022: “In recent weeks the spotlight has

potential to be the world’s biggest free-trading bloc with a

fallen on Africa, with Russia and America choosing to renew ties

market of around 1.3 billion people, and a combined gross

with the continent via official visits to key states.

domestic product of $2.5 trillion,” she wrote.

“As part of his second tour of Africa since taking office, US

“Up until now, one of the major trade barriers for foreign

Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, gave a speech to students at

multinationals has been the nature of doing business in the

the University of Pretoria, South Africa on 8 August, in which he

region. Varying infrastructure capabilities, trade tariffs, and

FORERUNNER | www.forerunner.co.za | Issue 5 | 65

Jonathan Erasmus - iStock

policies, which differ widely from country to country, impedes

“Many officials believe that the current Economic Partnership

commerce.

Agreement (EPA), known as the Cotonou Agreement (2000), creates trading conditions for African farmers whereby they have

In Mendes’ view many people believe that AfCFTA has the

to compete against cheaper EU subsidised goods, leading to

potential to solve these logistical problems in Africa, creating a

an unhealthy dependence on commodities like imported grain.

single rulebook for trade and investment, thereby encouraging more foreign direct investment (FDI) in the region. She refers

“Instead, proposals based on a new report composed by the

to the World Bank which holds that FDI is important because

EU’s Committee on International Trade advocate for more skills

it brings the fresh capital, technology, and skills needed to

and knowledge sharing.”

improve living standards and reduce Africa’s dependence on volatile commodity exports.

In this report a major emphasis has been placed on digital cooperation as a way to encourage Africa to develop its local

“As stated in a report by the World Bank, AfCFTA has the potential

manufacturing and service industries, making it more self-

to lift more than 50 million people out of poverty and help Africa

sufficient and resilient in the face of future disruptions caused

move away from the system of foreign aid,” writes Mendes.

by events like the Covid-19 pandemic.

Increased interest

The European Parliament report notes: “Due to the continued direction of trade from colonial times, wealth is being transferred continuously from the African periphery to the industrialised

Furthermore, Mendes points out that given “all this potential

and increasingly digitised centres. This has resulted in poverty

upside, it is hardly surprising that many countries besides

for a huge share of the population in Africa. The EPAs were not

Russia and the US are interested in increasing their trade links

able to change this.”

with the continent”.

According to Mendes, the consequences of the Russia-Ukraine In June this year, the European Parliament voted to back

conflict have, in turn, facilitated a renewed interest in Africa.

proposals designed to improve on longstanding EU-Africa trade agreements so that they are more equitable and sustainable

“But, despite the opening of new avenues for the continent,

for both parties, she writes.

the combined after-effects of COVID and a wavering economy

66 | Issue 5|www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

could prove to be obstacles for African businesses. What comes of these latest developments remains to be seen, but for now, the jury is out in terms of how helpful and empowering these shifts in African policy will prove to be, says Mendes.

In an earlier piece written by Jonathan Bacon and published in Marketing Week, similar sentiments are expressed. Bacon wrote that brands are increasingly turning their sights to Africa as the next source of fast growth.

According to Bacon, the dynamics of the global economy are shifting apace and with uncertainty in developed markets such as the UK, the US and Europe, many brands are looking beyond their traditional customer bases in search of new opportunities and sources of growth.

“Africa, the world’s poorest continent but also the most untapped by consumer brands, looks set to benefit,” he says.

“Africa is of course a huge landmass with massively varied

“As brands turn their sights to the African market, they must

conditions across its countries. Where some parts remain ravaged

strive to understand a continent of diverse people and conditions

by war, famine and poverty, others are experiencing accelerated

that is becoming increasingly confident in its own creative

economic growth, urbanisation and a rising middle class,” write

self-expression,” writes Bacon.

Bacon.

According to Dillon Khan, vice-president for Comedy Central A few years ago, a World Bank report had noted that while some

Africa and creative services at Viacom International Media

African countries had registered sharp “slippages in economic

Networks Africa, besides the “main epicentres” of economic

growth”, at the same time other countries such as Ethiopia, Rwanda

growth such as South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania and

and Tanzania “have continued to post annual average growth

Ghana, there were signs that markets are maturing in countries

rates of over 6%”. And the Brookings Institution reported that

such as Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire and Angola. He noted that

the number of urban residents in Africa nearly doubled between

marketing to the whole of Africa is a “great challenge” and

1995 and 2015 and is projected to almost double again by 2035.

argues that brands must pick the right local partners when launching on the continent.

Western brands

“Whether you’re going through ups or downs in an economic cycle, there’s always opportunity here, it’s very entrepreneurial,”

Within this economic climate many western brands have been

he says.

growing their presence, writes Bacon. He notes that according to a report by African Business magazine, non-African brands have

“The market is great for new opportunities to grow, and I think

increased their share of African consumer markets in recent years

lifestyle and culture is coming out of Africa more and more.

to reach a dominant 84% by 2017. Non-African brands accounted

Whether it’s fashion or music, Africa as a continent is and has

for 84% of the top 100 most admired brands in Africa, and 99.3%

been on the rise for a while.”

of the most valuable, it added.

There’s little doubt then, it seems, that Africa is truly the Starbucks, H&M, Facebook and Business Insider are among the

continent of the future.

brands to have fairly launched or opened offices in Africa in the last few years, while western marketing groups have also grown their footprint on the continent.

68 | Issue 5|www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

– Staff Writer

SA’S TOP 5 COMPANIES LEADING THE PACK IN SIZE AND VALUE

P

erhaps you are someone who keenly watches the performance of different companies on the stock exchange, hoping to identify the most suitable ones in which to invest. Or you have heard people talk about the top companies and wonder which

they are and how they are judged as such. Different lists are frequently published of the “top ten companies” or the “five biggest companies”.

Usually, such companies are measured by their market capitalisation, also known as marketcap. This refers to the value of a publicly listed company. It is calculated by multiplying the price of a stock or share by its total number of outstanding shares. For example, a company with 20 million shares selling at R50 a share would have a market cap

Sunshine Seeds - iStock

of R1 billion. So, just which are these top companies in South Africa?

by Murison, were as of 13 October 2022. All prices are indicative only and all figures quoted may have changed since this list was drawn

Different lists of this nature are regularly published by different entities

up. Murison’s IG list is as follows:

or publications. They may differ in terms of how they were calculated, or when the list was drawn up, as markets and companies are dynamic, and changes occur all the time.

1. The BHP Group (BHP) Market Capitalisation – R2.28trn

On such list was recently published by Shaun Murison, a Senior Market Analyst at IG South Africa, a registered financial services provider,

The BHP Group is a world-leading diversified resource business,

and an over-the-counter derivative provider. According to Murison

extracting, processing, and selling minerals, oil and gas. BHP unbundled

they identified the ten largest companies on the Johannesburg Stock

its non-core assets into the company South32 in 2015. The unbundling

Exchange (JSE) in terms of their market capitalisation in South Africa.

sees BHP operations mostly removed from South Africa and mostly

They also looked at their businesses, broker ratings and share price

realised in Australia and South America.

targets. Murison also noted that the makeup of these top 10 shares do not directly correlate to the top ten weightings of the JSE Top40

The primary commodities produced by BHP now are iron ore, petroleum,

Index. All market capitalisation values, price earnings ratios, dividend

metallurgical coal and copper. The BHP Group trades on a P/E multiple

yields, analyst ratings and price targets for the companies listed below

of 6.66, with a historical dividend yield offering of 11.5%. Traders

70 | Issue 5|www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

Entrepreneurs

looking for opportunities to trade the cyclicality of a basket of industrial

Holdings.

commodities and/or a strong yielding resource counter with rand hedging attributes might consider the BHP Group a viable option.

A Refinitiv poll of 4 brokers (as of the 13 October 2022) arrive at an average long-term rating of ‘Strong Buy’ for Prosus. A median target

A Refinitiv poll of 5 brokers (as of the 13 October 2022) arrive at an average

amongst analysts for the share price of Prosus is R1671.50. Please

long-term rating of ‘Buy’ for The BHP Group. A median target amongst

note that since this information was gathered, some changes have

analysts for the share price of the BHP Group at the time was R495.58.

occurred at Prosus following a period of troubled performance, and which included the replacement of the CEO.

2. Prosus NV Market Capitalisation – R1.86trn

3. British American Tobacco Plc (BTI) Market Capitalisation – R1.49trn

Prosus is a Netherlands-based global consumer internet group, unbundled from Naspers, a leading South African media house. The company

British American Tobacco is the second largest tobacco manufacturer in

is primarily focused on six business areas which include: Classifieds,

the world (after Phillip Morris) and one of the globe’s leading consumer

Payments & Fintech, Food delivery, Etail, Ventures and Travel. The group

goods companies, with its brands sold in over 180 countries.

also maintains investments in listed Social & Internet assets i.e., Tencent

The group trades on a historical P/E ratio of 10.95 times whilst having

FORERUNNER | www.forerunner.co.za |Issue 5 | 71

Torsten Asmus - iStock

a historical dividend yield of nearly 6.46%. Traders looking for an entry

Traders looking for opportunities to trade the cyclicality of a basket of

into a leading global consumer business with rand hedging attributes

industrial commodities and/or a high yielding resource counter might

might consider British American Tobacco as a viable option.

look to Glencore as a viable option. The company trades on a historical P/E multiple of 5.7 and dividend yield of 4.18%.

A Refinitiv poll of 12 brokers (as of 13 October 2022) arrive at an average long-term rating of ‘Strong Buy’ for British American Tobacco. A

A Refinitiv poll of 11 brokers (as of 13 October 2022) arrive at an

median target amongst analysts for the share price of British American

average long-term rating of ‘Buy’ for Glencore. A median target amongst

Tobacco is R850.

analysts for the share price of Glencore is R131.72.

Global financial information platform CompaniesMarketcap.com

4. Anheuser-Busch InBev (ANH)

provides different lists of the biggest South African companies. Their

Market Capitalisation – R1.46trn

lists are as follows:

AB-InBev is the world’s largest beer producer and distributor. The

Largest South African companies by market capitalisation (in US dollars):

company’s portfolio consists of well over 500 beer brands which includes Budweiser, Corona, Stella Artois, and Castle. The company

1.

Naspers - $34.18 billion

trades on a historical P/E multiple of 14.77 and dividend yield of 1%.

2.

FirstRand - $20.27 billion

3.

Standard Bank Group - $17.80 billion

A Refinitiv poll of 2 brokers (as of 13 October 2022) arrive at an average

4.

Gold Fields - $13.64 billion

long-term rating of ‘Buy’ for AB-InBev. A median target amongst analysts

5.

Capitec - $12.15 billion

for the share price of AB-InBev is R1105.

When rated in terms of earnings by CompaniesMarketcap.com, the following companies make up the top 5 (in US dollars):

5. Glencore Market Capitalisation – R1.26trn

1.

MTN - $3.32 billion

2.

Old Mutual - $3.25 billion

Glencore is a leading integrated producer and marketer of commodities,

3.

Standard Bank Group - $3.04 billion

operating around the world. The group’s commodities comprise of metals

4.

First Rand - $2.73 billion

and minerals, energy products and agricultural products. The group’s

5.

Sanlam - $2.28 billion

key industrial commodities produced are coal, copper, zinc and nickel.

When listed in terms of revenue, the picture changes again:

72 | Issue 5|www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

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features the highly sought-after awards for Business Leader of the 1.

Old Mutual - $37.43 billion

2.

Harmony Gold - $22.62 billion

3.

Sasol - $15.35 billion

The Sunday Times Top 100 Companies analyses the share price

4.

MTN Group - $12.24 billion

performance of listed companies over a rolling five-year period using

5.

Shoprite - 11.46 billion

a hypothetical initial investment amount of R10 000. For this year’s

Year and Lifetime Achiever in the realm of South African business.

awards the investment measurement period ran from 31 August 2018 Each year the Sunday Times Top 100 Companies awards acknowledge

to 31 August 2023, with the winning company being the one which

listed companies which have earned the highest returns for their

created the most wealth and value for shareholders over that period,

shareholders over the last five years. This affords yet another measure

assuming reinvestment of all dividends, bonus share allotments and

by which to measure and judge companies. As part of awards ceremony

special payments.

a gala dinner at which the Top 100 Companies are announced, also

This year the top 5 companies out of The Sunday Times 100 Companies

are as follows:

Share name 1

Market cap as at Auf31 2023 (Rbn)

Total return (%)

Final value (R)

Compound Annual growth rate (%)

Gold Fields

217.01

668.27

76,827

50.3

2

DRD Gold

16.53

638.43

73,843

49.2

3

Impala Platinum

88.05

610.22

71,022

48.0

4

Sibanye Stillwater

81.35

317.98

41,798

33.1

5

Harmony Gold Mining Company

48.71

240.04

34,004

27.7

The UK-based Financial Times (FT), in partnership with Statista, released its second annual ranking of Africa’s top 100 fastestgrowing companies for 2023 earlier this year. The list included over 30 South African companies.

The list showed that companies that were able to grow during the Covid-19 pandemic, were those in sectors such as fintech, renewable energy, healthcare, commodities, and agriculture. Out of the 30 fastest-growing South African companies that made it onto this list, the top 5 were as follows:

Africa ranking

Company

Sector

CAGR (revenue growth)

6

Deimos Cloud

IT & Software

177.2%

12

Bluesky Digital Solutions

IT & Software

94.6%

23

Northam Platinum Holdings

Metals & Mining

62.9%

28

Vertice Medtech Holdings

Healthcare & Life Sciences

53.6%

So, there you have it – these are South Africa’s top performing companies, with some of them making it onto every list.

(Please Note: This article is not intended as financial advice, nor is it intended for investment purposes – it is simply intended as interesting general information for readers interested in such things and Forerunner cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of figures and information supplied..)

Compiled by Staff Reporter

74 | Issue 5|www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

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Mission

Staff

Report

Statement

Preview

M84 GEOTECH 78

FORERUNNER | www.forerunner.co.za | Issue 5 |

79

SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY ROCKFALL PROTECTION | SLOPE STABILIZATION | MONITORING PRISMS | ROCK CLEARING 80 | Issue 5 | www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

FOCUS PROFILE

M84 Geotech is a 100% black-owned South African company offering geohazards mitigation and work at heights solutions for African’s open pit operations. Our speciality being in the installation and supply of rockfall protection, rockfall barriers, rockfall attenuator, rock scaling, slope stabilization and slope monitors solutions.

We are one of the few contractors who are accredited to install slope stabilization and rockfall mitigation systems for open pit mines. We are an accredited member of The Institute for Work at Heights (IWH).

We have the right equipment, trained and experienced personnel to carry out any slope support or rock scaling project. With us, it doesn’t matter how deep the pit is or how rocky the slope is, we will always find the safest way to support or clean any open pit high wall.

We are in the business of safety, more specifically in the mining space. Our job is to ensure mining can take place without the miners or contractors being worried about their safety from any rockfall hazard. As a company, we take the safety of our technicians and that of our client very serious. We use only the best rope access kit for the safety of our technicians and we have the best and most robust slope support solutions to guarantee safety for open cast operations. The tecco system we use for slope protection and stabilization is well tested to protect open cast from any disintegrated stones and blocks or any loose rocks from breaking out.

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FORERUNNER | www.forerunner.co.za | Issue 5 |

81

to retain masses and prevent landslide or erosion.

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82 | Issue 5 | www.forerunner.co.za | FORERUNNER

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