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Africa
Coega Development Corporation
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Group Head of Marketing, Branding & Communications of the Year - Dr. Ayanda Vilakazi - Coega Development Corporation (CDC) (PTY) Ltd - South Africa Best Strategic Technical Partnership Firm of the Year - Nigeria CEO of LAWtrust & Executive Director of the Year - Christi Maherry - Etion - South Africa Best Performing Arts School - 2020 - Le Studio Des Arts Vivants - Morocco World Luxury Hotel of the Year - 2020 - Cradle Boutique Hotel - Johannesburg, South Africa
Insurance & Reinsurance Lawyer of the Year - Denis Warren-Tangney, Warren-Tangney Attorneys Inc - South Africa
South Africa
COEGA’S EXPERTISE IN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT MANAGEMENT WILL HELP SOUTH AFRICA FAST-TRACK ECONOMIC RECOVERY AMID COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The Coega Development Corporation (CDC), developer and operator of the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ), recently announced that it has been appointed as the Implementing Agent (IA) to develop and operate the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ). The CDC, as a public entity, is the IA of choice in the country due to its unparalleled expertise in mega and complex infrastructure development projects, says Dr. Ayanda Vilakazi, CDC’s Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications.
The multi-billion-rand TASEZ will mark an important milestone for the Gauteng Province, City of Tshwane and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (“the dtic”) SEZ programme. “SEZs are a catalyst for employment, transformation, socio-economic development and inclusive industry growth,” says Dr. Vilakazi.
“The CDC’s appointment demonstrates our resilience as an organisation, having secured this multi-billion-rand TASEZ project under a difficult operating environment, amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” added Dr. Vilakazi. The CDC provides expertise in the fast and efficient delivery of minor and mega complex infrastructure development projects in South Africa and the rest of the African continent. In addition, Coega has ISO certified systems and processes that guarantee the effective delivery of these projects within scope, time, and budget. “Our record of unqualified audit opinion by the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) on our projects speak for itself. The national government and various provincial government departments trust the CDC with its multibillion- rand infrastructure projects. This has become even more pronounced amid COVID-19 and the need to fast-track economic recovery through infrastructure development and thus, stimulate job creation,” said, Dr. Vilakazi.
The TASEZ was launched in 2019 and the success of it is important to the economic growth of the Gauteng Province. In the 2019 Gauteng’s State of the Province Address, the Honourable Premier David Makhura stated that: “we must be more aggressive and decisive in pushing a vision of turning the entire province into a single, multi-tier, mega special economic zone, based on Hannan, an island province in China, which is an SEZ in itself.”
The TASEZ is “Africa’s First Automotive City” and a key driver of economic growth in the City of Tshwane and the rest of the Gauteng province, with a mandate to promote economic participation for SMMEs and to create decent employment in the region.
“The TASEZ development will create an influx of economic activity to the region as well as generate socio-economic benefits for both local communities and SMMEs in the following industries: Security; ICT Maintenance; Facilities Maintenance; Construction; Automotive Supply Chain; Marketing and Advertising; Catering and Events; and Information and Technology (among others). Both Job Seekers and SMMEs are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities. For more information on the TASEZ, visit www.tasez.co.za. The TASEZ will also provide social development through the improvement of infrastructure and the provision of facilities not currently available within the area,” said, Dr. Vilakazi.
TASEZ is an attractive world-class automotive city and a preferred investment destination for the automotive industry on the African continent. Its proximity to an established automotive industry in Tshwane allows for increased economies of scale and scope, thereby lowering the cost of doing business. The SEZ offers worldclass customised solutions, incentives, support services and systems for manufacturers seeking excellence, and a productive and progressive location.
As a catalyst for employment, transformation and socioeconomic development and inclusive industry growth, it boasts the most skilled labour in the sector, provides easy access to a strong consumer base, and connectivity to both suppliers and potential markets, while promoting export-orientated industries and local integration. Furthermore, the TASEZ provides unparalleled connectivity and harmony between the living city, green city and the productive city of Tshwane including an array of stateof-the-art modern infrastructure and facilities. It provides direct and ready linkages to regional and international markets, making exports easy to the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
“I am certain that the CDC will succeed in assisting the TASEZ to achieve its goals and strategic objectives,” remarked Dr. Vilakazi. The CDC’s role of helping to develop effective and efficient SEZs has become very important in South Africa and on the continent.
According to Dr. LI Yuanchao, former Vice President of the People’s Republic of China, during his visit to CDC in November 2016: “I’ve been to many developing countries and industrial development zones around
South Africa
the world, the Coega IDZ is one of the best that I have seen.” These sentiments were echoed by the British High Commissioner to South Africa, Mr. Nigel Casey, in his remarks in 2017 about the Coega IDZ, when he highlighted impressive developments at Coega: “I’m particularly pleased by the number of investors who have taken advantage of this amazing economic zone and made a great success of their investments.”
The CDC is taking full advantage of the Inter- Africa trade, which has been made possible by the signing of the Africa Free Trade Agreement by African countries to promote greater economic integration across the continent. To this end, the CDC’s International Business under Coega Africa Programme is managing the implementation of infrastructure projects in Zimbabwe, Central African Republic, and Cameroon, amongst other countries.
CDC Successes:
The CDC won a prestigious DTIC’s Investor of the Year Award in 2019 for its exceptional performance in attracting investments as well as excellence in developing and operating the Coega Special Economic Zone.
Furthermore, its performance has been independently verified by Statistics South Africa (STATS SA) that recently issued a report on the Coega SEZ: http:// www. coega.com/DataRepository/Documents/ VonPSjxRuIRlNL1cFcRxeWCyy.pdf
STATS SA’s report shows that the total income of the Coega SEZ tenants improved by 22% over the comparative period (2015/16 - 2018/19) indicating an increased contribution of tax returns from the tenants. The Coega SEZ tenants also improved greatly on the net profit before tax, recording R506 million in 2018. The number of jobs increased by 17.3% on average per year. The Coega SEZ contributed to the economy of the region by creating decent jobs with an average salary of R222, 000 improving from R218, 000 per employee in 2015; Coega has outperformed the East London SEZ on many key performance indicators and is assisting other SEZs in the country for the benefit of South Africa.
The drive for growth and development has made Coega not only one of the most successful SEZs in the country and the number one SEZ on the African continent, but an attractive and ideal investment destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and one of the country’s leading infrastructure Implementing Agents.
The CDC, with its proven track record in infrastructure implementation and programme management spanning over two decades, has successfully delivered other infrastructure projects in the country within budget, time and scope. The organisation has an arsenal of systems developed to fast track the implementation of infrastructure development projects whilst ensuring the creation of jobs and transforming economies through developing emerging businesses.
The CDC’s Infrastructure Project Management Services include: • Project methodology and system; • Development of reporting & monitoring services; • Integrated planning & budgeting; Development of business plans; Stakeholder analysis & engagement programmes; Procurement of service providers and required equipment; On-the-job training & contractor development; Human capital solutions; and Post-implementation monitoring and facilities maintenance.
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS: Cecilia Makiwane Hospital- a large, provincial, government-funded hospital situated in the Mdantsane township of East London, Eastern Cape in South Africa; and the Kingsburgh Primary School - LOVU TOWN -in KwaZulu-Natal.
The CDC also offers mega and complex infrastructure project expertise and strategic solutions to the Eastern Cape Department of Public Works and Infrastructure; National Department of Public Works; National and Eastern Cape Department of Health, amongst others.
Lusikisiki Village Clinic opened by the President of SA, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, on 17 September 2019
Nolitha Clinic opened by the Honourable Premier of the EC, on 22 November 2019
Contact Information:
Email: ayanda.vilakazi@coega.co.za Tel: +27 41 403 0423 Website: www.coega.com
South Africa
Christi Maherry is a transformational leader and visionary entrepreneur. In her 14 years of experience, she has grown LAWtrust quite exponentially, from a two-person operation to an international business with offices in three continents, whose leaps and bounds managed to attract an acquisition from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Listed company, Etion Limited.
The LAWtrust CEO is driven by innovation and is always looking at ways of improving her company’s offering.
Christi’s passion for cybersecurity has led her to spearhead trust in her information systems through establishing authenticity, accountability and privacy in data messages. As a pioneer, Christi continues to push beyond boundaries and deliver solutions with real-world applications. She attributes her business acumen to her agility and ability to display an uncanny calmness during any crisis.
Her success as an entrepreneur has been noted and celebrated by various agencies and awards institutions across the world. In 2017, Christi won the EY World Entrepreneur Award for Southern Africa in the emerging category of the Top 100 Business Women of the Year.
As an advocate of youth and women empowerment, Christi is also an active board member of Junior Achievement Africa, a non-profit organisation aimed at preparing Africa’s youth for the future as well as a member of the Women Presidents Organization.
Building a business that makes a significant contribution not only financially, but also to the wellbeing and security of the country has been the driving force behind most of her work. Through her efforts, Christi continues to inspire young people, with a particular focus on women.
The strategic nature of work conducted.
A: Today, LAWtrust is South Africa’s top cybersecurity company. The organisation went from being a two-man show to being the de facto cybersecurity in South Africa. Christi’s main goal which she achieved without any delays was to take LAWtrust to greater heights and make it an international operating company. This is when, her journey of formulating products exported to the international market began. This strategic move helped grow LAWtrust’s revenue by 40% in international currency.
The complexity of work conducted.
A: LAWtrust has operations and customers across all continents. Beyond the logistics of operating in various
time zones, Christi and her team have had to acquaint themselves with the various stringent privacy and data laws which come with a hefty penalty should any party violate them. Back at home, managing the crypto on the National ID Cards the Department of Home Affairs means LAWtrust is involved in every citizens’ life from their birth to their death. Keeping this data safe is not only a priority in the face of identity fraud but also in ensuring zero disruptions in the issuing of birth certificates; Identity Documents; marriage and death certificates.
The scale of work conducted.
A: LAWtrust started as a South African company operating within the confines of South African borders. However, having grown to reach the status of a de facto cybersecurity company, Christi and her team embarked on one of the most challenging tasks undertaken by LAWtrust, upscaling the company to meet international standards and providing international solutions. The journey of this success has not been without any of the challenges that have occurred under leadership.
Whether the work conducted was done timeously and within budget.
A: One of the problems of dealing with international projects arises from costing and factoring in exchange rates and the fluctuating global economy. Despite all of this, however, Christi and her team have been on budget every single time. As a cybersecurity company with experience spanning over a decade and a client base extending into banking, markets and citizen data, tardiness is not a quality you can afford to have. When deliverables are not produced at the time agreed upon, then disaster is inevitable.
Any ground-breaking or innovative processes used during completion of conducted work.
A: LAWtrust leveraging its accreditation of the Electronic Communications and Transactions (ECT) Act as an Authentication Services provider, was able to provide Advanced Electronic Signatures (AeSign). This application of digital signatures and positive identity to business processes created time and money efficiencies while reducing risk for the client.
Contact Details Company: Address:
Tel: Fax: Email: Web:
LAWtrust 85 Regency Drive, Route 21 Corporate Park, Irene, Centurion 0157 +27 12 676 9240 +27 12 665 3997 info@lawtrust.co.za www.lawtrust.co.za
