Africa Outlook - Issue 44

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Africa’s financial elite continue to drive sustainable economic development, with Barclays’ and Mutual & Federal’s innovative solutions right on the money

BUSINESS TRAVEL GUIDE 26 Johannesburg: South Africa’s golden child continues to find the winning formula

AMIRAN KENYA 68 Providing the answers to Kenyan agriculture

SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC 122 Energising Southern Africa through sustainable innovation

ZENITH STEEL 130 Committing to excellence in innovation

AFRICA OUTLOOK ISSUE 44 FEATURING: JLL SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA | IBM WEST & CENTRAL AFRICA | VODACOM LESOTHO

Business Travel Guides A complete guide to the world’s most popular locations B

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of economic nucleus to a role model Evolving from a mining ion has road to global recognit modernity, Johannesburg’s and concerted business acumen been one borne out of ment develop Writer: Matthew Staff

Johannesburg option for locals become the modern perfectly ohannesburg claims and visitors alike; its image barely any of South status of the depicting the current over the Africa’s official titles but wider country’s maturity nearly all of the generations. the as , history, accolades Of course, in more recent most globallyless than country’ largest city and this depiction has been tive. at times - and there are renowned representa of South Africa’s positive of Joburg’s infrastructure Despite not being one elements fame - and allude to three capital cities, its museum array that still and a as its origins the whole, fortune - derives from pivotal eras - but on as a modern these of the gold mining hub described the city serves as a glimpse discovery in day El Dorado upon its present and to the future. has never CBDs 1886. As such, the area Comprising numerous historical like a continuous seems been lauded for its deep what and national cores buildings into newer significance like so many tly overhaul of older subsequen has and world, around the

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constructs, the city skyline is an indictment of its global recognition as one of the world’s leading industrial and cultural hubs, and while this has not ed necessarily transcend on into tourist prosperity s the scale of its neighbour it in Cape Town and Durban, to still has more than enough travel thrive as a popular business n. destinatio

s Johannesburg Facts and figure Ironically, the fact that and Durban lags behind Cape Town means that its in the tourism stakes, ture is long-haul transport infrastruc played its even more refined; having international between link a as role ng cities visitors and the surroundi over the years. including However, as landmarks and South Africa the Apartheid Museum Country: their feet; as Constitution Hill found English, Zulu, Afrikaans, and Alexandra Languages: areas such as Soweto Xhosa city’s urban benefitted from the approach to 335 square kilometres Joberg’s as and Area: sprawl; appealing fine dining and globally (2011): 4.4 million Population refined, more entertainment became US$83.9 billion transport GDP: so too did the city’s internal Rand Currency: system.

Tambo OR at Upon arriving UTC+2 Time zone: the International Airport, Subtropical highland the vast Climate: ability to get around , safely landscape efficiently recorded Highest 41.4°C and speedily is now easier temperature: South than in any other African hub; catered system. payment smartcard though, for by everything Topping all of those options from metered and open road. is the plain and simple minibus taxis, to its city, Johannesburg has inland an As Metrorail Gauteng highway had to build an extensive commuter rail as a link to decades network over the system, its and visitors the rest of the country, link Gautrain day; initially via equally benefit to this outside of the Road, and the Johannesburg Ring city, and its more country’s most branching out to the recently unveiled of freeways. extensive collection Rea Vaya bus rapid system based on a

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Our Business Travel section not only gives executives the complete guide to the world’s most popular and populous locations, but also gives said locations the perfect opportunity to showcase their own businesses, events, venues and services to a truly international audience and readership of more than 165,000 each month.

To share in this unrivalled exposure and to put your own offering on our map, then please contact our Sales Manager, Joe Palliser to find out more.

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W E L C O M E On the Money The old adage of ‘money won’t make you happy’ might be a noble outlook, but in reality it’s not always true; and Africa’s financial elite continue to drive for Africa’s established gateways and sustainable economic development, with Barclays’ and Mutual & Federal’s innovative solutions right on the money emerging countries alike, the need for improved investment is intertwined with its future prosperity.

In short, without a positive, continent-wide financial infrastructure, Africa would have to rely on the more unsustainable FDI method in order to develop; but fortunately, we have a host of industry experts on hand to affirm the fact that those required specialties already exist domestically.

Global heavyweight, Barclays has long championed the African cause and despite recent reports that the Company is looking to retreat from the continental limelight, we have a three-pronged Group case study painting a very different picture.

To kick things off, we glance back at the business’s 2015 Africa Trade Index where Chief Executive of Corporate Banking, John Winter admitted a paradigm shift towards emerging markets while still affirming South Africa’s position at the head of the economic charge. Barclays’ presence at the fourth annual SA Tomorrow Investor Conference serves as the perfect gauge one year on from the initial forecast.

Within our showcasing segment, Barclays Tanzania and Barclays Commercial Property Finance shine further light on the Group’s ongoing influence across the south and east of the continent especially, allaying any fears that it’s taking a step back from the continent.

Continuing along the money trail, we also speak with insurance specialists, Mutual & Federal, who can boast nearly 200 years at the heart of South Africa’s business evolution, but still has the same hunger to innovate in the 21st century.

Our financial focus extends further to an interview with B-Sure Group Holdings, before addressing a number of sectors that are benefiting from the work that these stalwarts do behind the scenes.

Amiran Kenya, Viking Crop Protection, Sterkwater Boerdery and Stellenbosch Vineyards give them and us food for thought; Nissan Kenya and Zenith Steel continue to engineer a rise to market dominance across the manufacturing sector; and our most esteemed technology segment in months lays down the red carpet for world-renowned IBM, Schneider Electric and Vodacom.

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BUSINESS TRAVEL GUIDE 26 Johannesburg: South Africa’s golden child continues to find the winning formula

AMIRAN KENYA 68 Providing the answers to Kenyan agriculture

SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC 122 Energising Southern Africa through sustainable innovation

ZENITH STEEL 130 Committing to excellence in innovation

AFRICA OUTLOOK ISSUE 44 FEATURING: JLL SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA | IBM WEST & CENTRAL AFRICA | VODACOM LESOTHO

EDITORIAL Editorial Director: Matthew Staff matthew.staff@outlookpublishing.com Staff Writer: Phoebe Calver phoebe.calver@outlookpublishing.com

PRODUCTION Production Manager: Daniel George daniel.george@outlookpublishing.com Art Director: Stephen Giles steve.giles@outlookpublishing.com Advert Designer: Mandy Farnell mandy.farnell@outlookpublishing.com Images: Thinkstock by Getty Images

BUSINESS Sales Director: Nick Norris nick.norris@outlookpublishing.com Operations Director: James Mitchell james.mitchell@outlookpublishing.com Heads of Projects: Arron Rampling arron.rampling@outlookpublishing.com Donovan Smith donovan.smith@outlookpublishing.com Tom Cullum tom.cullum@outlookpublishing.com Sales Manager: Joe Palliser joe.palliser@outlookpublishing.com Training Development Manager: Eddie Clinton eddie.clinton@outlookpublishing.com Project Managers: Callam Waller callam.waller@outlookpublishing.com Josh Hyland josh.hyland@outlookpublishing.com Joshua Mann joshua.mann@outlookpublishing.com Kane Weller kane.weller@outlookpublishing.com Stuart Parker stuart.parker@outlookpublishing.com

ADMINISTRATION Finance Director: Suzanne Welsh suzanne.welsh@outlookpublishing.com Admin Assistant: Sophia Curran sophia.curran@outlookpublishing.com Office Manager: Katie Park katie.park@outlookpublishing.com WEB DESIGN: Hamit Saka IT: James Le-May

OUTLOOK PUBLISHING Managing Director: Ben Weaver ben.weaver@outlookpublishing.com Chairman: Mark Weaver CONTACT Outlook Publishing Ltd Woburn House, 84 St Benedicts Street, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 4AB, United Kingdom Sales: +44 (0) 1603 959 652 Editorial: +44 (0) 1603 959 655 SUBSCRIPTIONS Tel: +44 (0)1603 959 655 Email: matthew.staff@outlookpublishing.com

www.africaoutlookmag.com Like us on Facebook - facebook.com/africaoutlook Follow us on Twitter - @Africa_Outlook

Matthew Staff

Editorial Director, Outlook Publishing

Enjoy the issue!

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NEWS

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FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT South Africa is Open for Business

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TRAVEL & TOURISM Checking in with Cautious Optimism

JLL predicts that positive economic, demographic and tourism trends point towards hotel demand growth

S E C T O R

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PwC Oil & Gas Review: Changing the thinking behind Africa’s industry

BU SI N ESS TR AVEL GUIDE

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JOHANNESBURG

South Africa’s golden child continues to find the winning formula

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SHOWCASING LEADING COMPANIES Tell us your story and we’ll tell the world

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BARCLAYS BANK TANZANIA LTD Growth and Prosperity

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The oldest and most trusted agricultural insurer in South Africa

A resourceful and talented empowerer of communities, people and stakeholders

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BARCLAYS AFRICA COMMERCIAL PROPERTY FINANCE Open for Business

Evolving to become a leading provider of commercial property finance in Africa

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B-SURE GROUP HOLDINGS (PTY) LTD Insuring Peace of Mind

Assured insurance on the lookout for new opportunities

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OIL & GAS Opportune Time for Change

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MUTUAL & FEDERAL Centuries of Solutions

All the latest top stories across the month from Africa

The SA investment story, chapter two

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F O O D & D R I N K

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AMIRAN KENYA Finding Solutions with Knowledge

Providing the answers to Kenyan agriculture

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SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC Access to Energy for Everyone

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Energising Southern Africa through sustainable innovation

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CASTROL SA Slick Sustainability

Providing much more for much less

VIKING CROP PROTECTION Going the Extra Mile

Changing the thinking behind crop protection

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STERKWATER BOERDERY Fresh Produce Powered

by Passion

MANUFACTURING

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A family run venture with an exciting future

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FRUITWAYS Evolving from the Core

‘Doing difficult’ to stay ahead of the competition

ZENITH STEEL Innovation, Quality and Customer Care

MINING & RESOURCES

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Committing to excellence in innovation

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STELLENBOSCH VINEYARDS A Role Model in Fine Wines

SYRAH RESOURCES Resourceful on a Global Scale

Well positioned to deliver on its advantage as one of the early miners in the sector

NISSAN KENYA World-Class Service

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Nissan Kenya is exceeding all expectations

F O C U S

Paving the way for cooperative wine cellars

C O N S T R U C T I O N

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VODACOM LESOTHO 20-Year Transformation

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IBM WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA Delivering Africa’s Growth Opportunity

Changing the face of customeroriented services in Lesotho

A long-term strategic investment into the future of Africa

HAW & INGLIS GROUP Setting the Benchmark

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AFRICA RENEWABLE ENERGY FORUM

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THE BIG 5 CONSTRUCT EAST AFRICA

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EGYPT TRADE AND EXPORT FINANCE CONFERENCE

An innovative approach to both civil and personal development

The official international renewable energy meeting of COP22

The central meeting place for key players in the East African construction industry

Reflecting on Egypt’s current economic landscape and return to stability

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MANUFACTURING PHARMA

A leading platform for global suppliers of pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment

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HEALTHCARE

DHL Regional Conference Highlights Sector Growth Opportunities More than 125 healthcare professionals and logistics experts came together to discuss ‘Delivering Healthcare to Africa’ at DHL’s sixth annual Regional Life Sciences & Healthcare conference DHL’s Annual Regional Life Sciences & Healthcare Conference focused on life sciences and healthcare supply chains to support African growth in the sector, with Africa highlighted as a market with a positive growth trend in healthcare.

According to Deloitte, the subSaharan region as a whole is on a positive growth trend, although growth rates vary considerably from as low as 1.52 percent in South Africa to as high as 9.94 percent in Ethiopia.

Growth in healthcare spend across Africa is forecasted at around three percent until 2020, with the top 15 countries with the exception of Gabon currently spending more than US$1 billion per annum on health.

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“Africa has positive growth potential in the healthcare sector, but continuous investment in capabilities, quality and innovation are needed to operate successfully across the continent,” noted Thomas Ellmann, Vice President EMEA, DHL Life Sciences & Healthcare in his opening speech.

Africa is considered the final frontier in delivery of healthcare services and there are a number of service delivery challenges to be overcome. According to Ellmann, companies in the sector have quality and process standards high on their list of requirements, in addition to visibility and control throughout the supply chain, from the point of manufacture to the end customer.

“We wanted to address the requirements of the life sciences and health care industry at the conference with leading companies and experts in the sector, and discuss how the industry can adopt the best supply chain strategies to capitalise on Africa’s growth potential,” says Ellmann.

Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) adds: “We have been in Africa for 38 years and have established ourselves as the market leaders. Africa is home to one of the fastest growing middle classes and access to healthcare products and services is critical. DHL Express is perfectly positioned to support healthcare supply chains in Africa; a market where we continue to see enormous potential and opportunity. Over the past two years we have equipped 16 countries in SSA to handle dangerous goods, enabling the movement of temperaturecontrolled consignments throughout our network. An additional seven countries are planned for DGcertification in 2017. We have also set up Express Logistics Centers and capabilities in 21 countries across SSA providing the ideal locations for short-term stock holding and the distribution of medical device and diagnostics equipment, electronics and spare parts, with further investment envisioned in this area.”

GO TO WWW.AFRICAOUTLOOKMAG.COM/NEWS FOR ALL OF THE LATEST NEWS FROM AFRICA

TECHNOLOGY

IBM Propels African Innovation in the Cloud In March, 2016, IBM announced the opening of a new IBM Cloud Data Centre in Johannesburg. This is important news for Africa because the South Africa-based cloud data centre will serve the entire African continent. The facility is the result of IBM’s close collaboration with Gijima and Vodacom and is designed to support cloud adoption and customer demand across the continent.

As recently as September, 2016, IBM also announced that eight African companies located in various urban centres across all African regional economic zones have adopted IBM public and hybrid cloud solutions to accelerate

business development and innovation and create global growth strategies.

Companies including Mauritius-based, Korrect Software and Navigation and Geocoding Technologies Ltd. (Naveo), and Whogohost, Serve Consulting and IntTeck Global Systems from Nigeria are all looking to the hybrid cloud for greater flexibility, scalability and central management.

In October, Air Mauritius also inked a five-year technology and services deal with IBM for cloud and analytics technologies delivered as services to fuel its long-term growth plans. The deal, implemented in collaboration with KPMG South Africa, will allow the airline to overhaul its enterprise planning processes using the statistical analysis and powerful visualisations of IBM’s Watson Analytics.

These companies are not alone and their move to the hybrid cloud is indicative of a global trend.

Tejas Mehta, General Manager, IBM Central and West Africa says: “The

Africa region is propelling innovation by adopting IBM Cloud. The IBM Cloud will give them the technical muscle to consistently align their operational objectives and assets with prevailing market conditions, laying a foundation for commercial sustenance and future growth.”

seen an incredible transformation for our Company, and I am proud to say that we are continuing the momentum with our expansion and development plans across the African continent,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International.

These new signings comprise more than 1,100 rooms, and include AC by Marriott’s brand entry into Africa. The Cape Town deals are

in partnership with the Amdec Group, Marriott’s long-term partner and owners of the new Marriott Hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments Melrose Arch in Johannesburg, announced last year and currently under development.

“These news deals are testament to our combined development efforts going forward, with a focus on expanding brands across the region, and looking for opportunities in new markets,” concluded Kyriakidis.

Marriott International has set a clear objective to be represented in all major gateway cities, commercial centres and established resort destinations while catering to a wide variety of market segments. Each of Marriott International’s brands, target a specific segment and support the increased inflow of visitors within that segment.

RETAIL

Marriott International Rapidly Expands its Footprint across Africa Marriott International has continued its robust expansion across the African continent with news of brand-new signings of new properties in Cape Town, Nairobi, Cairo and Mauritius.

The announcement comes hot on the heels of Marriott’s recently completed acquisition of Starwood Hotels and Resorts, which has created the world’s largest hospitality. The transaction has increased Marriott’s distribution in Africa, thus affirming the Company’s number one position across the continent.

“The past couple of weeks have

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Tigo Tanzania Pioneers in the Battle for Under-Five Mobile Birth Registration Tigo Tanzania is supporting the country’s Government’s under-five birth registration initiative through an innovative mobile application that is massively accelerating the provision of birth certificates for children under the age of five.

The under-five birth registration initiative in Iringa and Njombe regions is expected to benefit more than 200,000 under-five children in the two regions.

The programme brings registration closer to the community by establishing registration points at existing health facilities and at the community ward executive offices.

This will enable parents in these two regions to gain access to more than 700 registration points Speaking after the launch of the Project in Iringa and Njombe, Tigo General Manager, Diego Gutierrez said: “Tigo is proud to be the sole telecommunication Company partnering with RITA, UNICEF and other stakeholders in order to make sure that every childbirth in Tanzania does not go unaccounted for because identity is a basic right for every child.”

Diego Gutierrez, GM Tigo Tanzania

DHL - Fatima Sullivan, Vice President of Customer Service

SHIPPING & LOGISTICS

Customer Service Week’s Importance Reaches African Businesses A recent survey by research and analysis information technology company, Forrester has found that 39 percent of customers tell their friends and families about bad

TECHNOLOGY

Canon Set the Trend in Celebrating Customer Relationships Canon Middle East and the newly formed Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) commemorated 10 years of introducing the imagePRESS

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customer experience. This means that for every customer that has a bad experience with a company, the resulting business erosion that accompanies it can increase exponentially.

While there are no current statistics on the impact of poor customer service on businesses operating in sub-Saharan Africa, it is safe to say that poor customer service can seriously impact a company’s bottom line.

Fatima Sullivan, Vice President of Customer Service for DHL Sub Saharan Africa, says that in an increasingly competitive world, good customer service is key.

“With a multitude of options now available to consumers when it comes to products and services in every sector, it is crucial for businesses to differentiate themselves through customer service excellence,” she said. “Businesses must realise that customer service is the most important touch point between companies and customers. printers to the region by awarding their customers from Middle East, Central and North Africa for their contribution to the brand.

The event saw the customers take a photography tour of Luxor covering scenic locations of the Luxor, Karnak and Habu temples, Luxor Al Souk, river Nile. With an aim to make the trip more fulfilling, Canon imparted photography tips and tricks during the tour by tying up with Gulf Photo Plus, a leading photography institute in the region.

“Egypt is known throughout its history as a destination for tourists and travellers; it has a perfect mix of a rich heritage coupled with religious and cultural monuments as well as scenic, pristine beaches. We are happy to extend this to our visitors,” said Mohamed Yehia Rashed, Minister of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism, Egypt.

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ENERGY & UTILITIES

Africa Energy Forum to Launch in Tanzania Following high interest in off grid ventures and technologies at this year’s Africa Energy Forum in London, as well as an in-depth study of more than 100 local community commissionaires from across Kenya and Tanzania, the organiser EnergyNet will launch the conference dedicated to the off grid and mini grid project opportunities.

T E C H N O L O G Y

Digitisation and Custom SaaS Start Proving their Worth in Africa According to Gartner, SaaS shows no signs of decline, with even the smallest SaaS segment seeing a compound annual growth rate of 19.7 percent through 2019. Angus

To support large scale power development, small scale renewable investors are already penetrating these markets in a far more dynamic and profitable way than ever before.

EnergyNet’s MD, Simon Gosling said: “It is our responsibility to provide a platform that hastens the pace that these technologies can get to market.”

Herringer, joint Head of Financial Services, e4, a technology solutions Company, says the trend is definitely growing in Africa.

“We developed a document management solution called Stordoc five years ago and it has been implemented within a large majority of financial institutions in South Africa.

It is a complete, secure online FICA and document management solution and a great example of a custom SaaS application,” said Herringer.

T E C H N O L O G Y

MTN Rwanda Launches Annual Customer Appreciation Week MTN Rwanda today launched its annual Customer Appreciation Week across all its service centres countrywide. This annual event is devoted to appreciating and recognising customers who have formed MTN’s large family of more than four million.

Speaking at the launch held at the MTN Service Centre in Nyamirambo, Chief Marketing Officer, Yvonne Manzi Makolo said: “Providing excellent customer service is essential in all that

we do. This is another demonstration of our commitment to enriching and making our customers’ lives a whole lot brighter, just as our mission states.”

M I N I N G & R E S O U R C E S

Southern Africa Mining Chapter 2016 Focuses on Sustainability and Investment Opportunities Southern Africa Mining Chapter 2016, which took place at the Polana Serena Hotel in Maputo, Mozambique, brought together mining professionals to explore strategies for survival in the face of economic challenges; to discuss the way forward in mining and conducting business.

Sustainability and strategies for growth were the key focuses of the first day of Southern Africa Mining Chapter, while investment opportunities and capital raising was the focus of the second day of the Chapter. The event hosted very lively discussions and an excellent deal-making environment with great networking; making for an exciting installment of the Chapter.

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TELL US YOUR STORY

AND WE’LL TELL THE WORLD AFRICA OUTLOOK is a digital and print product aimed at boardroom and hands-on decision-makers across a wide range of industries on the continent.

With content compiled by our experienced editorial team, complemented by an in-house design and production team ensuring delivery to the highest standards, we look to promote the latest in engaging news, industry trends and success stories from the length and breadth of Africa.

We reach an audience of 165,000 people across the continent, bridging the full range of industrial sectors: mining; oil & gas; logistics; resources; manufacturing; construction; engineering; technology; food & drink; retail; finance; and healthcare.

In joining the leading industry heavyweights already enjoying the exposure we can provide, you can benefit from FREE coverage across both digital and print platforms, a FREE marketing brochure, extensive social media saturation, enhanced B2B networking opportunities, and a readymade forum to attract new investment and to grow your business.

To get involved, please contact Outlook Publishing’s Managing Director, Ben Weaver, who can provide further details on how to feature your company, for free, in one of our upcoming editions.

W W W. A F R I C A O U T LO O K M A G . C O M Tel: +44 (0) 1603 959 650 Email: ben.weaver@outlookpublishing.com

SOUTH AFRICA IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS

South Africa is

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OPEN BUSINESS group of leading South African business executives, key government officials and labour representatives convened in New York in October, 2016 to tell the South African investment story to international investors.

Standard Bank partnered with the South African National Treasury, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), Old Mutual and UBS, in sponsoring the fourth annual SA Tomorrow Investor Conference, which took place in New York on Tuesday 4 October and Wednesday 5 October.

The key objective of the conference was to showcase South Africa as an investment destination and to highlight that South Africa is ‘open for business’. Progress on initiatives to achieve fiscal consolidation and structural reform were discussed by senior policymakers, corporate executives and labour representatives.

In attendance - alongside many

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esteemed representatives including Standard Bank CEO, Sim Tshabalala and JSE Chairman, Nonkululeko NyambeziHeita - was Barclays Absa CEO, Maria Ramos; a significant attendee on the anniversary of Barclays’ 2016 Africa Trade Index.

And with the SA Tomorrow Conference in place to provide a highlevel business networking platform for engagement between South African policymakers, senior executives from South Africa’s top listed companies and investment professionals at institutional fund managers, it was as good a time as any to look back at the

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The 2016 SA Tomorrow Investor Conference serves as a convenient gauging point one year on from Barclays’ Africa Trade Index, with both assuring investors that SA is still the continent’s primary gateway Written by: Matthew Staff

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SOUTH AFRICA IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS

finance heavyweight’s forecasts 12 months ago; to analyse the extent they have come to fruition in the eyes of the event’s esteemed guests.

“Various nations across Africa increasingly present major economic opportunities given growing consumer markets, relatively under-developed natural resources and widespread political and economic reforms,” Chief Executive of Corporate Banking, Barclays, John Winter explained.

“Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in particular has made major inroads into market openness.

“Yet it is also clear that progress is not uniform across the region, with the World Bank estimating that, on average, it takes 54 days, 10 documents and costs nearly $8,000 to import a single container into the Republic of the Congo, compared to 21 days, six documents and $2,080 cost incurred for a similar container into South Africa.

“The region as a whole has also experienced a major shift in terms

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of trading partners, with the conventional narrative of trade with Africa in recent years being a story of major investment by Asian trading partners.”

“Africa is evidently a continent on the move and nowhere is this more evident than in improvements in trade openness.”

Changing perceptions

That being said, much of this interest and investment is still being directed at the three, key, continental gateways in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. So in comparison to emerging markets at least, the latter can very much still be seen as open for business; not just internally but on a global scale.

Recent issues around energy shortfalls and dropping FDI interest are certainly, statistically, valid concerns but analysts are eager to urge people not to lose sight of the country’s overall significance in driving wider African progression.

However, within Barclays’ 2016 Trade Index, Winter did allude to a paradigm shift already occurring as a result of FDI influences sprawling outside of the heavyweight trio.

“Unsurprisingly, Nigeria and South Africa dominate the continent from a size perspective, but spin this around to consider market openness alone and a different perspective appears,”

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he said. “Nations like Botswana, Zimbabwe or Senegal may not be as attractive from a sheer size perspective, but the ease of doing business changes perceptions.

“It’s clear that Nigeria gets through in spite of trade policy and infrastructure, not because of it. In order to achieve a higher level of trade openness, Nigeria will need to address a range of business environment factors while investing more heavily in transport networks and power provision.

“Kenya and South Africa by contrast set an example to follow. Countries such as Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe essentially support South Africa’s trade policy and logistics offer to mutual benefit.”

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prove to revolve around South Africa’s status as a role model and African investment starter pack, if not the beall-and-end-all that it once was.

While the country is being urged to not only stay open but to smooth over its recent challenges, there is also a realisation that - for new entrants into the African market - businesses should look beyond South Africa before making a decision on where to invest.

“For now, traders with an interest in Africa would do well to broaden their focus; South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya will remain hotspots, but investing now in the sleeping giants of Ethiopia, DR Congo, Mozambique, Kenya and Tanzania may present

future growth opportunities,” Winter admitted. “Rapidly developing consumer markets are not only increasing the size of the market opportunity but the opportunity is also becoming more accessible, thanks to continued progress in improving soft and hard infrastructure.

“Africa is evidently a continent on the move and nowhere is this more evident than in improvements in trade openness.”

Broadening focus

So in terms of conclusions and outlooks generated at the SA Tomorrow Investor Conference, the overall fallout may well

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Checking in with

Cautious Optimism

Investor arrivals at hotels in sub-Saharan Africa are on the up despite economic headwinds in key markets, according to the latest JLL research into the sector Writer: Matthew Staff

peaking at the Africa Hotel Investment Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, Xander Nijnens, Senior Vice-President, Hotels and Hospitality Group, JLL Sub-Saharan Africa cast a positive light over sub-Saharan Africa’s hotel industry prospects in the coming years; alluding to a perfect storm of trends to capitalise on consumer interest moving forward.

He said: “Our medium-term outlook for the hotel sector is positive and JLL forecasts demand growth of three-five percent per annum during the coming three years. From an investment perspective, we forecast US$1.7 billion to be invested in hotels in sub-Saharan Africa in 2017 and a further US$1.9 billion in 2018. The new supply pipeline continues to grow with greater efficiency in realising

US$1.7 billion

expected investment in hotels in subSaharan Africa in 2017

new developments as the sector matures.”

He added: “The hotel sector is not, however, without its challenges and we are seeing an increasing divergence of the performance and outlook for key markets. The region offers a broad range of challenges and opportunities, as well as risk and reward.

“From the perspective of global capital searching for investment opportunities, the region can be a challenging one to navigate. Investors and lenders alike are recognising this and, while regional players continue to leverage their first mover advantage to entrench their presence in the sector, global capital will increasingly flow into the region as markets mature and transparency increases.”

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Spotlight on Africa: A Diverse Frontier

The report, Spotlight on Africa: A Diverse Frontier was launched at the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) taking place in Kigali, Rwanda from 4-6 October, 2016.

Following JLL’s inaugural report in 2015 focused on setting the scene and reflecting on the evolution of the sector to this point, the 2016 report takes a deeper look at key areas affecting the sector. The study reflects the results of JLL’s survey with key investors and lenders who are actively targeting hospitality real estate in Africa. The perspective of both lenders and investors alike looks to bridge the views of these two players and present a more holistic view of the sector.

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A corporate demand-led sector

Hotel developers and operators increasingly understand how to tap into this demand and are offering a broader hospitality offering best suited for each market and client base.

This demand growth, paired with more effective matching of supply to demand, sets a good foundation for investment.

“Long-term investment fundamentals for the region remain positive despite the short-term

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challenges that have impacted the hotel sector in sub-Saharan Africa in the past two years,” Nijnens says.

“Macro-economic development and government policy towards tourism, investment and economic growth remain critical in a corporate demandled sector.”

The main barrier to entry in subSaharan Africa, according to the research, is finding projects that meet the minimum return threshold. The capital is available, but investors are

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should reduce in the medium-term too as development professionals, owners and lenders gain experience in the region. As the pipeline of new projects is more effectively implemented, liquidity will increase and exit options will improve.

Pioneering new frontiers

“For the foreseeable future, we can expect commercial bank lending to be determined on the basis of recourse to the sponsor, while the development banks will play a critical role in pioneering new frontiers”

seeking the right leveraging to achieve their equity returns.

A lack of foreign currency ranked higher this year as investors struggle to deal with various currency factors, but improvements in political, economic and currency stability will see a reduction in the risk premium placed on hotel investment in the region, which will in turn increase capital flows. Development costs

Lenders in the region are more cautious towards the hotel sector than their clients, particularly in regards to underwriting operational cash flows in what is seen as an emerging sector.

Investors who carefully consider the supply and demand variables of the markets in which they develop and transact are well placed to generate high risk adjusted returns, while those who are able to establish platforms with scale should be increasingly well placed to attract external capital or become an acquisition prospect for larger global players.

The diverse set of fundamentals in each market is becoming integral to the way in which investors and lenders approach the sector, with a region-wide approach becoming increasingly challenging. The research promotes the view that investors should embrace the diversity that these markets bring, but most importantly understand the variety and nuances of these markets.

Nijnens concluded: “For the foreseeable future, we can expect commercial bank lending to be determined on the basis of recourse to the sponsor, while the development banks will play a critical role in pioneering new frontiers.

“As institutional investment increases, lending is expected to become more readily available at improved terms, which will in turn provide better leverage returns on equity.”

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Opportune

for Change

The decline in the global oil price has led to a reduced level of activity across the African continent and had an impact on countries that traditionally depend on oil & gas revenue Writer: Phoebe Calver

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he current decline in the global oil price has led to a reduced level of activity across the African continent, having an impact on countries that traditionally depend on oil & gas revenue.

However, despite the bleak landscape that it is facing, the African continent is still offering significant opportunities for development in the oil & gas sector.

“It is an opportune time for local governments that want to attract oil & gas investors to reform their regulatory, fiscal and licensing systems,” says Chris Bredenhann, PwC Africa Oil & Gas Advisory Leader.

Bredenhann comments that it is also important for the industry to look beyond the challenges caused by depressed prices and instead consider the other forces that are shaping the industry. PwC’s ‘Africa oil & Gas Review, 2016’ suggests that with the ongoing focus on cost reduction in the industry, the demand for innovation in technology will grow. Furthermore, it is the ideal time for the industry to consider introducing training programmes to up both company skill levels and standards in order to give local players a chance to enter the sector when activity picks up again.

PwC’s ‘Africa oil & gas review, 2016’ analyses what has happened in the past 12 months in the oil & gas industry within the major and emerging African markets.

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F O C U S

Dealing with the decline

It is apparent that the top challenges identified by organisations in the oil & gas industry have remained unchanged to those in previous years. With uncertainty in regulatory frameworks, corruption/ethics, poor physical infrastructure and a lack of skill resources, companies in the industry are finding ways to move forward and grow.

This year, there was also a significant rise in the challenge of meeting taxation requirements, as well as government relations. Regulatory uncertainty has remained the top challenge facing oil & gas businesses in Africa for the third year in a row, with 70 percent of organisations citing it as one of the five biggest issues they experience.

For the first time since PwC’s series of annual reviews began in 2010, ‘government relations’ has hit the top six challenges. Across the continent, many organisations have experienced difficulty when attempting to obtain government sanction for new projects.

This is proving to be extremely difficult in new hydrocarbon provinces, such as Mozambique, because governments do not fully comprehend the intricacies and scale of oil & gas projects and therefore hold up progression. As a result, organisations are beginning to ally themselves with government in order to ensure that they are a strategic and supportive partner.

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“...many upstream players are focusing on exploration and finding new resources over the next three years, most likely in anticipation for an upturn in the oil price” – Chris Bredenhann, PwC Africa Oil & Gas Advisory Leader

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Organisations identified the price of oil and natural gas as the most significant factor that would affect their companies’ business over the next three years, with respondents expecting the price to reach US$52 by the end of 2016, US$60 by the end of 2017, and US$69 by the end of 2018.

With little control over the price, businesses have focused on improving efficiency and finding ways to drive down costs.

Regulatory compliance, at number two, remains a significant challenge for organisations this year. Foreign currency volatility is also rated a likely factor - number three - to impact business over the next three years.

This year there have been large currency fluctuations, with the fallout from the Brexit vote precipitating some of the largest so far.

Asset management and optimisation remains a key strategic focus area for companies. “Fortunately, the industry remains optimistic, and many upstream players are focusing on exploration and finding new resources over the next three years, most likely in anticipation for an upturn in the oil price,” adds Bredenhann.

emergence of new competitors, environmental consequences of the industry, legislative frameworks, and government takes.

“It is positive to note that more than half of respondents expect acreage and license costs to either decrease or decrease substantially.” adds Bredenhann, “This is likely due to the decreased oil price, ultimately devaluing acreage/licences.”

Regulatory framework

An uncertain regulatory framework is one of the main issues that the oil & gas industry is dealing with. In South Africa, commitments have been made to address concerns since 2015 with the intention of Government to separate regulations for oil & gas from the mining industry communicated.

However, the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) has not yet been changed and approved to reflect such modifications.

The digital oilfield

Sustainability

Working within the current economic climate, oil & gas companies are looking to invest in a number of key areas in order to boost growth over the next three to five years.

Improved efficiencies ranked highest, followed by local content and skills development, followed lastly by infrastructure improvements.

“The oil & gas industry is faced with a higher entry barrier because technology and jobs tend to be more complex, highly specialised and costly,” explains Bredenhann.

The sustainability of the industry will also be affected by a number of varied driving factors; including the price of oil, the impact of renewable and alternative energy sources, the

“...there are a number of trends that will ultimately transform the industry. These include: the Internet of Things, building alliances, simplification and standardisation...”

PwC’s global research shows that oil & gas companies are slower than other industries to respond to changing technologies, in particular when it comes to digital. “We believe that there are a number of trends that will ultimately transform the industry.

These include: the Internet of Things, building alliances, simplification and standardisation, solution-based buying, and knowledge transfer from international oil companies to oil field services companies,” concludes Bredenhann.

“Players must look at the current state of the industry as an opportunity to reinvent themselves. Given the state of the industry, we think that stakeholders must also consider making changes to their business models. Change is the way to survive in the ‘new energy future’. We need to see new business models, new products, new energy sources and new strategies to meet the new reality.”

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J O H A N N E S B U R G

Evolving from a mining nucleus to a role model of economic modernity, Johannesburg’s road to global recognition has been one borne out of concerted business acumen and development Writer: Matthew Staff

Johannesburg ohannesburg claims barely any of South Africa’s official titles but nearly all of the accolades, as the country’ largest city and most globallyrenowned representative.

Despite not being one of South Africa’s three capital cities, its fame - and fortune - derives from its origins as a gold mining hub described as a modern day El Dorado upon its discovery in 1886. As such, the area has never been lauded for its deep historical significance like so many national cores around the world, and has subsequently

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become the modern option for locals and visitors alike; its image perfectly depicting the current status of the wider country’s maturity over the generations.

Of course, in more recent history, this depiction has been less than positive at times - and there are elements of Joburg’s infrastructure and museum array that still allude to these pivotal eras - but on the whole, the city serves as a glimpse of the present and to the future.

Comprising numerous CBDs and what seems like a continuous overhaul of older buildings into newer

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constructs, the city skyline is an indictment of its global recognition as one of the world’s leading industrial and cultural hubs, and while this has not necessarily transcended into tourist prosperity on the scale of its neighbours in Cape Town and Durban, it still has more than enough to thrive as a popular business travel destination.

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Transport links Ironically, the fact that Johannesburg lags behind Cape Town and Durban in the tourism stakes, means that its long-haul transport infrastructure is even more refined; having played its role as a link between international visitors and the surrounding cities over the years.

However, as landmarks including the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill found their feet; as areas such as Soweto and Alexandra benefitted from the city’s urban sprawl; and as Joberg’s approach to fine dining and globally appealing entertainment became more refined, so too did the city’s internal transport system.

Upon arriving at OR Tambo International Airport, the ability to get around the vast landscape efficiently, safely and speedily is now easier than in any other South African hub; catered for by everything from metered and minibus taxis, to its Metrorail Gauteng commuter rail system, its Gautrain link outside of the city, and its more recently unveiled Rea Vaya bus rapid system based on a

Facts and figures

Country:

South Africa

Languages:

English, Zulu, Afrikaans, Xhosa

Area:

335 square kilometres

Population (2011): 4.4 million GDP:

US$83.9 billion

Currency:

Rand

Time zone:

UTC+2

Climate:

Subtropical highland

Highest recorded temperature: 41.4°C

smartcard payment system.

Topping all of those options though, is the plain and simple open road.

As an inland city, Johannesburg has had to build an extensive highway network over the decades as a link to the rest of the country, and visitors equally benefit to this day; initially via the Johannesburg Ring Road, and branching out to the country’s most extensive collection of freeways.

MAP The city serves as a glimpse of the present and to the future

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J O H A N N E S B U R G

Nelson Mandela Square at night

As a knock-on effect, its attractiveness to the leading business executives embedded into this culture has become similarly unparalleled over the years too, as it continues to live up to its billing as the soul of Gauteng, and arguably the most financially attractive city on the continent.

Being ranked 47 in MasterCard’s 50 top cities in the world from a commerce perspective back in 2008

Sandton is an affluent suburb and business centre in Johannesburg

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BY NJR ZA - OWN WORK, CC BY-SA 3.0,

The business end

With inevitable interests in mining given its inception, the city’s evolution from an industrial and economic perspective is nothing short of remarkable. Mining was the foundation of the Witwatersrand region, but as reserves depleted and as mining operations sprawled outwards from what is now the city centre, Joburg’s core was replaced by a sector compliment ranging areas of manufacturing, finance, retail, and art and culture.

Now, as Africa’s economic powerhouse, the once mining-reliant domain is littered with the most modern of CBDs - including Sandton, Rosebank and Roodepoort - hosting some of the biggest names in global business. IBM, BHP and Absa are complemented by the cream of the finance crop including Nedbank and Standard Bank as just a minute sample of Joberg’s unrivalled appeal.

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enforces this role, and it doesn’t take a long walk around any one of the city’s CBDs to understand why.

Encapsulating a mix of modernity and subtle glances back down South African memory lane, the final blend of business, art, culture and fine dining results in one of the more sophisticated stays you will enjoy over the course of your business travel adventures.

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INDABA HOTEL, SPA & CONFERENCE CENTRE CONFERENCE

YOUR AFRICAN DESTINATION IN JOHANNESBURG

EPSOM BISTRO

BANQUETS

Just north of the fast paced business world of Sandton lies the 258 bedroom Indaba Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre; a compelling blend of business-like efficiency and relaxed country atmosphere within close proximity of the International Airport making the Indaba perfect for groups and leisure travellers.

CHIEF’S BOMA

LUXURY SUITES

The hotel features 24 multi-purpose conference venues ranging from Executive Boardrooms to large Banquet Venues seating up to 500 people. Boasting 2 world class restaurants and the renowned MOWANA Spa, the Indaba Hotel is sure to meet your business and leisure requirements.

MOWANA SPA

Phone: +27 11 840 6600 | Email: indaba@indabahotel.co.za Website: www.indabahotel.co.za

Sandton skyline from the Village Walk Center looking over the Balalaika Hotel towards Sandton City and the Michelangelo hotel

Maude Street in central Sandton

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J O H A N N E S B U R G

Outlook recommends

ACCOMMODATION

MUSEUMS

NATURE

Indaba Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre

Liliesleaf Farm

Johannesburg Zoo

A setting for luxury, pampering, business, fitness and socials, the Hotel continues to grow on an almost yearly basis to facilitate similarly increasing popularity and demand.

Liliesleaf

Hector Pieterson Museum Indaba Hotel Conference Centre

Alcazaba Lodges The only four-star self-catering lodge in the Fordsburg region of Johannesburg offers a flexibility and all-encompassing experience matched only by the incredible views surrounding it.

RETAIL Carlton Centre

Johannesburg Zoo

Lion & Safari Park Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens

ART & CULTURE Johannesburg Art Gallery The Market Theatre Joburg Theatre

FOOD & DRINK Carlton Centre

Private Family room at Alcazaba Lodges

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Moyo Melrose Arch

Sandton City

Gilroy’s Brewery

Nelson Mandela Square

Trio Cafe

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BY NJR ZA - OWN WORK, CC BY-SA 3.0

“Johannesburg – a ‘World Class African City of the Future’ – a vibrant, equitable African city, strengthened through its diversity...” – joburg.co.za

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your home away from home

work relax enjoy

As the only Halaal Four Star self-catering lodge in Fordsburg, Alcazaba offers a variety of accommodation with no compromises on taste and services.

We are perfectly positioned in the heart of this multi-cultural suburb with every cuisine imaginable on your doorstep, shopping of every kind, the largest eastern shopping mall in Africa, just a block away and every imported and authentic local items available at various shops, fĂŞtes and flea markets.

exhibit of style, class and comfort Have a look at the timeless design that went in to build Alcazaba Lodges.

One of many reasons we have a 4 star rating!

Contact us on: T: +27 11 492 1756 F: +27 86 561 8750 E:Reservation@alcazabalodges.co.za

Nelson Mandela bridge

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J O H A N N E S B U R G

Constitution Hill

Apartheid Museum

Within the walls of Constitution Hill’s Old Fort

Mandela House

“Mandela House strives to be a world-class visitor attraction and a leading centre for the preservation, presentation, and research f the history, heritage and legacy of the Mandela Family. The Mission of Mandela House is to provide an effective, efficient and meaningful experience to all visitors, informing them of President Nelson Mandela’s story, both in the context of his home, and in the context of his life as a whole, in a manner that promotes human rights, democracy, reconciliation, mutual respect and tolerance amongst the peoples of South Africa.” - mandelahouse.com

IMAGE: A. BAILEY - OWN WORK, CC BY-SA 3.0

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IMAGE: LIBRARY OF THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS & POLITICAL SCIENCE

“The Apartheid Museum opened in 2001 and is acknowledged as the pre-eminent museum in the world dealing with 20th century South Africa, at the heart of which is the apartheid story. For anyone wanting to understand and experience what apartheid South Africa was really like, a visit to the Apartheid Museum is fundamental.

The museum is a beacon of hope showing the world how South Africa is coming to terms with its oppressive past and working towards a future that all South Africans can call their own.”

- apartheidmuseum.org

IMAGE BY THE HERITAGE PORTAL - OWN WORK, CC BY-SA 3.0

“Constitution Hill is a living museum that tells the story of South Africa’s journey to democracy. The site is a former prison and military fort that bears testament to South Africa’s turbulent past and, today, is home to the country’s Constitutional Court, which endorses the rights of all citizens,” the landmark’s website states. Within the walls of Constitution Hill’s Old Fort, Women’s Jail and Number Four, the likes of Nelson Mandela, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi have all been incarcerated.

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The Grand White Johannesburg 2017

“The Grand White Dinner 2017 is a pop-up picnic event at a secret location, which only gets revealed on the morning of the event. These dinners are a lively social gathering of people, all dressed in white with a touch of green. During the afternoon and evening, guests will enjoy delicious food, live music, speeches, entertainment and much more.”

- joburg.co.za

Cxxxxxxxxxxx

THE MAIN EVENTS Chinese New Year at Old China Town

“A celebration will break out into the streets of Old China Town as the New Year festivities get underway.

There will be plenty of entertainment, including a lion and dragon performance, a kung fu and tai chi display, traditional dancing, drumming and singing, and a jaw-dropping fireworks display!” - joburg.co.za

Date: 1 April, 2017 Venue: Secret location, Johannesburg

International Festival of Language and Culture

Date: February, 2017 Venue: Old China Town

Soweto Wine Festival 2017

“Discover the art of wine in SA’s most vibrant hood! Here, the best kind of magic happens when good vibes collide… you get to partake in some of the best wines, mouth-watering gourmet food, rub shoulders with some of our A-listers and hit the floor while an amazing music line-up of local artists take to the stage.” - joburg.co.za Date: 3-5 March, 2017 Venue: Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication, Kliptown, Soweto Website: http://www.sowetowinefestival.co.za/

“This Festival is the largest and most prominent global project for promoting world languages and cultures. The ILFC is dedicated to cultivating and educating the youth, creating a platform to share their cultural heritage with their peers around the world. This year, it will showcase exceptional song and dance performances by students of diverse nationalities.” - joburg.co.za

Date: April, 2017 Venue: Nelson Mandela Theatre, Braamfontein

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is a leading business-to-business publication promoting and showcasing the leading companies across an array of sectors on the continent.

Appearing in both digital and print, the publication is aimed at boardroom members and hands-on decision makers, reaching more than 165,000 business executives.

Each month we feature leading companies and business executives by profiling their operations and success stories. Covering areas of best practice, capital investments, the supply chain, innovation and continuous improvement, we aim to promote all that is good about the industry and the region, with your company taking centre stage throughout it all.

Producing business profiles across the full range of sectors and every corner of the continent, Africa Outlook is the platform to promote your business success.

Read on for this month’s profiles.

Phoebe Calver, Staff Writer phoebe.calver@outlookpublishing.com

If you want to enjoy the exposure and coverage we can offer, please feel free to contact us to discuss the opportunity further.

Tell us your story and we’ll tell the world.

Matthew Staff, Editorial Director Tel: +44 (0) 1603 959 655 matthew.staff@outlookpublishing.com

ame M U T U A L

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F E D E R A L

186 Years of Heritage AND INNOVATION

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Not many globally successful enterprises can boast the extent of experience that Mutual & Federal has in South Africa’s insurance domain, but the Company’s commitment to innovation is as strong as ever today Writer: Matthew Staff | Project Manager: Stuart Parker

s experts across personal, commercial, agriculture, engineering and marine insurance, Mutual & Federal’s reputed name is derived from an extensive range of products and solutions that fulfil South Africa’s personal, commercial and corporate needs.

Made up of Personal, Commercial Lines and Distribution; Corporate and Niche; Agriculture; and Credit Guarantee Insurance Corporation of Africa, these four divisions combine to affirm its position as not only the most experienced, but one of the most diverse and trusted operator in the country.

“On the Commercial side, for the small to medium sized enterprise (SMEs), we cater to all insurance and risk needs,” explains the Company’s Chief Operating Officer (CEO), Michelé Schliesser. “Solutions include cover for business interruption, theft of money, legal liability, company fleet vehicles, and fraud losses, amongst others.

Furthermore, we offer specialised insurance for niche businesses and professions including medical practitioners, veterinarians and florists to name just a few examples.

“Within our Personal division, we offer insurance cover for personal belongings - including home, household contents and vehicles – as well as offering personal all-risk and liability cover, hospital plans, and various forms of personal accident policies.”

Mid-sized and large multinational organisations are catered for via Mutual & Federal’s corporate arm in offering asset protection, fire cover, accident and motor fleet insurance, and much more; while its origins in the Agriculture domain are addressed through tailored insurance services to assist farmers in running their businesses.

“Other specialist areas of our corporate insurance services include

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JENKINSON & WHITTLE LOSS ADJUSTERS

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tarting from small beginnings in 1994, Jenkinson & Whittle Loss Adjusters focused initial attentions on domestic building and contents claims.

We are honoured to have experienced a longstanding relationship with Mutual & Federal from our inception and have now matured into a proudly South African adjusting Company with capacity to handle medium to large, complex domestic and commercial non-motor claims.

Our staff complement includes a team of engineers including civil, structural, mechanical, electrical and chemical and also a professional architect. These professionals are highly trained and qualified for the handling of insurance claims matters.

As such we now have the expertise and resources to handle domestic and commercial non-motor claims in the fields of buildings, plant and equipment, contents and electronic equipment.

Taking pride in being one of the oldest businesses in South Africa

Engineering, Credit Marine Insurance, as well as Risk Financing insurance entities. Throughout everything, Mutual & Federal prides itself on its claim paying ability,” Schliesser says.

She continues in detailing the Company’s other key market differentiators: “We pay all legitimate and valid claims. We also pride ourselves in being the oldest insurers and one of the oldest businesses in South Africa, having operated continuously for 185 years.

“We were recently rated as South Africa’s third best short-term insurance brand in the business category of the 2016 Sunday Times Top Brands Survey. This followed soon after South Africans rated us as the second best and most-improved short-term insurer in the SA Customer Satisfaction Index (SAcsi) in June, 2016.”

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We have embarked on the establishment of a national footprint in South Africa, and have opened branches in the Eastern and Western Cape. We plan to open offices in KwaZulu-Natal, Free State and Mpumalanga within the next year.

We were recently rated as South Africa’s third best short-term insurance brand in the business category of the 2016 Sunday Times Top Brands Survey

We thank Mutual & Federal for their continued support over the past 20 years which has enabled our Company to grow into a meaningful and resourceful operation, providing insurers with professional services and support wherever and whenever we are needed.

We strive towards providing insurers with the highest level of professional service, and pride ourselves on being a dynamic team, with a blend of experience, skills, creativity and energy.

T +27 11 888 1875 E admin@jenkinson.co.za

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Nearly 200 years of experience is a feat difficult to rival in any industry, let alone a relatively fast changing insurance sector which calls for the most forward-thinking, innovative and trend adhering strategies in order to succeed.

With age comes experience though, and having witnessed every domain fluctuation up to this point, no Company is in a better position than Mutual & Federal to prepare for every eventuality and client requirement.

“The forerunner of Mutual & Federal, the South African Fire and Life Assurance Company, first opened its doors on 14 March, 1831,” Schliesser looks back. “After trading profitably for 64 years, South African Fire and Life was then acquired by London & Lancashire which, in turn, was absorbed by the Royal Group in 1962.

“In the 1960s, South Africa became a republic and the Government directed

that all branches of foreign insurance companies operating locally should be registered as South African companies and trade on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. This conversion became known as the ‘domestication of foreign companies’.”

As a result, the majority of the Royal’s businesses in South Africa merged with Old Mutual’s short-term company, the SA Mutual Fire & General Insurance Company, in 1970. Then, to assume a truly South African identity, ‘Mutual’ and ‘Federal’ elements were united to create the brand that is known today.

“Mutual & Federal Insurance Company was born and the rest – as they say – is history,” affirms Schliesser.

Since that moment, the Company has undergone numerous diversifications and expansions to ensure it is meeting the widest range of customer demographics possible, with as strong a service portfolio as possible.

ORO HYDE PARK JEWELLERS

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RO Hyde Park Jewellers, established in 1921, is a fourth generation family jeweller nestled in the heart of prestigious Hyde Park with 95 years of experience in both retail and wholesale jewellery design and manufacturing with a dedicated department for insurance replacements.

One of the preferred Jewellery suppliers to Mutual and Federal, our objectives are to maintain a consistently high quality of workmanship and an unquestionably robust effort when sourcing and selecting our stock of precious and semiprecious stones. Our clients’ complete satisfaction is our top priority.

With a talented design eye, an intrinsic sense for quality and a deep understanding of her clients’ needs, Cathy Lipman has steered the Company through many years of dynamic growth to become market leaders in the jewellery industry; manufacturing and supplying jewellery not only to the public and the insurance sector but to esteemed leaders like Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton!

Products and services • Clients are presented with a Gemological Institute of America (G.I.A) or a European Gemological Laboratory (E.G.L.) Certificate as proof of authenticity of all diamonds and precious stones.

• Valuation certificates for the full replacement value of the item/s purchased.

• Oro Jewellers Durban is one of the largest Indian Jewellery manufacturers in South Africa which also supplies to Indian Jewellery retailers nationwide.

With plans to expand our service in the future, the desired goal of ORO Hyde Park Jewellers is to keep providing jewellery that is both unique and inspiring.

T 011 325 5098 E oro@gam.co.za

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an family - Te Lipm

Head Office: 5th Floor, Hyde Park Office Towers, Hyde Park Corner Physical Address: Shop 64, Level 6, Hyde Park Corner, 011 3255098

• J o h a n n e s b u r g • D u r b a n • C a p e To w n •

Contact details: Tel: 011 325 5098 Fax: 011 325 4177 Email: oro@gam.co.za

M U T U A L

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F E D E R A L

CLARK & KENT Clark & Kent boasts a rich history in vehicle repair that spans over 120 years!

Clark & Kent offers comprehensive vehicle repair of passenger & commercial vehicles.

We are FACTORY approved by most vehicle manufacturers and all reputable insurance companies including Mutual & Federal - repairing more than 250 cars and 40 trucks a month.

Our 8,500 square-meter workshop is equipped with the latest and most sophisticated equipment to ensure highest repair standards while providing friendly and efficient service. Clark & Kent have the experience and competence to meet your needs.

T +27 31 205 7251 Nearly 200 years of experience is a feat difficult to rival in any industry

The past few months alone epitomise this ethos in overseeing a number of significant milestones.

Schliesser notes: “Not only did we launch several products to fulfil our mandates, but the Company also recorded impressive gains in its customer service levels as measured by the decline in cases or claims decisions overturned by the Ombudsman of the Short Term Insurance (OSTI).

“The first product we launched was prosure, which was rolled out in May, 2015. Mutual & Federal followed the launch of prosure with the rollout of the motorsure product a month later in June, 2015. The launch and subsequent take-up was a great success with the Company signing up more than 5,000 active motorsure policies by December, 2015.”

Motorsure now serves as the Company’s new motor-only policy specifically designed to protect customers’ motor vehicles against accidents, fire and theft and has received immediate critical acclaim.

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Not only did we launch several products to fulfil our mandates, but the Company also recorded impressive gains in its customer service levels...

www.clarkandkent.co.za

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Clark & Kent offers comprehensive vehicle repair, panel beating, spray painting and many other services as well as a lifetime guarantee on paint and a minimum one-year guarantee on all workmanship.

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‘Quality work on time’ 360 Sydney Rd, Congela, Durban, 4001 • www.clarkandkent.co.za Email: info@clarkandkent.co.za • Tel: 031 205 7251

South Africa’s largest salvage operator.

Your tried and trusted partner.

Buy It. Fix It. Love It.

SMD is South Africa’s largest Salvage Operator, specialising in the administration, management and sale of over 400,000 vehicles to date.

Trusted by over 65 suppliers including insurers, brokers and underwriters; some benefits of partnering with SMD are: • Innovative leader with a proven record in optimising returns and increasing your bottom line.

• Highest salvage recoveries.

• National footprint of own managed yards with assessment facilities.

• Exceptional brand equity with over 400,000 visits per month to our website, 268,000 Facebook fans and a database of clients built-up over two decades.

SMD Head Office: 28 Regency Drive, R21 Corporate Park, Irene, Centurion.

Tel: 087 285 0232 Email: info@smd.co.za www.smd.co.za

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THE DIGITAL EXPERIENCE

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he Digital Experience offers its customers a unique shopping extravaganza. It carries most of the major electronic brands and has a large stock holding ensuring the best choice and pricing. Experienced staff are on hand to assist and advise on the latest available and up to date merchandise and technology.

Our Insurance Replacement division works with all the recognised Insurance Companies and provides professional advice, quotes and replacement equipment to the Insurance industry and their clients.

The organisation offers the assurance of real store backing, high street shopping confidence and the knowledge that all goods are supported by authorised South African agents.

T +27 11 465 1466

Filling gaps in order to add value for customers

“The early success and support received from intermediaries for motorsure indicates that this product solution adds great value to customers and at the same time, filled a key product demand gap that existed,” Schliesser adds. “More recently, we have also introduced various value added services to strengthen our online offering to our customers. These new online functionalities meet the needs of our customers and expand our customer-focused solutions. “’Find a Broker’, ‘Glass Claims’ and ‘Household Content Calculator’ are the three solutions in question and the latter especially will enable online users to easily estimate the value of their home contents and the search tool will help customers to locate a broker or adviser in their preferred province, city or suburb, to provide short-term insurance advice.

“These tools could also further provide a platform to generate leads for our brokers and advisers.”

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SHELLY’S PANEL SHOP

F More recently, we have also introduced various value added services to strengthen our online offering to our customers

ormed from humble beginnings in the early 1980s, and with consistent growth, Shelley’s Panel Shop provides a wide range of services to the general public and the motor industry as a whole, using the most technologically advanced equipment.

We are passionate about repairing motor vehicles, which we intend to take to another level.

Our support for emerging and BEE businesses and local entrepreneurs also ensures that they enjoy our success with us. We have worked hard on establishing partnerships with the motoring and insurance industries and intend to ensure that will sustain this and that it grows as we expand.

www.shellyspanelshop.co.za

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We are a well established retailer in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg, with many years experience. We offer a remarkable range of audio, computer, visual and photographic equipment from the major brand importers.

VISIT OUR RETAIL OUTLET Shop G 17 Fourways Crossing Centre Cnr William Nicol and Sunrise Boulevard, Fourways

Please call +27 (0)11 465-1466 for further details

Professional

Spraypainting & Panelbeating of new and used passenger vehicles, vans, trucks and buses.

www.shelleyspanelshop.co.za

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REFLEX PANELBEATERS AND SPRAYPAINTERS

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eflex Panelbeaters and Spraypainters is one of South Africa’s leading B-BBEE accredited vehicle repairers located in Wadeville, south of Johannesburg, and has been in operation since 1989.

Awarded the highest major structural repairer accreditations for all aspects of our operations and having obtained factory approval from major vehicle manufacturers, the Company has earned its reputation as industry leaders.

T +27 11 824 4791 E reflexpb@netactive.co.za

www.reflexpanelbeaters.co.za The loyal Mutual & Federal team enjoys working for South Africa’s oldest insurers

Technological advancements

These products were added after recognition from Mutual & Federal that the industry market is largely a digital one in the current age. And considering Africa’s position as one of the global leaders in mobile phone usage and emerging uptake, the need for quick and easy tech solutions was clear for the Company to see.

“Technology is manifesting in multiple aspects, and is going to shape the way we do things. We are currently seeing pockets of technological advancements,” she explains. “A key ability that technology will unlock is the ability to multi-channel; interacting with clients and aspirant clients on multiple platforms.

“The ability to bring those channels together seamlessly is a key challenge though. We are seeing more companies moving from legacy and mainframe systems to more serverbased technologies.”

Fortunately, Mutual & Federal has

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Technology is manifesting in multiple aspects, and is going to shape the way we do things.

We are currently seeing pockets of technological advancements

a concerted history of being able to start and complete the value chain in whichever way the market requires, and the same has been true in the digital age. The majority of industry players have begun to complete their transitions from legacy systems to more server-based systems, and this is an aspect which the organisation will look to refine further in the future.

“Going forward, we need to digitise a lot more of the value chain,” Schliesser affirms. “Most insurers have launched apps as a step towards achieving this. Another key technological trend we are researching is gamefication; especially in the realm of apps for driver behaviour.

“Telematics is another area companies should be putting resources into. It would allow them to price at an individual behaviour level as this technology will allow them to take individual driver behaviour into account. Accident management services will also change.”

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21 October 2016

We are one of South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading and accredited vehicle repairers AFRICA OUTLOOK REFLEX PANELBEATERS & SPRAYPAINTERS

Reflex Panelbeaters and Spraypainters is one of South Africa's leading B-BBEE Accredited

vehicle repairers located in Wadevile, South of Johannesburg and have been in operation having obtained factory approvals from major vehicle manufacturers since 1989.

Awarded the highest major structural repairer accreditations for all aspects of our operation and having obtained factory approval from major vehicle manufacturers, Reflex Panelbeaters and Spraypainters has earned its reputation as industry leaders.

Reflex Panelbeaters & Spraypainers Corner Rossouw & Nagington Rds, Wadeville, Germiston South Africa Telephone: +27 11 824 4791 Email: reflexpb@netactive.co.za Web: www.reflexpanelbeaters.co.za

Priding ourselves in quality repairs & service at a competitive price.

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26 year years experience

Honey Attorneys is one of the most reputable companies of attorneys, highly regarded for its professional service and continued client commitment.

Honey attorneys offers a wide range of services to financial, property, retail, corporate, private and public sector clients â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ensuring that clients have access to the skills and resources aimed at solving a diverse range of legal challenges.

+27 51 403 6600 www.honeyattorneys.co.za

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Oldest and most trusted

Behind every technological improvement, capital investment and strategic decision is a workforce of more than 2,300 skilled and committed people across all of Mutual & Federal’s branches in South Africa; dedicated from top to bottom to empower customers and put them at the centre of everything the company does.

“Our commitment to employment equity and Broad-Based Black Economic empowerment (B-BBEE) is demonstrated by a workforce which is 68 percent black and 58 percent female,” Schliesser states.

“Mutual & Federal uses an integrated talent management framework to identify high potential leaders in the organisation, who are placed in our various management and leadership development programmes.”

As part of this HR ethos, there is also a strong commitment to localisation, ensuring that South African beneficiaries of the Mutual & Federal offering include people within the business as well as outside of it.

The supply chain receives the same treatment where possible by adopting a local procurement policy as well as a bias towards smaller operators and female-owned businesses.

Award-winning innovation

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All of this extends into the Company’s tailored corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts aimed at areas outside of the business’s initial remit.

She says: “Mutual & Federal’s CSR programme focuses on activities that complement our business operations within the short-term insurance industry, while simultaneously aligning with the Company’s own transformation objectives and addressing the needs of many underdeveloped communities.

“Investments are particularly focused on initiatives relating to education (especially mathematics and science) and agricultural socio-

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Mutual & Federal’s CSR programme focuses on activities that complement our business operations within the short-term insurance industry

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We Do It Right The First Time...

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We offer our clients comprehensive vehicle repairs and spray painting solutions, specialising in both car and truck repairs, with the top range of equipment and highly trained staff.

economic development in order to make a sustainable difference in the lives of beneficiaries. An increasing focus at Mutual & Federal will be the encouragement of staff volunteerism both in terms of hands-on involvement and identifying desirable projects within their own communities.”

Providing innovative solutions to both its clients and these peripheral communities has formed the basis for Mutual & Federal’s success over the centuries, and the overriding ambition remains the same in becoming the short-term insurer of choice in the country; trusted by a loyal, financiallyprotected customer base.

She concludes: “On 16 October, 1916

ww.panelbeatersdirectory.co.za/ listing.php?listing=tugela-panelbeaters-&listings_id=987 troyden@motorfactors.co.za (T) + 36 633 0081 (C) +82 879 7889

CSR investments are particularly focused on initiatives relating to education

the first Agricultural Insurance Policy was issued in South Africa and we were part of that historic event.

“100 years later and we still lead the pack in crop and agricultural asset insurance with innovative solutions for

farmers. We intend to keep growing and serving our valued customers for many years to come, so that they can reap the rewards of being insured by the oldest and most trusted agricultural insurer in South Africa.”

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ame B A R C L A Y S

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GROWTH and Prosperity of platforms from a generic feature phone, to smartphones/tablets and intelligent ATMs. We give our customers 24-seven access to their money and banking services,” says the Company’s Managing Director, Abdi Mohamed. “We also now offer foreign exchange ‘over the counter products’ through a world-class trading platform called BARX Africa, free of charge!

Writer: Matthew Staff “This offers clients 24-hour execution, automated risk Project Manager: Stuart Parker management, automated confirmation and - with in-house trade booking platforms - automated trade booking, s one of the world’s most renowned financial audit trails and settlement where appropriate.” operators, Barclays is Services are backed up by the best inevitably a market stability/uptime rates in the market leader across all of its - currently operating at 98 percent key parameters in Tanzania, but its across its ATM estate and 99 percent primary ambitions for the country on its digital platforms - while recent extend far wider than the confines of times has also seen the introduction of its bank branches. multiple investment options; a first in Formulating an all-encompassing the market. aid to the country’s population, its “We have also introduced multiple financial services serve as a platform investment options to our customers for a host of national enrichment including upfront and regular interest and corporate social responsibility fixed deposits which is another first ininitiatives that the business has taken market. On the transactional banking upon itself to instil across the region. side we have rolled out the first Dollar And while the benefits of Debit Card,” Abdi adds. these solutions are being seen Multiple credit options in the retail comprehensively, nationwide, they derive from an expertise and portfolio domain, as well as foreign exchange products on both basic and hedging that remains unrivalled on nearly all fronts offer further examples of fronts. the ever-evolving Barclays remit in “We have best in-class digital Tanzania; and with a current national channels working on a wide range

With a target of improving the lives of more than 3,350 youths in 2016 alone, Barclays’ role in Tanzania branches out far beyond its core financial services

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saturation of 16 branches, 54 ATMs and 65,000 customers, the extent of the Company’s influence in the country is only set to increase more moving forward.

“We continue to offer a full and integrated range of products and services to our customers and our customers can be just as confident doing business with us today as they have always been,” Abdi states. “In the coming months we will be opening two new state-of-the-art branches, one in the city of Dar es Salaam and another in the region of Morogoro.

“These openings align to our strategy and reflect our commitment to placing the customer at the heart of all we do.”

Customers achieve their ambitions

Barclays Bank Tanzania (BBT) Limited has been operating in the country for the past 16 years, reopening its doors in 2000, 33 years after its initial foray in the nation was halted by a nationalisation of the Group.

However, “Barclays now has 16 branches, 54 ATMs strategically located countrywide, more than 500 employees and more than 65,000 customers”, Abdi picks up.

“Barclays is fully committed to serving the Tanzanian market and we are very optimistic about the business opportunities that are available here.”

Over the past few years, substantial investments into technology, new

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Barclays now has 16 branches in Tanzania

Barclaysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; role in Tanzania extends far beyond its core financial services

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products and its branch network have epitomised this ethos in regards to the ways its customers are served; monitoring feedback continuously to respond to areas of need while also monitoring market trends to meet the needs of an emerging market.

“Banking clients continue to be more price-sensitive, especially those accessing the market’s products and that tend to gravitate to opportunities for cheap FX liquidity and convenience,” Abdi explains. “Through BARX - our world-class trading platform - we offer cheaper and more secure processing for clients.

“As cost saving will continue to be a big challenge, with clients managing returns, BBT intends to help clients manage costs of financing and trading through its Risk Management Hedging Products (RMP) offering.

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SYBRIN

Banking clients continue to be more price-sensitive, especially those accessing the market’s products

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t Sybrin, we take pride in our ability to supply innovative, market-leading solutions.

Everything we deliver is based on our specialist, first-hand knowledge of the global core banking, payments, and information management industries.

Sybrin focuses exclusively on developing, implementing, and supporting end-to-end systems providing the optimum delivery of business solutions to our customers.

We market and deploy our solutions through our own sales force, as well as via our growing Business Partner Network.

Sybrin’s product portfolio includes numerous innovative solutions, including voucher processing (cheque truncation), EFT, case management, customer communications management, mobile commerce, card solutions, payment switches, and core banking.

Our mission is to continually evolve our cutting-edge solutions in order to optimise operational effectiveness and give our customers the control, insight, and agility they need for competitive advantage in a global economy.

We have sold over 600 systems across a broad spectrum of vertical industries.

Our solutions are currently deployed in more than 20 countries across Africa, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East. We service more than 250 customers from our offices in South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, and Uganda.

Our parent company, EOH is one of the largest, JSE-listed ICT service providers in Africa and a leader in technology and business services. Together, we operate in more than 50 countries in Africa and internationally.

T +27 11 367 6900 E sales@sybrin.com

www.sybrin.com Barclays continuously monitor customer feedback

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TECHNOLOGY PARTNER Sybrin has served as a technology partner to African banks for over two decades, powering critical payment channels and workflows. We’re committed to helping banks innovate to stay ahead of the curve.

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS Sybrin’s Case Management solution provides a powerful platform for modernising business processes. Our Customer Communications Management solution encompasses the automated generation, customisation, and distribution of all correspondence. We also provide and support end-to-end Card Management solutions.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT We invest significantly in research and development to productise the latest trends in the banking industry. Our cutting-edge solutions are built on the latest technologies and are focused on revolutionising customer experiences.

OMNI-CHANNEL BANKING

Telephone: +27 11 367 6900 Helpdesk: +27 11 367 6901 www.sybrin.com

Sybrin’s solutions are built on a modular platform supporting seamless banking via multiple channels. With our focus on providing powerful omni-channel functionality, streamlined transaction processing, and optimised branchless workflows, we ensure that the bank’s priorities are always met in line with the transformative African agenda.

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“Our promise is to help our customers achieve their ambitions, in the right way. We are keen to ensure that we provide customers with solutions that they need during the prevailing times.

That way, we remained focused on our commitment.”

Developing talent

Every continuous improvement strategy is driven with a personal element in mind, whether by its aforementioned customers, its stakeholders, or even by its employees; with each facet having a positive knock-on effect on the next.

From a customer perspective, its service has improved dramatically as a result of its paperless banking roll-out, as well as improved uptime across its ATMs, and enhanced operational capabilities to include non-banked clients in order to scale-up the business aggressively in the coming years.

And underpinning each new incentive and market research-driven update, is a team of loyal employees repaying the dedication shown to them by the Company.

“Human capital is among our key priorities across both our short and long-term agendas,” Abdi emphasises.

“It is the deliberate policy of the Bank to ensure our employees grow their career here through various training and development programmes inside and outside the country, tailored with a robust succession plan.

“To enhance staff career development we always offer opportunities to internal talents before we go outside to the labour market. It is our passion to see people growing and this is among our key retention strategies apart from our range of indirect and direct benefits offered.”

And while the majority of employees are given the opportunity to experience the wider Barclays world in neighbouring African countries, the core of its domestic team are comprised of local talent; a purposely driven statistic

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The Company contains a team of loyal employees

that fits within the Company’s overall corporate social responsibility culture.

Abdi says: “Demonstrating our commitment to recruiting and developing local talent to senior management positions, the Bank has reduced the number of expatriates from 17 in 2009 to two now, replacing the vacancies with local staff.

“The Bank is also currently running its ‘Graduate Development Program’, aiming to groom quality future leaders for the business. The programme is being implemented in partnership with Deloitte and more than US$100,000 is invested into this programme every year, with a key focus on local fresh graduates.”

Stimulating growth and prosperity

Outside of the Bank’s internal structure, the same commitment

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to personal enrichment continues, taking the Company full circle - past the new innovations and continuous investments - back to its primary goals of empowering Tanzania.

“We believe a business can only be successful if it connects positively and creates value with the society in which it operates,” Abdi enthuses to this end.

“When our customers and clients do well, so do we. When the communities where we live and work thrive, we do too. And when society prospers, we all do.”

Charitable initiatives under the banner of a shared agenda subsequently include the use of core assets and resources to grow and develop the societies in which it operates; across areas of education, enterprise development, and financial inclusions.

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Barclays’ Upfront Interest Fixed Deposit initiative lets your money work faster for you

Abdi continues: “For Barclays, the focus for shared growth is in those areas which will aid in solving some of the most pressing societal challenges that Tanzania is facing.

Some of these include a lack of access to employment opportunities and quality education, and a shortage of affordable innovative financial services.

“The work of stimulating growth and prosperity is particularly important now that the difficulties faced by major economies are having an increasingly adverse effect on Tanzania. With a target of empowering more than 3,350 youths in 2016 alone, now is the time to remain focused and use our resources and talents wisely for the benefit of our communities, our people and stakeholders.”

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OFFERING SERVICES TO COVER EACH STAGE OF THE CUSTOMER LIFE CYCLE. GET IN TOUCH www.creditinfo.co.tz T: +255 (0) 22 212 7263 E: citinfo@creditinfo.co.tz

We help financial institutions drive overall business performance and reduce risk through our range of products.

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ame BARCLAYS AFRICA COMMERCIAL PROPERTY FINANCE

OPEN Business for

Following the global economic decline over the past decade, many analysts have forecasted a South African exit for the leading financial players, but this is certainly not true of Barclays, with its commercial property division as focused as ever on continental development Writer: Matthew Staff | Project Manager: Stuart Parker arclays Africa Commercial Property Finance has been a mainstay of Barclays Africa Group’s supporting operations across the continent for the past two years in its current guise, and with a host of initiatives, portfolio expansions and entrepreneurial ambitions in tow, the Company’s evolution is already gathering momentum.

Providing coverage across South Africa via its ABSA brand as well as acting as a centre of excellence for incountry operations across Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia; CPF’s primary function is as a bank offering across the retail, business, corporate, investment banking, wealth, management and insurance domains.

“The Barclays Africa CPF business was created more than two years ago

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Klaus-Dieter Kaempfer, CPF Africa Head

to create a centre of excellence in the provision of commercial property finance services across different business segments and the African footprint of Barclays Africa Group’s operations,” affirms the CPF Africa Head, Klaus-Dieter Kaempfer.

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South Africa’s Head, Mike Mortimer adds: “The business is completely selfcontained with dedicated finance, legal, credit, building project management and valuations support. The frontline business team comprises specialists in the commercial, residential, affordable housing and listed property sectors; and with representation in all major regions across the country the business is ideally positioned to partner with clients in whichever property sector they choose to focus, and is also well placed to support them as their property finance needs evolve over time.”

Products include investment finance loans, development loans, mortgage backed business loans, lease discounting and vacant land, equity capital markets, derivatives, foreign exchange, transactional banking and risk management services; culminating in a turnkey service flexibility designed

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Head of Coverage for the rest of Africa (outside of South Africa), Selwyn Blieden adds: “We are different from most of our competitors by being both a local and international player, and by having the ability to directly serve clients in their jurisdictions with basic banking needs as well as being able to provide the products and reach of international bankers.

“There are very few ‘African major’ banks that can match our capabilities.”

Developing market intelligence

Operating on a continental scale comes with inevitable challenges for Barclays CPF

to facilitate the needs of all banking segments and industrial sectors.

“Our core segments of clients include those making property investments within the retail, office, industrial, residential and specialised properties sectors; and these may be listed and institutional clients, large property businesses, small and medium

property enterprises, or non-property businesses,” Kaempfer notes. “Barclays Africa CPF has the resources to deliver capital to enable clients to achieve their property aspirations, has a long-term outlook, has a meaningful heritage, is a leader in the deployment of local expertise, and provides an innovative, full range of banking services.”

Operating on a continental scale comes with inevitable challenges with different countries presenting different levels of maturity and industry growth, and such shortfalls have been endured of late in the form of slowing economic growth rates, currency depreciations and more localised factors such as power shortages and political acrimony.

Naturally, against such a backdrop, slowdowns can be expected, but it

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does in turn shine a light on the levels of flexibility and internal operational excellence that a Company has to fall back on; pillars which Barclays CPF has strategically built itself upon.

“Given the foregoing trends, as well as the variable nature of the macro and micro-economies within which property investments are made, Barclays Africa Commercial Property Finance maintains a flexible approach to client service, and is structured to offer competitive, market-leading property finance solutions to clients,” Kaempfer assures. “Pursuant to this, the management of the business is geared towards providing services across all market segments.”

Mortimer adds: “We currently find ourselves in a subdued economic cycle both domestically and globally, and this is likely to remain as such for the medium to longer-term. In such times our clients tend to re-evaluate many of their proposed investments and developments, and we need to show similar restraint to them in our funding decisions.

“Property investment and development is a long-term game and this is not a time to ‘force the market’s hand’.”

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Focus on client acquisition has helped drive Barclays CPF

Mike Mortimer, South Africa’s Head

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However, in such times, our clients tend to reevaluate many of their proposed investments and developments, and we need to show similar restraint to them in our funding decisions

Blieden continues by emphasising the importance of being able to serve a market in a state of evolution through a core portfolio of general property and transactional skills; and this philosophy has been realised in the past 12 months alone via a host of significant investments and service improvements.

On a South African note, Mortimer continues: “We have expanded our Affordable Housing franchise significantly in response to a growing demand in the market for this type of product. We have also refined our middle and back office efficiencies in order to ensure even quicker turnaround time and speed to market.

We have increased headcount materially in South Africa, recruiting only the very best people in the industry.”

“We have also grown the Rest of Africa team,” Kaempfer adds.

“The team has also created a Shariacompliant Islamic Commercial Property

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ESTABLISHED 1921

J Leslie Smith & Company Inc. ATTORNEYS, CONVEYANCERS AND NOTARIES PUBLIC

GIVING BACK BY SUPPORTING DESERVING CHARITIES AND THE ELDERLY Let us help you with all your legal needs.

The Company represents major corporate clients and offers a full range of legal services, including: ESTATES PERSONAL PROPERTY LABOUR NOTARIAL PRACTICE CRIMINAL LAW LITIGATION INSURANCE LAW PENSION FUNDS MUNICIPAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

332 Jabu Ndlovu Street, Pietermaritzburg, 3201 Tel: +27 (0)33 845 9700 | Fax: +27 (0)33 845 9720 www.jlesliesmith.com

The Company has created a specific management focus for markets outside of South Africa

Finance product which has been well received by clients and the market; and we have developed digital tools that assist our staff in developing market intelligence regarding property market dynamics within the different city and regions within which we provide funding.”

Appetite for diversification

A subsequent focus on client acquisition has helped in driving this level of continental preparedness and localised experience, fitting within a much-wider necessity to be seen as a global Company acting indigenously in each operating nation outside of just

South Africa.

Kaempfer details: “Due to the high long-term economic growth rates in the markets that Barclays Africa Group operates in, as well as the increased appetite for diversification across Africa by our clients, Barclays Africa CPF has created a specific management focus for markets outside South Africa and is looking to grow business in these markets.

“We facilitate debt funding though in-country operations by providing best practice deal structuring services from our Rest of Africa Coverage team and also expect to grow the CPF franchise in these markets by partnering with experienced local property developers and investors.

Blieden, Head of the aforementioned ‘Rest of Africa’ domain picks up: “We have centralised Commercial Property Finance skills based in South Africa. These include building project management, valuations and deal structuring teams.

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Affordable Housing In the affordable housing space, Barclays Africa supports private sector involvement in addressing the housing challenge across the continent, acting as a partner in the market by providing relevant and appropriate financial solutions to investors, developers and the communities served.

The demand for affordable accommodation in South Africa and the rest of the continent is large and continues to grow due to rapid urbanisation coupled with shortages of affordable housing supply and limited infrastructure.

“At Barclays Africa we remain committed to playing our part in ensuring that people have access to decent affordable housing, while focussing on improved project delivery, a high quality end product and superior service.

Amelia Dieperink, Head of Coverage for Affordable Housing

A key element of the Company’s localisation strategy is the infiltration of equally domestic personnel

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Barclays Africa CPF’s business has grown substantially in the past 12 months

These work alongside in-country teams where we have established banking operations.”

A key element of the Company’s localisation strategy is the infiltration of equally domestic personnel, realising the significance of attracting, retaining and developing world-class professionals while instilling a sense of indigenousness in the process.

Consequently acknowledged as its most valuable asset, an adherence to employment equality, diversity, and business-wide inclusion is therefore paramount and is bearing fruit in the division becoming an employer of choice.

The same ethos is also applied to the formulation of key business partnerships across Barclays CPF’s jurisdiction, as Kaempfer notes: “We have a very strong banking brand and infrastructure across the African continent. We also often partner with

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local experts, particularly during the deal appraisal phase; these may be in the form of local property valuers, quantity surveyors and legal firms, as the case may be.

“All these services are however managed through our centre of excellence teams to ensure that our clients benefit from the highest level of standards and that best practice is replicated.”

Leading provider

In the past 12 months, Barclays Africa CPF’s business has grown substantially, with its largest jurisdictions witnessing a rise in new clients as an indication of the successful migration achieved by the business.

However, this forms just one facet of the Company’s overall ambitions to empower the continent which are equally driven by its corporate social

Selwyn Blieden, Head of Coverage for the rest of Africa

responsibility commitment to ‘shared growth’.

Pillars including educations and skills, enterprise development and financial inclusion are all integrated under this wholesome banner, and in

South Africa alone are evident across initiatives being carried out in Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal.

Ultimately, this dedication to social enrichment combined with an unparalleled service remit compounded by the backing of one of the world’s leading financial operators culminates in a long-term business outlook for Barclays CPF that will inevitably see the business become a leading player in its respective markets in Africa.

In South Africa, this will be achieved through a trajectory of responsible growth across strategic areas such as Affordable Housing, while simultaneously becoming an employer of choice.

As far as the rest of the continent is concerned, “there should be a deepening of property capabilities and market infrastructure in all our jurisdictions and we would want to be able to claim our part in these”, Blieden emphasises. “We would want to have seen many of our clients migrate to being more major property players and we would want to have increased our total client and asset base.”

Kaempfer concludes: “Barclays Africa CPF has developed a longterm business strategy, which has as its overall intent to become a leading provider of Commercial Property Finance in Africa.

“The business intends to increase the size and quality of assets over the long-term; in particular, the business would like to increase the contribution of its ‘rest of Africa’ portfolio, as well as to grow its funding in the affordable housing sector where there are significant opportunities as a result of rapid urbanisation across major cities throughout Africa.”

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B-Sure Group Holdingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; current structure and portfolio is a far cry from the one that initiated operations six years ago, with diversity being the name of the game, and its extensive client base the winners Writer: Matthew Staff Project Manager: Stuart Parker

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Such forethought and entrepreneurial thinking has been the backbone of B-Sure’s development since 2010, with the business growing over the years to now comprise seven operating companies; a culmination of hard work and diversification that has largely been overseen by Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Stephen Williams and the BSG Management Team.

Since inception he has witnessed key milestones that began as B-Sure Africa Financial Brokers CC (BSAFB) in a 25 metre squared office with a staff base of just three, before springing into action over the initial two years via the establishment of the Group’s insurance brokerage, B-Sure Africa Insurance Brokers (Pty) Ltd (BSAIB).

“This allowed BSAFB to focus on managing the property portfolio we had started to acquire,” Williams recalls. “This then left BSAFB in a key position for property acquisition, renovation and development.

“By the time 2014 came, we had built a staff base of around 120 fulltime employees. With us having had such a strong focus on technology and systems, we had built quite a substantial team of IT staff - both general as well as specialised - and as such decided to launch B-Sure IT Solutions (Pty) Ltd (BSIT). BSIT primarily started servicing BSAFB and BSAIB but that soon changed to encompass new business development and servicing partners in the area.”

The birth of B-Sure Africa

Recruitment Solutions (BSARS) soon followed through the internal strive for suitable employees; and with a portfolio of four companies by the beginning of 2015, the next natural avenue was to become centralised, thus bringing about the introduction of B-Sure Group Holdings (Pty) Ltd, as it is now known, to cater as a hub for areas of finance, HR, IT, marketing, auditing and risk management.

Williams continues: “Later in 2015, with BSAIB still growing from strength to strength and with the training regime, processes, systems and procedures now stable and conclusive, we decided to leverage off of this knowledge and launch our second short-term insurance brokerage, UberSure Insurance Brokers (Pty) Ltd (USIB), with the same structure but with a slightly different culture.

Whereas BSAIB’s image was more corporate, USIB’s image was more light-hearted and fun loving. This slight culture change would allow the brokerage to appeal to a different market demographic in an industry in which we already doing so well.

“In 2016, with our property portfolio now having 10 commercial properties in it, we realised that we had built a resource base that could service the general public with this skill-set and therein came about the launch of B-Sure Properties (Pty) Ltd (BSP); an estate agency focused on private and commercial property sales as well as rentals in the East Rand.”

Exciting evolutions

By removing all of its eggs from one basket and putting them into numerous specialised ones, B-Sure is now leveraging its current resources and skill-sets in order to diversify its earning ability and to grow strategically into new markets.

“This mind-set not only constantly keeps us on our toes, but also ensures that our revenue stream is not dependant on the performance of one

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oday’s African entrepreneur needs the support of a dedicated payments partner in order to disrupt the markets that they operate in.

PAYM8 specialises in bringing innovative e-and-m-commerce and financial collections solutions to merchants across Africa.

With over a decade’s worth of payment experience across the continent, PAYM8 is uniquely positioned to support the evolution of the modern African business through payment technology.

Through a variety of payment channels - from traditional bank account based payments, innovative one-of-a-kind card processing solutions and bespoke payments implementations – PAYM8 makes secure, frictionless payment options a reality for you and your customers.

www.paym8.co.za

The Company is moving forward with innovation as its focus

specific market,” Williams elaborates.

Engulfed within this ethos is a necessary commitment to continuous improvement and ongoing capital investments to ensure that the Company is moving forward from an innovation perspective, and not just growing sideways from a divisional point of view.

“In terms of pure product, I’d have to say the most exciting evolutions have been from the Office Automation division of BSIT, whereby we have started to place some strong emphasis on paperless solutions. Equally as exciting in our Telecommunications division, has been the focus shift to a hosted business solution,” Williams details. “These hosted options, keeping almost the entirety of a business’s connectivity hosted at an offsite data centre, has been a great shift in terms of educating our clients as to the value of this technological advancement as well as the value of changing your business’s IT budgeting

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We really enjoy the challenge of educating not only our staff, but also our clients when it comes to such fast-paced space

from a capex model, to a less volatile opex model.

“With our economy in the state it currently is and the Rand going through such volatile fluctuations, it is difficult to forecast the costing on replacing and enhancing your hardware, the opex model allows for the stability a lot of budgets could do with in such trying times. We really enjoy the challenge of educating not only our staff, but also our clients when it comes to such fast-paced spaces.”

A substantial amount of time and effort is placed into research and development before implementing these tactical nuances, ensuring that every new investment is backed up by substantiated data.

Williams continues: “For instance, our Business Development representatives for our Insurance Brokerages are given a Group induction, running over the portfolio and options of all of our companies.

They are then trained more specifically

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For optimum success B-Sure trains the best people for the job

on certain divisions of our IT business so that when they are engaging with clients, they’re ensuring their insurance needs are met; they can create a conversation on connectivity, printing solutions or even recruitment processes; and can then feed this data back to the Group by way of a centralised report.”

Committed staff

Of course, to carry out these strategies with optimum success, the onus is on the Group to employ, train and retain the best people for the job.

As such, B-Sure has a stringent three tier interview process ranging from competence assessments to departmental considerations and cultural suitability to fulfil the requirements of the business.

“Competence assessments ensure that our HR department puts the right people forward for a given position, based on each individual’s

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We have a strong belief that committed staff are our biggest asset, we put copious efforts into training and staff retention

ability to perform a certain function,” Williams explains. “Departmental considerations require the various team leaders and managers to interview the candidates to ensure they will be able to perform the necessary job requirements within the various departments. Finally, the cultural interview consists of two Executive Committee members interviewing each candidate to ensure that the candidate is the right fit for the Group.

“We have a strong belief that our committed staff are our biggest asset, and as such, we put copious amounts of effort into training and staff retention. We have training teams for our various divisions, and our Executive Committee themselves have designed a leadership development programme for our Managers and Team Leaders, as well as for individuals identified to be top talent within the Company. The sessions themselves are presented by the Executive Committee members, ensuring that our current and future leaders are able to manage our staff according to the culture we have so carefully cultivated.”

Subsequently encouraging internal promotion throughout, B-Sure’s strive for enrichment extends into a local philosophy where possible; finding the optimum balance between providing the best possible service, through the most refined local skills, and via the most established local partners.

“Having built the Group in a small town, we have the ability to have a strong impact on local initiatives and we pride ourselves on supporting such initiatives,” Williams adds in relation to the Company’s role in corporate social responsibility initiatives also.

“We are constantly participating in fund raisers, and as our Group thrives on a competitive nature, we often have spin-offs on this to challenge the departments and different companies to outdo one other when it comes to the gift of giving.

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New opportunities

Ultimately - across the Group’s seven companies, and its all-encompassing empowerment initiatives - Williams believes that B-Sure’s rapid rise to prominence can be attributed to three core areas; namely systems and procedures, synergies and the aforementioned human element.

The former represents the constant development of the Company’s internal systems backed up by a 100 percent auditing record of its data to allow ongoing analysis and continuous improvement, as well as

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improved client engagement to aid the business’s reputation.

Williams picks up: “A massive focus of the Group, as can be seen by our growth strategy, is creating a synergy between companies. These synergies are not just for lead generation, but also for client convenience and having a centralised business support team.

Our aim is to be able to facilitate all of the business items that are not central to our clients’ income stream.

“This synergy gives us a stronghold on our clients by ensuring that we are able to facilitate most of their business needs, however this also leads us to focus heavily on our service levels or we run the risk of losing all the business. It is a double-edged sword

that we gladly accept as this ensures we always offer the best service delivery.”

The aforementioned dedication to B-Sure’s people completes a threepronged tactic that Williams believes will stand the Company in perfect stead to negotiate the crest of the wave that the Group is currently riding.

The CEO’s enthusiasm as such is evident when being quizzed about the Company’s future term plans: “Wow, this is quite the question with the way our Group constantly evolves and diversifies; opportunities are rife and our teams are always keen to explore new opportunities, so to answer as best I can I would split this into three sections,” he offers.

Firstly, from a geographical perspective, additional branches in Cape Town, Pretoria, Bedfordview and Bloemfontein are in the pipeline for 2017 while on an international front, B-Sure IT Solutions is set to reach New Zealand’s shores by the end of next year.

The second focus embraces industry progression and the ongoing incubation of its long-term insurance brokerage, B-Sure Life and Invest which will leverage off its substantial client base initially before ensuring its personal and business clients alike receive a more holistic offering in the future.

“Finally, expansion within our current offerings,” Williams concludes.

“We are currently looking at expanding our Group Finance department to outsource finance functions for our clients such as payroll and other similar finance functions. We are also currently looking at expanding B-Sure Recruitment Solutions’ service offering to include outsourced HR functions for our clients by leveraging off our current HR department’s extensive experience in all things HR. “In the distant future I can’t be sure; our strategy is diversification and as noted already, we are constantly looking for new opportunities.”

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Solutions with Knowledge Amiran Kenya is establishing itself as the one-stop shop for full agriculture solutions in East Africa Writer: Phoebe Calver | Project Manager: Joshua Mann

miran Kenya is the largest one-stop shop for full agriculture solutions in East Africa, playing a key role in the creation of Kenya’s world-leading agriculture sector. Over time the Company has expanded its portfolio of activities and today is leading the way in telecommunications and agriculture.

Synonymous with the highest standards, Amiran is seen as a centre of excellence within the horticulture and floriculture industries in the country; while also leading a major shift in focus towards small scale farmers that is currently being replicated throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

Amiran is part of the UK-based Group, Balton CP, a Company with a strong commercial presence across the region. Since its inception in 1963, the former has been the driving force behind providing complete agricultural solutions in all fields of its expertise.

Balton CP is constantly expanding, with branches located in Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Nigeria and

Ghana. More recently it has opened a representative office in Ethiopia while Amiran works with Balton CP to expand its activity in the region.

“As a start-up Company in the early ‘60s, Amiran grew by introducing new technologies while providing the agrisector with cutting edge technologies that met the growing demand of the export horticulture industry. So we are very proud to be a big part of that,” comments Aviv Levi, Managing Director of Amiran Kenya.

“When the Company was founded, greenhouses were few and far between so there was a massive opening in the market waiting to be

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ANOREL

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t Anorel, we ensure that our products and their associated production processes are optimised to the best possible standards, allowing us to search for the best locations to produce them.

This way of working has led to numerous joint ventures with producers worldwide, and we have partnerships with companies in Belgium, China & Russia.

Our agronomics team is constantly working on optimising the efficiency of our production processes and guard the quality of our products and formulations.

Our commitment towards African countries is high, since we greatly believe in the unique potential of the African agronomics industry and the challenges it brings.

Boasting the full basket of solutions within its nursery

tapped into. Today, Amiran has more than 3,000 hectares of greenhouse growers at its disposal,” explains Levi.

Solid relationships between Amiran and its supply chain is the key to the Company maintaining this dominant market share in Eastern Africa.

Levi expands: “With the growing export market, there is also a growing segment of local investors putting up projects for local produce and exporting some to neighbouring countries in East Africa. Amiran offers project feasibility and turnkey implementation from A- Z.” Amiran’s holistic approach to projects helps its clients to realise profits in the shortest possible time. Its Business Development team assist to conduct proper market analysis, and help to connect to potential buyers.

“The advantage we have here is that we have the full basket of solutions, from hybrid seeds that we have in the nursery, through the propagation and the right fertilisers, irrigation, pest

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T +32 3488 0233 E anorel@anorel.net

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We hold a lot of experience and knowledge that we pass onto our clients, and we believe this is the added value we offer...

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control solutions through to post harvest solutions through to the right irrigation, all tailor-made to suit the grower’s needs” continues Levi.

Market Trends

In recent years the greenhouse method has been adapted by other vegetable growers, for example tomatoes, cucumbers and herbs exporters.

Amiran is going one step further in focusing its efforts into development projects for coffee and avocado farming. Coffee is a major export crop for Kenya, and avocados have the potential to become a major export crop within five - 10 years. Through seminars and open days, Amiran is raising awareness on how to increase the farmer’s yields and quality of produce.

Its innovative approach towards market evolution also includes Amiran working on creating structures which

will enable growers to easily move away from producing set produce in set seasons; therefore ensuring they will be able to increase their profit margin in the off seasons.

Differentiating itself from other companies in the industry, Amiran sells its products alongside training with extensive product knowledge.

“We hold a lot of experience and knowledge that we pass onto our clients, and we believe this is the added value we offer to our clients.

Amiran prides itself in providing advice and guidance to clients which helps to build stronger relationships. In addition to this, we represent many leading companies from around the world and constantly look to add on to our portfolio giving our clients a wider range of products and services,” Levi adds.

Amiran can then translate this vast product knowledge and support to the companies it works with,

HAIFA Home of Innovation By leveraging a keen familiarity with the world farmers’ lives and needs, Haifa Group creates highly effective plant nutrition solutions. This attitude, together with a profound knowledge of the markets, is what shapes Haifa Group’s activities in making a difference.

About Haifa Haifa Group is a multinational corporation, and a global leading supplier of potassium nitrate for agriculture and industry, specialty plant nutrients and food phosphates.

Renowned for its pioneering spirit and innovative solutions for more than five decades, Haifa leverages natural resources of potash and phosphate rocks. Haifa owns four production facilities in Israel, France and the US. With 14 subsidiaries, Haifa Group’s global operations span across five continents in over 100 countries.

Pioneering solutions Haifa develops and produces specialty fertilisers for enhancing plant nutrition and delivering added value of efficiency, crop-suitability and purity. Haifa’s highly-efficient Agriculture Solutions enable application convenience, assure environmental friendliness and maximise yields from given inputs of land, water and plant nutrients for diverse farming practices.

Haifa produces a wide range of potassium nitrate products for Nutrigation™, foliar sprays and sidedressing under the Multi-K™ brand and diverse water-soluble fertilisers for an entire range of plant nutrients.

Haifa also manufactures Multicote™, a diversified range of high quality controlled release fertilisers for agriculture, horticulture, ornamentals and turf.

Visit our website at:

www.haifa-group.com Leveraging superior experience and knowledge to pass on to clients

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Soluble fertilizers with solid advantages Haifa’s extensive selection of water-soluble fertilizers enables efficient application by Nutrigation™ and foliar sprays of an entire range of plant nutrients. All Haifa products, straight salts and NPK blends are chloride free, composed of nutrients only, and are fully consumed by the plant.

Optimal plant nutrition

Cost effective

Pure plant nutrients

Free of sodium and chloride

Haifa’s fertilizers are distributed by Balton / Amiran.

Years of Growth

Scan & Watch

www.haifa-group.com

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KEKKILÄ

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ekkilä Oy is a Finnish substrate producer with strong knowledge of peat-based growing media and fertilisers for professional growers.

Our substrates are made of high-quality Sphagnum peat harvested from our own bogs in the Nordics.

We are committed to the highest environmental practices and are members of the European Peat and Growing Media Association (EPAGMA) and the Responsibly Produced Peat board. Our production is ISO-certified we ensure the quality consistency for our clients in more than 70 countries.

We stand for reliability, expertise, consistent quality and excellent customer care.

T +358 20 790 4910 E export@kekkila.com

www.kekkilaprofessional.com

In the business of up-scaling and empowering

complemented by a comprehensive history and proven track record of excellence.

“Our wide knowledge base translates into growing guides that incorporate all aspects of growing, whether you are farming coffee, avocados, beans or even open field cotton, we will design the irrigation scheme, help you register and choose the varieties/products according to location and target markets,” elaborates Levi. “No matter the crop, Amiran will commit to giving the grower a comprehensive growing guide, provide solutions to challenges and engage in post harvest needs whether you are a famer with a land of 1ha or 1000ha.

“Over the past few years, we noticed the need of up-scaling the small-scale growers, therefore deciding to invest in that sector. We also realised that youth empowerment and young agri business entrepreneurs are on the rise and felt that we should be a part of it.”

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THE PARIJAT GROUP

Our wide knowledge base translates into growing guides that incorporate all aspects of growing, whether you are farming coffee, avocados, beans or even open field cotton...

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he Parijat Group is an Indian conglomerate exporting specialised products to 70 countries through six global offices.

Alongside a 6,000 dealer-strong distribution network in India, Parijat also has its own distribution networks in West Africa and Russia.

Parijat is also investing in offices and manufacturing facilities in Mali and Togo through its subsidiaries Parijat Mali and Parijat Togo, with backing from Rabo Bank, the world’s leading agri-focussed bank.

Parijat is committed to bringing innovative and high quality products to farmers across the world.

T +91-11-45766000 E contact@parijat.in

www.parijat.in

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Kekkilä Professional growing solutions Kekkilä Professional substrates are made of high-quality Sphagnum peat harvested from our own bogs in the Nordics.

As a growing media peat is superior to any other material. It has optimal physical, chemical and biological characteristics. Our first-rate growing solutions yield optimal, uniform results in over 70 countries worldwide. Together we grow stronger.

www.kekkilaprofessional.com • export@kekkila.com • Tel. +358 02 790 4910

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REGAL TOURS AND TRAVEL LIMITED

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e at Regal Tours and Travel Limited offer personalised travel packages to our clients. Our longstanding partnership with Amiran Kenya allows us to offer them and our other clients travel packages ranging from air ticketing, visa processing, airport transfers, hotel bookings, travel insurance and other customised travel packages.

Our dedicated team is ready on call to attend to all our clients’ needs.

Welcome to Regal Tours and Travel Limited, where we guarantee you will travel like royalty.

T +254 790 488 251 / +254 715 803 313 +254 725 649 202 / +254 720 082 048 E sales@regal-tours.com

www.regal-tours.com Training and education is a key facet of Amiran’s enrichment philosophy

Solutions and knowledge

Amiran is a solution-focused Company, and instead of producing physical produce it provides growers with the solutions to their agriculture related needs, backed up with the knowledge and training needed to make it a successful programme.

The Company is working to make sure that the farmers it works with have the knowledge, input, support and resources to be successful in their endeavours; and now, in Levi’s eyes the only thing missing in Africa is good access to the market.

“I can’t tell you that if somebody would grow strawberries today, there would be a good facilitation and good infrastructure to export strawberries in good condition in two days to Europe.

If you are a very big company you have your own infrastructure and facilities to do this, but if you are a small grower the country is responsible and the responsibility falls with the government to give you a solution. We can train and

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SULPHUR MILLS

We have different kinds of seminars and open days when we bring farmers to the field and we actually demonstrate to them what is transpiring

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ulphur Mills is one of the most progressive crop protection companies in India, with best in class manufacturing plants located across the country. The Company is the world’s largest manufacturer of sulphur & its formulation.

We are experts in advanced formulation technologies in WDG, SC, CS, ZC, and EW for different kinds of actives and have been manufacturing high standard products for over a decade. The world’s top corporations like Bayer, Adama, Nufarm and UPL work with us to source their requirements.

We are presently exporting to approximately 80 countries.

T +91 22 43452222 E info@sulphurmills.com

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Core Strengths Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s Largest WDG Manufacturing Capacity

Complete Dossier Support to register our products in your country

More than 30,000 MT for WDG & more than 6 Million Litres of SC & EW

Global presence in more than 80 countries including EU, USA, Australia, Middle East, Asia, Latin America & Africa

WDG, SC, EW, CS & newer formulations of different class of molecules Large Capacities for Microencapsulation (CS) formulations of different class of Actives for Insecticides & Herbicides Convert and Toll Manufacture Molecule of your choice into WDG, SC, EW, CS and newer and eco-friendly formulations Manufacture different range of Public Health / Household Products State-of-Art GMP Manufacturing Plants and R & D Facilities

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Upgrading levels of agriculture in Kenya

Open days attract as many as 200 farmers from around Kenya

we are working on it but it is an aspect that now needs more support from the Government.” says Levi.

The aforementioned training comes in different forms, comprising primarily one-to-one training of others which is integral in building connections with the farmers.

“Our suppliers come over and they give seminars, they will invest a lot of time in the field, there’s an invaluable exchange of ideas and knowledge

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and then in many cases we’ll do what we call seminars in the community of the farmers,” Levi explains. “We have different kinds of seminars and open days when we bring farmers to the field and we actually demonstrate to them what is transpiring.”

The Company hosts open days and seminars all around Kenya and can receive anywhere between 70 to 200 farmers, providing them with hands-on experience and knowledge needed

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to achieve success. Amiran also uses these days as a way to launch its new products.

“It’s an excellent time to network and to get ideas from the growers and to understand more about the challenges they face, not to mention a brilliant way of brainstorming to decide the best areas to venture into.

So everybody at the end of the day has a very deep interaction with our suppliers around the world,” adds Levi.

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We cultivate prosperity

Arysta LifeScience supplies customized solutions for crop protection and yield enhancement

Commercial potential

Looking forward, Amiran is very driven in its goal to upgrade the level of agriculture in Kenya and for young people to see the commercial potential of its homeland. With the demand of food increasing, the Company’s aim is to show them the opportunities on their doorstep and to demonstrate the ways they can make a living and a future from agriculture.

“We continue to bring on board the young people that are much more open minded and more open to adopting different ideas, we want prosperity for everyone,” affirms Levi.

With a resourceful team and the capacity to support large-scale projects, Amiran can now look forward to advancing the same qualities in other countries around the continent.

“One of the most exciting aspects is that we are located in Kenya but we are working on projects all around Africa. We have the capacity and the capability to do so; and there are a lot of promising opportunities to move to other countries around Africa in the near future,” concludes Levi.

Arysta LifeScience Kenya Tulip House, 5th Floor, Mombasa Road P.O. Box 30335, Nairobi - KENYA Tel: +254 717 432 174 Email: arysta.kenya@arysta.com

ARYSTA East Africa Advert.indd 1

10/10/2016 10:04:31

NIRIT SEEDS LTD. Nirit Seeds Ltd, an Israeli seed company, was formed to research, breed, produce and market the most advanced hybrid vegetable seeds available.

We have a variety of highly successful hybrid seeds, which have been tried and tested under the most stringent conditions with the most favorable results.

We’re always continuing to invest heavily in research and development in order to bring to our customers the products of tomorrow, today.

Nirit Seeds Limited, 15 Hahadarim Street Moshav Hadar Am 4293500, ISRAEL Tel: +972-9-8322435, Fax: +972-9-8322438 Mail: hana@niritseeds.com www.niritseeds.com DISTRIBUTOR: Amiran Kenya Ltd, Old Airport North Road, Embakasi, P.O. Box 30327 – 00100, Nairobi, KENYA Tel: +254-719095000 Fax: +254-20-2635252 Mail: omry@amirankenya.com www.amirankenya.com

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Mile Viking Crop Protection is stepping ahead of the curve in the world of agrochemical distribution Writer: Phoebe Calver | Project Manager: Joshua Mann

iking Crop Protection has seen its annual turnover triple in the past six years; an increase which has set it apart from the rest of the world of agrochemical distribution.

The Company has differentiated itself from competitors in the field by going the extra mile for its customers; alongside sourcing products from both local and multinational suppliers for distribution to farmers, Viking offers its farmers the best advice and risk management.

Formed in 1992, the Company venture began with a small collection of sales representatives which had previously worked for Schering Plough. “These guys started this small company, Viking Marketing, absolutely from scratch. As a small group they knew each other very well and had to trust and depend on each other to make it work. That

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resulted in a small but strong group who laid the foundation and culture for the successful Company that Viking Marketing is today,” comments Ockie Olivier, Managing Director at Viking Crop Protection.

As a self-owned Company with a central management and warehouse which sells products through a network of agents, it has no outside shareholders.

“These agents are independent entities who are situated throughout our service area namely the Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Namibia. The agents have their own local depots from which they can deliver products to farms in those areas,” explains Olivier. “Viking’s products are delivered to its agents’ depots as consignment stock, where the agents receive expert advice from Viking technical staff to pass on to clients when selling the products.

The agent then earns a commission

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on the successful sales of products to farmers.”

Since its humble beginnings, Viking demonstrated steady growth until 2010 when it implemented a new strategy which resulted in many big clients bringing business to the Company. The Company set itself apart from its competitors by supplying advice, risk management solutions,

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Operations are kept under one roof

and expertise surrounding its product offering. Differentiating itself in that way has made Viking what it is today, one of the leading distributors in the country with a very strong company image within the industry.

Improvement Strategies

The Company places a particularly high premium on the people within

it; since its formation as a small group of people, the Company has always shown respect for everyone’s contributions. Viking’s decision to remain independent with no outside shareholders means that it is able to remain free from the influence of outside decision making and flexible across its operations.

Despite growing vastly and rapidly

though, it has retained its core team spirit. One of the biggest contributing factors to the success of Viking is the strong leadership and management team, who make continuous efforts to tap into group intelligence without losing individual initiative.

Olivier adds: “The fact that everyone is part of one group and working under one umbrella enables management

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V I K I N G

C R O P

P R O T E C T I O N

ECOGUARD BIOSCIENCES

E

coguard Biosciences, founded in 1994, has exclusively developed several well-known unique products for multinationals making significant contributions to the crop protection, forestry, invader weed and bush control industries. In addition to our branded range we have developed our own range of high quality generic products inclusive of new unique innovations creating cost effective solutions.

Ecoguard services customers through a national network of technically qualified field staff, dealerships and agents, providing professional infield advice.

Kindly view our herbicides and related products on www.ecoguard.co.za T +27 11 463 6057 E ecoinfo@ecoguard.co.za

Establishing consistent management principles internally ensures a top quality product at the end of the process

to align different departments within Viking, with the central goals of the Company.”

Efforts within the Company are constantly placed on training and mentoring its field personnel, which enables them to successfully manage the many risks involved in crop protection. However, its focus is not only placed on crop protection but also on market access issues and sustainability of production.

To facilitate this adherence to the most pressing of industry trends, the Company is also focusing on the building and maintenance of longlasting business relationships with clients.

“The Group employs very knowledgeable agriculturists locally,” explains Olivier. “Crop protection products are recommended in such a way to reduce the possibility of selection pressure that can lead to resistance of target pests.

Environmental and people safety is

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Environmental and people safety is taken into account with all the planned crop protection strategies of the Company

taken into account with all the planned crop protection strategies of the Company.”

Viking prides itself on the wide product range that it can provide its clients with, however, the Company is aware that is true for all distribution companies of its type, and therefore, a niche is required.

“We are most knowledgeable in the continuous process to ensure compliance to MRLs (Maximum Residue Limits) on harvested products.

We believe in sustainable crop protection methodologies and we use products from known manufacturers of agrochemicals that are backed by thorough research and testing. We also instil continuous improvement of business processes by measuring the right things,” Olivier adds.

Ahead of the curve

With the decrease in smaller farmers and the emergence of so called

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Ecoguard Biosciences (Pty) Ltd. is an innovative field research company specialising in the development and distribution of effective vegetation management and crop protection products.

When used as directed, our products carry a low risk potential for the environment and people.

Our exclusive and expanding product range offers specialised solutions for crop protection, inclusive of a soft approach to bush encroachment and invader weed control for conservation, agriculture, forestry, industrial and aquatic environments.

Biosciences (Pty) Ltd. T: +27 11 463 6057 E: ecoinfo@ecoguard.co.za www.ecoguard.co.za

‘mega-farmers’, it has become increasingly important to raise the bar in professionalism in order to be able to service them during their growth.

Olivier explains: “Viking adopted a definite strategy to work with these bigger clients and to get our own structures in place to serve them adequately. They require key account management principles starting on the technical side but including relationship-building between various stakeholders.”

With a primary focus on the distribution and service domains - as opposed to manufacturing - the need for warehouses and depots in the areas it works out of, as well as various transport facilities, are pivotal in order to run successfully.

“Our critical points are the interfaces of our technical people and our agents with the clients in the delivering of our expert service,” Olivier affirms. “We need to build relationships with clients

Environmentally compatible solutions for pest and vegetation management

In-time delivery helps to instill client trust

in order to build trust with them. Our presentation of technical knowledge, the quality of spray programmes and in-time delivery is helping us to achieve this.”

Viking is working hard to maintain its high regard within the industry at present; not only being seen as an ethical Company built on good values and good corporate governance, but also in boasting one of the strongest central management structures in the industry with a host of technical expertise at its disposal.

“Viking personnel have the most expertise in the field of residues, maximum residue levels and market access issues in the country. Clients know that they are in good hands and that brings a lot of trust between the parties. Some of the biggest farmers in the country are Viking’s clients. Viking is doing many things right at the moment and it is evident in our growth and client portfolio,” concludes Olivier.

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B O E R D E R Y

Fresh Produce Powered by

Passion

Sterkwater Boerdery is expanding into the world of export with an extensive produce offering driven by clear values and processes Writer: Phoebe Calver | Project Manager: Joshua Mann

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ith a long history of growth and development since its inception in 1990, Sterkwater Boerdery has transformed itself from a one-man operation, to a large family run venture.

With a primary focus on the export of fruit - including apples, pears and plums - Sterkwater is currently using several export marketing agents to hit its target clients across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Far East, USA, Canada and Africa. Yet, amid plans to become an exporter in its own right in the coming years, family still remains at the heart of the business.

“Sterkwater Boerdery is in essence a family business,” confirms Willa Gibson, Sterkwater’s Managing Director and sole proprietor. “There are several family owned businesses in the area but very few where you can experience passionate people who will allow you to become a part of their unique family and share their passion for God’s nature.

“Yes, we might be a commercial success but Sterkwater is about much more than just being a financial success. Sterkwater strives to provide a good, safe environment within the agriculture sector of South Africa where everybody is given an equal opportunity to grow.”

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S T E R K W A T E R

B O E R D E R Y

FRUITS UNLIMITED

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ruits Unlimited is a leading grower, packer and exporter of fresh produce from South Africa.

Our integrated approach and desire to bring innovation to the sector means we consistently identify and commercialise pioneering varieties.

Our stone fruit season now runs for 9 months due to our extremely late Flavor Fall variety. Our expertise in managing intellectual property gave rise to The Custom Plum Company (www.cpcsouthafrica.co.za), which seeks to bring more varieties, like Flavor Fall, to South African growers, whilst ensuring fresh and exciting products reach the shelves of retailers globally.

T +27 21 860 1800 E jako@fruits.co.za

Projects are in place to develop a further 80 hectares of land over the next four to five years

In the 26 years since Gibson founded the farm, he has become the proud owner of six productions units situated in the Witzenberg Valley and Koue Bokkeveld. The farms continue to be developed to meet the highest industry standard and deliver 520 hectares (ha) of deciduous fruit, 150 ha of vegetable fields, 200 ha of grain and 70 ha of pastures.

Expanding its initial focus from a commercial farming operation, current projects are in place to develop a further 80 hectares of land over the next four to five years as Sterkwater is constantly looking for new areas in the market to expand into; subsequently creating produce which is becoming popular on a global scale.

Produce powered by passion

Passion for produce, and passion for people are at the heart of the Company, which is the fundamental reason why Sterkwater offers its staff the best possible training and

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www.fruits.co.za opportunities. Well-known for his philosophy to enrich all his employees by ensuring they are exposed to every possible opportunity, Gibson ensures that employees are enriched, empowered, and given the opportunity to learn new skills.

“Our philosophy, like with many other businesses, is simple; without people this business cannot continue to be,” he states. “We are working in close relationship with a local Government accredited training centre and continue to invest major funds every year to ensure that the skills of all people are developed.”

A misconception amongst many is that farm work can be unskilled, however with advances in modern agriculture this is far from the truth at Sterkwater. Each highly skilled farm worker repays the education given to them across several technical aspects of the profession with an unrivalled level of dedication to the craft and indeed to the Company.

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www.fruits.co.za

We currently have in excess of 140 systems operating throughout South Africa producing deciduous fruit, citrus and subtropical, as well as butternut and melons.

The Packhouse Dynamics employees have in excess of 100 years combined experience in the design and manufacture of fruit and vegetable packhouses.

Telephone: +27 21 535 2854 info@packhousedynamics.co.za www.packhousedynamics.co.za

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B O E R D E R Y

As such, Sterkwater has been able to expand its workforce significantly over the past 10 years, enabling the business to continue generating the best possible produce.

Continued growth

Sterkwater has been involved with several leaders in the field of new fruit cultivar development, and in particular, over the past eight years, has invested efforts and funds into the establishment of a number of new plum cultivars to expand its product range.

The business acquired a small farm close to Cape Town a few years ago and is now planning to establish a fruit

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This is an interesting and exciting new challenge for our production team and we look forward to adding this new fruit to our existing basket

(guavas) which it has never previously been involved with.

“This is an interesting and exciting new challenge for our production team and we look forward to adding this new fruit to our existing basket,” Gibson says.

Continued efforts to replace and expand its production units are also being made to ensure that the Company’s product range is still what is in demand both locally and internationally.

Gibson continues: “We are in the process of gaining the necessary requirements and skills and moving towards establishing ourselves as an exporter over the coming years

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Apples comprise one of six production units

Packaging products better and more efficiently

and could in the future rely less on agents to assist us with exporting our products.

“Our Sterkwater brand is already well established overseas and we are confident that the transition would not be of major concern.”

The idea of this is not to eliminate its marketing agents from the process, but instead to broaden their customer base worldwide, as Gibson adds: “We want to explore new areas where our fruit is currently not marketed. For the time being we rely heavily on our current exporting agents to keep a close eye on what new markets are becoming available and which markets should be avoided.”

Our Sterkwater brand is already well established overseas and we are confident that the transition would not be of major concern

With the great level of success that Sterkwater has already experienced, the future looks bright. Moving onwards, the Company has hopes to be in a position where it can grow as both a business with an increase in staff and production, and also across its facilities to be able to accommodate such internal expansion.

“We hope to be in a position where we as a business have not only grown in the volumes that will be marketed, but that we would have successfully developed our new packing facility to ensure that we can pack and distribute these products better and more efficiently,” Gibson concludes.

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EVOLV from the C

n a market that is constantly evolving, Fruitways stands apart from the rest with its core values of integrity, fairness, trust and respect. From humble beginnings in 1930, the Company now specialises in growing, packing and marketing apples and pears to retailers and wholesalers across the globe.

Since inception, Fruitways has found countless ways to grow with a particular focus on removing extra links in the marketing chain, in order to get closer to its customers, retailers and buyers of fruit.

“It was always about unlocking value, obviously as you go through the chain to stay competitive and stay abreast of the competition, you always have to be innovative. I think that’s really integral in terms of the business itself; innovation and looking for the next solution has always been part of the DNA of the business,” comments Stefan Conradie, Commercial Director of Fruitways.

Stefan Conradie, Commercial Director

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Innovative thinking and development is at the heart of Fruitways’ ethos, evolving from a family run enterprise to a Company very much driven by future successes Writer: Phoebe Calver Project Manager: Joshua Mann

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VING Core

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The first port of call for suppliers in the industry

Conradie adds: “I think that with craving knowledge, Alistair Moodie was the main driver of that and is the main shareholder today; he has always been the most curious with how to unlock the whole value chain and really to understand the value chain and what the customer really wants.”

Fruitways has matured from a family run business, to a Company which is in the corporate arena, with the key to its success being the ability to maintain a positive personal element, so that people feel the Company does care about

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...we like ‘doing difficult’; that’s what differentiates us... it’s really about having that culture of being solution driven and looking every day to improve

both its produce and customers. For this Company it isn’t about being a machine for shareholders to churn out money, it’s about being the first port of call for suppliers and customers in the industry.

“We’ve got an internal saying that we like ‘doing difficult’; that’s what differentiates us, we see it as a challenge not a problem and it’s really about having that culture of being solution driven and looking every day to improve. That’s really the ethos of the business and the culture that we would like to have throughout the business,” Conradie emphasises.

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Hein Keulder, CEO

Evolving

Innovative thinking is at the core of Fruitways’ Company ethos, and is a key attribute in the daily tussle to stay ahead of the competition. From this platform, the Company has gradually evolved through the production of a variety of products. Before reaching the point it is at today as apple and pear specialists, Fruitways dabbled in citrus, blueberries and wine grapes.

And despite achieving great levels of success in all of its ventures, the Company decided to specialise in order to be on top of its game in its primary chosen product markets.

It is really about how we present the product to the consumer so that they see it as a higher value product

Facilitating specialised operations

On the farms it’s about staying relevant in terms of the varieties that Fruitways provides. “Apples can be seen as a commodity, which I don’t think will change,” assures Conradie.

“It is really about how we present the product to the consumer so that they see it as a higher value product.”

Many of the core varieties will stay relevant for a long time, as advancements move a lot slower than in stone fruits and grapes; where new varieties will come along almost every two weeks. In apples it’s really about improving the existing strains, for example through improving the

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F R U I T W A Y S

colour, taste and planting them in the right areas so that you get the best possible product out to the consumer.

Fruitways takes its development process very seriously to this end, investing great lengths of time into creating a product that is fit for main line production.

“We’ve signed a deal on a variety that comes from the USA called Evercrisp, but that will only be fully commercialised probably about 10 years from now; to give you an idea of how long it takes to bring in a new variety that’s relevant, and that we think is good enough to really become mainline and to introduce to major supermarkets around the world,” explains Conradie.

Home grown talent

As a family run venture at its heart, Fruitways invests a lot of energy into developing homegrown, internally promoted talent. It is important to the Company to identify the talent that it has access to on the farms and to try and expose them to other opportunities available to them in the business; whether it’s in the packing or marketing strands of the business.

“We’ve got quite a few examples of own-grown talent that’s come

Alastair Moodie, Chairman

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PENINSULA PACKAGING Flexible film convertor

Established

in 1979 • BRC accredited • State of the art extrusion and printing technology • Specialise in Poly Ethylene printed and wicketed fruit bags • Specialist in BOPP flow wrap film • Specialist in Fresh Mesh Combo Bags – Potatoes/Onions/Citrus.

Cnr Bridge Rd & Proton Crescent, Stikland, Bellville, Cape Town

Email: Lvisser@penpak.co.za

The high levels of training handed to employees is imperative

Tel: 021-948-0717

through the business and now have become leaders in the business. So that’s definitely the focus; we don’t want to lessen our workforce but as the Company grows we need to become more efficient and productive,” adds Conradie.

A lot of time, effort and also money goes into skill development, which in turn supports another key facet of its continuous improvement drive from a technology perspective. With more complex and modern technologies on board, the levels of training handed to employees becomes equally imperative to align all aspects of the Fruitways growth trajectory.

“In the past 20 years, with technology in this industry really evolving, it’s been a challenge to make sure that our human workforce evolves with the demand of new technology. However, I think we’ve been quite successful in doing that and will continue to work towards cohesion between the two in the future,” concludes Conradie.

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ame S T E L L E N B O S C H

V I N E Y A R D S

A Role Model in

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Stellenbosch Vineyards is demonstrating an innovative approach to corporate winemaking in South Africa and beyond

Writer: Phoebe Calver | Project Manager: Joshua Mann

tellenbosch Vineyards is paving the way for Cooperative wine Cellars across South Africa having successfully completed its conversion from a production focus to more of a market-driven strategy.

Today, Stellenbosch Vineyards is a Public non-listed Company based in Stellenbosch, with its main hub located on the historic Welmoed Farm, representing the successful establishment of a merger between Stellenbosch-based producer organisation, Cooperative Cellars, and Vinfruco; the commercial wine arm of Capespan and one of the dominant fresh fruit exporters.

Having successfully made its strategic transition, Stellenbosch now serves as a role model for a number of Cooperative Cellars who wish to follow in its footsteps.

“Over time the Company has evolved and now functions in three easily identifiable divisions; the Stellenbosch Collection of Fine Wines, the

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Eduan Steynberg, Managing Director of Stellenbosch Vineyards

Commercial Western Cape based wines, as well as the Innovative products division with interesting fruit flavoured wines,” comments Eduan Steynberg, Managing Director of Stellenbosch Vineyards. “Its vast product offering allows the business to service all the customers in the wine segment.”

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During its progression, the Company’s most important strategy has been the drive towards building brands. In doing so Stellenbosch is forging strong relationships with consumers who can trust the business to deliver on its brand promise.

Steynberg continues: “Even though all wine businesses will highlight that they strive to over-deliver on quality at the price point of the wines, Stellenbosch Vineyards has been able to consistently deliver on that promise, not only winning gold medals on the top end wines, but also excelling at the best value awards.”

Innovation

Currently exporting to 39 countries, within this footprint the Company deals through market agents but also prides itself on holding a number of direct customer relationships with big international retailers.

“With the introduction of the divisional approach, the market focus changed and the Company now has a completely different approach towards

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competitor with a product offering that makes us the ideal one-stop shop for South African wine.”

Innovation is at the heart of the Company’s development and is the primary reason behind its success Stellenbosch Vineyards has during this period of transition. The a total of 220 shareholders, core activities of the business have with almost 80 percent of the focused on the commercial wine shares in the hands of less division, which targets the lower than 10 shareholders. With margin, high volume sector of the wine market. However, Stellenbosch has the exception of one, all the also recently introduced a further two Directors on the Board are divisions into its portfolio, with award shareholders and collectively winning wines remaining the ultimate hold more than 50 percent of goal of the Stellenbosch Collection and the shares in the Company. innovation being the key behind this success.

“South Africa has fallen into the trap hitting target markets,” Steynberg of being a cheap wine supplier to the explains. ”The overall volume moving world, selling bulk wine to customers into the traditionally strong European who add value into the market. This market forced us to look for new pressure forced us to move into higher customers in new and exciting places value wines and innovative products. like Russia, China, the USA, Scandinavia We believe these two divisions will and Africa. We are truly a global continue to grow as we build brands

Stellenbosch Vineyards

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and forge relationships with customers and consumers across the world,” says Steynberg.

A global competitor

The entrepreneurial nature of the Company has been a key facilitator in reaching its ambitions over the years, compounded by a solid product offering and consistent working structure which has culminated in plans to expand into the global domain over the next few years.

Steynberg explains: “We believe our single biggest competitive advantage is the infrastructure we have. We are small enough not to be a corporate and big enough not to be an estate.

We are entrepreneurial and have the ability to take and implement quick decisions, and we have now developed a profit offering that makes us a onestop shop for local and international customers.”

With its integrated production system on site, the Company can

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Quality Bottling Services (QBS), is a service driven business that specialises in the wine industry, and offer services which include, but are not limited to, blending and treating bulk wine for export, bottling and packaging of wine for local or export markets.

Quality BOTTLING Services

For more information, contact Walter Fleitmann Tel: +27 21 881 3676 / walter@qbs.co.za www.qualitybottlingservices.co.za

Producing, blending, bottling, storing and distributing wines from one place

produce, blend, bottle, store and distribute its wines from one place.

Stellenbosch then completes its offering by priding itself on the excellent customer service it provides; and with a record of more than 95 percent on-time and in full order execution performance, it is easy to see how Stellenbosch Vineyards is already such a success in South Africa. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our goal is to be the most admired South African wine business and we expect to be a lot closer to that in five years time. Respect is earned so we know it is going to take time. On a more measurable level we would like to double the turnover in the business whilst improving our operating profit margin by five percent.â&#x20AC;? concludes Steynberg.

For more information on Stellenbosch Vineyards please visit www.stellenboschvineyards.co.za

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ame V O D A C O M

L E S O T H O

20 YEAR TRANSFORMATION Vodacom Lesotho is celebrating two decades of growth in Lesotho across primary KPIs that include nationwide internet connection, financial inclusion, and customer care Writer: Matthew Staff | Project Manager: Donovan Smith

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arking 20 years of Vodacom operations in Lesotho, the past 12 months have signified some of the most significant progressions in the Company’s history as evidence of its never-waning strive for national enrichment.

With the previous years laying down a benchmark for consistently ambitious targets to be set, the business has always compared its success against key performance indicators bridging financial inclusion, internet saturation and customer care; and to achieve its goals in each of these areas, significant investments have had to be made.

“As we continue to invest in technologies to provide faster and reliable internet services, the need to

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Vodacom marks 20 years of operations in Lesotho

strengthen our transmission systems to keep up with growing customer demand becomes more urgent,” says Managing Executive- Commercial, Johnny Dos Santos in regard to the

most recent of enhancements. “In this line, a key project for us was to connect our high capacity sites to a fibre backbone in order to futureproof our transmission needs.

“We identified the state power utility provider as a key partner and entered into a capacity purchase agreement to make use of their fibre infrastructure; and in so doing, provide them with a revenue stream to continue to build their fibre infrastructure throughout the Kingdom.”

A win-win for both parties, it is nationally pivotal relationships and enrichment strategies such as these that have set the tone for triumphs which most

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REACHING NEW HEIGHTS

TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY AND SECURIT Y SOLUTIONS ESE LIGHTNING PROTECTION OIL & GAS PRODUCTS AND SERVICES CONSTRUCTION SERVICES MARINE ENGINEERING PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES

We provide professional engineering products and services to the telecommunications, oil & gas and transportation industries as well as to others. Our international team is truly versatile and focused on ensuring the delivery of outstanding results to our clients.

SOUTH AFRICA 37 Mopedi Road,Sebenza

+ 27 11 452 5009

Edenglen, 1601

info@tvstelecom.com

www.tvstelecom.com

V O D A C O M

L E S O T H O

recently include 30 percent connection of its base stations to this fibre network, as well as the rolling out of metropolitan fibre through the Maseru CBD for Government and large enterprise fixed voice and data service needs.

“We have further invested in our 4G network and now have 70 4G base stations throughout the Kingdom,” Dos Santos continues. “And, in supporting the growth and strategic importance of m-pesa, we have also kicked off our largest ever mobile money project to move services to an upgraded m-pesa platform; a project which will be completed by mid-2017.”

Number one

To facilitate the ongoing rise to prominence of Vodacom Lesotho, the Company will be moving into new premises in early 2017, having commissioned the construction of its own office complex; a landmark

Vodacom marks 20 years of operations in Lesotho

State-of-the-art data centre which not only provides Vodacom business but also acts as solution for architects and other companies by housing their technology infrastructure

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moment which is set to kick-start an equally pivotal array of improvements instilled across the company over the next year.

“We are really looking forward to moving into our new home next year, especially as we renewed our operating license for a further 20 years and so we really need a home that will accommodate our growth for the future,” Dos Santos says. “We set out aggressive financial, technological and operational targets which we successfully executed and delivered against, and we grew revenue 20 percent year-on-year for the first time in our history; delivering more than R1 billion in revenue.

“We also grew our market share and now have more than 80 percent of Basotho connected to our network. In line with our desire to connect Basotho to the power of the internet, we rolled out 3G services everywhere that 2G was available, and further rolled out 4G services to more areas throughout

T

VS has been a supplier of products and services to Vodacom Lesotho (VCL) since 2008 when it was awarded the contract to implement a point-to-multipoint wireless network based on WiMAX 16D technology. Base-station sites were installed across all regions in Lesotho, in a countrywide project, to provide internet services to VCL’s corporate clients.

Although the WiMAX network is still in use, servicing many customers, it is currently being upgraded to a higher capacity pointto-multipoint start system technology from RADWIN. Using the RADWIN 5000 base station units, with capacities of 250Mbps, TVS is currently deploying base stations in eight locations and approximately 100 CPEs. Going forward VCL looks to further deploy the latest RADWIN 5000 JET in Maseru for more extensive coverage. The JET is a disruptive point-to-multipoint solution that incorporates a smart beam-forming antenna and advanced air interface, which cancels radio interference and enables operation in heavily congested conditions, to provide extra capacity.

TVS also provides VCL with Prevectron lightning protection equipment, the latest generation smart lightning protection from Indelec, France. With a high frequency of lightning strikes in mountainous Lesotho, VCL constantly suffered lightning damage to their towers and equipment. As part of its solutions portfolio, TVS recently resolved these issues by introducing Prevectron. The unit utilises Early Streamer Emissions (ESE) technology, allowing it to pre-empt the strike by detecting the ionisation levels in the air and sending an upwards leader, prior to the strike, thereby collecting and then earthing it.

Each unit also provides a protection radius of

between 20 and 79 metres at protection level 1, depending on the unit’s size. In VCL’s case, the unit also protects all equipment shelter adjacent to the tower.

The Prevectron units were tested for a twoyear period on Maseru Hill’s highest and most frequently hit tower, and although the tower was repeatedly hit by lightning strikes, the equipment suffered no damage. The system’s success has resulted in its deployment in all of VCL’s high sites. Lightning strikes are counted with a strike counter, which verifies the unit’s effectiveness.

In addition to other solutions currently in VCL’s pipeline, is a demarcation technology to enhance VCL’s network. These demarcation units ensure QoS and assist in network dimensioning (identifying areas of congestion) and fault finding. This is achieved by monitoring Layer 2 and 3 parameters in both directions. The units are introduced in-line through RJ45 connectors between the cable-end and the socket, or in the same way as an SFP. TVS constantly strives to provide VCL with the latest and most applicable solutions, and works closely with VCL’s technical team to implement every project efficiently and successfully. In addition to the work provided to Vodacom Lesotho, TVS operates across Africa through their telecommunications, fuel management and construction divisions.

T + 27 11 452 5009 E info@tvstelecom.com www.tvstelecom.com

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ecause we make it so easy to transfer money, Mukuru is quickly becoming Africa’s money transfer operator of choice.

Over the past 10 years, we have been breaking down the barriers by leveraging the latest mobile technologies and working with local businesses such as banks, retailers and mobile wallet providers to bring money transfers closer to the people who need it most.

We enable instant cash-to-cash transfers, bank account top ups and mobile wallet loads across 8 African countries and our reach is continually expanding. We also have an online presence in the United Kingdom and European Union.

Graduate programme trainees 2016

the Kingdom. Our M-pesa service also continues to grow and we are most proud of its performance.”

Now comprising as many as 218 permanent staff, 150 outsourced employees, 1.35 million subscribers and a number one positioning in the industry, the Company might be forgiven for resting on its laurels, but its new premises, extensive investments into new technological infrastructures, and a move to a centralised ERP system is an indication of the continuous improvement that the business still strives for.

Philanthropic programmes

The investments don’t end from a technical or infrastructural perspective either, with more than R1.5 million spent across training and development programmes in order to generate the most specialised and knowledgeable workforce in the industry.

Subsequently encouraging new assignments, new roles and new initiatives across many members of staff, this has been backed up by a strong relationship with the National University of Lesotho (NUL) where a mutually beneficial partnership has

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But to really understand us, you need to know the “why” behind all we do. Every one of our customers has a story.

Whether they are sending money for school fees, hospital bills, rent or groceries, we are passionate about making that story end well.

The opportunity to enrich the lives of Africa’s people by helping family, friends and loved ones stay connected motivates us to improve, to do more and to reach further.

formed; the Company providing this facility and many of the surrounding areas with top class communication and technology solutions, while consequently becoming an employer of choice for the best talent graduating from the institution, with the aim to spread this to other local institutions of higher learning.

“We have also provided an online learning service for NUL where approved content is uploaded by the university and students can access it from anywhere for free,” Dos Santos adds. “With our newly formed partnership with Learning Equality and Khan Academy we are also set to leverage mobile technology to

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To us a remittance is more than money.

It represents the love, care and hard work of the sender and is often a lifeline or an opportunity for the recipient.

Our work with Vodacom Lesotho is a wonderful example of this. Our partnership allows anyone in Lesotho to instantly receive money directly into their M-Pesa account wherever they are.

It is partnerships like these that change lives.

T +27 86 001 8555 E support@mukuru.com

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loudburst is a company built on a foundation of passion, knowledge and expertise, where the culmination of years of experience in the telecommunication industry has resulted in a successful and wellrounded product range and supplier profile.

We as a company have grown to an extent were we have accumulated experience not only in the field of telecoms but in a wide range of technologies, commodity trading, provisional product sourcing, client matching, distribution and investment opportunities.

Cloudburst is the partner of choice for global brands expansion into Africa.

www.cloudburstinvest.com Corporate social responsibility comprises a primary facet of Vodacom Lesotho

provide free access to world-class online learning materials for Basotho.

In November, 2016, Vodacom Lesotho Foundation will launch one of the largest philanthropic programmes in the Vodafone Foundation’s 25-year history, The Instant School.”

“With the ability of connecting every Mosotho to dynamic educational resources and to the broader online world, Instant School represents a significant expansion of the Vodafone Foundation’s ongoing mission to use digital and mobile technologies to bring critical educational resources to the people who need them most.

We believe that this non-commercial approach that links to the outside world will present life-enhancing opportunities to learn and gain new skills.”

Corporate social responsibility comprises a primary facet of Vodacom Lesotho’s overall influence in the country, having helped hugely across areas of psychosocial support, HIV/

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Our ambition is to incubate more than 30 Basotho entrepreneurs a year that will translate to direct employment creation

AIDS, gender equality, business development and employment creation over the years; again with the Vodafone Foundation’s patronage in each case.

“Our ambition is to incubate more than 30 Basotho entrepreneurs a year that will translate to direct employment creation and putting the power of technology in improving service delivery, and opening trade opportunities for individual tradesmen and small business,” Dos Santos details. “Beyond investing in Basotho, we remain committed to enabling a healthy generation of future leaders through project Moyo.

“Also known as Project Leseli, the Moyo Campaign is our initiative driven by the Vodafone Foundation that is investing in developing a text to treatment programme that will put HIV positive children and pregnant women in Lesotho on lifesaving treatment, hence improving maternal health outcomes for Basotho.”

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Within the Southern African Development Community, Cloudburst has commodity supply entities of all feed grade materials including feed additives.

Partnership; Execution; Support; Integrity.

Distributers of various mobile device brands in Africa.

Cloudburst is the partner of choice for global brands expansion into Africa.

www.cloudburstinvest.com

Cloudburst is a company built on a foundation of passion, knowledge and expertise, where the culmination of years of experience in the telecommunication industry has resulted in a successful and wellrounded product range and supplier profile.

Our customer categories include: Network Operators, mass retail, chain retail and independent specialists.

www.cloudburstinvest.com

Vodacomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to read the demands of a nation is largely responsible for its success in Africa

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Vodacom’s services are tailored to drive success in any business

Customer first

The ability to understand the demands and needs of a nation is largely responsible for Vodacom’s success across Africa as a whole over the decades, and as competition increases in Lesotho, this ethos is certainly as relevant today as it has ever been.

Consequently, products and services are tailored to drive the success of any business, corporation or individual; quickly and flexibly.

“We are in an increasingly competitive market and industry, and our customers are looking for products and services that meet their needs, that are differentiated by best-in-class customer experience initiatives,” Dos Santos emphasises. “We are continuing to invest in our systems, but our success will lie in addressing customer needs and experience expectations in the future.

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We are continuing to invest in our systems, but our success will lie in addressing customer needs

“We are moving as a Company to design our products and support around the needs of our customers.

It will be this understanding of our customers and enhanced support for them that will differentiate us as the best in customer experience.”

In adherence of this dynamic, the Company has embarked on its CARE programme aimed at transforming the manner in which customers are supported, by empowering front line staff to quickly resolve issues while giving customers the tools to control their own spend and usage within bespoke designed packages.

“We believe that the ability to treat a customer as an individual, and not just as a number, whilst enhancing the support they receive through all our touch points will be a game changer that continues to build on customer

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The Vodacom team came second in the Lesotho Sky Ride race

Customers are at the core of Vodacom

loyalty and stickiness to our services,” Dos Santos continues before applying this philosophy to the Company’s overall goals moving forward.

“I think that it revolves around three key areas. Firstly, have we been able to connect more Basotho to the internet in order to improve their lives?

“Secondly, have we empowered financial inclusion and have we changed the face of mobile money and been able to provide savings and loans products that serve real needs in the market and change people’s lives for the better?

“And finally, have we transformed the Company to have our customers be at the core of everything we do? Have we moved from a being a technology company to a customer orientated services Company that puts the customer first and shows that we ‘CARE’?”

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IBM is an undisputed global leader across its cloud computing operations, and is leveraging this status to enrich the last, big emerging market of the current economic era Writer: Matthew Staff Project Manager: Donovan Smith

he IBM story in Africa is one that comprises almost 100 yearly chapters, representing a century of technological evolution, international migration and social enrichment that the worldleading cloud platform and cognitive solutions entity has driven as part of its global strategy.

With decades of concerted investments across industries and geographical markets, coupled with a relentless focus on technology innovation, corporate citizenship, the mobile evolution, and more recent trends across cloud, analytics, big data and the Internet of Things, the IBM brand is clearly a leading global technology brand, recognised as the most patented Company in the industry.

IBM is certainly a leading player in global technology Research and Development, with two-thirds of its research work now devoted to data, analytics and cognitive computing.

The company reportedly generates 500 analytics patents each year, now totalling 4,000 analytics patents.

In Africa, the journey began in 1921 upon the usage of its predecessor’s tabulating equipment in South Africa’s census. Over the decades, the inception of IBM employees and eventually offices - the first being in Dakar, Senegal in 1947 before South Africa opened its doors five years later - kick-started a relatively rapid sprawl across the continent.

Breaching East Africa in 1959, Ghana and Nigeria in the early ‘60s, and introducing its first education centre on African soil at Nigeria’s University of Ibadan in 1963, the precedent for tech development had been set.

As the decades have passed, IBM’s role in Africa - and indeed the wider world - have been epitomised by a refusal to rest on its laurels, and following numerous product unveilings, strategic partnerships and

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nationally significant breakthroughs, the Group is still number one.

“IBM has announced that it has once again topped the list of annual US patent recipients, receiving 7,355 patents in 2015, marking the 23rd consecutive year of leadership,” a recent news story broke. “IBM’s 2015 patent results represent a diverse range of inventions as well as a strong and growing focus on cognitive solutions and the cloud platform as the Company positions itself for leadership in a new era of computing.”

And arguably nowhere else on the planet benefits from this new era more so than in Africa.

The Company statement continues: “Across Africa, IBM is working with our clients and partners to put in place the systems, infrastructures and processes to underpin the continent’s economic and social transformation.

“Africa-grown innovation is key to the continent’s future development and is dependent on close collaboration between local experts and global innovation leaders like IBM.”

CarlosDos Santos

IBM Central Africa Manager

The next wave of services transformation

For IBM’s corporate and operational activities in the West and Central Africa region, global innovation and future development from a tech point of view largely revolves around business enrichment and the ever growing reliance on the cloud. While new systems of engagement like social and mobile technology are changing how individuals are understood and engaged, cloud technology is transforming business processes and IT into digital services, giving rise to new business models.

Commenting recently on the growing need for cloud infrastructure and service across Africa, Babatunde Afolayan, Senior Research Analyst at IDC West Africa says: “Recent and ongoing cloud developments are

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Dipo Faulkner

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Takreem El-Tohamy

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bound to aid the growth of innovation and small-and-medium sized enterprises locally, fuelling a renewed appetite for advanced technology solutions and services by companies and public sector institutions across Africa.”

According to IDC, 85 percent of new software is built for cloud today. IBM Cloud Unit Leader for Central West Africa, Yusuf Assenjee shares his own view on cloud computing and IBM’s stronghold in the domain: “Cloud computing is arguably the single largest cause of disruption in the global technology world but its true value for the African continent has yet to be fully defined. With adoption rates varying widely across the region, how can the cloud – and the innovations which it powers – help Africa’s economies and communities reach their full potential? And what impediments or opportunities will Africa’s leaders face along the way?

“With specific reference to our cloud offering, IBM Cloud delivers fast, easy and automated access to public, private and hybrid cloud services to help clients digitally transform.

So today, IBM Cloud is a growing collection of services including analytics, mobile, networking, storage, Internet of Things and cognitive computing.

The Company’s capability has been recognised by the leading independent technology research firm, Frost & Sullivan, who gave IBM the 2016 Cloud Company of the Year Award in 2016.

Assenjee continues: “IBM consistently brings new capabilities to the market and our strategy pivots around five principles: DevOps productivity; hybrid integration; powerful, accessible data and analytics; cognitive solutions; and choice with consistency. Those are the areas where we are investing to help our customers succeed in the cloud space.”

Catering for the needs of the casual

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A closer look at a personal weather station

user, the leading enterprise, and everything in between, IBM’s analytics strategy is the most comprehensive in the industry, with its cloud platform the most powerful and mature in the market to compound its status.

And with the ever-changing need for businesses and governments to innovate and stay ahead of the curve, the reliance on having a cloud platform to facilitate that necessity becomes equally critical.

“No one can do it on their own nowadays though - the world has become too complex - so IBM can help organisations in trying their ideas on our cloud platform,” Assenjee says.

“We can help them build new products and solutions that they can test in the market, and we can help give shape to their bold ideas and transform these

Africa-grown innovation is key to the continent’s future development and is dependent on close collaboration between local experts and global innovation leaders like IBM.

Olli, the first self-driving vehicle to integrate the advanced cognitive

ideas and initiatives into a bankable concept or commercially viable product in a very short period of time.”

While the overall transformation on the continent may still be in its infancy, the pendulum is certainly swinging, and IBM is definitely giving the sector a push in the right direction.

“This is a very exciting journey and we want to be an integral part of it,” Assenjee states.

Nigeria and Central Africa

Analysing a Company like IBM’s allencompassing global or continental successes is one thing, but the ability to analyse more localised trends, requirements and achievements is a whole different proposition.

To this end, we spoke with Dipo Faulkner, Country General Manager for Nigeria, and Carlos Dos Santos, Territory Manager for IBM Central Africa about what they perceive to be the key trends, challenges and forecasts for the Company in their jurisdictions.

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SOLUTIONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PROVIDER OF CHOICE.

At the core of our operations is the design and deployment of simplified solutions with very short learning curves that helps to empower the IT team to make their work more productive. With I.T. running efficiently, uptimes are maximized leading to faster turn-around times for customers of our clients.

NETAPP STORAGE & DATA MANAGEMENT

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

New era applications such as analytics and the shift in computing to smart devices such as mobiles, tablets and pads are driving huge growth in data volumes, making data the new natural resource.

IBM Cognos Analytics introduces smarter selfservice for interpreting a user’s intent and guiding one in efficiently working with data and creating insights for stunning presentation.

VIRTUALIZATION

DATABASE

Built on VMware vSphere, the industry’s most advanced virtualization platform, we enable solutions from the desktop to the datacenter, utilizing existing IT investments.

IBM DB2 is a next generation data platform for transactional and analytical operations. It provides continuous availability of data to keep transactional workloads and analytics operating at maximum efficiency.

HYPERCONVERGENCE Nutanix delivers invisible infrastructure for next-generation enterprise computing by natively converging compute, storage and virtualization into a turnkey hyperconverged solution.

Fortinet delivers the most innovative and highest performing Next Generation Network Security platforms to protect against sophisticated Cyber Threats.

Fortinet is a leading global provider of network security appliances available in both hardware and virtualized form factors to fit unique requirements of Carriers, Data Centers, Enterprises and Distributed offices.

REAL-TIME CONTINUOUS BACKUP

REMOTE ACCESS

A solution that can make any remote location perform like a local one for network, storage, and other services. Riverbed SteelHead is the industry’s #1 Optimization solution for accelerated delivery of all applications across the hybrid enterprise.

NET WORK AND APPLICATION SECURITY

Double-Take Availability provides complete data protection and enables instant recovery from any server outage. Double-Take Availability also provides total workload mobility, resource optimization and consolidation across computing platforms.

Instantly and conveniently access reports and data that are important to business executives on smart devices such as tablets, iPads and mobile phones.

WIDE AREA NET WORK OPTIMIZATION

MOBILE DEVICE MANAGEMENT

BUSINESS PROCESS AUTOMATION (BPA) Transforming manual, paper-based processes into electronic, automated processes to enable organizations to effortlessly monitor, measure and improve back office business outcomes.

AirWatch by VMware simplifies mobility for organizations, while empowering end users.

Tel: +233 387 031 918 / +233 303 317 555 Email: info@entcomputing.com www.entcomputing.com

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Africa Outlook (AfO): Can each of you firstly talk me through your key selling points in Nigeria and Central Africa, and how this differs - if at all - to the wider IBM remit?

Dipo Faulkner (DF): We’ve been established as a fully-fledged branch in Nigeria as the West African office since 2009. We are interested in helping with the transformation of Nigeria using innovative technology solutions, so we pride ourselves in being an innovative technology Company. Our primary business landscape is still dominated by our systems business but we’ll noticing a gradual shift towards more solutions-based offerings within the cloud and within analytics and security, mobile, social and the rest of it moving forward.

Carlos Dos Santos (CDS): Several years ago IBM decided to create the IBM Central Africa team, to help drive and expand IBM business within the region. The key focus for the team is to help grow the partner (channel) community; by helping them to be skilled and have the ability to service our customers. The key industries that we focus on in this region of Africa are the financial services sector, telecommunications and Government / Public Sector entities.

Our investment in technology, research and development – as much as $6 billion annually - differentiates us from the competition, while in Africa; we are surrounded by IBM’s technology research labs in Nairobi and Johannesburg, industry centres of excellence and client and IT Ecosystem support centres.

IBM’s KidSmart early learning programmes

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Members of Team CogniBank at IBM CogniHack Lagos 2016

AfO: What are your thoughts on the way businesses and governments are utilising technology to resolve business and service delivery issues, and what is the most desired product mix to this end?

DF: Nigeria is a dynamic and fast growing economy, with very savvy and discerning enterprise customers.

So this poses its own challenges and opportunities. The most sought after solutions in the market right now would be solutions around big data and solutions around analytics itself; a great concern for enterprise clients is how to extract or generate customer perspectives and predictive insight for decision taking and long term planning

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and business coordination.

CDS: I think businesses and governments in the fast growing economies across Africa are starting to understand what IT can do for them and how it can help them deliver effective, efficient services to their clients. For instance, they now better understand that with mobile-based and digital technology they can now reach a wider audience and service bigger markets. Technology has also helped to make the economies of Central Africa and the SADC zone more open and exposed to global trends and vice versa. This marriage of local issues and global thinking will be accelerated by technology in 2017 and beyond.

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NTERPRISE COMPUTING LIMITED (ECL) was founded in 2006 and attained early success by providing financial institutions with real-time backup solutions for critical applications, thereby significantly increasing uptime for key applications such as core-banking, database and email applications.

As organisations progressively researched ways of reducing cost, ECL started deploying VMware, the leading virtualisation solution which has helped organisations reduce server acquisition and management costs by up to 70%.

ECL’s success in helping clients increase operational efficiencies whiles at the same time significantly reducing cost has assisted to cement ECL’s reputation as the solution’s provider of choice.

ECL takes delight in partnering with clients to understand their business needs and pain points so as to provide accurate solutions and support that are designed to meet client’s needs.

OBJECTIVE: To remove the complexity surrounding I.T. to enable our clients become more agile through technology.

MISSION: To work with best-in-class partners and technology to provide simple but robust valued added solutions to our customers.

VISION: To be a trusted ICT solutions adviser to our customers whiles delivering best customer experience.

Over the years, ECL has formed an alliance with leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) to provide excellent solutions, which gives clients a vast advantage over the competition.

With a team of passionate, well-trained and certified engineers the Company designs, implements and provides enthusiastic postimplementation support for a vast array of solutions from IBM, NetApp, EMC2, RedHat, VMware, Lenovo, Fortinet, Microsoft, Vision Solutions, HP, Jacarta, QNAP, Commvault, Riverbed, Nutanix and many other leading OEMs.

T +233 387 031 918 / +233 284 679 973 E info@entcomputing.com www.entcomputing.com

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AfO: Finally, what would you say differentiates IBM from other market competitors?

DF: I think a few key things. One is we are one of the few truly global organisations in Nigeria. The branch is not a franchise; it is fully integrated into the big IBM world. We provide a wider breadth of solutions and service offerings in the local market and we are probably the most innovative as well.

My ambition now is to meet and surpass our customer needs; to support emerging indigenous industries with IBM technology and to be the recognised leader within the industry.

IBM will also continue to support the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic development blueprint. The Nigerian economy is going through a very rough period right now. Certainly, policy and macroeconomic developments in the next 12 to 18 months will define the fortune and future of the business environment for the next couple of years.

CDS: Our main differentiator comes from being part of the IBM brand which has a trust value which people believe in, in terms of what we sell and deliver.

The organisation is truly ambidextrous, tried and tested and with our culture of integrity, ethics and doing the right things we make it easier for clients to understand our offerings and how we can benefit them.

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IBM is partnering with key academic institutions

The future of Africa

IBMers mentoring children at the IBM Nigeria Client and Innovation Centre

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With a direct presence in 24 African countries at present, the ability to ingrain itself into the fabric of such a diverse and enigmatic continent is no mean feat.

The secret behind it may well be the ability to not only bring industry leading solutions into the fold but to also address some of the key peripheral challenges faced by the continent through an extensive corporate social responsibility ethos.

For IBM, this element is more than catered for via millions of dollars of investment into bridging skills

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Young software developers, with IBM tutors at IBM CogniHack Lagos 2016

gaps, partnering with key academic institutions and in its commitment to enterprise development.

“Through long-standing commercial partnerships as well as new ventures, IBM is assisting African businesses in key industries including telecommunications, banking, healthcare and government with their digital transformation, and their shift to cloud in the cognitive era,” says Craig Holmes, Vice President, IBM Cognitive Solutions, Middle East & Africa.

Africa is certainly moving to the centre of global attention as the last big emerging market of the current economic era, and IBM is making a long-term, strategic investment in the future of Africa. IBM executives across Africa believe there is a significant market opportunity being driven by an emerging middle-class, rapid urbanisation and increased demand for such key services as healthcare, government, banking and communications.

Underscoring IBM’s growing influence in Africa, IBM General Manager for Middle East and Africa,

The organisation is truly ambidextrous, tried and tested and with our culture of integrity, ethics and doing the right things

Takreem El Tohamy, was one of 23 leaders recently appointed to US President, Barack Obama’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa.

“I’m honoured to represent IBM on the President’s Advisory Council,” says El Tohamy. “IBM has long recognised Africa’s potential, and we’ve been partnering with local organisations on the continent for almost a century.

In recent years in particular, we’ve seen how local governments and organisations have been able to leapfrog in technology adoption by embracing the latest innovations such as cognitive systems, cloud computing, data analytics and mobile technology.”

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Schneider Electricâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s influence across the SADC region has successfully infiltrated numerous industrial and energy domains over the years, but its more recent data centre efforts emphasise a more innovative facet of its operations Writer: Matthew Staff | Project Manager: Donovan Smith

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ased on Schneider Electric’s motto of ‘Life is On’ and its belief that access to energy is a basic human right, the organisation continues to diversify and migrate across sectors in order to diffuse its innovative solutions across as wide a spectrum as possible.

As the global specialist in energy management and automation, Schneider Electric creates connected technologies that will reshape industries, transform cities and enrich lives.

Catering for all nations within the SADC region - from Angola, Malawi and Zambia all the way down to South Africa - its four pillars present in the current day set the tone for sustainable services, forward-thinking solutions and wider community enrichment; all with this common goal of energy accessibility in mind.

Often, these forays into new domains have been facilitated by strategic acquisitions to compound its successful organic growth, and this has certainly been the case in regards to its recent data centre drive; an area at the peak of development in Africa at the moment, crying out for a Company like Schneider Electric to apply its technical expertise.

Bruce Grobler, Vice President of the ITB arm

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stablished in 2014, HitechGregfor Infrastructure is a turnkey data centre solutions and services provider. A division within the Hitech-Gregfor (Pty) Ltd Group, a leader within the South African cut sheet metal manufacturing and laser cutting industry for more than 20 years, the Company focuses on the provision of data centre infrastructure, communication cabling and managed services.

Since opening its doors in 1992, our offerings have evolved and grown beyond the initial production of manufacturing steel products, such as 19-inch enclosures, battery racks and small electronic enclosures.

The Company was able to bring a new dimension to the APC structure

“As part of our IT infrastructure business, our role in traditional date centres was enhanced via an acquisition of American Power Corporation (APC) which subsequently formed Schneider Electric IT Business Unit, enabling our penetration into the infrastructure markets,” explains the Company’s Vice President of the IT Business, Bruce Grobler.

“APC by Schneider Electric is divided into three main segments; distribution which looks after traditional singlephase backup power, home and network facilities, and office backup power. Then there is secure power, where we go to sectors such as mining and water and provide secure power for critical applications. And finally, we have the traditional date centre and IT infrastructure business.”

As a clear market leader in the market, APC’s existing offering prior to the Schneider Electric acquisition

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was blessed with differentiators and unrivalled value, leaving the latter in an odd - yet comforting - position where it could both leverage the existing model, while using it as a platform to introduce its own expertise to add further value to the offering.

Through the secure power strand of Schneider Electric, the business was able to bring a new dimension to the APC structure, ultimately forming a best of both worlds where each business’ expertise, specialised business partners and reputation could flourish under one banner.

“Our data centre and secure power business is growing astronomically and it’s now a case of trying to rebrand ourselves in terms of retail to capitalise on APC’s role as market leader and to revolutionise ourselves from a brand awareness perspective in order to be strong in this space for a very long time,” Grobler emphasises.

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The company currently comprises of three business units: the HitechGregfor manufacturing arm; Intelcab, which manufactures portable facilities cabinets, isle containment solutions and IT “data centre in a container” solutions; and Hitech-Gregfor Infrastructure.

The recent founding of Hitech-Gregfor Infrastructure rounds out an endto-end data centre offering; from manufacturing, through design and deployment, to servicing. Our key strategy is to foster strong client relationships and provide exceptional direct service flows through to its Infrastructure business unit, where senior management takes a hands-on, personal approach with customers, taking ownership and accountability of every project.

T +27 10 001 7344 F +27 11 794 1836 E info@hightechindustrial.co.za

www.yourwebsiteurlgoeshere.com

Your trusted technology & service provider

Contact number: +27 10 001 7344 Facsimile: +27 11 794 1836 Email: info@hitechindustrial.co.za

Hitech-Gregfor is a leader in the South African Sheet Metal Manufacturing, Data Centre Integration and ITC industries.

As a holistic, cradle-to-grave operation, we have combined pre-eminent resources to engage the best technology and services available, to satisfy our customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s requirements for turn-key solutions. Making us the ultimate one-stop shop, and enabling us to gratify projects of all sizes. With a track record and reputation that speaks for itself.

Address: 12 Jackson Road, Farmall â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mostyn Park, Kyasands

www.hitechgregfor.co.za

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opalcor (Pty) Ltd is South Africa’s largest manufacturer of copper, brass and alloy-based, semifinished products and turnkey busbar solutions. Established in Johannesburg in 1948, the Company has undergone various name changes from McKechnie Brothers, Brass Extruders (BESA) and Copalcor Rolled Metals (CRM) to the current Copalcor Group, with branches in four major cities.

Copalcor offers value-added solutions incorporating a wide range of our rolled, extruded and forged nonferrous metal products for the local and international market.

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www.copalcor.co.za Schneider makes up for expertise-based shortfalls through methodical acquisitions

Adding value

This most recent pillar epitomises the evolution of Schneider Electric over the years, in establishing a stronghold in a certain industry segment, optimising the knowledge already established within the business, and making up for any shortfalls in the expertise-base through methodical acquisitions.

Its traditional partner pillar kickstarted this ethos in catering for the typical distributor, equipment and contractor space via its energy management solutions.

“So this included the panel builders, distributors, contractors, overloads and traditional switchgear equipment that we are specifically known for,” Grobler picks up. “The channels there are traditional distributors, electrical distributors, wholesalers, our electricians, our panel builders and those kinds of avenues.

“The next pillar is our industrial market, looking after various segments such as mining, water, and food and

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Our data centre and secure power business is growing astronomically for us and it’s really now a case of trying to rebrand ourselves

beverage; providing system integrators, industrial integrators and turnkey projects into these various segments.

“The third pillar is our traditional energy market, and that’s what we deem as our energy distribution segment. We don’t do the transmission of energy, but we do distribution, and that includes transformers, medium voltage switchgear and very much the distribution to power grids and smart grids across Southern Africa.”

As showcased by the APC acquisition, Schneider Electric’s success across each pillar has derived from not only its reputation within the wider industry, but its consequential ability to leverage this reputation to complete some of the most significant acquisitions in each respective sector.

From a partner project perspective, this has included the acquisition of a local panel making facility in South Africa to facilitate customised electrical panels three years ago. On an industrial scale, the same method

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was applied in acquiring multiple companies to enhance its standing in the market; resultantly being able to integrate a hybrid DCS system to boast a platform up there with any others in the surrounding sector.

Energy-wise, the acquisition of Ariva has proved to be one of the business’ key investments of recent years from a distribution point of view, to add a further element of vertical integration to its manufacturing function.

Grobler continues: “What Schneider Electric does very well is not only bring in a company, but then adds value to that company. For instance, on the IT side, we were very much industrial but we were missing a key aspect of our world in terms of the IT infrastructure.

“Schneider Electric really wanted to get into that space and APC is the market leader in being able to create not just the backbone of a data centre but the entire infrastructure to build around that too. So that’s really how this final pillar came to be, and Schneider Electric thought that would be a massive opportunity for us to grow in that world.”

New headquarters

Market maturity

Rather than simply taking on the best in the business and thriving under that guise, Schneider Electric has proven itself equally adept at reinventing each of its pillars over the years in reaction to various industry trends and consumer requirements.

Enhancing skill-sets is a key facet

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It’s a very mature market and I’m seeing South African institutions not wanting to build their own data centres, rather taking the prospect to a traditional colocation company

From a technological perspective, this inevitably takes on added dimensions thanks to the everchanging nature of the industry, and the Company has subsequently had to revolutionise its offering and bundles to ensure that its portfolio adds sustainable, long-term value, rather than simply addressing the status quo.

However, the main challenge derives not from sector trends, but the levels of maturity across the Company’s geographical footprint, as Grobler details: “You get South Africa which is one of the major BRICS and then you get the other SADC countries like Angola or Mozambique or Zambia who might be lagging slightly behind.

“So in regards to trends in South Africa, it’s a very mature market and I’m seeing South African institutions not wanting to build their own data

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time via the expertise that companies like Schneider Electric can offer.

Conversely, in the rest of Southern Africa, companies are still looking to carry their own burden - or flagship data centre, depending on the outlook - which in turn calls for heightened levels of education and support which can only be offered up by a business of Schneider Electric’s knowledge base.

“What we’re doing now is certifying and training our partners so they become an extension of me into Africa,” Grobler notes. “So we make sure that we train partners that are local to be able to give that support in the country.

“I am also opening up a training academy, which is very difficult normally for companies like us, which will train people across basic fault finding, partnership building,

centres, rather taking the prospect to a traditional colocation (colo) company and saying ‘you host it for me, I don’t want to hire people, all I want to do is hire space from you’.”

Global internet heavyweights are therefore coming into the country via a hosting partner, while players in peripheral industries such as telecoms are being presented the opportunity to branch out into new domains of the first

Our key differentiator has always been ‘access to energy for everyone’

engineering certifications and technical aspects; it will be in South Africa, for Africa.”

Energy for everyone

Empowering individuals and enhancing skill-sets is one key facet of the Company’s corporate social responsibility plan too, with a skills gap still evident across some areas of Schneider’s jurisdiction.

However, its primary ambitions remain intertwined in its strive towards energy accessibility, and its BIPBOP initiative to create electrification for Africa forms a pivotal part of this drive at present.

“We went to a village in Durban with plastic lights that you can charge and put into your housing, and we pretty much installed all of these in the houses, as well as a central battery charging facility,” Grobler explains.

Other insertions include solar street lamps and water purification plants as part of its BIPBOP scheme, and this is compounded by further charitable works that embrace areas of education and practical application, to bring its CSR efforts full circle back to its core operations.

“Our business aspirations are not just about continuing to be the market leader in transactional business, but are about launching ourselves into becoming smarter,” Grobler states.

“We need to make sure that even though we’re the market leaders now, we continue to keep growing with the trends and revolutionising the business. We will continue to provide solutions to existing customers of the business while striving to position and maintain ourselves as industry leaders.

“Overall, our key differentiator has always been access to energy for everyone; from people in Africa to industrial corporations, there needs to be access to energy. And this will continue to be the key driver of everything that Schneider Electric does moving forward.”

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Innovation, Quality and Customer Care Celebrating 40 years in the industry, Zenith Steel is proving its worth as top dog in the market Writer: Phoebe Calver | Project Manager: Kane Weller

ith the exciting launch of its brand new fullyintegrated steel fabrication plant, Zenith Steel is entering its 40th year in style. Just 10 kilometres from its existing site, the Company’s new plant will allow Zenith Steel to up its output from 50,000 tonnes to 75,000; making it one of the largest of its kind in Africa.

Zenith Steel is leading the way in steel fabrication, with its ISO 9001:2008 certification and reputable history of success to support the Company. It specialises in the design, fabrication and assembly of all types of structural steelwork, remaining one of the only companies of its type to provide the full service from start to finish. It is the cohesion of service throughout that the Company continues to provide which has made it thrive in this ever-evolving market.

Founded by Abbas T Biviji and Jayantilal Gohil as a small fabrication

workshop in Kenya, Zenith Steel started up its operations in 1977.

In the years that have followed, the Company has expanded progressively; combining its services as an experienced and well organised drawing office with its successful and highly organised workshop.

“Over the years, the workshop has grown to become a magnificent Company that is taking the fabrication industry by storm, in managing to undertake several large scale jobs to place us firmly on the map,” explains Raheem Biviji, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Zenith Steel.

Recognising the importance of growing and evolving with the times, Zenith introduced ‘new generation’ intellectuals Raheem Biviji and Kamlesh Gohil to the operation. Since their introduction the Company has expanded its business across Africa and can currently be found in Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda,

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South Sudan, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ghana.

Zenith Steel now specialises in the creation of warehouses, factories, multi-storey steel buildings, stadia, petrol stations, churches, water tanks, towers and bridges. Despite its success in such a wide variety of buildings, Zenith is still looking to extend its portfolio to undertake an even wider range. Operating in 14 African countries and possessing such a diverse product range is making it easy for Zenith to move into markets that are currently untapped.

“Zenith is committed to excellence in quality. To support that statement that we are a provider of quality steel products in Kenya, Zenith has effectively joined an elite group of global firms that have embraced best practices for business efficiency and customer satisfaction,” affirms Biviji.

Alongside this, Zenith Steel has successfully implemented a quality management system in accordance with the standards set by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO); with future hopes to obtain CE marking, the Company’s prospects are looking very exciting as it moves forward.

Innovative thinking

As the only Company in Kenya which designs, fabricates and erects multistorey buildings, its all encompassing approach to the market is making Zenith Steel quite the innovator in its field.

Zenith Steel is seeing great levels of success in the sector, tapping into the trend that is fast breaking the dominance of conventional brick and mortar buildings that have dominated some of the world’s constructs for decades.

Biviji elaborates: “While it is a recent adoption in Africa, the buildings have been used extensively in developed countries since the 1940s. With today’s advanced technology and innovations, the use of structural steel and concrete composition design is being applied in the construction of multi-storey buildings.

“Contrary to using reinforced cement concrete, in multi-storey steel buildings the structure is designed and assembled in the workshop. Later on, while on site, the steel is fixed to produce the desired building.”

Buildings made of steel frame are traditionally known to take a shorter construction period. Therefore with minimum onsite labour being required and a shorter time period taken to assemble, Zenith is seeing more success translating into lower costs of construction.

Worldwide trends

Monitoring industry trends is vital to any company’s success in the field and Zenith Steel is constantly evolving in order to make sure that it remains ahead of the curve and keeps its status as an innovator.

“We are constantly making sure we are ahead by studying trends worldwide that can be incorporated into the markets that we operate in to improve our Company,” adds Biviji.

The addition of the Company’s brand new fully-integrated steel fabrication

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LAROSA HARDWARE

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arosa Hardware is admired and well-known as a seller of industrial machines, producing convenient, effective and profitable machines for the market. The Company also offer the service of machine customisation order to meet the customer’s desires.

We supply machines for ducting, engineering, CNC cutting and welding solutions, PU machinery and equipment, steel fabrication and roll forming machines. With all types of machinery, we always ensure that new applications make the machinery as up-to-date as possible.

Due to recent expansion of our teams in China and Italy, Larosa has entered into a partnership with Ruifeng Machinery in China, passing on our knowledge and knowhow on producing the profile and how to build the machine as per customers’ demand.

In order for us to be competitive in a global marketplace, we have our own consultant based in Italy. They are responsible for giving advice regarding the type of materials to be used, to know the advantages and disadvantages of the machine, and to conduct testing of the machine to ensure the quality and performance are based on international standards.

We are where we are today because of the loyalty of our valued customers. In return, we are giving our utmost service to them to maintain the support and harmonious relationships.

Because of our passion and resources and positive thinking, the Company has been a prominent and successful part in our business field for over 20 years.

T +971 6 5430053 E sales@larosagroup.com

www.larosagroup.com

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FEY LOGISTICS LIMITED

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LL is a nimble, reliable and dynamic agency adding value to the business needs of its clientele. We undertake holistic appraisals of our clients’ business needs and recommend business solution tailor-made to meet those needs. With extensive experience in all aspects of clearing and forwarding business, FLL has personnel with commanding knowledge of the Kenyan and East African business terrain and excellent understanding of the global clearing trends.

plant is a prime example of Zenith Steel’s dedication to remain a pioneer in its field, and with the adoption of multi-storey steel construction it has opened itself up to rapid growth within the industry.

Looking at the bigger picture, the Company is working hard to lower its environmental impact. For example, in branching into the multi-storey steel market, Zenith Steel is reducing the use of timber during its construction process. Inevitably it ensures that the environment is protected not only in the immediate future but also for future generations.

The Company remit has also branched out from its industry focused starting point; with Zenith involving itself heavily in corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Unlike some companies who just work in their immediate area, Zenith Steel is working hard to supply water tanks and toilet facilities to various schools all over the country.

Advanced technologies

In order for the Company to stay relevant in its ever-changing environment, it must keep up-to-date with the latest industry trends and the most contemporary technologies helping to drive these trends.

Biviji claims: “We invest heavily in

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the latest technologies and try to keep fully up-to-date with our machinery in the field.”

With the introduction of Building Information Modelling (BIM) software such as TEKLA and Steel Projects, Zenith Steel is joining the rising number of companies now able to operate more productively while also producing higher quality work which will inevitably win the Company new business in the long run. The implementation of the 3D model-based software is the perfect partner in enabling engineering and construction professionals to efficiently plan, design, construct and run its building process.

With so much development based around its technology, the Company recognises the importance of making significant capital investments in stateof-the-art equipment.

Biviji explains: “Installation of modern machinery is essential for efficient and effective work such as CNC Machinery, saw, drill, shot blasters and plant processing.”

In order to maintain its ISO 9001:2008 status and make full use of the Company’s investments in technology, Zenith Steel appreciates the need for full training of its staff on all software in order to provide the top end service associated with the Company.

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FLL is proud of the significant strides Zenith Steel is making across Africa and honoured to be part of this journey towards even greater success.

T +254 (0) 722 616441 E info@feylogistics.net

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“We pride ourselves in the fact that 90 percent of Zenith Steel’s staff are local. Well trained staff with hands on experience in the field is the key to a successful company. Training for our existing staff enables us to expand their roles and duties within the Company, enabling growth on all steps of the ladder,” continues Biviji.

In support of the Company ethos, looking to the future it hopes to expand on the training Zenith offers in-house. With plans to open a training centre which is in partnership with the Engineer’s Board of Kenya and the Institute of Engineers of Kenya, Zenith Steel plans to carry out steel industryspecific continuous professional development training to its local players in the market.

Innovation, quality and customer care add to this core success of the Company and is only made possible by the awareness Zenith Steel displays both internally and externally on every rung of the ladder.

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We ensure delivery of our clients products to the Right Place, at the Right Time and at the Right Price.....

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Service World Class

With Kenyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vehicle market facing one of the biggest declines in recent history, Nissan Kenya is defying the odds Writer: Phoebe Calver Project Manager: Kane Weller

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015 was a year of milestones for Crown Motors Group Ltd; only a year after it obtained the exclusive distribution rights to trade under the Nissan brand in Kenya, the Company is continuously developing its sales and exceeding expectations in providing a world-class service.

Nissan had previously discontinued its relationship with CFAO (DT Dobie), enabling Nissan Kenya to be reestablished as a brand new operation in 2014. Its new operation, Crown Motors Group is a joint venture partnership between AMH Africa, part of the

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South African Imperial Group, and local Kenyan Company, Hakmah Motors.

The Imperial Group is the largest motor vehicle distributor on the African continent, and its expertise combined with the extensive local expertise of the Hakmah motors, results in a world-class operation.

In 2014, Nissan Kenya had already opened its flagship showroom in the heart of Nairobi, complete with a full spare parts warehouse and state-of-theart workshop. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We sourced some of the best staff available in the industry to ensure our success, coupling this with training and development and we were on our way

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to take on the market leaders in the industry,” explains Tommy du Toit, Managing Director of Nissan Kenya.

Shortly after the grand opening of its flagship dealer in Nairobi, the Company endeavored to work on the Mombasa dealership which incorporated a full parts service and sales facility into its portfolio. And following the success of this inception, Nissan Kenya has subsequently moved onto sub-dealers in Nakuru, Eldoret and Kisumu; by late 2015 it had developed quite an extensive footprint

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reaching across Kenya.

2016 has brought with it an array of new challenges for the Company to conquer however; with Kenya’s vehicle market entering one of the biggest declines in recent history, shrinking by slightly more than 30 percent by midyear. Despite the challenges thrown at it, Nissan bucked the market trend and gained not only in market share – 11 percent YTD – but also in demonstrating year-onyear growth. This was made possible by offering clients new innovative services and market specific products of excellent quality.

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Nissan Kenya believes that employees are the key to success and as such we have invested heavily in training and development of our staff

Influence

A convenient service offering

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After almost 50 years of representation in Kenya, the Nissan brand is firmly established as part of the Kenyan motoring landscape, therefore Nissan ensures that its brand strategy and vision flows through to every sector of the business.

With a global presence, maintaining cohesion through its branding and marketing strategies ensures that the experience customers receive in Kenya will be the same as in every other

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country Nissan is found in. Combined with the former, the Company is also supported with continuous training and development from Nissan; ensuring that standards are being met and maintained across all divisions and the Nissan ethos is delivered globally.

“Nissan Kenya believes that employees are the key to success and as such we have invested heavily in training and development of our staff.

This coupled with continuous process improvement and, most importantly, customer feedback allows us to keep on improving and innovating,” continues du Toit.

As part of the Nissan family, a distinct advantage for Nissan Kenya is the ability to leverage on the reputation and brand name of one of the leading motor manufacturers in the world. du Toit explains: “Our customers trust and respect the Nissan name and heritage and it’s our mission to ensure that we uphold this image in

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every customer’s mind, and as they will tell you, they are the proud owners of Nissan vehicles which are worldrenowned for reliability and quality.”

6th Floor, Taj Tower, Upper Hill Road, P.O. Box 59915-00200, Nairobi, Kenya Kenya • Tanzania • Uganda • Rwanda

Evolving

Nissan Kenya is challenged daily to find ways to develop with the everevolving Kenyan customers; it is no longer about just buying a vehicle, they are looking for the total package.

The Company appreciates that every customer’s specific needs have to be assessed in order to produce a product offering designed to suit them, whether it is service plans, industry specific accessories, financial service offerings or leasing.

“Over the past 12 months there has been a big shift in Kenya towards leasing a vehicle rather than outright ownership, and we have developed offerings in conjunction with some of the big leasing companies in Kenya to meet this demand and we will keep on refining these offers to adjust to everchanging consumer trends,” clarifies du Toit.

The Company is continuously building on its success, partly due to its awareness of the most vital information in its business; if Nissan Kenya knows its customer demands and what their needs are, it can adapt accordingly.

A perfect example of Nissan Kenya’s ever evolving nature is the introduction of ‘After Hours Servicing’. With traffic proving to be a major problem in Kenya, the Company realised that customers cannot afford to be stuck for hours in order to get a vehicle serviced.

“This realisation prompted us to offer after hours service to our customers, insuring that we offer them a convenient service offering allowing them to concentrate on their business and give them the freedom to service vehicles at their convenience,” continues du Toit.

Nissan Kenya’s tailor-made service was initially introduced to its corporate and fleet customers to avoid business

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stoppages; however, those companies are not the only ones who benefit from Nissan’s services. The whole of Nairobi will in fact benefit as a positive side effect, with some of Nissan Kenya’s customers being key service providers and suppliers in the area and Nissan Kenya ensuring their vehicles are available when it counts most. du Toit concludes: “Kenya being

one of the fastest growing economies in Africa has huge potential, hence the reason we continuously monitor global motor industry trends, the South African motor vehicle industry and that of our competitors locally.

“This keeps us on the cutting edge of innovation delivering a product that meets our customers’ requirements in every way.”

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Benchmark Setting the

Haw & Inglis Group of Companies has grown in line with market demand and internal progression over the past three decades to now comprise one of the most complete construction offerings in South Africa Writer: Matthew Staff | Project Manager: Tom Cullum

aw & Inglis’ (H&I) expansion and diversification of construction services over the past 32 years has led it to market-leading status, but with innovation and entrepreneurship deeply ingrained into its fabric, the Company is certainly not willing to rest on its laurels.

The South African, Western Cape-based contractor has made a name for itself for its expertise in projects of significant size and complexity over the years; spanning areas of road construction, road rehabilitation, infrastructure, and building construction. And while the business’s core focus in South Africa and the neighbouring region revolves around national and provincial arterial roads and urban highways, H&I’s flexibility across building construction projects facilitates urban infrastructure and select institutional, industrial, commercial, residential and other building projects.

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JP LYNCH CONSTRUCTION

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P Lynch Construction operates across Southern Africa from regional offices in Johannesburg.

The Company has a CIDB grading of 4 IN CE, GB, IVIT, ISO and MM. Our purpose is to help the South African people built a first world country, improving their lives through world class infrastructure development.

Our vision is to provide affordable infrastructure without compromising the quality of the product or the workmanship, therefore helping build long term relationship with our suppliers and customers.

T +27 11 476 6337 E jplynchconstruction@gmail.com

www.JPLynchconstruction.com Bantry Hills

“Business in new regions is opportunity driven, and is helped by the Company being run along flat-management lines with full-time operationally deployed Directors,” explains Group Commercial Director, Francis Chemaly. “Complementing this team is an experienced blend of contracts managers, site agents, general foremen, leading hands, tradesmen, and general workers.

We also have a dynamic team of quantity surveyors enhancing our cost engineering facility to clients and the professional teams.

“Haw & Inglis focuses on being competitive and innovative to continue offering its clients superior personal service while providing employees a culture that recognises and rewards independent initiative.”

Instilling and consistently retaining this philosophy within the organisation, the flat management

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structure allows for enhanced communication throughout the hierarchy; with ongoing skills training and upliftment of employees a critical outcome.

“We are ISO 9001 and 14001 accredited, and our managers are registered and qualified with the appropriate professional bodies,” Chemaly continues in detailing the emphasis that is placed on managerial expertise and the business’s role as a teaching entity. “The management team operates from Cape Town providing a co-ordinated and expert backup support to site management.”

Growing reputation

While internal promotion and operational excellence among the workforce has been a staple within H&I since inception, the Company’s journey from a project and service offering perspective has been much more progressive via both organic and acquisitional avenues.

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JP Lynch Construction & Development Building and renovating homes for the people of South Africa Ranging from flats, dams, swimming pools, office blocks, warehouses, roads, bridges, storm water drains, and structures for municipalities, developers and frames.

BEE level 1: CIBD CE level 6; 100% Black own (40% Female, 60% Male) www.JPLynchconstruction.com Email: Jplynchconstruction@gmail.com Tel: 011 476 6337

The construction of the new Bloemhof Electricity Services Head Office Building which will be the City of Cape Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first 5 star green rated office building, built to both ISO 9001and ISO14001 environmental management systems

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The purchase of Peak Projects in 2007 and Ursa Civils in 2012 increased concrete construction capacity, while Blue Rock Quarries was established within the Group of Companies in 2013 as a commercial quarrying operation in the Eastern Cape.

Prior to that, “H&I Building Construction was established as a subsidiary in 2005 with its primary focus on building construction within select industrial, commercial, residential and institutional building construction projects”, Chemaly adds. “Projects undertaken by Haw and Inglis Building Construction are in the public and private sectors as well as PPPs ranging from light industrial complexes to state-of-the-art office and residential buildings.

“During 2013, H&I also entered the renewable energy market, having negotiated four design and construct contracts.”

These projects entailed the construction of tower bases, crane platforms, roads and all associated works, with H&I geared up not only to manage the design aspect of infrastructure contracts, but also to extend its expertise to managing and negotiating lump sum, fixed price contracts.

More recently, Haw & Inglis has also successfully penetrated the very challenging marine construction environment; once again leveraging the turnkey nature of its internal structure and expertise to carry out the rehabilitation of quays, the construction of small craft harbours and the construction of large jetties.

“Projects have been completed for major clients such as Transnet and the Department of Public Works in this area, and overall, our offering has expanded over the years as our reputation in the industry has grown,” Chemaly says. “We have moved from road construction solely, into building construction, marine, renewable energy, specialist structural concrete and crushing services.”

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Chapman’s Peak was a milestone project which showcased H&I’s prowess and technical expertise in building highly complex structures in a very challenging location

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Pioneering innovations becoming of the leading global energy-focused offshore grouting contractor

...the Soccer World Cup 2010 legacy projects... really showcased H&I’s ability to perform under extreme deadline pressure

Carrying out some of the most high profile projects in South Africa

“We also offer a turnkey, design and Its first five-star green rated project at construct offering and we are currently Bloemhof; its first mining infrastructure negotiating projects on this basis with project at Elandsfontein Phosphate a finance option included.”

Mine; its first renewable project at West Coast Wind Farm; Africa’s first green star Milestone projects rated taxi rank; and community projects Widespread capabilities and a positive spanning six schools, a special needs reputation are naturally rewarded, school and two CRU projects epitomise and have been done so via some of the diversity that H&I can boast within the most high profile projects in South its portfolio, and this barely scratches Africa over the years. the surface.

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“Two projects which stand out are the Soccer World Cup 2010 legacy projects which had to be completed prior to the World Cup commencing, and really showcased H&I’s ability to perform under extreme deadline pressure,” Danny Cinti, Business Development Executive recalls. “The other, in 2002, saw H&I awarded the design, build, operate and maintain project of Chapmans Peak Drive as part

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of a concession to rebuild the road which was damaged due to rock falls and landslides following a major storm.

“This was another milestone project which showcased our prowess and technical expertise in building highly complex structures in a very challenging location.”

Other major projects include the environmentally sensitive construction of section N2 from White Bridge to Knysna, the first super luxury residential block at Clifton Terraces and the development of three marine projects to date.

With a whole host of similarly high-end projects in the offing moving forward as well, H&I is busy working on several opportunities whereby it is able to showcase the variety and diversity of skillsets across design, build and finance solutions for clients; compounded by ongoing investments into the technologies that facilitate

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Clifton Terraces; the Company’s first super luxury residential block

such innovation.

Cinti notes: “H&I has invested in a new industry-leading accounting software package for the Group, and we use state-of-the-art estimating and planning software which all of our staff are proficient in using.

“We have also recently added 1,500 square metres of office space to the Civil Engineering head office and 200 square metres to the building construction division to accommodate our expanding operations; both divisions located at our Hillcrest Farm headquarters in Durbanville.”

Investing in people

PE Jetties act as an example of the Company’s recent foray into the marine domain

Continuously updating its plant and equipment for projects as required – especially prevalent in regards to marine projects which require specialist processes and machinery – the internal prowess of H&I has always been of paramount importance in terms of achieving the levels of external success it has done.

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In the years to come, the Company aims to grow its Building Construction arm to comprise 25 percent of the Group’s operations

And nowhere is this more important than within its human resource strategy.

“The Secret to H&I’s growth is employing from within and creating opportunities from within and identifying talent from as early as Grade 10,” Chemaly explains.

“Mentoring of individuals is key to the progression of our personnel throughout their careers and is a big

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part of our culture.

“The Company also has a strong philosophy of empowering its staff and hence the Haw & Inglis BroadBased Employee Trust (HIBBET) was established in 2006. This set a benchmark within the industry for proper Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, effectively giving a portion of the Company to HIBBET at par value. Today, every permanent

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employee in H&I with more than two years’ service has a stake in the business, with HIBBET being the largest shareholding at 20.8 percent.”

All-told the Company has spent in excess of R7.5 million towards corporate social responsibility (CSR) incentives over the past five years ; comprising investments into education, community upliftment, youth projects, sport and culture, and health.

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“CSR is core to our success with a dedicated Board Committee focusing on those areas, and a major portion of our budget is spent there,” Chemaly states.

“Haw & Inglis continues to embrace best practices in sustainable job creation, human resource development, poverty relief and upliftment of disadvantaged communities, and as of 2016, we have attained Level 1 BBBEE contributor status.”

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From a project standpoint, the Company aims in the years to come to grow its Building Construction arm to comprise 25 percent of the Group’s operations, with the marine, renewable and structural operations making up a further quarter to affirm its now-established diversity across the sector spectrum.

To achieve this though, the same core ethos of internal refinement will

remain the Company’s driving force.

Chemaly concludes: “H&I has a firm belief in investing back into our people and our country which we are very proud of. All of our full-time employed staff, irrespective of their role in Company, are shareholders. They are the largest single shareholders in the Company.

“Without our people we wouldn’t have a successful Company.”

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Slick Sustainability Castrol South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manufacturing and distribution of lubricants to a hose of industrial sectors remains unrivalled, as its numerous globally-significant partnerships continue to elevate the brand to new levels Writer: Matthew Staff | Project Manager: Ben Weaver astrol South Africa (SA) continues to leverage a brand name which stands head and shoulders above the majority of the global market competition, as its adherence to operational excellence and partnerships with some of the most renowned organisations drives the Company forward.

As a world-leading manufacturer, distributor and marketer of premium lubricating oils, greases and related services to the automotive, industrial, marine, aviation, exploration and production sectors, Castrolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s influence and recognition stretches far beyond the bounds of its UK headquarters with a presence in more than 40 countries as of 2016.

Employing more than 7,000 people in the process, and also supported by a series of third party distributors ensuring that its products breach every corner of the globe, Castrol is

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one of a select few Groups who can truly claim to enjoy worldwide success.

This is not to say that it adopts a one-size-fits-all approach, however, with the Company quickly realising that a commitment to local regulations and trends would be pivotal to its longevity.

While these trends often catch up on an international scale in time, the ability to strike while the iron is hot, especially in the emerging market of Africa, is key, and Castrol is currently honing two vital areas in its South African operations to that end.

Health and safety is clearly a key performance indicator in most manufacturing operations but in South Africa, there is still room for improvement, and Castrol continues to lead the way in introducing innovative approaches for the safety of its employees.

On a more allencompassing, external level, the same dedication is being targeted towards its eco

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MASANA PETROLEUM SOLUTIONS

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asana Petroleum Solutions is a leading direct fuel and mining lubricants supplier that has built relationships with large organisations and major conglomerates operating in southern Africa through its product and client service offerings.

What makes Masana Petroleum Solutions a leading direct supplier of petroleum solutions is our strong tenure of supply as a result of our strategic partnership with BP and Castrol.

Leveraging off this business strategy, as well as agile solutions and service, we are able to meet our customer’s particular business needs. This means our customers can focus on achieving success, while we fuel it.

Enhancing its portfolio of products and services in line with the latest consumer and industry trends

efficiencies, as the Company explains: “Castrol understands that a lubricant is, in essence, a form of oil and the Company recognises the impact this can have on the environment. As a result, high standards are in place across the board which educate staff on protecting the environment and striving for greener operations.

“Many manufacturers are demanding more sophisticated lubricants and oils, which plays more and more to our advantage. We are getting a really good performance out of our products; there are growth opportunities out there that we are looking closely at.”

Worldwide assurance

Enhancing its portfolio of products and services in line with the latest consumer and industry trends is an attribute which Castrol has mastered over the years, and one which is facilitated by the sheer size of the

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Masana Petroleum Solutions is a level 2 B-BBEE contributor and distributes BP branded fuels and chemicals as well as Castrol branded lubricants to the business-to-business customers in the following sectors of the economy: • Commercial road transport/ Fleets

Many manufacturers are demanding more sophisticated lubricants and oils, which plays more and more to our advantage

• Manufacturing and processing • Mining • Civil engineering and construction • Government and state owned entities Operating in a highly competitive environment, Masana Petroleum Solutions is resolute in its commitment to quality growth by delivering differentiated offers to meet the unique needs of its customers in the region.

www.masana.biz

PARTNERSHIPS THAT FUEL

75623B / MASANA

EXCELLENCE

In today’s economic climate, business success is a combination of having the highest quality branded fuels and mining lubricants, as well as security of supply. That’s why we deliver both and more.

Through our strategic partnership with BP and Castrol, and working closely with you, we offer products and services designed to add value to your business. So whether it’s maximising efficiency through minimising wastage or advanced energy management – we do more than just supply fuels and mining lubricants, we fuel excellence.

Masana. A B-BBEE rated supplier and partner of BP and Castrol. Visit www.masana.biz

MASANA Fuelling Excellence

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wider international Group and its role as part of BP. Offering lubricants for all domestic, commercial and industrial applications, all of Castrol’s products come with a global chemical registration status, ensuring that they meet compliance in all individual locations distributed to.

The size of this portfolio means that there is an unparalleled flexibility in the final customised solution that can be offered to customers, sharing knowledge across its sector arms to also suit the conditions of each environment sold into.

“Our global business operations provide worldwide assurance, improved productivity, improved environmental products and trusted advice focused on optimising our customers’ production processes,” Castrol SA affirms.

Adding to the value proposition even further is the competitive pricing, deriving from the fact that the Company is a firmly established partner of choice for a host of elite manufacturers.

Castrol SA commits investment back into research and development programmes

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The Company continues: “We’re slightly more expensive than most products on the market, but what most people don’t know is that we invest that money right back into our research and development (R&D).

“Going forward, we continue to make breakthroughs in R&D, just as we have continued to do so consistently for the past 100 years.

Consequently, our products have often been used at the forefront of historical achievements such as land speed records.”

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Much more for much less

There are more cars on the road in Africa that are born with Castrol oil in the engine than any other oil

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This R&D and subsequent involvement with some of the most exciting brands and events in manufacturing history is arguably what stands Castrol out from the crowd most, driven by 13 R&D centres around the world where hundreds of new, pioneering products are tested each year.

Working closely with the likes of Audi, Ford, Honda, JLR, Volvo, Seat, Tata and Volkswagen in the automotive domain alone, Castrol openly attributes its success to the partnerships built with such heavyweight OEMs over the years.

“What sets us apart is that we work very closely with our partner companies,” Castrol says. “We’ve got a long history with firms such as BMW and Volkswagen and we’ve worked with them developing technology to suit their purposes. In terms of our depth of partnerships we are second to none.

“There are more cars on the road in Africa that are born with Castrol oil in the engine than any other oil.

So we have a great relationship with manufacturers.”

These technologies are applied to vehicles from basic cars to Lamborghini supercars and have consequently become a yardstick of how the country, in general, is progressing from a manufacturing standpoint.

This is also true in regards to Castrol SA’s employment strategy, with the Company’s influence in South Africa having had a massively positive effect on the development of young artisans in the industry.

“We have a solid graduate recruitment programme as well as a direct entry system where we recruit the right person for the right job from other industries. We also have a strong B-BBEEE push to find the best black talent out there, and we consider ourselves as being at the forefront of empowering Africans,” Castrol emphasises. “Additionally, our development programme is excellent and the breadth of BP means we can offer great sales, marketing and finance expertise that can give employees great exposure to all kinds of skills and disciplines.

“With the market demanding much more for much less, engines getting smaller and smaller, and the desire to conserve fuel whilst still gaining power from the engine, the demand for an oil that can keep up with these changes is huge.

Therefore, it is vital that Castrol staff are trained in the latest R&D technologies and products coming off the manufacturing line.”

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GLOBAL RESOURCEFUL ON A

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Syrah Resources may host the largest graphite ore reserve in the world, but isn’t letting this accolade dilute its wider commitment to social enrichment and industry evolution Writer: Matthew Staff | Project Manager: Arron Rampling

yrah Resources’ ambition of being the leading supplier of superior quality graphite products is well on its way to fruition having already formulated the largest graphite oil reserve in the world in Mozambique.

The Australian resource Company has achieved the feat via its flagship Balama Project in the Southern African country with an Australasian Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC 2012) compliant ore reserve of 81.4Mt at 16.2 percent total graphitic carbon (TGC) for 13.1Mt of contained graphite.

“Balama is a 110 square kilometre granted mining concession located within the Cabo Delgado province in the district of Balama in northern Mozambique,” the Company explains.

“The Project is approximately 260 kilometres by road - west of Pemba - and is accessible by a sealed, main road, running directly from Pemba Airport.

“The Port of Nacala is approximately 490 kilometres by road southeast of the Project and is the deepest port in Southern Africa.”

First ore and production rampup is scheduled for the second quarter of 2017, and the business has subsequently stepped up its marketing activities; representing the latest phase of a Project that has been years in the making.

“A feasibility study completed during May, 2015 confirmed that the Balama Project will be a first quartile producer due to its high grade, open pit operations which has an extremely low stripping ratio,” the Company recalls on its website. “The processing plant will have a feed rate of 2Mt per annum, and based on an average head grade of approximately 19 percent TGC over the first 10 years of operations, 356,000 tonnes of graphite concentrate will be produced per annum.

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K&S ELECTRICAL AUTOMATION (PTY) LTD

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&S Electrical Automation (PTY) Ltd was established in 2000, with a sheet metal fabrication facility K&S Switchgear Services being formed in 2008.

The Company specialises in the design, manufacture and installation of low voltage electrical switchgear, with pride in being an independent local supplier of switchgears. This gives our clients a wider selection and choice of switchgear components without having to compromise on safety and quality.

Our management and staff have accumulated vast expertise and experience and strive for excellence in all aspects of low voltage switchgear.

We pride ourselves in our aftersales service support, especially in project completion and commissioning phases, which helps us to build strong client relationships.

K&S Electrical Automation is an accredited ISO9001 – 2008 listed company and compliant to all relevant accreditations. K&S Electrical Automation is a long standing member of ESASA (Electrical Switchgear Association of South Africa), SEIFSA and the MEIBC Steel and Industries Federation of South Africa.

Balama is the largest producer of graphite globally

“This production profile will make Balama the largest producer of graphite globally and ideally positioned to meet the anticipated increase in demand from lithium ion battery applications, as well as servicing traditional graphite markets.”

Largest graphite resource

This groundbreaking project fits naturally within Syrah Resources’ overriding Group goals of not just generating superior products but doing so upon a backdrop of enhanced customer collaboration, a refined supply chain management strategy, unparalleled industry innovation, and a

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strong adherence to adopting the very latest technologies.

The Company’s values consequently incorporate areas of health & safety, transparency, accountability, environmental care, sustainability, and social enrichment across all of its projects; beginning with the aforementioned Balama operation.

“Balama graphite was first documented in 1893 by John H. Furman, a geologist and engineer working for the Nyassa Company,” the Company details. “The company was granted a charter to establish economic development and administer the leased territories (Cabo Delgado

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K&S Switchgear Services specialises in the fabrication of sheet enclosures, electrical switchgear enclosures, shipping container conversions and packaged substations. We also offer refurbishment of outdated switchgear, as well as the modification of onsite electrical switch gear. We also offer air circuit breaker retrofitting as part of our services.

Across both facets of the Company, we have a strong track record of service excellence. We conduct our business ethically and adhere to responsible business practices.

T +27 11 824 0667 E info@ksea.co.za

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Our Products:

Our Services:

• Motor Control Centres • Design, Engineering and Manufacture of Low Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear ASSEMBLIES • Packaged Substations and Container Conversions • In-House PLC Programming • Distribution Boards • On-Site Installations and Commissioning of Low Voltage OurOur Services: Our Services: Our Products: Our Products: Services: Switchgear and Controlgear ASSEMBLIES Our Products: • Control Panels Design, Engineering Design, Design, and Engineering Engineering Manufacture and and of Low Manufacture Manufacture Voltage Switchgear of of Low Low Voltage Voltage and Switchgear Switchgear Controlgear and and and Controlgear Controlgear Motor Control Centres Motor Motor Control Control Centres Centres • On-Site Modifications to Existing Voltage Switchgear Design, Engineering and Manufacture ofLow Low Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear Motor Control Centres • Programmable Logic ASSEMBLIES ASSEMBLIES ASSEMBLIES ASSEMBLIES Controlgear ASSEMBLIES Our Services: Our Products: Control and Remote Input In-House PLC Programming In-House In-House PLC PLC Programming Programming Packaged Substations Packaged Packaged andSubstations Substations Container Conversions and and Container Container Conversions Conversions In-House PLC Programming Packaged Substations and Container Conversions and Panels • Air Circuit Breaker Retrofitting Design, Engineering and Manufacture of Low and VoltageServicing Switchgear and Controlgear MotorOutput Control Centres On-site Installations On-site On-site andInstallations Installations Commissioning and and of Commissioning Commissioning Low Voltage Switchgear of of Low Low Voltage Voltage and Switchgear Switchgear and and ASSEMBLIES On-site Installations and Commissioning of Low Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear ASSEMBLIES Controlgear Controlgear ASSEMBLIES ASSEMBLIES Controlgear ASSEMBLIES

Distribution Boards Distribution Distribution Boards Distribution Boards Boards

In-House PLC Programming

Packaged Substations and Container Conversions

On-site Modifications On-site On-site toModifications Modifications Existing Low to Voltage to Existing Existing Switchgear Low Low Voltage Voltage and Switchgear Switchgear Controlgear and and Controlgear Controlgear On-site Modifications to Existing Low Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear ASSEMBLIES ASSEMBLIES ASSEMBLIES On-site ASSEMBLIES Installations and Commissioning of Low Voltage Switchgear and

Control Control Panels Panels Control Control Panels Panels Distribution Boards

Controlgear ASSEMBLIES

Air Circuit Air AirBreaker retrofitting Circuit Circuit Breaker Breaker and Servicing retrofitting retrofitting and and Servicing Servicing Programmable Logic Programmable Programmable Control and Logic Logic Remote Control Control Input and and and Remote Remote Output Input Input and and Output Output Air Breaker Circuit retrofitting and Servicing Programmable Logic Control and Remote Input and Output On-site Modifications to Existing Low Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear Control Panels Panels Panels Panels Panels ASSEMBLIES

Programmable Logic Control and Remote Input and Output Panels

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Air Circuit Breaker retrofitting and Servicing

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SPECIALISTS IN LOW SPECIALISTS SPECIALISTS IN IN LOW IN LOW SPECIALISTS LOW VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR SPECIALISTS IN LOW VOLTAGE VOLTAGE VOLTAGE VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR SWITCHGEAR SWITCHGEAR SWITCHGEAR

Contact Information:

Contact Information: Contact Contact Information: Contact Information: T: +27 11 824 0667 Information: info@ksea.co.za Contact Information:

208A Guthrie Road, Wadeville Germiston, 1428, Johannesburg, South Africa

T: +27 11 824 0667 T: T:824 +27 +27 11 11 824 824 0667 0667 info@ksea.co.za info@ksea.co.za info@ksea.co.za T:11 +27 11 info@ksea.co.za F: +27 2215 www.ksea.co.za PO T: +27 11824 824 06670667 info@ksea.co.za F: +27 11 2215 F: F:824 +27 +27 11 11 824 824 2215 2215 F:824 +27 11 F: +27 11 824 22152215

www.ksea.co.za www.ksea.co.za www.ksea.co.za www.ksea.co.za www.ksea.co.za

208A Guthrie Road, 208A 208A Wadeville Guthrie Guthrie Road, Road, Germiston, Wadeville Wadeville 1428, Germiston, Germiston, Johannesburg, 1428, 1428,South Johannesburg, Johannesburg, Africa South South Africa Africa 208A Guthrie Road, Germiston, 1428, Johannesburg, Box 9243, Elsburg, 1407,Wadeville Johannesburg, South Africa 208A Guthrie Road, Wadeville Germiston, 1428, Johannesburg, South AfricaSouth Africa P O BoxP9243, Elsburg, P P O O Box Box 1407, 9243, 9243,Johannesburg, Elsburg, Elsburg, 1407, 1407,South Johannesburg, Johannesburg, Africa South South Africa Africa O Box 9243, Elsburg, 1407, Johannesburg, South Africa P O Box 9243, Elsburg, 1407, Johannesburg, South Africa

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TAYANNA

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ayanna Mocambique (SA) undertook its first contract in 1994 in the Tete region and has grown into a substantial contracting company that is proficient in undertaking a wide portfolio of mining, bulk earthworks, roads, water and sewer reticulation and civil works.

The Company currently operates on major projects in 3 provinces within Mocambique – Tete, Manica and Cabo Delgado. Contracted to SYRAH Resources on their Greenfields Graphite project which is identified as the Company’s flagship project going into 2017.

T +258 23 920385/6 E info@tayanna.net

www.tayanna.net Embracing a mix of innovation and ambition

province as well as islands off the coast of Mozambique) by the Portuguese Government. Accordingly, the Company sent a number of experts on expeditions through these areas to establish an inventory of resources.

“In his report John H. Furman states, “north of Mualia [now the village of Maputo], I discovered the greatest deposits of graphite, of a most excellent quality, which I think have ever been found. They extend several miles in length and will aggregate more than 700ft [214m] in thickness”. Now it seems that Mr Furman was prophetic in his observation because 120 years later, in 2013, Syrah Resources announced the largest graphite resource ever defined at the time.”

Once again epitomising the levels of innovation and ambition within the organisation though, Syrah believes that further downstream processing of graphite concentrate presents a major potential opportunity to accrue additional value for shareholders;

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Now it seems that Mr Furman was prophetic in his observation because 120 years later, in 2013, Syrah Resources announced the largest graphite resource ever defined at the time

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Proud to be working with SYRAH Resources on their Greenfields Graphite project

CIVIL CONTRACTING, BULK EARTHWORKS, ROADS & MINING Tayanna has a large range of plant and equipment ranging from 90 Ton – 20 Ton excavators, 40 Ton – 25 Ton ADT’s, 50 Ton – 12m3 ridged tippers, D8 – D6 size dozers, graders, compaction equipment, water trucks, TLB’s, fuel trucks and all required support equipment.

EN 222 (Estrada da Zambia) Bairro Matundo, Tete, MOÇAMBIQUE Tel / Fax: +258-23-920385/6 Email: info@tayanna.net www.tayanna.net

resultantly earmarking coated spherical graphite as the next frontier.

“Coated spherical graphite is a high value, processed graphite product which is used to manufacture anodes for lithium (Li) ion batteries. As a result of increasing global demand from electric vehicle and grid storage applications, the Li-ion battery market is expected to see significant growth over the medium-term.

“During November, 2014, Syrah’s spherical graphite plant successfully produced battery grade uncoated spherical graphite using -100 US mesh graphite. This was followed by the successful coating of Balama spherical graphite by Morgan AM&T Hairong Co., Ltd (Morgan Hairong) in January, 2015.

“In November, 2015, a 20-year licensing agreement was finalised with Morgan Hairong that grants Syrah exclusive rights to use their proprietary spherical graphite coating technology globally (excluding China).

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This gives Syrah the ability to operate an integrated supply chain from mine to battery anode quality material and provides the Company with a competitive advantage in its spherical graphite development.”

Best Company for social responsibility

Reflecting the levels of quality displayed across its core works is a series of corporate policies and procedures which dictate the way in which the Company goes about its work; in line with principles of good corporate governance and best practice recommendations.

Health & safety, people, society and the environment are all embraced under this banner “to ensure the Company’s commitment to act honestly, ethically, diligently and in accordance with the law in serving the interests of Syrah’s shareholders, employees, customers, local

communities and other stakeholders”.

Syrah adds, in relation to the health & safety of its employees: “Syrah Resources expects all employees and contractors to work safely at all times. The Company is committed to supporting its people to this end via the delivery of a fit-for-purpose Health & Safety Management System.

“Our approach is simple; we create a shared health & safety mindset by engaging with and training our people.

We focus on the basics of planning, risk identification, risk mitigation and shared learnings. This method helps to instil the understanding that working safely is achievable and, collectively, we are all responsible for our own and each other’s health & safety.”

This ethos derives from Syrah’s belief that its people are its main point of difference determining its level of success, and the Company subsequently places a lot of value on providing a challenging and

Employees are given a challenging and motivational environment in which to fulfil their potential

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MOZ PEC LTD

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OZ-PEC Ldt, incorporated in 2012, is a Mozambique national capital small company, dedicated to the provision of services and consultation in the fields of civil construction, groundwater and sanitation (WASH).

In 2015 new partners were admitted, ensuring higher qualification, greater technical and professional expertise, and greater commitment to good service provision and implementation of the standards of the established SHE/ WASH rules.

This enables the Company to be a very competitive organisation within the national market, with eyes on expanding into the international market. It is under these grounds that a strong partnership was built with the Syrah Resources in water provision related projects.

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Proud to supply high quality services to Mozambican communities Address Av. 25 de Setembro No 175 (Recinto da Cruz Vermelha) Cidade de Nampula

motivational environment for its employees to reach their full potential.

The enrichment of individuals also extends beyond the confines of Syrah Resources’ internal structure via a corporate social responsibility strategy that encourages all employees and stakeholders to buy into.

“Partnering with stakeholders is a core business at Syrah Resources and is the central premise of our Community Development Plan (CDP) that will guide the delivery of all community initiatives over the next five years,” Syrah’s website states. “Our ability to work with and upskill local communities is a critical element of our license to operate and will directly determine the enduring benefit we create in the Balama district.

“Syrah Resources has established genuine meaningful relationships with our community stakeholders and was awarded the prize for Best Company for Social Responsibility at the Cabo Delgado Economic Fair (FECAD) in 2014.”

Partnering with stakeholders is a core business at Syrah Resources and is the central premise of our Community Development Plan (CDP) that will guide the delivery of all community initiatives over the next five years

info@mozpec.co.mz mozpeclda@gmail.com T: +258 262 14499|+258 8700 54480 www.mozpec.co.mz

Community development initiatives ultimately focus on areas of employment and training, physical charity projects, education, and finally the environment.

“In 2015, Syrah Resources was granted its environmental license from the Ministry of Land, Environment and Rural Development (MITADER).

In part, this was due to the significant time and resources we invested in developing an Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) that would address International Financial Corporation (IFC) guidelines,” the Company concludes. “Syrah recognises that environmental and social sustainability are intricately linked and we engage with and train our people to be accountable for the way they interact with the environment at all times.

“This will help to minimise unplanned and or unnecessary impacts and reduce our environmental footprint.”

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Organiser of the Africa Energy Forum to launch the 1st Africa Energy Forum - Off the Grid - this December in Tanzania E V E N T

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WHEN: 6-8 December, 2016 WHERE: Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro CONTACT: alexandra.cianciara@energynet. co.uk WEBSITE: www.aef-offgrid.com

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FOLLOWING A HIGH interest in offgrid ventures and technologies at this year’s Africa Energy Forum in London as well as in-depth study of over 100 local community commissionaires from across Kenya and Tanzania, the organiser EnergyNet will launch the conference dedicated to the off-grid and mini grid project opportunities.

Taking place in Dar es Salaam, the 1st Africa Energy Forum- Off the Grid is expected to bring together ministries of energy, rural electrification agencies, philanthropic business foundations, banks, regulatory bodies, multilateral organisations and off grid businesses to discuss topical issues concerning rolling out off-grid projects across sub-Saharan Africa. Such a pyramid approach to fasttrack community relationship-building will mean no longer just talking about getting the energy to market, but actively meeting the people with the ability to galvanise communities around your product.

To support large scale power development, small scale renewable investors are already penetrating these markets in a far more dynamic and profitable way than ever before.

Involvement of companies such has Solar Turtle, PowerHive, OffGrid Energy, Genesis Energy, M-Kopa, ShakeYourPower, Airon, Off Grid Electric and Zoetic Global is growing

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daily, and according to EnergyNet’s MD, Simon Gosling: “It is our responsibility to provide a platform that hastens the pace that these technologies can get to market.”

In Tanzania alone, the World Bank has recently approved $209 million of financing to implement a Rural Electrification Expansion Programme, which supports the decision to host this key meeting there and continue the organiser’s long standing partnership with one of Africa’s most exciting destinations.

Since the announcement of the conference, number of key industry players confirmed their involvement: Virgin Unite, Shell Foundation, Rural Electrification Agency, Uganda, Azuri Technologies, Africa Finance Corporation, DFID, EDFIMC / ElectriFI, Fluidic Energy, Off-Grid Electric, M-KOPA, Power Hive, Rex Energy, SIDI, Tetra Tech, Tanzania Invest, World Bank. One of the first to confirm their support was Benjamin Hay, the Strategy & Investment Director at Virgin Unite. He comments: “With the sustainable development goals hoping to deliver affordable, reliable and clean energy for all by 2030, the Off the Grid provides a wonderful platform to build partnerships with individuals and organisations who want to help achieve this ambition.”

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WHEN: 2 – 4 November, 2016 WHERE: Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC), Nairobi WEBSITE: www.thebig5constructeastafrica.com

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ORGANISED BY DMG events Middle East, Asia & Africa with the support of the National Construction Authority (NCA), the event will be the official exhibition of Kenya’s first National Construction Week, running from 2-4 November, 2016, at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.

The Big 5 Construct East Africa 2016 will host more than 200 exhibitors from 20 countries, including Germany, Turkey, Italy, Greece, the UK, France, along with several leading construction firms from Kenya. Visitors will be able to discover the most innovative solutions for the built environment sourcing products not available in the local market.

“This will be the first event in the country that will offer free to attend CPD accredited workshops to construction industry professionals.

There will be a day dedicated to the theme of sustainability and we will also bring to Kenya our Platinum Club series

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supporting professionals working on top projects in the East African region,” according to Ashley Roberts, Event Director.

The National Construction Week is backed by the Ministry of Lands & Physical Planning, the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing & Urban Development, the Ministry of Water & Irrigation, and Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest).

The event also enjoys the support of Kenya Federation of Master Builders, UNOPS, Kenya Institute of Public Policy, Research and Analysis, Town and Country Planners Associations of Kenya (TCPAK), Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), The Institute of Clerks of Works, Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta University of Architecture and Technology, Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK), Kenya Railways, Kenya Wildlife Service, and the National Commission of Science, Technology and Innovation.

2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4 November 2016

10:00 - 18:00 Daily Kenyatta International Conference Centre

E M I !

T TNYA S FIRN KE I

SOURCE THOUSANDS OF GLOBAL INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS AT THE OFFICIAL EXHIBITION OF KENYA's NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION WEEK

Attend the Annual Construction Research Conference and Exhibition (ACoRCE), organised by the National Construction Authority

Develop your career by attending 15+ free CPD certified workshops

Witness the famous JCB dancing diggers in action as they perform their world class act in Kenya

Register for FREE entry www.TheBig5ConstructEastAfrica.com/Register info@TheBig5ConstructEastAfrica.com Official Government Partner

Supporting Partner

Endorsed by

+254 737 644 869 Co-located with

@Big5exhibition Organised by

EGYPT

TRADE

AND

EXPORT

FINANCE

E V E N T

CONFERENCE

F O C U S

Reflecting on Egypt’s current economic landscape and its return to stability BUILDING ON ITS long-standing presence in the Mena region, GTR will hold the Egypt Trade and Export Finance Conference 2016 in Cairo.

Reflecting on Egypt’s current economic landscape, its return to stability post-revolution and highlighting key political and infrastructural developments; the Conference will bring together senior business representatives and trade finance professionals from across Egypt and the wider Mena region.

Featuring influential speakers from

Egypt Trade & Export Finance Conference 2016 E V E N T

D E TA I L S

WHEN: 15 November, 2016 WHERE: Fairmont Nile City Hotel, Cairo, Egypt REGISTER: www.gtreview.com/events/ mena/egypt-trade-export-financeconference-2016/ WEBSITE: www.gtreview.com

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across the trade finance community, including local and international banks, financiers, lawyers, insurers and more, this will provide a key platform for anyone looking to develop trade relationships in Egypt.

Established in 2002, GTR is the world’s leading news source, publisher and event organiser for the global trade, commodity and export finance markets, with offices in London and Singapore.

As the leading specialists in international trade, export,

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commodity and supply chain finance conferences, GTR hold more than 25 events around the world each year, in countries such as Mauritius, Iran, Nigeria, Indonesia, Russia, Mexico and many more.

With an unparalleled base of contacts and a wealth of industry experience, GTR offers a one-stop shop of information, events and services, acting as the ultimate resource for the global trade, commodity and export finance communities.

15% discount code: OUTLOOK15

Egypt Trade & Export Finance Conference 2016 Cairo, Egypt | Fairmont Nile City Hotel November 15, 2016 Building on its long-standing presence in the Mena region, GTR will hold the Egypt Trade & Export Finance Conference 2016 in Cairo on November 15.

Reflecting on Egypt’s current economic landscape, its return to stability postrevolution and highlighting key political and infrastructural developments, the conference will bring together senior business representatives and trade finance professionals from across Egypt and the wider Mena region. Featuring influential speakers from across the trade finance community, including local and international banks, financiers, leading corporates, lawyers, insurers and more, this will provide a key platform for anyone looking to develop trade relationships in Egypt.

“A good opportunity to gain updates on the recent developments in the field of trade and export finance.”

J Hanninen, Nokia

“GTR events are highly informative, lively and wonderful for networking.”

A Mahate, Dubai Exports

GTR events in 2015

2,919

Companies Represented

79

Countries Represented

6,202 Delegates Attended

For more information please contact Judith Mülhausen at jmulhausen@gtreview.com or visit www.gtreview.com

MANUFACTURING

PHARMA

E V E N T

F O C U S

A leading platform for global suppliers of pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment

MANUFACTURING PHARMA FORMS part of the Manufacturing Nigeria series, taking place from 7-9 December, 2016 at the Landmark Centre in Lagos, Nigeria.

Supported by The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, the event will consist of 2,000 m2 of exhibition space, more than 100 exhibitors and more than 3,000 visitors, including leading pharmaceutical manufacturing professionals, government officials and local dealers and distributors.

The exhibition will welcome local and international exhibitors that represent the entire pharmaceutical

manufacturing process, including APIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients), manufacturing and processing machinery, packaging equipment and supplies, and logistics solutions, plus more.

The free-to-attend, action-packed three-day conference that runs alongside the exhibition will provide high-level debates and discussions surrounding relevant themes such as industry growth and investment, quality assurance throughout the valuechain, innovation in packaging, health & safety issues, and more. Key industry influencers from the region have been invited to share their insights and experiences with attendees.

Nigeria is one of the most promising pharmaceutical markets in West Africa

and is growing 12 percent annually, as indicated by the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN).

Responsible for producing 60 percent of pharmaceutical drugs for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Nigeria has an estimated population of nearly 182 million and a market size of US$3.5 billion for health products.

E V E N T

D E TA I L S

WHEN: 7-9 December 2016 WHERE: Landmark Centre, Lagos, Nigeria WEBSITE: www.manufacturingnigeria.com/ pharma

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Outlook

Creative Services

Complementing the production of Africa Outlook, Asia Outlook and Europe & Middle East Outlook magazines, Outlook Publishingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s award-winning in-house team is now utilising these same specialist production skills to offer a full and bespoke range of editorial, design and marketing services via its new Outlook Creative Services division.

For more information on how we can work with you in providing a plethora of completely flexible and customisable production services, please visit www.outlookpublishing.com/creative-services

DESIGN: Stephen Giles +44 (0) 1603 959 656 steve.giles@outlookpublishing.com

EDITORIAL: Matthew Staff +44 (0) 1603 959 655 matthew.staff@outlookpublishing.com

Mandy Farnell +44 (0) 1603 959 661 mandy.farnell@outlookpublishing.com

Phoebe Calver +44 (0) 1603 959 660 phoebe.calver@outlookpublishing.com