Impumelelo Top Empowerment 20th Edition

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TIMES CHANGE, WHAT MATTERS NEVER WILL. The world is changing every day, through every generation. The way we communicate has changed. But the feelings we share haven’t. The toys our kids play with have changed.

Their tantrums haven’t. The way we invest has changed. But the reason why we invest hasn’t. The music we listen to has changed. But the way it makes us feel hasn’t.

Over the last 175 years, we’ve learnt a lot about people and their dreams. But most of all, we’ve learnt that while how we do things may change, why we do them never will.

OMBDS 11.2020 C2648

oldmutual.co.za

Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (SA) Limited is a licensed FSP and Life Insurer.

CONTENTS REGULAR

106

Tribute to Dr. Richard Maponya (1920 – 2020)

4

Featured organisations

5

Contributors

7

Editor’s letter

142

Top Empowerment Awards

SPECIAL FEATURES 8

Foreword by Hon. Zodwa Ntuli

14

20-year retrospective

24

Theo Baloyi is putting his best foot forward

86

Imogen Mashazi – first woman City Manager of Ekurhuleni

106

Tribute to Dr. Richard Maponya (1920 – 2020)

ARTICLES

113

IMPUMELELO TOP EMPOWERMENT

3 Ways that elevating empowerment can positively impact your business

40

Technology is forever, profits are for good

66

Learning from the future to solve COVID-19 together

74

South African multinationals paving the way

84

Training and education: Unlocking South Africa’s economic potential

Young entrepreneurs to watch out for

2

22

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90

Diversity and inclusion in Africa

113

Young entrepreneurs to watch out for

CONTENTS & CREDITS

CREDITS CEO Ralf Fletcher

34

24

48

Financial Director Haley Fletcher Associate Publisher Lee-Ann Bruce Head of Brand Justin Daniels Key Accounts Managers

56

104

122

INTERVIEWS/PODCASTS 34

Bonang Mohale: Diversity and inclusion

24

Theo Baloyi: Stepping into Africa

48

Kershini Govender: Talking transformation

56

Aisha Pandor: Taking risks

104

Sylvester Chauke: Service through leadership

122

Lebogang Zulu: Women in manufacturing

Brandon-Lee Williams Phyllis Wasarirevu

TOPCO STUDIO Production Director Van Fletcher Group Editor Fiona Wakelin Assistant Editor Charndré Emma Kippie Designers Christine Siljeur Keagan Klein

LIFESTYLE 131

SA’s finest: creatives making waves

Traffic Coordinator Daniel Bouwer Images

AT THE BACK 156

Public Sector Leaders

DISCLAIMER All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Top Media & Communications (Pty) Ltd T/A Topco Media. Reg. No. 2011/105655/07. While every care has been taken when compiling this publication, the publishers, editor and contributors accept no responsibility for any consequences arising from any errors or emissions.

ISBN: 9780620507103

iStock/Unsplash Cover Photography Courtesy Images Head Office Top Media & Communications (Pty) Ltd T/A Topco Media Elkay House, 186 Loop St, Cape Town Tel: +27 86 000 9590 Fax: +27 21 423 7576 Email: info@topco.co.za Website: www.topco.co.za

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IMPUMELELO TOP EMPOWERMENT

3

TOP EMPOWERMENT 20TH EDITION

FEATURED ORGANISATIONS A

N

94

Accenture SA

52

Nedbank

70

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA)

128

Nyawo Construction

127

Amadlelo Agri

43

Audit and Risk Management Solutions (ARMS)

O 1,6,12 Old Mutual

B

126

Bathu Shoes

62

P

C

130

Cell C

44

Open Trade Training Centre (OTTC)

Prim-U

S

E

30

Samsung

29

Edcon Limited

82

Sea Harvest Group Ltd.

112

eKasi Entrepreneurs

81

Signa Group

88

E&T Minerals

T

G 78

11

Giantfuse Capital Partners

102

W

H

109

Wescoal Holdings Ltd.

Hollard

39

Wits Commercial Enterprise

K 100

Kedithabitha Agriculture and Project (Pty) Ltd.

141

Koen and Associates Architecture

4

Tourvest Travel Services

IMPUMELELO TOP EMPOWERMENT

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CONTRIBUTORS

HONORABLE ZODWA NTULI

SYLVESTER CHAUKE

Zodwa Ntuli, B-BBEE Commissioner,

Sylvester Chauke is the Founder of the

Deputy Director-General at the

brand consultancy and marketing

Department of Trade Industry

company known as DNA Brand

and Competition, Hon Ntuli is

Architects. He completed his BA

responsible for Consumer and

(Hons) in Marketing Communication

Corporate Regulation. She was

at the University of Johannesburg,

appointed when the Commission

and has received multiple awards

was set up in 2019 and has made

for his work thus far. Recently, his

noteworthy strides in South Africa,

company was the recipient of the

zooming in on accelerated

Adweek Top 100 Fastest Growing

economic transformation.

Agency (2020) Award.

BONANG MOHALE

MICH ATAGANA

Prof Bonang Mohale was appointed as

Mich Atagana is the Head of

Chancellor of the University of the Free

Communications and Public Affairs at

State on 4 June 2020. He is Professor of

Google SA. She is a Tech Journalist with

Practice in the Johannesburg Business

a particular interest in start-ups and

School (JBS) College of Business and

Africa’s tech space. With a Master’s

Economics, and Chairman of the

Degree in New Media and Journalism,

Bidvest Group Limited. He is a highly

she is a strong Top Women in Tech, and

respected South African businessman,

was named one of Mail & Guardian’s

known as much for his patriotism as

Top Young South Africans in 2012.

for his active role in advancing the country’s interests. He is author of the best-selling book, Lift as You Rise, launched in November 2018.

KERSHINI GOVENDER Kershini Govender is the Executive Head: Transformation & Strategy at Nedbank Group Ltd. She has 24 years’ experience

STEPHEN VAN COLLER

in the disciplines of Strategy, Business

Stephen Van Coller is the celebrated

Analysis, Project Management and

Group CEO at EOH. He is a Stellenbosch

Business Transformation. She obtained

University alumnus who is committed

her Master’s in Science (Behavioural

to disrupting traditional business to

Change and Coaching) from Henley

promoting African continent growth

Business School, with distinction. Kershini

through social inclusion. Prior to EOH,

currently represents Nedbank at the

Stephen was CEO (CIB Africa) of

Banking Association of South Africa on

Barclays Africa Group Limited, and

the Financial Sector Charter Workgroup,

Vice President of Digital services, Data

and is on the Board of Trustees of the

analytics, Business Development at MTN.

Nedbank Community Trust.

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IMPUMELELO TOP EMPOWERMENT

5

TODAY!

WE’RE BUILDING THE BIGGEST CLASSROOM IN AFRICA.

OMBDS 11.2020 C2648

As we reach our 175th birthday we’re doing what we do best - investing in a better future.

Because the key to that future is clearly online education, we’re busy creating what will become Africa’s biggest digital classroom. It will connect teachers and learners of all ages, upskill entrepreneurs and open up opportunities to compete in a new world economy.

When you focus on the future for 175 years, you learn that while times change, the things that matter don’t. #175Africa

Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (SA) Limited is a licensed FSP and Life Insurer.

EDITOR’S LETTER

EDITOR’S LETTER I don’t often quote the Queen of England, but I am going to borrow her phrase “annus horribilis” to sum up how most of us feel about 2020! What a year – and it’s not over until that large lady exercises her vocal chords.

This time last year I was looking forward to a new decade – words like ‘abundance’ and ‘fulfillment’ were percolating through my rose-tinted lens when looking toward 2020. And then COVID-19 happened – and is still happening – a bit like a modern-day meteor hitting the planet and shifting everything.

And yet the adversity seemed to bring out the best in us – countries, companies, individuals extended hands across the globe to help one another – and with the closing down of heavy industries, the planet was given the chance to take a deep breath.

Topco Media, like many other businesses, pivoted completely towards digital during 2020 – and it gives me great pleasure to introduce our bumper 20th anniversary digi mag edition of Top Empowerment. The cover reflects some of the iconic individuals who have featured in the magazine during its 20-year journey, celebrating transformation, diversity and inclusion in South Africa.

The Hon. Zodwa Ntuli, Head of the B-BEEE Commission penned the Foreword and we have powerful contributions from Bonang Mohale, Mich Ategana, Stephen van Coller, Sylvester Chauke and Kershini Govender – with a tribute to

the likes of Bonang Mohale, Theo Baloyi and Aisha Pandor, speaking about their experiences, their passions and how they approach adversity and celebrate success.

The article on “Young entrepreneurs to watch out for” will blow you away with the talent we have in this country – giving so many reasons to look forward to the future This publication would not have been possible without the incredible team I work with – our production director, Van Fletcher, editor, Charndré Emma Kippie, designer Christine Siljeur and traffic manager Daniel Bouwer.

We hope you enjoy the read – be safe, take care, and we look forward to seeing you in 2021.

the Lion of the North, Dr. Richard Maponya.

The exciting switch to digital first has meant that we are able to include a selection of dynamic podcasts in the articles and interviews – so you will be able to listen to the voices of

FIONA WAKELIN GROUP EDITOR

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IMPUMELELO TOP EMPOWERMENT

7

A REFLECTION ON BROAD-BASED BLACK ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

BY HON. ZODWA NTULI, HEAD OF THE B-BBEE COMMISSION

The Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act

Codes. The Integrated

(the B-BBEE Act), as amended in section 9, empowers

Transport Sector Code is not

the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

aligned to the revised codes and

(Minister) to issue codes of good practice that guide the

must either be aligned or repealed, as it

implementation of economic empowerment for black

disadvantages a number of small entities that should be

South Africans, to redress the past imbalances, and close

exempted from being verified.

the inequality gap. This is a constitutional imperative embedded in clause 9 of the Constitution, dealing with

These Codes are applicable to (a) all organs of state and

the right to equality and the need for measures to be

public entities, (b) all measured entities that undertake

implemented to achieve equality.

any economic activity with all organs of state and public entities, and (c) any other measured entity that

The Minister has since gazetted eleven codes of good

undertakes any economic activity, whether direct or

practice, and these are Generic Codes of Good Practice,

indirect, with other measured entities that are subject

Information and Communication Technology Sector

to measured entity as mentioned in (a) and (b), and

Codes, Tourism Sector Codes, Construction Sector Code,

which is seeking to establish its own B-BBEE compliance.

Integrated Transport (2009 Version), Property Sector

This means all organs of state, public entities and private

Codes, Forestry Sector Codes, Financial Services Sector

sector entities that qualify as measured entities must

Codes, AgriBEE Sector Codes, Marketing, Advertising

contribute to B-BBEE using the Codes of Good Practice

and Communication Sector Codes, and Defence Sector

to measure their performance.

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IMPUMELELO TOP EMPOWERMENT

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FOREWORD

• Developing criteria for entering into partnerships

The key elements that B-BBEE is measured on are ownership, management control, skills development, enterprise and supplier development and socioeconomic development

with the private sector; and • Determining criteria for the awarding of incentives, grants and investment schemes in support of B-BBEE. This means all organs of state and public entities must award licenses, including permits, procurement contracts, public-private partnerships, sale of state assets, economic grants and incentives to entities that are B-BBEE compliant. The only exception is where the organ of state or public entity has been granted an exemption by the Minister in terms of section 10(2) of the B-BBEE Act, which must be publicly gazetted.

The Minister has not granted any exemption or deviation

The key elements that B-BBEE

to date, which means any deviation from section 10 is

is measured on are ownership,

a violation of section 10 of the B-BBEE Act. Concerns

management control, skills development, enterprise and supplier development and socio-economic

were raised that organs of state and public entities fail to consistently apply the requirements of section 10. This was also confirmed in the B-BBEE Commission // Eskom

development. Organs of state and public

Holdings SOC Limited where B-BBEE was disregarded in the

entities are exempted from being measured

awarding of the tender to a Chinese company, Dongfang

on ownership and use the specialised score card that excludes ownership. The B-BBEE Act does not

Electric Corporation, and in this case the B-BBEE Commission recommended the cancellation of the contract.

permit any exemptions from the Codes, which means for as long as an entity meets the qualification as a measured

The B-BBEE Commission monitors the implementation of

entity, it is mandatory to comply with them.

the various Codes of Good Practice and provides trends on the B-BBEE performance through the National Status

Further, section 10 (1) of the B-BBEE Act, states that every

and Trends on B-BBEE Report (National Status) that is

organ of state and public entity must apply the relevant

published annually.

code of good practice issued by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition in accordance with section 9

On average, contributions towards skills development

of the B-BBEE Act in:

and enterprise & supplier development ranged between

• Determining qualification criteria for the issuing

50%-60% in 2018 and the 2019 performance shows an

of licences, concessions or other authorisations in respect of economic activity in terms of any law; • Developing and implementing a preferential procurement policy; • Determining qualification criteria for the sale of state owned enterprises;

average of 49%-51%. This is indicative that black people continue benefiting from bursaries, partnerships and incubation opportunities, however, absorption into a job or sustainable supply chain remains a challenge for these black youth and entrepreneurs, amongst other things.

The analysis has not expanded to assess the impact and sustainability of the initiatives reported.

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IMPUMELELO TOP EMPOWERMENT

9

FOREWORD

The Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan will

comply with the registration requirements. For context

be advanced if measured entities can sharpen the skills

on the transaction value of these deals, the 272 deals

development initiatives to help create the much needed skills and the job opportunities for unemployed graduates.

filed in 2017/2018 were valued at R189-billion and the

Also, the pooling of enterprise development contributions

95 filed in 2019 was R112-billion in total, which should

to better support black entrepreneurs for them to help

translate into value in black hands.

create jobs will go a long way to make the necessary impact. This means direct involvement by measured

Of the registered transactions, 83 have been referred for

entities instead of just using intermediaries to structure

investigation for failing to remedy the concerns raised in

and implement initiatives.

relation to the non-alignment of the ownership structure with the B-BBEE Act. Once findings are issued, those that

MAJOR B-BBEE TRANSACTIONS OF R25-MILLION OR MORE

amount to fronting and misrepresentation will be directly

The B-BBEE Commission is required to maintain a registry

referred to the NPA for prosecution.

of major B-BBEE transactions, which are ownership transactions to the value of R25-million and above,

These include not for profit entities that have now

that must be submitted by the parties within fifteen (15)

structured themselves as investment entities but fail to

days of concluding the transactions. This is intended

demonstrate black ownership in the schemes in question

to create transparency in terms of the black people in

as they are mere skills development conduits that should

B-BBEE deals and to prevent fronting practices through

be measured under the relevant element in the Codes.

upfront assessments.

B-BBEE CERTIFICATES/SWORN AFFIDAVITS This requirement became effective in June 2016 and

As part of its mandate to oversee, supervise and promote

since then, 507 transactions were received, and only

adherence with the B-BBEE Act, the B-BBEE Commission

340 were registered and 138 rejected for failing to

monitors the compliance status of B-BBEE certificates or sworn affidavits. These are reported daily to the B-BBEE Commission by members of the public. As at 30 September 2020, a total of 149 B-BBEE certificates were declared invalid. In addition, a total of 5296 B-BBEE certificates were uploaded on the B-BBEE Portal by Verification Agencies to monitor compliance.

Issuing of invalid and misrepresented has led to action and findings against verification agencies.

10

IMPUMELELO TOP EMPOWERMENT

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OLD MUTUAL DEEPENS CARE AND SUPPORT DURING COVID-19 As one of the most recognisable

forces with partners in the public,

of interest free loans and extended

brands on the African continent,

private and civil society sectors to

payment terms during this period

Old Mutual has, over 175 years, built

extend a lifeline to those in need.

• Over R50-million in relief to SMEs and Old Mutual’s own suppliers

significant equity and brand loyalty among its key audiences, by being

Core activities include:

in the short-term insurance value

able to substantiate its purpose of

• R4-billion worth of premium-

chain who may be experiencing

‘Championing Mutually Positive

free cover to around 430,000

Futures’. From products which meet

qualifying healthcare workers in

specific needs, personalised, life-

South Africa • R5-million to support government’s

long interactions that add value,

difficulties at this time • R4.5-million conversion of the MuPine training facility into a 300-bed quarantine and self-

to community interventions which

efforts to secure personal

isolation facility for use by

deliver real impact, the Group has,

protective equipment for essential

the Western Cape Provincial

service workers

government in its efforts to flatten

in many ways, worked to consistently

• More than R50-million pledged

deliver profit with a purpose.

towards community relief efforts in

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has served as both a major business

was also added as Lancet’s third

• Close to R400-million in relief to Old

official COVID-19 Testing facility in

Group, and a significant opportunity to demonstrate the possibilities of mobilising its human, financial and strategic resources to become part of the solution to a complex socioeconomic challenge.

A shared values approach has been infused into the Group’s overarching response to COVID-19, with the integration of both social, economic and business objectives into the various activities introduced during the period.

Led by the Group Executive, Old Mutual Foundation, the Provincial Management Boards and businesses across our Group, we have joined

12

IMPUMELELO TOP EMPOWERMENT

• Old Mutual Mupine Golf Club

partnership with key stakeholders Mutual Insure customers in the form

challenge to respond to for the

the curve in the province

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Western Cape

OLD MUTUAL | ADVERTORIAL

OUR OVERALL EFFORTS TACKLED A

each of the country’s nine provinces,

BROAD RANGE OF NEEDS, AS FOLLOWS.

has partnered with government and civil society to provide community

Education support

relief efforts in the health, education

The Old Mutual Foundation

and food security sectors worth

launched its 21 Acts of Goodness

more than R2-million. These efforts

campaign to support the 2020 Matric

include the provision of PPE, hospital

Class, in partnership with the Nelson

tents and beds and food parcels, in

Mandela Foundation, loveLife,

conjunction with an array of regional

BrandSA and the Mpumalanga

and provincial partners.

Department of Education. Free radio and TV lessons are being

Food security

THE REST OF AFRICA

rolled out for learners in Grades

The Old Mutual Staff Volunteer Fund

Relief funding worth R16-million is

one to 12, thanks to a partnership

Trust has contributed R2-million

being directed towards food and

with the National Department of

towards food relief efforts. Through

nutrition, health and education

Basic Education(DBE) and Provincial

FoodForward SA and other NPO

across the countries it operates in

Departments of Education. Then, the

partners, it distributed food parcels to

on the continent. Many of these

Dial-a-Tutor initiative gives learners

homes for the aged, shelters for women

countries have also contributed

access to the best teachers in

and youth, child-headed households

significantly with their own in-country

South Africa via interactive virtual

and Early Childhood Development

commitments, collectively donating

classrooms; High-quality digital

Centres. Old Mutual is committed to

more than R8.5-million to COVID-19

e-learning materials are being

assisting the Department of Social

relief efforts. Old Mutual remains

delivered to learners and teachers

Development, and various NGOs, with

committed to working with its partners

across SA. As part of the Department

providing food parcels and vouchers

across sectors to “build back better”

of Basic Education’s Steering Team

to thousands of children and families

as economies are restored, fill the

on COVID-19 Response, Old Mutual

in need. In conjunction with this, Old

gap for impacted communities and

works closely with the department to

Mutual supports the Each1Feed1

deliver on its purpose of championing

ramp up support across the country

Campaign of the Nelson Mandela

mutually positive futures everyday.

and to support school recovery

Foundation, the Imbumba Foundation

programmes.

and the Kolisi Foundation. Through sponsorship of Move the Nation, Old

Hygiene, health, safety and

Mutual aims to help raise R6-million for

sanitation support

Joint Aid Management (JAM) in the

Through a partnership with the

long run. The Group’s partnership with

Imbumba Foundation and its

the United Nations High Commissioner

Soap4HOPE campaign, Old Mutual

for Refugees (UNHCR), is also an effort

www.oldmutual.co.za

is distributing hygiene products

to reach out to vulnerable refugees

Social Media:

and sound advice to vulnerable

and the forcibly displaced.

0860 60 70 00

@OldMutualSA

communities across South Africa.

Old Mutual has also partnered with

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE

Higher Health to raise awareness

PROVINCES

through community radio stations,

The Group’s Provincial Management

webinars and SMS alerts.

Board, its official representation in

@OldMutualSA

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Old Mutual South Africa @oldmutualsa

IMPUMELELO TOP EMPOWERMENT

13

TOP EMPOWERMENT

A PLATINUM ANNIVERSARY AND A REFLECTION OF SOUTH AFRICA’S JOURNEY TOWARDS DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

BY FIONA WAKELIN

The arrival of a long dreamed-of democracy

In the year 2000, following a

has given us the chance to build a South African

discussion with then-MP Cyril Ramaphosa on the importance of

nation. The raw materials of freedom, justice, and

a publication to champion B-BBEE,

equality before the law, have become part of the

the first volume of Impumelelo

fabric of our lives. For South Africans, this is, and will

was published, focusing on South

remain always, a moment of profound importance

Africa’s Top 300 Black-empowered

in our lives. Among all the new opportunities, which

companies. Richard Fletcher, the

are now offered to the previously disenfranchised

founder of Topco Media, was still

majority of our country is the freedom to enter

at the helm, and in his letter of thanks in the forepart of the very

into business and entrepreneurial enterprises,

first edition, he distinguished the

to express new ideas, energy and ambition.

purpose of the magazine – which

A rising generation of black businessmen and

still holds true today:

women is entering the marketplace, both in their own companies and as members of the more

Impumelelo has been designed to identify and recognise excellence

progressive white organisations. They are setting

among black companies and

out to create a new business world, one both

entrepreneurs in South Africa.

national and international in its scope. They have the freedom now to achieve ‘Impumelelo’,

Turn three pages and there on a

which is the isiXhosa word for ‘success’,

double page spread are messages

and the subject of this publication.

of support from Madiba and nowPresident Ramaphosa:

Nelson Mandela

Read full endorsement letter

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IMPUMELELO TOP EMPOWERMENT

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IMPUMELELO RETROSPECTIVE | EDITORIAL

“ Among all the new opportunities, which are now

For 20 years Impumelelo Top

of legislation was followed by the

Empowerment has tracked the

2013 B-BBEE Amendment Act Act

changes, potential, growth,

No. 46 of 2013.

challenges and successes of

offered to the previously

transformation in South Africa

The fundamental objective of the

disenfranchised majority of

– and while this is a journey with

Act was to advance economic

miles ahead to go, we have made

transformation and enhance

momentous strides since 1994.

economic participation of

our country is the freedom to enter into business and entrepreneurial enterprises, to express new ideas, energy and ambition.”

previously disadvantaged people In 2003, the Broad-Based Black

in the South African economy.

Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) strategy was published as a

In this article we take the

precursor to the B-BBEE Act, No. 53

temperature of transformation of a

of 2003. This ground breaking piece

number of key sectors in the country.

THE ECONOMY – GDP GROWTH SINCE 1994 The South African GDP declined 0.5% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2019, after expanding 0.1% in the previous period and compared with market expectations of a 0.1% drop. This was the steepest economic downturn since the fourth quarter of 2009. The impact of unprecedented power blackouts was reflected across sectors, namely utilities (-3.6% vs -2.4% in Q3); manufacturing (-2.6% vs -1.5%); mining (-1.% vs -0.7%); transport, storage & communication (-3.7% vs -1%) and construction (-4.6% vs -3.7%).

TRANSFORMATION ACROSS SECTORS MINING Mining is an important foreign-exchange earner, with gold accounting for more than one-third of exports. South Africa is also a major producer of coal, manganese, chrome, platinum (world’s largest producer), and diamonds (6th-largest producer). The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) requires the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy to set socioeconomic targets through the Mining Charter.

Mining Charter III came into force on Friday, 1 March 2019 – almost three years after the publication of the first draft.

Meanwhile, agricultural activity rebounded

The Charter states that a minimum of 70% of total mining

(2.1% vs -7.4%). On a quarterly basis, the economy

goods procurement spend must be on South African-

shrank an annualised 1.4% in the three months to

manufactured goods and apportioned as follows:

December of 2019, following an upwardly revised 0.8% contraction in the previous period and much

70%

worse than market expectations of a 0.1% decrease.

The economy advanced by 0.2% in 2019, the least since the global financial crisis in 2009, and far below 0.8% a year ago. - Trading Economics

44% f rom black economic empowermentcompliant companies.

21% from black entrepreneurs, and

South Africa is the most developed country in Africa and was the largest until 2014, when it was overtaken by Nigeria. The largest sector of the

5% o n black economically empowered women entrepreneurs

economy is services which accounts for around

In the case of services, a minimum of 80% of the

73 percent of GDP. Within services, the most

total spend on services (excluding non-discretionary

important are finance, real estate and business

expenditure) must be sourced from South African

services (21.6 percent); government services

companies and apportioned as follows:

(17 percent); wholesale, retail and motor trade, catering and accommodation (15 percent);

80%

and transport, storage and communication (9.3 percent). Manufacturing accounts for 13.9 percent; mining and quarrying for around 8.3 percent and agriculture for only 2.6 percent.

- Trading Economics

50% o n black economically empowered entrepreneurs 15% o n black economic empowerment women entrepreneurs and

The summary that follows shows the total worth of each industry as well as its overall contribution to

10% o n black economic empowermentcompliant companies.

the total economic value of South Africa for 2019.

It is ranked from biggest to smallest.

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– BizNews – Peter Leon

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IMPUMELELO RETROSPECTIVE | EDITORIAL

“ The objectives of this Amended AgriBEE Sector Code are to facilitate B-BBEE in the sector by implementing initiatives to include black South Africans at all levels ” AGRICULTURE

initiatives to include black South Africans at all levels of agricultural activity and enterprises by:

The African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (AFASA) has been at the forefront of pushing for the transformation of the agriculture sector as part and parcel of the broader agrarian reform government policies promote.

AFASA‘s second Agribusiness Transformation Conference, which took place in 2018 and focused on value chain integration and farming as part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, succeeded in promoting smart partnerships between investors and landowners and amongst farmers themselves.

In 2008 the AgriBEE Transformation Charter was gazetted and in 2017 the Amended AgriBEE Sector Code was published.

• Promoting equitable access and participation in the entire agricultural value chain • De-racialising land and enterprise ownership, control, skilled occupations and management of existing and new agricultural enterprises • Unlocking the full entrepreneurial skills and potential of previously disadvantaged individuals • Facilitating structural changes in agricultural support systems and development initiatives to assist black South Africans in owning, establishing, participating in and running agricultural enterprises • Social upliftment • Increasing the extent to which communities, workers, cooperatives and other collective enterprises own and manage existing and new

The objectives of this Amended AgriBEE Sector Code

agricultural enterprises, increasing their access to

are to facilitate B-BBEE in the sector by implementing

economic activities, infrastructure and skills training.

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MANUFACTURING In 2019 the manufacturing sector accounted for 11.78% of GDP (global average is 18%) and approximately a

Manufacturing the future

third of this contribution comes from the automotive

Traditionally Africa’s greatest wealth has been

sub-sector – which as a whole contributes in the region

seen to be its natural resources and primary

of 7.6% to GDP. Automotive manufacturing takes place

sector extraction, relying on other developed

in three provinces: Gauteng (Nissan-Renault, BMW and

economies for secondary beneficiation and

Ford); KwaZulu-Natal (Toyota, Bell Equipment); and the

imports. Now we stand on the brink of a major

Eastern Cape (Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, General

disruption to this paradigm. Digitisation will

Motors and Ford engines).

transform the continent’s economy into one that is exports-based.

Support and incentives from the state for the automotive industry include the Automotive Production and Development Plan (APDP) and the associated Automotive Incentive Scheme (AIS). This policy support has resulted in sustained investor confidence.

The South African Automotive Master plan (SAAM) is a roadmap to 2035 with targets that include expanded vehicle production, doubling employment, an increase in local content to 60%, and an increase in the contribution of black-owned suppliers.

There are several industry-led initiatives aimed at facilitating support for existing companies on this transformation and black supplier development journey. Incubator structures, private advisory services and cluster initiatives such as East Cape Automotive Industry Forum (ECAIF) and Durban Automotive Cluster (DAC) provide valuable structures to support these objectives.

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IMPUMELELO RETROSPECTIVE | EDITORIAL

Data, connected infrastructure and industrial

production created difficulties in delivery and the

ecosystems will together create the perfect

education and training levels of the population did

storm for Africa to manufacture smart

not improve much. The education, training and skills

factories of the future.

system was described as ineffective and inefficient.

According to a Frost & Sullivan White Paper

In 2009 government created the single ministerial

by the Manufacturing Leadership Council,

portfolio of Higher Education and Training. The portfolio

the manufacturing industry will look

shifted the higher and further education and training

completely different in the next 10 to

functions associated with colleges and universities from

15 years as industries become high-tech

the Minister of Education to the new Department of

engines of mass customisation.

Higher Education and Training (DHET).

“Highly automated and information-intensive, the factory of tomorrow will look like an integrated hardware and software system, fuelled by vast quantities of information from every corner of the enterprise and beyond, moderated by analytical systems that can identify and extract insights and opportunities from that information, and comprise of intelligent machines that learn, act and work

Skills development and vocational training has been key to job creation and reduction of poverty.

alongside highly skilled human beings.” – Frost & Sullivan White Paper

TRAINING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT The 1994 democratic government inherited a population with low educational and skills levels and an education and training system that was fragmented, dysfunctional and unequal. From

The focus of the Skills Development Act, 1998

1994 to 2009, the Department of Education was

(Amended 2008) was to:

responsible for higher and technical vocational

• Empower the South African workforce with skills

education delivered through the universities and

• Ensure employees access more opportunities

further education and training (FET) colleges.

for skill acquisition • Create space for the new entrants to the labour

The then Department of Labour was responsible for

market to gain work experience, introduce

workplace skills programmes, delivered largely through

transformative tools through training and education

the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).

to redress unfair discrimination practices in the

This split in the education, training and workplace skills

labour market.

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Furthering the national skills development and training imperative, DHET presented the National Skills Development Plan to the portfolio committee on higher education and training in August 2018.

The nine principles of the Plan were outlined as follows:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 20

Locating the NSDP within an integrated post-school system

Contributing to the country’s socio-economic objectives

Advancing an equitable and integrated system

Greater inclusivity and collaboration

FINANCE Since 1994, financial services have seen

Focus on support system

strong growth and investors cite this sector

for learners and employers

as one of the key motivations for investing in our economy. In the South African context, access to finance and financial

Strong emphasis

services are key to achieving economic

on accountability

and social transformation.

Meaningful transformation of the

Understanding demand

financial sector includes issues such as access, lower rates, appropriate product development, procurement,

Steering Supply

empowerment financing, socio-economic

– Qualifications and Provision

development, employment equity and skills development. True transformation of the financial sector means that it will work

Steering Funding

for all South Africans, enabling all citizens

– Funding Mechanisms

to save, borrow, insure and transact.

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IMPUMELELO RETROSPECTIVE | EDITORIAL

Structure of the South African finance sector

“In 2017 the Financial Sector Code was amended to

arranged according to value of assets:

ensure it was in line with the dti Codes of Good Practice.

The year 2018 saw the sector contribute R640 368 228 613

Banks

to the gross domestic product of the economy (22.39%).

Pension funds

The Financial Sector Code (FSC) commits all participants to actively promoting a transformed,

Long-term insurers

vibrant and globally competitive financial sector that reflects the demographics of South Africa, which

Collective investment schemes

contributes to the establishment of an equitable society by providing accessible financial services

Short-term insurers

to black people and by directing investment into targeted sectors of the economy.

The period since 1994 has seen the South African economy undergo profound restructuring which has

Recognising the unique position that financial

included policy initiatives such as the Broad-Based Black

institutions hold in the development of South Africa,

Economic Empowerment Strategy, the Microeconomic

two unique elements exist in the FSC scorecard over

Reform Strategy, Transformation Charters, Sector Codes,

and above the five elements in the Codes of Good

Codes of Best Practice, the Black Industrialist Programme

Practice. These are: Empowerment Financing and

and the Financial Sector Regulations Act (2017).

Access to Financial Services. These elements are intended to accelerate the transformation process as they focus on making financial services accessible to the previously unbanked and under-served. They empower the previously disenfranchised through the provision of affordable housing, financing of black Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and agricultural activities, and investing in various types of transformational infrastructure that help create the necessary platforms to grow the economy on an equitable basis.”

– Government Gazette 1 December 2017

Sources Barrick Mining Review BrandSA Frost & Sullivan White Paper Government Gazette StatsSA www.southafricanmi.com

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DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION 3 WAYS THAT ELEVATING EMPOWERMENT CAN POSITIVELY IMPACT YOUR BUSINESS The transformation and empowerment agenda has evolved tremendously since 1994. In line with that evolution has been the growth (and pivot to digital first) of

1. Holistic transformation development and implementation for accelerated growth

Top Empowerment, the annual publication founded by Richard Fletcher on the basis of a challenge after our first democratic elections from then-MP and now President, Cyril Rampahosa. South Africa needed to transform and the challenge was – could Topco Media be the flag bearer? The subsequent publication was founded on the basis of championing B-BBEEE and the black- owned and run companies that were excelling at implementing inclusion and diversity. What began as a challenge grew to an entire ecosystem which facilitates growth and opportunities for companies that are now amongst the top in the nation.

However, as Ralf Fletcher, CEO of Topco Media explains, “When we started it was a completely different landscape and we were in the nascent stages of actioning

Transformation has expanded beyond the technical

transformation. Now we are at a point where

definitions of the requirements you need to meet.

we can draw from our 20 years of insights to

It extends to creating an integrated culture which

meaningfully lead the conversation on the

means looking at creating equitability across all

efficacy of transformation in the South African

policies including gender and disability. Addressing it

context.”

holistically creates internal alignment which in turn boosts productivity and fosters an environment of growth. The

From the depth of our insights we have

data shows that up to 45% greater market share can be

already collected, here are three highlights

captured with increased representation for women at an

that explain how transformation can positively

executive level.

impact your business:

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3 WAYS THAT ELEVATING EMPOWERMENT CANPOSITIVELY IMPACT YOUR BUSINESS | EDITORIAL

2. Treat B-BBEE scorecard as a tool rather than a mere checkbox

3. E conomic upside to actively pursuing transformation

The reality is that many companies still approach B-BBEE as a penalisation rather than a powerful tool that can add to the bottom line for a company. The codes outlined provide structure

A pervasive perception around empowerment

– however, if you approach them as guidelines

and transformation is that it will hinder

on how to enrich the composition of your

economic growth rather than bolster it.

business and draw from a greater cross-section

Fundamentally, successful implementation

of experiences and backgrounds, you will find

of transformation policies work to create

they can provide you with a competitive edge.

employment, boost profit margins and ultimately

Beyond compliance and being a signaller to

create more favourable economic conditions.

clients and suppliers alike, a focus on exceeding

To navigate the next few years which will be

the expectations in this respect leads to better

underpinned by the effects of the Coronavirus,

business practices which are particularly pertinent

transformation will have to remain at the

in the current climate of South Africa.

forefront of the agenda.

Ultimately empowerment and transformation have shown themselves to be key to unlocking South Africa’s economic potential. If you would to profile in the upcoming edition of Top Empowerment, please contact Thabiso on: thabiso.mohlabeng@topco.co.za

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THEO BALOYI

BY CHARNDRÉ EMMA KIPPIE

ON PUTTING YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD, WEALTH BUILDING AND STEPPING INTO AFRICA

Bathu Shoes founder and entrepreneur, Theo Baloyi, was recently awarded Top Empowerment’s Top Empowered Young Achiever of the Year for 2020, in the midst of his pro-African sneaker brand’s major success story – and this is only the beginning!

THEO BALOYI | EDITORIAL

The Bathu story is more than just a story of sneakers. It’s a story of claiming your purpose in life, staying true to who you really are, and pursuing your dreams and doing something you are actually passionate about.

His is a story of walking your destined path. His narrative

“We penetrated an industry that has been dominated

is truly an inspirational tale of diligence, detailing how

by international footwear brands for years, and we

believing in yourself despite all obstacles could lead to

have managed to create a brand that is pro-African

unprecedented levels of success.

with a world-class look and feel”

Born and raised in Gauteng, Theo lived with his uncle

WHAT IS THE MESSAGE BEHIND YOUR BRAND?

in the township of Alexandra, whilst pursuing a BCom

“Our sole aim is to build a proudly African sneaker

Accounting degree. Upon receiving his accounting

brand, reignite hope and create sustainable jobs. I’m

qualification, and landing a job with PwC, Theo then

of the opinion that we are on a journey to contribute

moved to Dubai, achieving financial security for himself

immensely in the South African economy and help

and his family following his father passing. During his

create more jobs. We penetrated an industry that has

experience in the Middle East, the award-winning 30

been dominated by international footwear brands for

year-old accountant began his entrepreneurial journey,

years, and we have managed to create a brand that is

detecting a gap in the sneaker market. Through an

pro-African with a world-class look and feel.

international lens, a void in the market could be seen, there was a need for an authentic African sneaker brand

“It’s truly a proudly South African story. I might have

– and Theo made it his mission to tell an authentically

initiated it, but it doesn’t belong to me. It belongs to

honest African story through his new venture.

all of us. We’re called “Bathu”, which means ‘shoe’ in Tsotsitaal (the vernacular derived from a blend of local

Today, Bathu is a well-loved brand. Theo’s concept was

languages mainly spoken in the townships of Gauteng

ingenuous: create a sneaker business with distinctive

such as Soweto). It doesn’t matter where you go,

and modern flair, with all shoes produced locally, which

whether it’s filled with isiXhosa, isiZulu or Sepedi speaking

would ultimately become as popular as any other

people; South Africans know what it means. It unites us,

global sneaker brand.

and that’s what the business is about – uniting people.

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S IT’

ALL

A B O U T BUI

LD

IN

G

A

ND

NE

VER GIVING UP

.

Today, we can say we penetrated an industry that has been dominated by international footwear brands for years, and we have managed to create a brand that is pro-African with a world-class look and feel.”

After five years at PwC, and three HOW HAVE YOU ACHIEVED THIS LEVEL OF SUCCESS AT THE MERE AGE OF 30?

in Dubai, I quit and invested savings

“I’ve found my purpose and that’s what makes me

a real impact in my community. Four

so confident in what I do, but I understand that this is bigger than me. The journey has been a hustle. My seniors at PwC were supportive of me having a side hustle, and then I found a factory in Durban that would make the sneaker, but my design first needed their approval. It took 18 months to research and develop the prototype. In order for it to be worthwhile for them to switch on their machines, the minimum order quantity had to be about 1,200 pairs. I then sold the 100 pairs made (at a loss) from my uncle’s back room and the

into building the business and making hours after launching the brand, our website crashed because of traffic.

People were curious about the brand and what it represents.

“Being in the corporate space exposed me to wealth building and my vision is to build that wealth. It’s all about building and never giving up. The factory in Durban, that now makes our sneakers, rejected us sixteen times because of

boot of my car, at first.

the mesh fabric we wanted to use – I refused to take

“You must have the right people in positions that they

brand for the sake of it. I wanted to tell a story and

no for an answer. I didn’t want to start a sneaker

enjoy. My best friend Andrew Lale and my uncle kept the business going when I returned to Dubai. They helped me deliver, and Andrew conducted media interviews on my behalf, but I was always hands-on.

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manufacture products of quality.”

THEO BALOYI | EDITORIAL

THEO’S CURRENT ACCOLADES • Top Empowerment Awards 2020 - Top Empowered Young Achiever of the Year • BBQ Awards - Ndlovu Jewellery Transformation Champion of the Year Award 2020 • BBQ Awards - Hennessy XO Businessman of the Year Award 2020 • Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2019 – South African Business Premier Awards.

• Forbes Africa 30 under 30 – 2019.

• Emerging Business – Entrepreneur of the Year 2019 – Sanlam & Business Partners.

• Fastest Growing Business Brand 2019 (Finalist) – National Business Awards • Young Executive of the Year 2019 (Finalist) – National Business Awards • SME Award 2019 (Finalist) - Vision 2030 Awards • 2019 Most influential Young South African in Business - Avance Media • Young Entrepreneur of the Year - Gauteng Premier Service Excellence Awards • Collaborations with big brands like OPEL, Forbes Africa, and Sprite

WHAT’S THE BEST FINANCIAL ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? The best advice came from my father. He used to tell me to never have an emotional relationship with money because if I lose R10, I will lament that loss. However, if I have an intellectual relationship with money, I will think about how I will make my next R20, and that’s how I run my business to this day.

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EDITORIAL | THEO BALOYI

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT HOW POPULAR YOUR BRAND HAS BECOME IN SOUTH AFRICA? A lot of celebrities love our brand because our story resonates with them so well. They take pride in our story. Hence, they wear the brand with pride wherever they go - our brand speaks to the heart. We don’t want to be a fashion brand. We want to be a shoe retail brand. If Spitz can come here and build their brand, why can’t Bathu go to Italy and build a brand that Italians could say is proudly South Africa? It’s our

with more retail store locations, starting with Botswana in 2021.

At present, Bathu offers a unique range of sneakers and related products for both children and adults, including the standard Mesh Edition, the Mesh Edition 2.0, Journey Edition Suede, and the Journey Edition Leather – with plenty more to come.

time; let’s build our continent.

THE FUTURE FOR BATHU In January 2020, Bathu secured a 3700m² warehouse in Centurion,

CLICK HERE FOR PODCAST

Johannesburg, which houses their current staff base of 68 people – 80% of whom are from Alexandra.

This figure has gradually increased throughout the year, combating the devastating local unemployment rates by creating jobs and strengthening the hopes of local families and individuals.

As part of their vision for 2020, Bathu opened its sixteenth local store in November this year.

Both Theo and Bathu pride themselves on creating an African footprint across the globe, and there are plans to position the brand across Africa,

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ADWOA. Activist.

Let’s build the future, together.

ONLY AT

WWW.EDGARS.CO.ZA

SAMSUNG ACHIEVES A LEVEL 1 BBB-EE RATING FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR As of May this year, the brand took

the future of the South African

another significant step forward

economy. Samsung is dedicated to

to build on its transformational

harnessing the power of technology

vision. It was announced that the

to effect positive change. Our team

company secured a Broad-Based

is firmly committed to ensuring long-

Black Economic Empowerment

term sustainability and remaining

(B-BBEE) Level 1 contribution status

aligned with the Government’s

for the second consecutive year.

transformation imperatives”, says

This certification is aligned with

Hlubi Shivanda, Director: Business

Samsung’s belief that companies

Innovation Group and Corporate

must play an active role in

Affairs at Samsung South Africa.

empowering people across all industry sectors. This is why over

Samsung has unswervingly

Samsung is driven by a focus on

time Samsung has invested in major

embraced the stipulations of

the participation of black people in

social and enterprise development

B-BBEE, which is why the brand

the management, ownership and

initiatives at a grass-roots level,

finds great purpose in contributing

control of South Africa’s economy.

that allows the brand to be actively

meaningfully to sustainable

In 2019, Samsung introduced a

involved in the community, as

transformation across the Samsung

R280-Million Equity Equivalent

well as support local

value chain. This is demonstrated by

Investment Programme, geared

entrepreneurial talent.

Samsung’s enduring commitment to

towards accelerating job creation.

“The certification demonstrates our

the objectives of the Broad-Based

It is estimated that the programme

dedication not only to operational

Black Economic Empowerment Act,

will contribute nearly R1-billion to

excellence but to remain an active

in its ongoing objective to address

the South African economy. This

and enthusiastic contributor to

the inequalities of the past.

investment is accompanied by

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SAMSUNG | ADVERTORIAL

initiatives focused on the upskilling of youth, such as in the Samsung Engineering Academy, technologybased facilities in schools and

“ We will continue to work directly with Government through education programmes, bursaries and entrepreneurial initiatives. Additionally, everything

universities, as well as student

from the empowerment of our staff, Samsung

bursaries. In the long run, the

Engineering Academies and Enterprise Development

objective is to pursue opportunities for people to become dynamically

programmes will continue to actively reflect our

engaged in the economy. This will

unwavering commitment to the prosperity of the

have a positive impact on families,

country and its people” – Hlubi Shivanda.

communities and, ultimately, the entire nation.

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SA YOUTH SAVOUR SUCCESS: SAMSUNG PARTNERS WITH EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO SUCCESSFULLY SUPPORT YOUTH ACROSS SOUTH AFRICA

disadvantaged youth. Working together with like-minded institutions such as the University of the Western Cape, Tshimologong, EASTC and Ocule IT we can dedicate the necessary resources and time to create endless possibilities.

“South Africa now, more than ever needs to equip the youth

Samsung will remain steadfastly committed to the idea of

to seize the opportunities that lie in the ICT sector. Samsung

real empowerment and education that changes lives,” says

looks forward to working with Government and educational

Hlubi Shivanda, Director: Business Innovation Group and

institutions to empower the leaders of tomorrow and we will,

Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa.

therefore, continue to seek out the avenues that will lead to In addition, EASTC is hosting the 24-month MERSETA accredited

success” – Hlubi Shivanda

Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Apprenticeship, and Ocule Samsung South Africa’s mission is to empower youth in the

IT is hosting the 12-month MICTSETA accredited Electronics

ICT sector. Thus far, the brand has produced incredible

learnership. Overall, the programme benefits 40 unemployed

results since the launch of its Equity Equivalent Investment

black youth per annum. Furthermore, the Technician

Programme (“EEIP”) a year ago.

programme commenced on the first of June 2020, despite the national lock down and the challenges that came with it. The

Software development skills are highly sought-after in the

Technician programme is a fully funded bursary programme

digital economy, which is why Samsung considers it as an

that provides for tuition, equipment and stipends. In essence,

important part of its educational initiatives. Programme

it is a comprehensive integrated skills development investment

partners for software development include the University of

programme that prioritises the delivery of an integrated holistic

the Western Cape (UWC) and Tshimologong Digital Precinct.

package of personal, technical, entrepreneurial and business

A further capacity building programme is the training and

skills, aligned to meet the needs of the country’s economic

development of electronics, refrigeration and air-conditioning

development strategies.

technicians. Partners here include Ekurhuleni Artisans and Skills Training Centre (“EASTC”) and Ocule IT in KZN. Together,

SUCCESS STORIES

the initiatives are harnessing the power of technology to train

Throughout these ongoing programmes, there have been many

and inspire young people to pursue their ambitions.

success stories, including that of Sibusiso Labi from Western Cape. Labi, now 20-years-old, was among the thousands of

The first cohort of the UWC software development

child-headed households in South Africa, but the determined

programme launched in 2019, successfully came to an

boy from the Cape Flats refused to be a statistic. At the age

end with students demonstrating their learning by solving

of 18, he found a job as a packer at a supermarket distribution

social problems via digital innovation. Marketing and

centre. A year later he resigned to pursue his dream of

recruitment for the second cohort began mid-2020. The

becoming a web developer. Today, thanks to an innovative

Microsoft AppFactory at Tshimologong is an advanced

collaboration between Samsung South Africa and the University

nine-month software development programme that

of the Western Cape, the 20-year-old’s dream is materialising.

aims to address the gap of high-demand software skills.

He is one of 70 students receiving web and mobile software

The programme aims to facilitate hands-on, real-world

development training at a new Future-Innovation Lab which

experience through creativity and fun in a learning and

focuses on building digital innovation skills for unemployed youth

working environment. Overall, the software development

in South Africa. As a result of his excellent academic results in

programme benefits 80 disadvantaged youth per annum.

this course, as well as his practical software development skills he, along with six other aspiring developers, is now ready for

“Despite the many challenges that face our country’s youth,

the next step in his career and will enter the Samsung EEIP App

there is immense potential that can be explored. We believe

Factory at UWC for a further 9 months of applied skills training

these programmes can open new doors for previously

and building of software products.

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SAMSUNG | ADVERTORIAL

SAMSUNG AND TSHIMOLOGONG PRECINCT ANNOUNCE THE GRADUATION OF THE FIRST COHORT OF THE APP FACTORY INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME Collaborative partnerships remain key to addressing the increasing need for quality software development skills in the country. Fortunately, Samsung South Africa, through its partnership with Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct created the App Factory, an internship programme aimed at assisting interns to work on real-world projects under the guidance of a senior developer over the course of nine months. This intern-centred approach enables them to grow their competence and hone their skills. These skills are required by industry even when entering the job market as software developers. The practical learning serves as a foundation to allow the graduates to grow and be part of

“ This programme had a positive impact on my life.

If I had not been part of this internship, I would not have learnt the problem-solving skills that I now have, and am looking forward to being employed so that I may use my newly acquired skills.”

– Frans Mahlangu, App Factory internship graduate.

shaping the 4th Industrial Revolution.

This partnership is aligned with Samsung’s R280-million Equity

It can only be successful when partners like Samsung join

Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP), which includes the

forces for the common good”, says Lesley Donna Williams,

mission to build software development skills for unemployed

CEO of Tshimologong.

youth.Tshimologong Precinct’s tech incubation not only grows the tech start-ups of tomorrow, but also provides quality

Samsung is committed to developing the community,

software development skills for young people in South African.

identifying and prioritising young people with interventions that focus on their distinctive needs and ambitions in

The graduates of the App Factory Internship Programme

software development. This is reflected in initiatives such as

are eager to find decent jobs within the industry. With the

the App Factory.

right skills and the right opportunities, such skilled interns can be part of driving local and global growth while

Given the current state of the world, the persistent

achieving personal successes. Samsung and Tshimologong

challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Samsung’s

celebrated the graduates of the internship programme

and Tshimologong’s second cohort is both timely and

through an event, held on Thursday, 26 November

needed. Tshimologong Precinct is now looking ahead to

2020 at the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct in

next year and is seeking graduates who can demonstrate

Braamfontein, Johannesburg. The event was attended by

their ability to code in C#, Java and C++ and are familiar

representatives from Samsung, the Department of Trade,

with object-oriented principles. Successful candidates will

Industry and Competition, Tshimologong project managers

be paid a stipend for the duration of the internship.

as well as Wits University representatives.

Contact Us:

“Tshimologong is committed to growing tech skills in

0860 726 7864

South Africa through these development programmes.

www.samsung.com/za/

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DIVERSITY IS BEING INVITED TO THE PARTY INCLUSION IS BEING ASKED TO DANCE: THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

BY BONANG MOHALE

Diversity and inclusion (D&I) needs to be defined in a way that has meaning and purpose within the South African context and that reflects the particular historical origins of inequality in this country. The definition must also give clear directions as to how a commitment to D&I can be translated into practical strategies, action plans and programmes.

It is a planned and positive process and strategy aimed at transforming socio-economic environments which have excluded individuals from disadvantaged groups. In order for such disadvantaged individuals to gain access to opportunities, including developmental opportunities, based on their suitability. It requires the total eradication of all obstacles, subtle or overt, formal or informal, which hinder the empowerment of disadvantaged individuals.

Part of the problem is that “diversity” and “inclusion” are so often lumped together that they are assumed to be the same thing. But that is just not the case. In the context of the workplace, diversity equals representation.

Without inclusion, however, the crucial connections that attract diverse talent, encourage their participation, foster innovation and lead to business growth will not happen.

Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance. Numerous studies show that diversity alone does not drive inclusion. In fact, without inclusion there is often a diversity backlash.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION | EDITORIAL

In 1971, the late Rev Leon Howard Sullivan Jr. (1922 - 2001) was elected to the Board of Directors at General Motors Corporation (GM), at that time, the largest employer in South Africa. Sullivan used his position within this corporation to oppose discrimination. To this end, in 1977 Sullivan created the Sullivan Principles, a code of conduct for corporations operating out of South Africa. The Sullivan Principles were designed to protect human rights and promote equal opportunity for workers in South Africa. This code of ethics was widely acknowledged for challenging racial discrimination in South Africa and helping dismantle apartheid. Later that same year, with help from the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, launched the Global Sullivan Principles campaign.

Sullivan Principles, 1978 Version Source: Leon H. Sullivan, “Amplified Guidelines to South African Statement of Principles,” July 6, 1978, Folder Sullivan Principles, Box 25, Perry Bullard Papers, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan.

These expanded principles call for companies to play a larger role in the achievement of worldwide human rights, equality, economic fairness and social justice. Leaders have long recognised that a diverse workforce of women, black people, LGBT-QI individuals confers a competitive edge in terms of selling products or services to diverse end users. Yet a stark gap persists between recognising the leadership behaviours that unlock this capability and actually practicing them.

What is needed is inclusive leadership that will ensure that team members speak up and are heard, making it safe to propose novel ideas, empowering team members to make decisions, taking advice and implementing feedback, giving actionable feedback and sharing credit for team success.

What also helps is networking by making your ‘net work for you’ and visibility as often, ‘out of sight, out of mind’.

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For black people and women, the key to rising above a

to bear the brunt of the crisis. At the same time, social,

playing field that remains stubbornly uneven is sponsorship.

political and economic inequalities have amplified the

A sponsor is a senior-level leader who elevates their

impacts of the pandemic. On the economic front, the

protégé’s visibility within the corridors of power, advocates

COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased global

for key assignments and promotions for them and puts their

unemployment and dramatically slashed workers’ incomes.

reputation on the line for the protégé’s advancement. For those who feel marginalised by their gender, ethnicity, age, sexual identity or educational and economic background, sponsorship is particularly crucial in invigorating ambition and driving engagement. Having a sponsor increases the likelihood of being satisfied with the rate of career advancement. Conversely, lack of sponsorship increases someone’s likelihood of quitting within a year. So is career pathing and succession planning also important. Companies should start from the simple but fundamental understanding that there are different perspectives, each of them valuable, and work to explore and identify the range of barriers holding these individuals back. Organisations can then formulate plans and programmes that offer options and provide signposts that help women, LGBT people, and people of colour find the path that’s right for where they are in their lives and careers. In the 21st century, not to have a diverse team is absolutely unacceptable but to have a culture that is not inclusive is criminal. Diversity without inclusion is a story of missed opportunities, of employees so used to being overlooked that they no longer share ideas and insights. But diversity with inclusion provides a potent mix of talent attraction, retention and high engagement levels.

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Goal 10 talks about the need to ‘reduce inequality within and among countries’. Reducing inequalities and ensuring no one is left behind are integral to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Inequality within and among countries is a persistent cause for concern. Despite some positive signs toward reducing inequality in some dimensions, such as reducing relative income inequality in some countries and preferential trade status benefiting lower-income countries, inequality still persists. COVID-19 has deepened already existing inequalities hitting the poorest and most vulnerable communities the hardest. It has put a spotlight on economic inequalities and fragile social safety nets that leave vulnerable communities

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2 0 TH E D I T I O N

THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION | EDITORIAL

SDG 5 talks about the need to

In June 1993, the Black Management

The GNU has long made a national

‘achieve gender equality and

Forum (BMF) set up an Affirmative

transformation agenda one of its

empower all women and girls’. Gender equality is a fundamental and inviolable

Action Commission, consisting of twelve members to look at key aspects of affirmative action!

overarching policy priorities, aiming to address the societal imbalance left by the apartheid regime.

This found expression in

Meanwhile, the Reconstruction

human right

our Constitution as the

and Development Programme

and women’s

Employment Equity Act.

(RDP), Growth Employment and

and girls’

Chief among South

Redistribution (GEAR), Accelerated

empowerment

Africa’s political success is

and Shared Growth Initiative

is essential to expand economic growth, promote social

the country’s Constitution, which was written in 1996.

The three parties that made up

for South Africa (ASGISA), New Growth Path (NGP), National Development Programme (NDP)

development and enhance

the Government of National Unity

- 2030 and the more recent

business performance. The full

(GNU), the ANC, National Party and

Economic Reconstruction and

incorporation of women’s capacities

the IFP, established the core principles

Recovery Plan (ERRP), all address

into labour forces would add

on which the country’s future was

the economic facet of the national

percentage points to most national

to be built. The result of the

process, by focusing on, among

growth rates – double digits in many

negotiations was a

others, infrastructure investment,

cases. Further, investing in women’s

Constitution that is

skills enhancement, support for

empowerment produces the double

today considered

SMEs and macroeconomic

dividend of benefiting women and

to be one of the

stabilisation, government has

children, and is pivotal to the health

most progressive

moved to tackle race and

and social development of families,

in the world. It

gender-related inequality in

communities and nations. COVID-19

is perhaps best

also puts at risk the limited progress

known for its

that has been made on gender

second chapter, a

equality and women’s rights over the

Bill of Rights, in which

past decades. Across every sphere,

the question of human

the context of a broader

from health to the economy, security

rights are expounded

national empowerment

to social protection, the impacts

upon over 35 sections.

strategy. The broad

of COVID-19 are exacerbated for

Mindful of the country’s

women and girls simply by virtue of

recent undemocratic

their gender. Inequalities are also

past, its authors

deepening for vulnerable populations

included a further

in countries with weaker health systems

chapter establishing

and those facing existing humanitarian

a number of related

composition of

crises. Refugees and migrants, as well

commissions and

ownership and

as indigenous peoples, older persons,

offices, such as the

people with disabilities and children

South African Human

are particularly at risk of being left

Rights Commission and

behind. Hate speech targeting

the Commission for

vulnerable groups is rising.

Gender Equality.

a much more direct fashion.

Additionally, the B-BBEE of 2003, sets out the government policy of situating B-BBEE within

objectives of the B-BBEE policy include an alteration to the racial and gender

management structures of existing and new enterprises as well as in skilled occupations,

2 0 TH E D I T I O N

IMPUMELELO TOP EMPOWERMENT

37

EDITORIAL | THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

increased access to finance for black

6 million hectares of a targeted

people and women, the employment

total of 25m hectares had been

of rural communities, the development

bought by government and nearly

of black South Africans as human

30% of the land which had been

capital through programmes such as

handed over to aspirant black

coaching, mentorships, sponsorships,

farmers had been sold back to its

internships, and preferential

original owners. To try and address

procurement policies for black- and

this failure to implement the Act,

womenowned businesses. In practice,

we have now amended Section

companies must comply with B-BBEE

25, Article 3 to be even more

Codes of Good Practice (CoGP)

explicit on “Expropriation Without

principles of 2007.

Compensation”.

Central to the issue of transformation is the emotive issue of land reform, including restitution, redistribution and development - as a primary means of production! At the end of the apartheid era, only 13% of commercial farmland was

CLICK HERE FOR PODCAST

owned by black South Africans.

Bringing black ownership of farmland up to 30% became one of the central policy pillars of the newly elected GNU in 1994. The White Paper on South African Land Policy of 1997 solidified this objective. In marked contrast to the confiscatory model adopted

by Zimbabwe, the Act established a regime based on the principle of “willing seller, willing buyer” at the market price. However, by 2011, only

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IMPUMELELO TOP EMPOWERMENT

2 0 TH E D I T I O N

TECHNOLOGY IS FOREVER, PROFITS ARE FOR GOOD MICH ATAGANA, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS HEAD, GOOGLE SA

The digital revolution doesn’t only make companies run

It is impossible to imagine our world without technology,

smoother, faster, and more efficiently, it is also helping

from an economic point of view but certainly from a social

them make the world a better, kinder, and fairer place

and human well-being perspective. We have countless

for all. Technology, after all, has the ability to connect

digital solutions at our disposal that make business sense

people who need one another and allows users to share

and improve the lives of ordinary people and help level

resources and skills, empower themselves and others,

the playing field between the haves and have-nots. These

and mobilise across borders to help people in need. This

days, profits are no longer the only corporate finishing line of

makes the #Tech4Good revolution the most powerful

importance. How businesses are changing lives, communities,

social change-maker in our lifetime.

and the world at large has become equally important.

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IMPUMELELO TOP EMPOWERMENT

2 0 TH E D I T I O N

TECHNOLOGY IS FOREVER, PROFITS ARE FOR GOOD | EDITORIAL

Users themselves, particularly millennials, have been

Other social entrepreneurs focus on connecting people

the ones who kick-started this trend. This army of digital

and fostering friendships. Despite our connected world,

natives, who make up 24% of the global population, isn’t

loneliness remains prevalent in our society, especially

just after products and services with a high convenience

amongst seniors.

factor. They are after purchases that help them make a social impact, too.

ShareThyme is a good example of what can be done to solve this. Developed in the UK, this free platform pairs

Deloitte’s 2018 Global Millennial Survey shows just that:

people aged 65+ who are lonely and love to cook with

according to the data, people born between 1980 and

younger people keen to learn new recipes. See it as an

2000 believe businesses have a duty to make a difference

Airbnb Experience, but one for cooking!

in society through innovation, be kind to the environment, and improve people’s lives. Most of the survey’s 10 455 respondents also said they would be prepared to spend

THE MILLENNIAL DRIVE

more on products and services that do good - shunning

TO USE TECHNOLOGY TO

companies that don’t have any regard for this.

This filters through to what they expect from the organisations they work for and the ventures they

CHANGE THE WORLD HAS INSPIRED MULTINATIONALS

develop. Of course, financial viability remains important,

TO DO THE SAME, INCLUDING

but that is not where their quest stops. Making a change

TECHNOLOGY GIANT IBM.

has become their currency of choice.

Take TooGoodToGo, founded by Jamie Crummie, a

Together with the American Cancer Society, the

young lawyer from the UK who has found himself a spot

National Comprehensive Cancer Network, and the

on Forbes’ 2019 Under 30s list. His platform kills three

Clinton Health Access Initiative, the company has

birds with one stone, over and above being a profitable

helped pave the way for a new tool to improve cancer

venture. Firstly, by connecting consumers to nearby

care and treatment in Sub-Saharan Africa.

restaurants and retailers with unsold food, allowing them to buy great meals at great prices, it helps to reduce food

As part of this alliance, IBM has developed a Cancer

wastage. In the UK alone, TooGoodToGo is preventing

Guidelines Navigator, an online clinical decision solution

100,000 meals a day from being landfilled.

to help African oncology specialists make better and faster diagnoses whilst assisting them in optimising the

Secondly, the platform is fighting malnutrition and hunger,

patients’ treatment trajectories.

a global problem that is also prevalent in developed countries. In the UK, 1.5 million people have reported not

This is necessary. According to the Global Cancer Atlas,

eating for a whole day because they can’t afford food.

sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 752 000 new cancer

Three million Britons live in households where someone

cases last year, 4% of the global total, and 506 000

had been forced to skip some meals.

cancer deaths. Cervical cancer is especially problematic: one-third of all deaths associated with this disease occur

Finally, Crummie and his team are helping food companies

in Africa south of the Sahara, a region which accounts

to expand and diversify their client base whilst allowing

for only 14% of the global population. Lack of proper

them to recover some costs associated with unsold food.

diagnostics and treatment options are key causes of this.

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IMPUMELELO TOP EMPOWERMENT

41

EDITORIAL | TECHNOLOGY IS FOREVER, PROFITS ARE FOR GOOD

Other corporate giants are focussing on enhancing

expand, started new ventures, secured jobs, and grew in

people’s skills sets, targeting vulnerable and marginalised

their current positions.

individuals. Accenture, one of the world’s largest business and IT consulting firms, has, for instance, developed a Skills

Some 48% of participants in the Digital Skills for Africa

to Succeed Academy. As a free and interactive online

programme so far are women. This is important because

training programme, it helps disadvantaged youths aged

women remain economically under-represented and,

15-24 boost and build relevant skills to grow their career

therefore, most affected by unemployment, poverty, and

prospects.

hunger. To add insult to injury, those who have jobs often earn less than men. South Africa is no exception, and the

Closer to home, JSE-listed IT company Business Connexion

2018/19 Global Wage Report by the International Labour

has partnered with the Cape Innovation and Technology

Organization (ILO) shows that female workers on average

Initiative (CiTi), Africa’s oldest tech incubator, to equip

earn 28% less than their male counterparts, The fact is

unemployed South Africans with skills vital to today’s

countries and economies can’t transform, grow, innovate,

workspace. Think geometrics, artificial intelligence (AI),

and bring about change if they continue to exclude women.

operations technology, and cybersecurity. Not only does this programme improve their chances of finding

Programmes like I am Remarkable and Women Will

meaningful employment and a ditto salary, but it also

aim to empower women by giving them critical

provides businesses in our country access to the scarce

entrepreneurship, workplace readiness, leadership, and

skills they need to grow, remain competitive, serve their

technology skills, as well as the interpersonal skills needed

customers, and make a difference.

to truly rise, and take other women along with them.

In many aspects, Accenture and Business Connexion, are hitting the nail on the head. Technology truly is the perfect vehicle to help people, business owners, NPOs, activists, start-ups and anyone else grow, enhance, and polish their skills sets. Innovation has the ability to bring knowledge closer to people, instead of the other way around. This allows you to learn anything from anywhere, at any time. All you need is internet connectivity. For example, Google’s Grow Stronger with Google initiative is helping to accelerate economic recovery through

There is a simple reason why more and more companies have shifted and continue to shift their attention from revenues to purpose through technology, and are putting social impact at the heart of their operations: as good corporate citizens, using our profits for good is our duty. The world in which we operate is not ours to keep.

providing people with the tools, skills and insights they need to grow their careers, start new businesses, and

Besides that, it is what our customers, suppliers, clients,

expand their existing ventures.

employees, and shareholders expect from us. Making a social impact is no longer a nice-to-have, but a must-

In the same vein, the Digital Skills for Africa programme

do. If we can’t meet their demands, closing down is

is providing young Africans with the skills they need to

just a matter of time. Being a super brand makes no

participate in the digital economy and either find jobs or

difference. Look at what happened to Kodak. Once

create their own. It also enables SMEs to take advantage

the biggest film and camera brand in the world, they

of the digital tools they need to be where their customers

failed to move with their customers’ demands and

are. So far 5 million young people and SMEs from 29

expectations. As a result, they are no more.

African countries have gone through the programme.

Of these participants, 60% have seen their businesses

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IMPUMELELO TOP EMPOWERMENT

2 0 TH E D I T I O N

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CELL C

We exist to enhance lives by empowering, entertaining and connecting all people in a way they choose. Our vision is to be the service provider of choice, delivering worldclass solutions that truly meet the needs and demands of our customers.

We are rooted in South Africa. We contribute to the greater South African society and economy, and we aim to leave a lasting legacy. Our objective is to create an environment for our employees where everyone has a sense of belonging, feels empowered and is passionate about what they do.

Cell C Data Scientists

Cell C offers telecommunication

Douglas Craigie Stevenson, Cell C’s CEO

“ C ell C ascribes to the philosophy of compassion and kindness as the catalyst for real change.”

FAST FACTS

• In 2007, a prepaid starter pack

products and value added services

aimed at the youth mass market

to cover everyone’s needs, both in

was launched called Hola 7, with

the formal and informal sectors. We

UNICEF ambassador, musician and

offer a variety of simple and easy-to-

activist Zola as the ambassador of

understand contract, prepaid and

the product

fibre offerings to benefit the needs and

• Woza Weekend, offering free

pockets of all sectors of the market.

weekend minutes was launched

In line with our customer centric

in 2007. Was later extended to

approach Cell C was placed

Woza Wheneva which offered even

top among South Africa’s

more minutes per recharge and to

telecommunications sector for

use all week

fastest customer response and most positive sentiment among

• In 2011 Cell C launched Red Bull Mobile as well as 99c prepaid tariff

consumers using social media in a

• Express Wi-Fi through Facebook

Brands Eye’s report on the industry.

• Financial services such as Excess

The company has been awarded

• Cyber Safety

Level 2 B-BBEE status, up from the

• Cell C Innovation Challenge

Assist (insurance) and Pay Bill Assist Cell C is a customer service champion and is recognised every year for its commitment to serving its customers.

Cell C services 14.4 million customers and has 240 stores across the country.

It is recognised as one of South Africa’s 30 most valuable brands.

Level 3 status that it attained in 2019. Cell C has maintained it’s

LEARNERSHIPS

scoring in the enterprise and supplier

Cell C has partnered with Explore Data

development, socio-economic

Science Academy to develop young

development, and skills development

men and women who will graduate as

categories, while improving in

ICT innovators. They will be equipped

management control.

with employment as Data Scientists, Engineers and or Software Developers.

INNOVATIONS

The Explore Data Science is a year-

• Launch of emergency medical rescue

long programme.

advice and emergency roadside

Cell C has seen excellent growth in the Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) space. This model is gaining momentum locally as more business seek alternative revenue streams

44

IMPUMELELO TOP EMPOWERMENT

assistance - the first for South African

The company has 24 unemployed

network operators, in 2004

and 23 employed learners on the

• Half Tiger, SA’s lowest recharge voucher (R5) was launched in 2004 • Mobile Number Portability was launched in 2005 2 0 TH E D I T I O N

programme. For the unemployed learners, the programme provides opportunities for the learners to be employed within Cell C and other

CELL C LIMITED | ADVERTORIAL

corporations. For the internal employees

Cell C Take a Girl Child to

and kindness as the catalyst for real

on the programme, the programme

Work Day®

change. It means giving goods or

provides reskilling and career growth

Recognised as one of the

funds and leveraging our resources,

opportunities. 96% of the learners are

biggest and most innovative

networks, and employees to help

Black, 36% female and 8.5% being

social programmes in the

others. It is an act of expressing

learners living with disabilities. The

country, currently in its 18th

genuine care for another person or

target is for the programme to reach

year, Cell C Take a Girl Child

living being that is experiencing a

50% female representation in 2021.

to Work Day® contributes

crisis. In 2020, Cell C Acts of Kindness

towards the development of girl

aided:

learners and prepares a core of women who will, in the future,

Partnership with the Angel Network

become vibrant contributors to

Cell C partnered with the Angel

the economy and leading job

Network, a registered NPO and

creators in our country.

voluntary organisation, run solely through social media creating a

Annually, it is hosted by over

gateway for giving and donations, to

hundreds of corporates and

help four people facing hardship.

organisations, and continues to

Young girls at the Cell C Take a Girl Child to Work Day

spark the debate on the role of

CELL C AND ANGEL NETWORK ASSIST

socio-economic development

4 PEOPLE FACING HARDSHIP

and the promotion of gender

Cell C donated smartphones and

equality. The Cell C Take a Girl

all-in-one bundles to staff at Helen

Child to Work Day® South Africa

Joseph Hospital in Roodepoort.

is one of the largest collaborative acts of volunteerism, aimed at

YES4YOUTH

encouraging corporates in South

Cell C heeded government’s call

Africa to empower and provide

for corporations to improve their

guidance to girls on career

B-BBEE scorecards by investing

development. This movement

in job creation through the

has impacted over 1.5 million

Youth Employment Service (YES)

participants to date.

programme. Many of the youth were placed in Cell C stores nationally

CELLCGIRL DIGITAL PLATFORM

receiving training with the ultimate

Two years after the launch

goal of creating employment within

of the CellCgirl platform, the

Cell C and the broader ICT sector.

platform continues to do well.

Cell C and Angel Network assist 4 people facing hardship

The platform has reached 16

M4JAM INITIATIVE

million users across all platforms

In late 2019, Cell C worked with

(including Facebook, Instagram,

M4Jam when we initiated a project

Twitter, Search and Display

to understand the dynamics of

channels). In 2019, the platform

the informal telecommunications

won three awards in total.

retail market. Jobbers assisted with

There have been tremendous

mapping informal traders nationwide

testimonials with regards to the

using geo-location data. Most of

positive impact the platform

the jobbers who find part-time,

is having on the users, namely

temporary work through M4Jam are

access to academic information,

not employed in the formal economy

development of entrepreneurial

and rely on gig-work for income. 96%

skills and better lifestyle choices.

of the jobbers are African and 65% Female. The M4Jam is aimed at

500 Fieldworkers who received their phones with data & airtime during a deep cleaning at a Hospital in Polokwane

ACTS OF KINDNESS

youth empowerment, employment

Cell C ascribes to the

creation, skills and enterprise

philosophy of compassion

development.

2 0 TH E D I T I O N

IMPUMELELO TOP EMPOWERMENT

45

ADVERTORIAL

CELL C LIMITED

With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, Cell C made a direct difference and provided an additional funding of R2 million that will pay users or jobbers to complete training tasks from the safety of their homes and all via mobile devices during the lockdown.

EMPOWERMENT STATUS

empowered enterprises as a

Black Empowerment level

proportion of the total procurement

– shareholding (%):

spend: 83.69%

A >50.1% black shareholding B 25.1-50% black shareholding

COMPANY INFORMATION

C 5-25% black shareholding

STATISTICS/DEMOGRAPHICS/HISTORY Year founded: 1999

Gender Empowerment Level

Founding members: General

– shareholding (%):

Lehlohonolo Moloi

A >50.1% female shareholding

Number of employees: 2 600

B 25.1-50% female shareholding

Number and location of branches: 240

C 5-25% female shareholding

Branches, nationwide

Black Empowerment Level - executive directors/senior management (%): A >50.1% black executive directors B 25.1-50% black executive directors M4Jam Jobber Donald Ngwenya

C 5-25% black executive directors) Gender empowerment level

“I’m able to do jobs while I’m at

– executive directors/senior

home and safe,” says M4Jam

management (%):

Jobber Donald Ngwenya. Cell C

A >50.1% female executive directors

has helped us a lot, we are able to

B 25.1-50% female executive directors

work, and we are able to earn while

C 5-25% female executive directors

we are at home” he continued.

Black Empowerment - total staff (%):

Strategic partnerships: MTN Roaming agreement BUSINESS & FINANCE Turnover: R15.2-billion loss Operating profit: R2.468-million Financial year-end: 31 December Approximate market share: 18% Bank: Multiple Accountants: KPMG Current customer base: 14.4 million CEO: Douglas Craigie Stevenson Chief Operations Officer (Interim):

In 2020, Cell C has once again been

A >50.1 % black staff

nominated for the Top Gender

B 25.1-50% black staff

Empowered: Corporate Citizenship

C 5-25% black staff

Chief Financial Officer: Zafar Mahomed

Gender empowerment – total staff (%):

Juba Mashaba

A >50.1% female staff

Chief Human Capital Development

B 25.1-50% female staff

and Transformation Officer:

C 5-25% female staff

Juliet Mhango

Award for the 16th Annual Standard Bank Top Women Awards. The award is in recognition of the work done under the company’s ‘Gender Equality’ pillar, for the three initiatives: Cell C Take a Girl Child to Work Day, CellCgirl and CellCgirl Bursary Fund. This is the fourth time Cell C has been nominated in this category and we won 3 of these awards, in 2014, 2018 and 2019.

• Institution’s expenditure on staff skills development as a proportion of total payroll: 1.50% • Institutions’ total procurement sourced from black-owned and

Chief Legal Officer: Zahir Williams Chief Commercial Officer: Simo Mkhize Chief Executive: Wholesale Business: Bjorn Flormann Acting Chief Technical Officer: Schalk Visser

SOCIAL MEDIA

Physical address: Water fall Campus, Corner Old Pretoria Road and Maxwell Drive, Buccleuch, 2090, Johannesburg

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CellC

Telephone: 084 174 4000 Fax: 084 167 65 98 Website: www.cellc.co.za Email address: boni.dlamini@cellc.co.za Toll-free/call centre/customer care number: 084 135 IMPUMELELO TOP EMPOWERMENT

Chief Human Resources Officer:

CONTACT DETAILS

Postal address: Private Bag 36, Benmore, 2010

46

Andre Ittman

2 0 TH E D I T I O N

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/ company/cell-c/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CellC. SouthAfrica/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ CellCWeb

CELL C LIMITED | INTERVIEW

CELL C LIMITED

JULIET MHANGO Chief Human Capital Development and Transformation Officer

Best advice and who gave it:

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE KEY

Africa operating in a tough economic

CHALLENGE FOR TRANSFORMATION

climate. Despite this, transformation

IN YOUR SECTOR?

has remained a strategic business

Great strides are being made

imperative. We have managed

within the sector with regards to

to deliver on our transformation

transformation. However I believe

objectives. Our focus has been on

more needs to be done around

leveraging business initiatives and

developing critical and scarce skills

aligning those with the transformation

within the sector. There are certain

agenda.

skills which are very hard to come by and there is a limited supply of talent.

IF YOU HAD TO START YOUR

We need to focus on empowering

WORKING LIFE OVER AGAIN, WHAT

our youth in upskilling them for digital

ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOURSELF

transformation, providing access to the

IN HINDSIGHT?

it” - these were my late father’s words. I

sector through sustainable enterprise

I would advise myself to look for

have applied them in my career and my

and supplier development initiatives.

mentors and coaches to support me

“Everyone has a purpose in life. Focus on your purpose, your vision, put in the hard work required and never give up. Don’t let people’s opinions of you lose sight of

through my career journey. I find that

personal life.

WHAT SKILLS DO YOU THINK THE NEW

mentorship opens doors much faster

GENERATION OF BLACK LEADERS

than relying purely on yourself. I only

ARE GOING TO NEED? HOW DO YOU

realised this much later in my career.

IDENTIFY THOSE LEADERS IN YOUR

You need that person who can support

BUSINESS?

and help you navigate the corporate

space. Over and above being CEO, she

A very important skill for black leaders

space. Many people have great skills,

is an inspirational leader and strives to

is being able to empower and

but are not able to navigate their way

make a difference in this sector. She is

develop others. It is about coaching

through the dynamics that come with

passionate about empowerment and the

and mentoring those coming up

a corporate career.

advancement of women with some of the

behind us. True leadership is about

initiatives that she has been involved in.

growing others and also creating

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE

growth opportunities for them. This

TRANSFORMATION IS SIGNIFICANT

is the only way that we will have

IN SA?

I am a mother of three, with a full time

sustainable transformation and not just

Transformation is important in South

career. I really make time for family during

limited opportunities for a select few.

Africa. Great strides have been

Most inspiring business leader: I am inspired by Lillian Barnard, Microsoft South Africa CEO. The ICT sector is a male dominated industry and it is very inspiring to see a female CEO in this

Way you relax: I enjoy spending quality time with my family.

made, but we still have massive gaps

my down time. I love reading. I also love

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT

that remain in society as a result of

CHALLENGES YOU HAVE HAD TO

our legacy. As corporates, we cannot

FACE IN YOUR TRANFORMATION

sit back and expect government

AGENDA?

to fix everything, we have to drive

The most important challenges we

transformation in our respective

business world, too many people chase

have had to face have been putting

space. Whilst government has made

power and tear others down to get ahead.

transformation on the agenda when

transformation an obligation for

I believe in the complete opposite of that.

the business faces challenging times.

corporations through legislation,

True leadership is about empowering others

Cell C has gone through difficult

corporates need to embrace the

to succeed in their own right.

times, like many companies in South

true spirit of transformation.

travelling both locally and internationally.

Business philosophy: “We rise by lifting others”. This is my philosophy and I believe that I can empower others through my work. In the

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TALKING TRANSFORMATION WITH NEDBANK’S

KERSHINI GOVENDER Having released their 2020 Transformation Report,

NEDBANK HAS RETAINED A LEVEL 1 B-BBEE CONTRIBUTOR

we can be certain that Nedbank’s efforts to enforce

STATUS FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE FINANCIAL YEAR

positive change and community upliftment have paid

IN A ROW – CONGRATULATIONS - HOW HAS THIS BEEN

off. In financial year 2019, the company has now

ACHIEVED AND MAINTAINED?

retained a level 1 B-BBEE contributor status for the second consecutive year, having retained level 2 B-BBEE contributor status for 10 consecutive years since 2009.

Among other things, 2019 saw Nedbank becoming the first commercial bank to launch a Green Bond on the JSE, which lead to a second bond being issued that raised R1-billion, all of which will be applied in support of renewable energy projects. Further to this, through their partnership with the Y.E.S initiative, the company has made remarkable strides in South African youth empowerment.

Nedbank has embraced its role as change agent and active contributor to building a thriving society and is

is linked to our purpose statement to use our financial expertise to do good. We are further guided by some key principles and a robust governance structure to ensure execution in line with our agenda to lead transformation. Key principles include transformation transcending compliance beyond the codes, contributing to a sustainable future for all, and adopting an integrated and not a transactional approach to transformation.

Transformation itself is embedded in our business practices and we in order to remain relevant in the

over 3 000 Y.E.S recruits to the

societies in which we operate; as

company.

we understand that we are a microcosm of the

We spoke with Kershini Govender,

broader society.

Executive Head of Transformation

We seek to build

and Strategy at Nedbank

human capital,

Limited. Kershini highlighted

financial capital,

some of the ways Nedbank

leadership

has been doing good both

capital and

inside and outside the

socio-economic

company, and talked

capital, whilst

us through how they,

also ensuring

as a company, are

that we respond

supporting their staff

to the legislation

and stakeholders during

in a sustainable

these unprecedented

manner.

times.

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national and business priorities and our strategic intent

know that we need to transform

extremely proud to have welcomed

48

Nedbank’s transformation approach supports both

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KERSHINI GOVENDER: TALKING TRANSFORMATION | INTERVIEW

HOW DOES NEDBANK CREATE VALUE BY

Further to this, a second bond was issued that raised

USING FINANCIAL EXPERTISE TO DO GOOD?

R1-billion that will also be applied in support of renewable

Using our financial expertise to do good goes far beyond the business of banking - we embrace our role in society as a change agent as well as our role in nation building.

Some examples of ways we have used our expertise to do good include the Y.E.S. initiative mentioned above.

Having partnered with Y.E.S. (the Youth Employment Service initiative), Nedbank welcomed over 3 000 young people into the company in 2019, giving them work opportunities either internally or through their implementation partners; including WildTrust, Unlock’D, ORT SA, Tradeway Promotions and Youth At Work. Then

energy projects. The last example is in the affordable housing space. We know that availability of affordable accommodation close to tertiary institutions is critical in enabling students to succeed in their studies. But this remains a challenge for South Africa. So in order to help address this issue, we provided almost R7-billion worth of funding for over 23 000 student beds since 2015. In 2019, we invested a total of R1.8-billion, which delivered an additional 8 292 beds.

WHAT WERE SOME OF NEDBANK’S HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2019?

there’s also our Money Secrets campaign which really

The most significant would be the Y.E.S. initiative along

got South Africans talking about money as a first step to

with the Green Bond. But perhaps just from a numbers

making positive and sustainable money management

perspective we spent more than R600-million on skills

changes. In addition to the campaign itself, we had a

development for black staff, R85- million on socio-

total of 175 000 clients that attended financial wellness

economic development, R41-million on consumer

workshops and a further 6.1 million individuals were

financial education and more than 75% of our

reached through radio and television shows. This really

procurement is sourced locally. I’d also like to mention

reinforced our message around money management

that our overall female representation at the Group

- it also touched on topics like budgeting, saving and

Executive Committee has increased from 25% in 2017

debt-management. Last year Nedbank became the first

to 46.1% in 2019 - a very commendable achievement

commercial bank to launch a Green Bond on the JSE.

in gender representation. We are also very proud to

It raised R1.7-billion in investment proceeds, all of which

be recognised by the SABPP (South African Board for

has been applied to deliver financial support to a

People Practices) as the winner of the gender equity

number of solar and wind renewable energy projects.

employer award. From an enterprise development

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perspective, it’s quite important to mention that we employed 564 people with a total wage bill of R67million and that created 333 new jobs. We also placed 73% of banking out of home advertising with blackowned media companies which increased from 43% in 2018. This shows our commitment towards also trying to transform other industries beyond financial services.

Another example is the Pick n Pay Township Economy Revitalisation programme. Since the programme started, we’ve dispersed R17.8-million to 13 supported spaza shops in Gauteng and Western Cape. In turn, these small businesses have created 163 job opportunities for members of their surrounding communities. The last highlight is related to the CEO Circle Initiative which is basically a private sector-led initiative that was borne out of the Chief Executive Initiative to stimulate the economy and create jobs. Companies were asked to enter and nominate their SMMEs who will be built into national champions. 143 companies were nominated, seven were selected and two of those actually came out of Nedbank’s ESD programme including Sign Africa and TSK Interiors.

HOW DOES NEDBANK CONTRIBUTE TO THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SERVICE INITIATIVE? In addition to welcoming over 3 000 young people into the company in 2019, we also supported the ED element of the programme. In 2018 Nedbank, in partnership with Y.E.S. and AFGRI, invested R5.9-million to launch a new urban farming aquaponics and hydroponics facility in Tembisa to support the development of hub infrastructure

Nedbank today became the first bank in South Africa to list a Renewable Energy Bond on the green segment of the JSE

and youth agri-training which are really key elements of our strategy of enabling local community-level enterprise development. The hub itself registered 3023 youth, with a total of 1232 of the youth and community members being trained at the hub and then a further 240

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IS A STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA TO LEAD TRANSFORMATION WITHIN NEDBANK. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE LEAD PROGRAMMES?

have been trained on digital skills. A total of 33 SMMEs

In support of our aspiration to lead in transformation,

registered at the hub and the hub has created 56 direct

skills development remains a strategic focus area

work opportunities. Our real hope with Y.E.S. was that by

within Nedbank. Our increase in SD investment is a

giving youth the opportunity of their first job, they will go

testament to Nedbank’s commitment to the growth and

on to become inspiring leaders and entrepreneurs and

development of our people, as well as differentiated

that would in turn create job opportunities for others and

and prioritised learning investment in the development

improve their livelihoods.

of black (and especially black female) staff members.

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Nedbank has a myriad of initiatives which focus on

WHEN LEADERSHIP ARE PLANNING TO TRANSFORM THE

skills development within the company. These include

BUSINESS, WHAT ARE THE TOP 10 SHIFTS THEY SHOULD

awarding internal bursaries both for current and new

FOCUS ON TO ACHIEVE THIS?

roles. This means that employees are given opportunities to move around within the company and become trained in a multifaceted way. Our partnership with the University of Johannesburg was also created to address the future skills pipeline for S.T.E.M (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). I think this is important to mention because what we’re trying to look at is, how do we remain future-fit and also remain relevant in the societies in which we operate. Over and above that, we have four learnerships for unemployed graduates and matriculants. We also have numerous graduate programmes across the bank. We recognise that as the world is becoming more digitised, certain jobs are becoming obsolete and irrelevant. Through our agility centre, we placed 620 staff members in other internal jobs through upskilling and reskilling.

From profits only to purpose and people.

From a fear to a growth mindset.

From self-interest to national-interest.

From control agents to change agents.

From autocratic to human-centred leadership.

From compliance to creativity.

From ambitions to action.

From ambiguity to transparency in communication.

From machines only to humans and machines operating harmoniously.

From exclusion and silo mentality to a culture of inclusion and experimentation = collaborate internally and compete externally.

HOW HAS NEDBANK RESPONDED TO THE COVID-19 BUSINESS UNUSUAL SCENARIO? Since the outbreak of COVID-19, we’ve have been

Kershini Govender is currently Executive Head:

working tirelessly to make sure we are doing all we can

Transformation & Strategy at Nedbank Group

to ensure stakeholders are prepared to deal with this

Ltd. Her experience over the past 24 years has

escalating challenge. Our primary focus has been on

been in the disciplines of Strategy, Business

the health and safety of staff. The company has made

Analysis, Project Management and Business

it a top priority to provide staff with all the support they

Transformation. She previously worked at Promat

need to get through this challenging time. Through online

(Transnet) and JSE Securities Exchange South

webinars and continuous updates from the CE and other

Africa. Kershini currently represents Nedbank at

senior leaders, staff are kept up to date on all aspects of

the Banking Association of South Africa on the

what is going on both internally and externally. By August

Financial Sector Charter Workgroup, is on the

2020, Nedbank also had helped more than 375 000

Board of Trustees of the Nedbank Community

clients with debt relief options across our product range,

Trust and is also a qualified coach through the

including home loans, vehicle and asset finance, personal

International Coach Federation (United States

loans, loans to SMEs and credit cards. Nedbank further

of America). She graduated from the University

pledged a R12-million donation in aid of hunger relief

of Natal with a Bachelor of Commerce (Business

efforts, and to help mobilise, train and equip volunteers

Finance & Business Logistics) degree and also

with the necessary information and hygiene products to

completed her Masters in Science (Behavioural

drive awareness across the country, prioritising provinces

Change and Coaching) through Henley

with the highest infection rate. We continue to use our

Business School, with distinction.

financial expertise to do good.

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INTERVIEW WITH POOVANDRAN PILLAY EXECUTIVE: ENTRY LEVEL BANKING SEGMENT AND

NIRMALA REDDY SENIOR MANAGER FOR ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT OF

NEDBANK TO MAKE THE RIGHT MONEY DECISIONS

WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF NEDBANK’S

PEOPLE NEED THE RIGHT HELP. PLEASE

MAJOR SUCCESSES IN THE AREA OF

OUTLINE NEDBANK’S APPROACH TO

FINANCIAL LITERACY?

CONSUMER FINANCIAL EDUCATION.

Nedbank’s major successes regarding

Nedbank’s approach to Consumer

Financial Literacy programmes

Financial education is one that aims

have been: our ability to reach and

to realise what it means to be Money

empower over 990 000 adults; close

Experts Who Do Good for individuals,

to 400 000 youth through the Starsaver

communities, businesses and society.

programme in collaboration with the

Through the delivery of face-to-face

Banking Association of South Africa;

Consumer Financial Literacy and

and 3000 entrepreneurs through

Education training across all 9

our partnership with Nedbank Small

provinces, we leverage both

Businesses Department and Proud of

traditional and social media

My Town programme.

platforms to create opportunities to transfer skills and knowledge to all South Africans.

According to BASA, Nedbank is seen as one of first member banks to digitise and use gamification to change the

POOVANDRAN PILLAY

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Our approach is not only about how

way in which we share the Starsaver

to simplify banking and address

content. Furthermore, we have also

their banking needs by providing

been recognised as one of the leading

them with the right information and

banks amongst others driving financial

tools to make more informed money

inclusion across various segments.

decisions. Through our approach we also deliver community programmes

In conclusion, during one of the

which aim to improve lives

most difficult and daunting times our

economically and socially.

country had to face, doing good as

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NEDBANK | INTERVIEW

money experts remained at the core. We managed to

initiatives to increase awareness throughout their

deliver two key Financial literacy and Education social

Youth and Adult working life.

media campaigns focused on “how to make the most of your money during tough times” and “July savings month” which included a competition mechanic giving South

c. Creating job opportunities in order to reduce the unemployment rate and provide the right environment for individuals to earn an income and save.

Africans an opportunity to Win with Nedbank through airtime, Takealot vouchers and grocery vouchers which

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE KEY DIFFERENTIATORS

was one way we helped to save them some money.

IN TERMS OF NEDBANK’S APPROACH TO CONSUMER FINANCIAL EDUCATION?

Leading with the following hashtags #BeMoneyWise in

Our differentiating factor is not only encompassed in

collaboration with #LetsChangeMoneyHabits we reached

how we enter a community or deliver the face-to-face

more than 314 000 people with this campaign. Also, reaching

programme and the relationships that we hold, but just

over 3.7 million listeners through one of our traditional paid

as important is how we integrate with other parts of our

media campaigns, with a focus on community-based radio

business to empathise and really understand the needs of

stations under the constraints of COVID-19.

individuals, communities, businesses and society.

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO GENERATE A CULTURE OF SAVINGS

Through our unique model we leverage community

IN SOUTH AFRICA – WHAT TRENDS HAVE YOU OBSERVED AND WHAT DO YOU SEE AS KEY TO ACHIEVING THIS? I think before we answer how to generate a culture of savings, it’s important for us to understand why it’s so important for us to save as South Africans.

According to various reports that showcase the Savings Index, particularly the Investec GIBS Savings Index, our savings levels in South Africa are at their worst level since 1990 and have declined for eight years in a row. This is a

research and insights that enable us to tailor how we deliver financial education and the key topics for us to focus on, so that the value delivered is focused on addressing the needs of those individuals or communities.

HOW HAS TECHNOLOGY IMPACTED ON THE DELIVERY OF NEDBANK’S FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAMMES? In order to remain relevant and to move with the times, Nedbank is always playing a leading role in the digital space. We started with our digital financial literacy

clear indication of a country that finds it difficult to save.

programme journey in 2015 by converting our learners

The trend observed is that most South Africans do not save or

was followed by the conversion of some of classroom-

find it very difficult to save due to low levels of income, lack of financial literacy like budgeting skills and mismatched job skills resulting in high levels of unemployment.

Savings is so crucial for personal wealth creation and the growth of the South African economy. Key for us to achieve a higher level of savings; an improvement in investment; and living with a decent retirement we see the following as key to focus on: a. Through programmes like Starsaver teaching kids at an early age to understand the importance of saving and the benefits of saving early. b. Continue to drive Financial Literacy and Educational

programme into a digitised and gamified solution. That based training material into short video learnings.

To date we are also leveraging and continuously improving our website to share all financial literacy and education information. We are also using a lot of traditional media as in radio and digital channels like social media to increase our ability to reach larger audiences and create awareness. We have seen positive response and engagement to the way we use technology in the financial literacy and education space. We have reached and empowered more than 22 million listeners and viewers on both radio and TV during the nationwide lock down and have engaged with more than 3 million individuals on various social media platforms to date.

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In addition, we launched a ground-breaking community based financial education pilot project that helps individuals and families make better money decisions that yield long-term benefits. Through a Nedbank partnership with African Response we developed an innovative, new online consumer financial education training programme to reach especially rural communities in South Africa. This platform is in an initial pilot phase and has given digital enterprises the opportunity to earn an income by training over 5000 residents in Mokopane, Limpopo on key and fundamental finance concepts. Since launching in October, the project has reached and empowered almost 3300 consumers in the Mokopane community to date.

We still strive to continue improve our technological engagements with our audiences by increasing more technological channels to reach the masses of the country.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEND A MESSAGE OF SUPPORT TO

NIRMALA REDDY

INDIVIDUALS OUT THERE STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE? Currently the world is facing a difficult time socially and economically because of the COVID-19. South Africa is also

SPEAKS TO US ABOUT THE

not spared. We know and understand that a lot of South

IMPORTANCE OF DOING

Africans are losing jobs as companies struggle to survive.

THINGS DIFFERENTLY AND

We advise people to look out for supporting structures

LOVING WHAT YOU DO

in the form of relief programmes around their areas. The government has various programmes to support both individuals and companies. Organisations including banks are also playing their part to support government in their efforts to provide relief to the general public.

Nedbank is one of the major role players in providing relief to their clients, businesses and communities through the Nedbank Foundation and localised programmes like

ARE YOU LUCKY ENOUGH TO LOVE WHAT YOU DO?

Proud of My Town.

Nirmala Reddy is passionate about her work, We support the government by assisting them with the

and it comes through in the way she talks

distribution of food parcels in various identified nodes as

about what Nedbank does. She currently holds

well as government social grants. We are participating

the position of Senior Manager, Enterprise

in the business rescue scheme through SAFT. Nedbank

Development, at Nedbank. Responsible for SME

is also providing relief to its clients in various forms

support and development within the Enterprise

including payment holidays and affordable loan

Development and Supplier Development space,

products to their clients

Nirmala joined Nedbank’s Transactional Banking

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NEDBANK | INTERVIEW

team back in 2004 to focus on

approach. They offer a personal

their businesses within the group’s

public sector business. Her exposure

touch and relate to their customers

supply chain. A healthy relationship

and experience across community

on an interpersonal level. “Walking

with suppliers is seen as a unique

development and the business arena

the journey with the bank” is

opportunity to express Nedbank’s

has provided a valuable, insightful

how Nirmala describes it. Via the

enterprise development commitment

platform to her current sphere of SME,

enterprise development platform,

tangibly and practically through

Enterprise and Supplier Development.

they bring the bank to their business

a values-driven approach built on

owners. This means bringing the

trust, collaboration and innovation.

Nirmala believes strongly in

solutions that are really going to

Nedbank has developed a

the power of entrepreneurial

add value to their customers’ lives.

multipronged approach, not just in

development and its role in the

“We’re always trying to raise the

line with non-recoverable funding,

economy. She believes that

bar,” Nirmala says. “We’re trying to

but also in terms of integrating

community, nurturing and role-

do things differently.”

enterprises through the group’s

modelling is a powerful approach

supply chain. The bank implemented

to overcoming challenges for a

As a leading SA industry player,

several enterprise development

sustainable, successful, vibrant

Nedbank acknowledges its

training programmes, incubator

tomorrow. In terms of their approach

responsibility to ensure that black-

programmes and other events for

to enterprise development, Nedbank

owned companies are given a

the support and development of

does not believe in a one-size-fits-all

platform to develop and grow

qualifying entrepreneurs.

Some of the key takeaways from this interview: • As business owners, it’s important to take stock of where we are and whether or not we’re still excited about what we’re doing. Is this still what we want to do? Are we still feeling the excitement we once did?

• When your beliefs and enthusiasm come through clearly, people stop and listen • Be selective - make sure there’s a reason behind what you’re doing • It is important to have the correct and relevant support, aligned to where your business is going.

Head Office: 135 Rivonia Road, Sandown 2196, Sandton 27112944444

• If you love what you do - everything flows from that and you’re more likely to be bold and brave in what you’re doing.

• An element of agility is vital for SMEs.

0860 555 111 General enquiries

• Never overlook the importance of your governance and

www.nedbank.co.za

compliance being in place – now more than ever. @Nedbank

• Maximise and leverage what is available to you.

@Nedbank

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RISKING EVERYTHING MEET AISHA PANDOR

BY FIONA WAKELIN

Launched in 2014, SweepSouth has become a South African success story - one of courage, belief and tenacity.

The company doesn’t employ domestic workers but

WHAT WAS THE LIGHT BULB MOMENT?

rather operates as a booking platform service, where

When we came up with the idea for SweepSouth, back in

domestic workers can register themselves online

late 2013, we knew that we wanted to create a business

and through the app to advertise their services and

in the technology space that would have a broad positive

availability. Once registered, domestic workers become

impact on South African society - something that would

SweepStars, with their own profile and ranking, based

make people’s lives better while enabling us to live up to our

on their clients’ or employers’ feedback. Employers can

potential. The idea for SweepSouth came about purely by

make repeated bookings with the same SweepStar,

chance. Our nanny was due to go away on holiday but finding

depending on their availability, or else choose someone

a short-term locum turned out to be a long and protracted

new on an ad hoc basis. Over the past six years the

process. It was then that we gained an understanding of

company has helped over 20,000 domestic workers find

how difficult it is for many domestic workers in South Africa

work opportunities. Through the COVID-19 crisis they have

to reliably connect to potential employers. We saw this as

supported about 3,500 women who were active on the

an opportunity to not only help domestic workers but also

SweepSouth platform prior to the lockdown beginning.

the industry at large, which desperately needed an overhaul

Typically, there are some 5,000 SweepStars working

and modernisation. Positioning ourselves to be able to help

through the platform each month.

even a fraction of these women was worth risking it all for.

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WHAT CHARACTERISTICS DO YOU FEEL

WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR HIGHEST HIGHS

ENTREPRENEURS NEED IN ORDER TO SUCCEED?

AND LOWEST LOWS OVER THE LAST 6 YEARS?

I’d say definitely grit and determination, especially now

The highest highs included starting SweepSouth and

during these continually challenging economic times.

seeing the business beginning to take off with interest

It’s also important to be innovative and opportunistic

from both customers and SweepStars. It was an

while being focussed at the same time. Most

amazing feeling and wonderful to see the business

entrepreneurs also need to have a knack for working

building. Receiving our first investment also came as

with a variety of different people, such as investors,

wonderful validation for the business. It’s a humbling

cofounders, employees and customers. Being able to

feeling when someone is willing to back your business

empathise with people from all walks of life is crucial to

with their hard-earned money and has faith in you to

the success of building your business, which of course is

be able to execute. It was also incredible to see the

one of your key objectives.

ongoing growth of SweepSouth, registering the first 100 SweepStars, then the first 1,000 and knowing that you’re

YOU WERE GOOD AT MATHS AT SCHOOL AND

helping people to provide for their families through your

COMPLETED A PHD. WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU

product. Bringing together a team and having the buy-

WERE AN ENTREPRENEUR?

in from skilled individuals who want to be part of the

I was actually quite average at maths at school.

mission you’re on was also a great feeling.

While I had no trouble grappling with numeracy, maths and science certainly weren’t my favourite

In terms of the lowest lows, a lot of sacrifices had

subjects. So, as you can imagine, it came as a

to be made to get SweepSouth off the ground.

surprise to my family when I elected to pursue a BSc in maths and science at university. It was only towards the end of studying for my PhD that I realised I

“ Bringing together a team and having the buy-in

wanted to become an entrepreneur,

from skilled individuals who want to be part of

so I enrolled in a UCT postgraduate

the mission you’re on was also a great feeling.”

business course with business and biotechnology at the forefront of my mind. However, the deeper I delved into business the more I wanted to build and contribute to a business of my own. I subsequently worked as a management consultant for two years, which is when I realised that I didn’t want to be a corporate employee or be employed by someone else. So my desire to become an entrepreneur came quite late in my tertiary education - it certainly wasn’t an ambition while I was growing up.

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Having to sell possessions and your home in order to plough capital into a business can be an extremely challenging and emotionally draining task. Similarly, fundraising and finding suitable investors is typically a long and uncertain process. Negotiating and finding common ground takes a great deal of time and evaluation on both sides, although it is ultimately worth the rigmarole. The other weighty low was disappointing

“ An important part of being a successful entrepreneur is to keep looking out for opportunities,

a customer for the first time. Having to confront issues

in whatever form

and apologise to a customer is always difficult, so we

they may take.”

make sure to learn quickly from mistakes.

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS SEEN AS A SAVING GRACE FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN ECONOMY AND YET THE LACK OF FUNDING AND SUPPORT COULD RESULT IN OUR COUNTRY SCORING AN OWN GOAL. WHAT DO YOU FEEL COULD BE DONE TO FIX THIS? Lots of people start businesses in South Africa and I think the time to be innovative in the ways we support SME growth is long overdue. While there is a lot of funding available for small businesses more often than

opportunities, which will help to shape the “new normal”

not funds are not channelled correctly. A great deal

in the world of work and lifestyle. E-commerce also has

of bureaucracy and burdensome administration is

an increasingly large role to play.

involved in applying for support programmes, which are often hampered further by internal infighting,

HOW CAN TECHNOLOGY POSITIVELY IMPACT ON THE

uncertainty and corruption. In order to fix this, I think

NUMBER OF WOMEN STARTING THEIR OWN BUSINESSES?

there needs to be some consolidation of the many

South Africa has a relatively small number of women-

different agencies out there which offer support to small

run businesses, mentors and role models presently,

businesses. Furthermore, the government department

but technology is enabling women to connect and

and minister mandated to support small businesses must

access information more easily, particularly in terms of

be far more prominent. In addition, I believe it’s vital for

business and entrepreneurial activity. Women have so

entrepreneurship to be taught in school along with the

many responsibilities to juggle, especially at home, so

basics of how to start a business.

technology is allowing more women to work virtually without needing to be physically present in order to roll

SWEEP SOUTH IS A TECH START UP – WHAT OPPORTUNITIES

out products and services.

DO YOU SEE FOR GROWTH IN YOUR BUSINESS SECTOR? I think technology and its application within business is

HOW HAS COVID-19 IMPACTED ON SWEEP SOUTH?

certainly the way of the future. Most businesses will need

The COVID-19 crisis has been horrendously challenging.

to readily embrace this fact if they’re to survive in the

SweepSouth was unable to operate at all during the

medium- to long-term. The COVID-19 crisis has identified

first stages of lockdown, which meant SweepStars were

and accelerated numerous tech-enabled business

unable to work and earn an income. The situation has

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WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HAVE FOR ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS. It’s vital to channel your efforts into work that you’re passionate about and surround yourself with people who compliment you well in terms of skills and personality. An important part of being a successful entrepreneur is to keep looking out for opportunities, in whatever form they may take. Also, crucially, it’s important to build a business with an infinite mindset, rather than with a short-term outlook.

HOW DO YOU RELAX? I like to relax by playing with my kids, reading and doing yoga. I occasionally indulge in some Netflix viewing but I also enjoy watching interviews and listening to podcasts by business leaders.

IF YOU HAD AN EXTRA HOUR IN EACH DAY, HOW WOULD YOU SPEND IT? If I had an extra hour I’d probably spend it working, eased somewhat as the lockdown gradually relaxes and despite the difficulties it has brought the team closer together in a positive sense. We were able to

which probably wouldn’t be a good idea. Instead, I’d rather figure out how to be more productive with the time I actually have.

successfully set up the COVID-19 SweepStar fund with the help of our investors and some of our customers, which has reinforced the fact that people care and want to play their part in supporting domestic workers during this financially devastating time. On a business level, like many companies, the COVID-19 crisis has shifted the way we interact as a team and work together in more cost-effective ways.

We’ve also made good use of this time to streamline our platform and work on product development. So we’ve emerged after 10 weeks or so with exciting updates to our SweepSouth Connect platform (including AI enhancements for better customer experience, and a much wider service offering) and much better versions of our core services (indoor cleaning and outdoor help), as well as a business cleaning and sanitisation offering that is gaining great traction.

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SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER AND STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST NEWS IN WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Click here to subscribe: https://www.topbusinesswomen.co.za/top-women-leaders-subscription/

TALKING TRANSFORMATION AND THE POWER OF WOMEN | EDITORIAL

TALKING TRANSFORMATION AND THE POWER OF WOMEN WITH SWEEPSOUTH SA’S AISHA PANDOR Key takeaways to look out for Aisha is the daughter of Naledi Pandor (South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation) and brings with her a wealth of knowledge both inside and outside the workplace. With a PhD in Human Genetics from the University of Cape Town and an entrepreneurial, forward-thinking verve, Aisha is an inspiration to all South Africans. In this dynamic video podcast, Ralf Fletcher, Topco Media CEO and Aisha sit down to discuss a host of topics - ranging from what sets the South African government and economy apart, to the vital role technology plays in local start-ups. Aisha gives her insight on the opportunities we are presented with during this uncertain time, and touches on some of the lesser-known challenges that business owners faced with.

CLICK HERE FOR PODCAST

5. Running a business comes with

in this video podcast:

many challenges and often we think

1. The government and politics we

that once we reach a certain point

experience in South Africa are

everything will be alright. However,

extremely different to those of other

we need to be ready for new

countries. Having a government like

challenges at all times.

ours that is more consultative where

6. It’s technology-enabled businesses that are going to grow our economy.

many people’s views are taken into account has its costs and benefits.

7. Technology will play an important

2. Because of COVID, many mothers

role in levelling the playing field,

and fathers have been forced to

giving people equal opportunity to

stay at home – and because of

education that is purpose-based.

this, many men are getting their first

8. Education is incredibly important

look into what it’s like to take care

and educating ourselves is part of

of business at home. This has also

lifelong learning.

highlighted the imbalance of unpaid Aisha R. Pandor is co-founder of

care work that women do.

3. During this time, business owners are having to relook at

SweepSouth (sweepsouth.com), an online platform for booking, paying for

the psychology of their customers and how to connect with them in an empathetic way.

4. Something that South Africans do very well is pull together in times

and managing homes cleaning services from your laptop, phone or tablet.

SweepSouth is the first company on the African continent to offer this service, and a 500 Startups Batch 14 alum. Aisha previously worked as a management consultant, gaining experience in

of crisis - this time

the telecommunications and mining

has proved that

industries. Aisha has a PhD in Human

when it comes

Genetics from the University of Cape

to standing

Town and an Associate in Management

together and

from the UCT Graduate School of

supporting

Business. Between 2011 and 2012, she

those who

received the South African Women in

need it most,

Science Award for her research and was

we come to

named as one of the Mail and Guardian

the party.

newspaper’s 200 Young South Africans.

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BATHU SHOES:

MESH FOR SUCCESS In 2009, entrepreneur Theo Baloyi relocated

of design, production, quality assurance

to Johannesburg to stay with his uncle in

and financing, related to the Mesh Edition,

Alexandra while studying towards his B Com

Theo founded the business that is Bathu, and

Accounting degree. As a qualified Accountant,

launched 100 pairs of Mesh Edition to the

Theo was presented with the opportunity of

people of Alexandra, Soweto, Midrand and

working at one of the top accounting and

Thembisa. By 2017, Bathu sealed its first

advisory firms in the world. Based in South Africa

corporate collaboration with an incubation hub

for 2 years, and later seconded to the Middle

in Johannesburg. This unfolded into the release

East for a further 3, It was during this period

of a further 1000 pairs of Mesh Edition sneakers.

that the idea for his business came to him. In

In that same year Bathu launched its first limited

his travels he noticed that there was something

edition Mesh Edition Sneakers in White,

missing - an African sneaker brand, portraying

which sold out in days.

I OY L B A THU A O E FB O

an authentic African story. Thus, filling the gap became his mission.

In 2018, Bathu then bought

store in Newtown,

across South Africa, in referral to any type of

Johannesburg.

shoe. This word has existed in South African

The Newtown

townships for decades now. Bathu was founded

store was quickly

by Theo Baloyi with the sole aim of telling a

followed by a

proudly, untold South African township story to

second store

the world. Theo Baloyi identified a niche in the

in the heart of

retail business to conceptualise and establish a

Pretoria, which

shoe brand around the commonly used universal

later relaunched

word, with a deep sense of meaning in the black

in a bigger

society and tell this story to the world.

space, providing customers

After months of conceptualising, and feasibility

with increased

studies and being rejected by 13 different

capacity and

factories, the Mesh Edition Sneaker was finally

an innovative

born in 2015. Once in production, and having

shopping

dealt with the rigorous 18 month processes

experience.

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UN

and opened its first

universal slang word mostly used in townships

FO

The name ‘Bathu’ is derived from a common

DE T H R

its first delivery vehicle

BATHU SHOES | ADVERTORIAL

VISION

only from our well-built Bathu stores

positive feedback and keen demand

To tell a proudly South African

that will be erected nationwide,

for Bathu Shoes merchandise has

story to the world and be a

managed by professional, well-

been unprecedented. As it stands

leading shoe retail company.

developed employees.

today, Bathu has opened 16

With the vision to build a

stores nationwide – an incredible

shoe brand that Africans can

BRAND MILESTONES

accomplishment for a business that is,

proudly affiliate with, we have

In June 2019, Bathu opened its first

arguable, still in its ‘fledgling stage’.

store in Free State in Thohoyandou, at

Bathu also has plans to position

Thavhani Mall, Bloemfontein. On the first

the brand across Africa, with more

day of trade, the brand sold 210 units,

retail store openings, starting with

which grew to an exceptional final

Botswana in 2021.

benchmarked our products with international footwear brands and positioned our brand to accommodate the middle class, young

amount of 2000 units, for the month of December 2019. Within the first quarter

ACTIVITIES AND OPERATIONS

of 2020, Bathu successfully secured 5

We have opened 16 Stores nationally

new stores for the business, reaching a

and own a 3700 SQM warehouse. We

bigger target market across the nation.

currently export our products into the

MISSION

Of the five new branches, the first store

SADC region, as well as into the EU.

Bathu actively

was opened on the 14th March 2020,

seeks to establish

at the popular Diamond Pavilion Mall in

In January 2020, Bathu lucratively

and maintain a

the city of Kimberley, Northern Cape.

acquired a 3700sqm warehouse in

professionals to higher earning consumers.

brand Africans can proudly affiliate with, that

Centurion, Gauteng, which is being From that point, demand grew

used to safely house the current staff

and Bathu quickly had to adjust

base of 68 people, (80% of whom are

is of world class

its business strategy in order to

from Alexandra). This figure is expected

standard in its quality

open up additional stores in Port

to rise to 100 people by June 2020

and innovativeness.

Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Kimberley,

to help combat the disastrous local

We strive to make all

Thohoyandou, Polokwane &

unemployment figures by creating jobs

Rustenburg, which is where the

and reigniting hope to families and

our shoes available

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individuals. Bathu hopes to achieve this target by continuing to use an end to end value chain approach encompassing a business model that maintains its own vertical through

BATHU SNEAKER CUSTOMISATION LAB

direct production, sales, distribution and logistics.

Bathu’s latest venture is truly pioneering. The brand has officially

During COVID-19, Bathu was highly committed to the

branched out, opening a one of

safety of customers and took extra measures geared

kind Sneaker Customisation Lab at

towards maintaining an exceptional customer experience.

their Pretoria store, on 5 December

In all our stores, we implemented sneeze screens and

2020. With 16 stores nationwide, the

stickers that assists with maintaining social distancing.

brand has become synonymous with everything cool and innovative,

COLLECTIONS

so it’s no surprise that they’ll now

As it stands, Bathu shoes currently sells four distinct shoe

be dominating the South African

lines, namely the Mesh Edition, the Journey Edition

sneaker space, with their new exciting

(available in leather and suede), the Moja Edition,

project. The brand has introduced its

and the Moja X Edition. Shoes range from minimalist to

customisation offering to their already

vibrant, neon colour palettes.

electrifying cache, and not only will the fans be able to purchase their favourite

PRICING STRATEGY

shoes, but they’ll also get to infuse

We worked on the proof of concept, research &

their own unique style and design

development, quality control and assurance of our

preferences into their sneakers.

business / products for 18 months prior launching. We have invested resources and time into the quality of our

One of the most attractive features of

product, and into brand positioning elements. Our sneakers

this project, is that Bathu enthusiasts

are of high quality and our price is benchmarked with

will no longer have to wait in anticipation

international footwear brands retailing on this continent.

for a store opening in order to access this particular offering. Instead, sneaker

#EXPRESSIONISLIMITLESS SUMMER CAMPAIGN

heads now get the opportunity to do

On the back of announcing their release of brand new

it on a daily basis. At no additional

product ranges, Moja and Moja X, Bathu hosted an

cost till the end of 2020; with no fixed

exciting summer event at Altitude Beach, Fourways,

stencils or design patterns, customers

Sandton, in November this year. The star-studded occasion

will have the agency to pick and

was quickly dubbed as a ‘game changer’ campaign.

choose anything they want. All that

At the event, guests were introduced to ‘Expression is

is required is for fans to pop into the

Limitless’, a summer promo by the brand that took us

Pretoria store, purchase a pair of

beyond the standard Bathu setting. Shot in a summery

shoes, and consult with one of the

atmosphere, the campaign was endorsed by brand

in-house designers to customise their

ambassadors, Khanyi Mbau and award-winning house

shoe - to their hearts’ content. This

music duo Black Motion. The event also included a viewing

sneaker customisation lab is one of

of the ‘Expression is Limitless’ video advertisement, which

the first of its kind in South Africa,

featured brand ambassadors, new shoe ranges and

giving customers a key role in the

fantastic summer imagery. The Moja and Moja X range is

creative process, which is quite

available at all 16 Bathu stores nationwide and online.

the personal touch for any brand.

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BATHU SHOES | ADVERTORIAL

“ Expression is Limitless represents who we are and says that we not limited to one setting or location. It says the journey in our sneakers takes you to unlimited possibilities. We have two more ranges in 21 different colourways which gives you a lot of freedom this summer from boardroom meetings, weddings, a day at the beach or a Sunday braai with family. The campaign embodies a large part of our values. We are from the ‘hood’, we dreamt big and there is nothing that is going to stop us from being worn in Cape Town or abroad” – Theo Baloyi

Bathu’s dedication to providing an uplifting, thought-provoking platform for the nation, is truly admirable.

EXCITING PARTNERSHIPS Thus far, Bathu has collaborated with some heavy-weight brands on phenomenal projects, namely Castle Lite, Sprite, MTN, Cell C, Forbes Africa and even automotive sector icon, OPEL. Bathu’s mission is to continue on this upward trajectory, so that future collaborations become more and more possible – the

LATEST AWARDS Contact Us:

• Top Empowerment Awards 2020 - Top Empowered Young Achiever of the Year

Unit 4, Sterling Industrial Park OlivenhoutBosch, Centurion

• Young Entrepreneur of the Year - Gauteng Premier Service Excellence Awards

mashudu.ndopu@bathu.co.za www.bathu.co.za

• BBQ Awards - Ndlovu Jewellery Transformation Champion of the Year Award 2020 • BBQ Awards - Hennessy XO Businessman of the Year Award 2020

Social Media:

@bathu_sa Bathu Shoes @Bathu

possibilities are endless!

Bathu

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LEARNING FROM THE FUTURE AND NOT THE PAST

SOLVING COVID-19 TOGETHER

BY STEPHEN VAN COLLER - EOH GROUP CEO

A SOLVE MINDSET The fourth industrial revolution, already impacting every aspect of our daily life, has been accelerated by the world’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. When physical distance has to be maintained to keep us safe, digital solutions are increasingly responsible for the way we connect, on a social, economic and cultural level. The power of digital lies in its ability to quickly and efficiently create and scale up connections; between employees and employers, learners and information, and consumers and providers of goods and services. We’re going to need to harness this power, and the relationships it enables, if we are going to Solve COVID-19.

Weathering the economic storm under the constrained economic and social conditions we find ourselves in, is going to require collaboration, a shared vision, and what I call a SOLVE mindset. The current COVID-19 environment has shown that you need to continually recalibrate your mind around the realities and opportunities of the future and importantly what that means for your business.

We have to look at our businesses, and our social and economic challenges, and identify what aspects you can repurpose in a distinctive way to solve them. During times of massive uncertainty, we need out-of-the-box strategies.

We need to learn from the future, as COVID-19 has shown us that the past is not a good predictor of the future.

NO MORE GOING IT ALONE A good example of collaboration was pro bono work that our EOH company iOCO, recently did alongside fundraising experts BackaBuddy and the Gauteng Food Security Council. iOCO helped develop a humanitarian-relief platform in order to coordinate food provision across the country. The platform, called LinkedTo, connects donors and those in need to leverage resources and efforts to maximise the reach of food donations. It allows NGOs to identify and locate communities in need, and to track and record food parcel delivery as part of COVID-19 relief efforts. That information is also fed back into the Presidency to assist in coordinating relief through the Solidarity Fund.

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SOLVING COVID-19 TOGETHER | EDITORIAL

This is a perfect example of the effect of an innovative digital solution. Not only was it quick off the ground in solving an urgent need, but it works by creating connections, and leveraging partnerships for outsized impact. Our growing realisation that it is the strength of our collective response that will ultimately determine the success of our fight against this pandemic has reemphasised the fact that in an increasingly interconnected world, no single government, business or institution is going to achieve the sweeping, broad changes needed to reduce the negative effects of the crisis. The world will never be the same and what matters most is that we as a country and corporate SA embrace

But though offices might endure, it’s inevitable that

Solidarity – which means working together and taking

work will take place remotely to a degree previously

care of one another. This is our chance as a collective

unimaginable. Many of us are going to adopt remote

to create “Radical Economic and Social Transformation”

working as standard practice, and jobs in general are

but it requires collaboration on a large scale.

going to shift towards a freelance model, whereby we sell our outputs and retain flexibility and agility.

GETTING BACK TO WORK, SAFELY

Communication is crucial as we navigate the new

The first challenge we need to solve for is the human

normal, as shown by the exponential growth in the

challenge – finding a way to work as productively

usage of apps such as Houseparty (50 million new users

as before without endangering our lives or health.

in one month) and Zoom (from 10 million to over 200

It is inevitable that the productivity and efficiency

million users since March 2020).

landscape will change forever - defining new ways of work and a new normal.

DEMOCRATISING TRAINING AND LEARNING As we emerge from the effects of the COVID-19

Offices and physical workspaces are not gone

pandemic, upskilling and reskilling of staff will be critical

forever. They just need to be managed in a

to ensure employees are tech-literate and equipped

way we haven’t had to consider before. Digital

to keep pace with their organisation’s inevitable digital

workspace management can track and manage

transformation. We need to fundamentally reconsider

workspace utilisation, and combined with no-touch

the way in which we train our people (young and

building access and real-time building occupation

old) in a digital world of work, facilitate access to

management to create safe and frictionless

technology from a young age, and create innovators

environments for staff returning to work and into the

and entrepreneurs who can take advantage of the best

future. Technology like crisis management apps,

solutions the world has to offer.

thermal scanning, electronic scripting and contactless access are needed to manage the safe return of the

The first step in this process is to rapidly expand access

workforce. Workspace booking functionality, paired

to cheap data. I’ve argued before for the importance

with density monitoring software, allows the automated

of affordable data, but it really is the crucial step in

management of transmission risk.

the democratisation of learning and work. Without a

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robust connection to the internet and to communication channels, we are increasingly hamstrung in our ability to participate meaningfully in the information or formal economies. On the other hand, with a basic, affordable internet connection the world is opened to us. There are enough exceptional learning resources available online which makes receiving a remote world-class education completely possible.

In South Africa we have a policy of free basic services, including water and electricity. We need to extend that policy to data, recognising it as the essential service it is. Spectrum (the radio frequencies allocated to the mobile industry and other sectors for communication over the airwaves) is, after all a national asset, not dissimilar to minerals in the ground.

according to the GSMA, and regions such as South-East

As a minimum, the telecoms operators ought to zero-

Asia have seen growth year-on-year of almost 50%

rate educational sites that government has approved

since then. Mobile money can go a long way towards

as being in line with the curriculum.

breaking the glass ceiling on financial services for the poor, giving them a low-cost entry into the payments

A MORE EFFICIENT, INCLUSIVE PAYMENTS SYSTEM

system, and paving the way to financial inclusion.

We also need to democratise that most ubiquitous of economic systems: payments. The fact is that cash is

ECOMMERCE IS NON-NEGOTIABLE

actually an expensive form of tender, and that cost is

eCommerce solutions during and after the pandemic

predominantly borne by the poor. Mastercard did a

are critical in a time of social distancing. We have seen a

study for the SARB in 2017 that showed cash cost the

range of clients that weren’t in e-Commerce that are now

South African economy 0.53% of GDP annually. A more

accelerating digitisation of the new client experiences and

efficient, inclusive payments system post-COVID-19 will

business models. This involves protecting client information

be needed to help rebuild our country.

and security, applications that allow their customers to find products and purchase from them, and payment

In a country divided by apartheid, equal

integration to allow for secure, streamlined transacting

opportunity for all must be our priority.

and payment for goods and services. Cutting-edge functionality includes a Digital On-boarding Verification

Mobile money could serve as an effective,

Solution (DOVS), which uses advanced facial recognition software, 3D face-mapping, and real-time liveliness testing

inclusive catalyst to accelerate the

to instantly and securely onboard and verify customers

economy post this pandemic and to

from their mobile devices.

remove financial insecurity.

DIGITISATION OF THE BACK OFFICE AND COST OPTIMISATION Value chains and supply chains have shifted, perhaps

And the world agrees: as of 2018, mobile money was

permanently. We’ve seen clients rapidly digitising their

used by more than 866 million registered accounts in

back-office environments to streamline and reduce

90 countries, with $1.3-billion transacted every day,

costs, and an influx of initiatives around Robotic

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SOLVING COVID-19 TOGETHER | EDITORIAL

Process Automation where low-

excitement about coming to work.

a meaningful difference in solving

code platforms are being used to

MTPs create stakeholder buy-in, they

COVID-19 – I’d like to extend a

streamline and automate ingestion

create momentum, and they allow

personal call for you to visit

and management of documents

you to coordinate and deploy staff

www.solidarityfund.co.za and make a

related to client processes. The

working at their utmost.

contribution if you are able to. As the

boundaries of technology have been

pandemic is teaching us every day: we

tested, and we have seen levels of

Now more than ever, all stakeholders

digitisation and remote delivery to

in South Africa need to commit to

customers we never thought possible

ensuring that we work together with

become easy for the long-term. We

our partners in the public and private

also see this in industry, where digital

sector towards reactivating and

industrial technologies are being

sustaining our economy.

are far stronger together than apart.

used to automate manufacturing, mining, quality control in a range of

For our part, we are working

industries that automate, improve

with clients to facilitate the

quality and reduce reliance on

safe transition back to work for

human intervention. Digital Twins

colleagues in accordance with the

– virtual models of operations – for

government’s risk-adjusted, stage-

example, are significantly increasing

based approach, but also helping

the efficiency of mine planning,

them identify new ways of doing

modelling and management.

business and accelerating digital transformation as we enter a new

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER: PURPOSE

and uncharted future.

In the near future, with increasing unemployment and previously

As Africa’s largest systems

unheard-of constraints on the way we

integrator, we have a

work with one another, there is going

range of solutions to

to be more competition for scarce skills,

enable our economy to

for high-performing workers, and for a

re-establish itself and I

motivated workforce. The key driver

would like to invite you

behind securing these assets is purpose.

to reach out to me to discuss ways in which we

In Salim Ismail’s book Exponential

can collaborate and solve

Organizations, every single company

for this new normal at

on the list of 100 fastest growing

solve COVID19@eoh.com.

organisations had a massive transformative purpose (MTP). A

Finally, each

MTP is your business’s aspirational

and every one

purpose. It goes beyond a vision

of us in both

and mission – it’s about creating

our personal

a deep-seated emotional desire

and business

within yourself and your employees

capacities

to wake up with pride, passion and

can make

CLICK HERE FOR PODCAST

CELEBRATING 27 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE Since 1993. ​Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) has been providing airlines with world-class, secure infrastructure that is anchored on growth, diversification, and striving for excellence.

The past few years have seen the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) complete a massive upgrade of South Africa’s airports infrastructure.

The company is now entering a new phase, with the focus on driving growth through international acquisitions and commercial activity. This is propelling an organisation-wide transformation, where performance, innovation and creativity are highly prized.

Airports Company South Africa SOC Ltd (the Company) owns and manages nine South African airports. The Company is involved in equity investments abroad, and provides technical advisory and consultancy services to other airports worldwide. Our majority shareholder is the South African Government (74.6%). In line with the government's objectives, we

AIRPORTS COMPANY SOUTH AFRICA

FAST FACTS Ranked 10th out of 138 countries for airport infrastructure in 2017 Obtained ACI Carbon accreditation status for 5 Airports by 2018 Annual passenger numbers of over

focus on creating sustainable value that positively impacts our business, our people and society, and our environment. These elements are the core tenets of our Sustainability Framework.

OUR MANDATE In line with the Airports Company Act, No. 44 of 1993, as amended, Airports Company South Africa is mandated to undertake the acquisition, establishment, development, provision, maintenance, management, operation and control of any airport, any part of any airport, or any facility or service at any airport normally related to an airport function.

WHAT WE STAND FOR

40 million Over 20 000 ATMs (Air Traffic Movement)

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AIRPORTS COMPANY SOUTH AFRICA (ACSA) | ADVERTORIAL

OUR SUSTAINABILITY FRAMEWORK Our Sustainability Framework outlines three fundamental references for our business's sustainability, and ensures that our decisions and actions aid our journey towards Vision 2025 responsibly and sustainably. Sustainable value creation to stimulate economic prosperity, social equity and environmental integrity are embedded within the company. In ensuring, the company maintains its sustainability journey, it will check each decision against how it would affect and impact the business, its people and society and the environment.

“ A csa is one of the jewels of our economy and it is imperative that the leadership at the helm is nothing short of proficient and seized with the transformation agenda of our country.”

- CEO of Acsa, Nompumelelo (Mpumi) Mpofu

Inherent within our Vision 2025 sits our aim to be a Stage 5 (i) sustainability company – where integrated sustainability is embedded into the company's culture and strategy, Sustainability will be at the centre in all that we plan, develop and deliver to become a successful business that continues to do the right thing.

With our sustainability value-creation outlook, we will continue to focus and channel our resources, remain agile, and identify structures, approaches, programmes and initiatives that will bring about high impact transformation.

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Three future horizons conceptualise our outlook

achieved as it requires a personal touch and on-going

Acsa established a horizonal strategy, commenced the

enhancements in our service quality.

implementation of its governance framework and operating model to enable the company to be the most

SAFETY

sought-after partner in the world for sustainable airport

Cape Town International Airport was named the Best

management solutions by 2025. While this corporate

Airport in Africa for acquiring over 20, 000 air traffic

plan spans across a period of three years, in the context

movements. This award was judged separately on the

of creating value over time, the company's long-term

basis of verified responses to safety criteria. In 2019, Acsa

horizontal outlook is outlined as follows:

obtained the ACI ​​ Safety Award for Best Airport in Africa, with over 20 000 ATMs. SERVICE In the past, Acsa has won a stunning amount of awards for its services. In 2019, the World Travel Awards awarded Cape Town International Airport with the coveted title of being Africa’s Leading Airport. In the same year, Air Cargo Africa recognised O.R. Tambo International Airport as the African Airport of the Year.

And in 2018, George Airport won the category of Best Airport in Africa over 20 000 air traffic miles, during the ACI Africa Safety Awards.

SKYTRAX WORLD AIRPORT AWARDS For 27 years, Acsa has been recognised as a pioneer in aviation by Skytrax, the United Kingdom-based consultancy which runs an airline and airport review and ranking establishment.

In 2020, Cape Town International Airport was presented with the award for Best Airport in Africa. This year, King Shaka International Airport raked in multiple awards, such as Best Airport Staff in Africa, Best Regional Airport in Africa, and the award for Best Airport: 5-10 million passengers.

We remain committed to the transformation imperatives

TOP AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

of the National Development Plan and seek to aid the

Acsa is continuously recognised globally for its prestige.

eradication of poverty through various programmes and

Over the years, a plethora of awards and accolades

initiatives. Socially, we position ourselves in a manner

have been accumulated as a result of our innovation

that guides development while embodying equality and

and efficacy.. Acsa is a true leader in Africa’s aviation

fairness. The Company’s and country’s needs inform our

industry, winning more than 50 international awards to

transformation model and activities, which directly relate

date. Without people, these results could not have been

to our strategy.

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ETHICS PLEDGE

AIRPORTS COMPANY SOUTH AFRICA (ACSA) | ADVERTORIAL

By the Airports Company South Africa Board of Directors

OUR STRATEGY Our three-pillar strategy, namely to

Our outlook remains positive,

run airports, develop airports and

primarily due to the effort placed

Grow our footprint, underpins the

in supporting our growth using

delivery of sustainable value. This

our governance framework and

strategy outlines key outcomes that

operating model to drive our

define our success. They will help us

strategy which is aligned to the

achieve our Vision 2025 objectives

impact on business, people and

and become the most sought-after

society and the environment

partner in the world for sustainable

towards achieving Vision 2025

airport management services.

statement.

KEY MILESTONES

nnual Report Awards 2016 - A (hosted by the Chartered Secretaries Southern Africa

1998 - Acsa became partially

in partnership with the JSE

privatised when a 25,4%

Limited): Acsa received

shareholding was sold to

a Merit Certificate under

private sector shareholders.

the Large State-Owned

The transaction valued

Company category.

Airports Company South Africa at around R4-billion. csa and a consortium 2006 - A comprising the Indian company GVK and South African-listed company Bidvest, won a concession to manage Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, India.

2010 - Acsa’s O.R. Tambo

2018 - In July 2018, we celebrated our 25-year anniversary as a leading provider of airport services ​2 019 - ​ O.R. Tambo International and Cape Town International Airports were upgraded to Level 2 status. While King Shaka International, Port Elizabeth international Airports were renewed at

International Airport

Level 1. George Airport

welcomed the world’s largest

also entered the carbon

civil passenger aircraft, Air

accreditation programme

France-KLM’s A380.

at Level 1.

2014 - T ebogo Mekgoe was

2020 - Nompumelelo (Mpumi)

appointed the first Chief

Mpofu appointed as new

Operating Officer in the

CEO of Airports Company

history of Airports Company

South Africa (Acsa) in

South Africa.

February 2020.

Company Details

24 Johnson Road. The Maples Office Park, Bedfordview, JHB PO Box 75480 Gardenview, 2047 +27 (0)11 723 1400 +27 (0)11 453 9353 www.airports.co.za

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TOP-TIER TRANSITIONS

WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM SOUTH AFRICAN MULTINATIONALS PAVING THE WAY

BY CHARNDRÉ EMMA KIPPIE COVID-19 has made significant changes to the South African business landscape. Even so, we continue to see leaders, in their respective fields, make vital contributions to social upliftment and economic transformation.

If this year has taught us anything at all, it’s the fact that no entity or enterprise has been left untouched by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the emergence of an entirely unprecedented new economy and social order. Despite unceasing plummets in market share prices, leaders in global business ventures continue to exhibit robust endurance, and exemplary social consciousness, during these vexing times.

MULTINATIONALS AND THEIR IMPORTANCE

from massive business endeavours and CSR programs.

As a diverse nation, with an emerging economy, South

Despite the devastating financial implications of a

African multinational companies (MNCs) are equipped

global pandemic, there are key South African MNCs

with the ability to work wonders for building sustainable

who have adopted a ‘business as usual’, can-do

and viable new markets, yielding transferable skills and

attitude, in an effort to lend a hand towards navigating

new technologies, and marking South Africa as a top-

life during these difficult times. Strategically placing

notch investment destination. Such corporate heavy

emphasis on social responsibility, environmental

weights are often placed in the proverbial ‘hot seat’ as

sustainability and empowerment, companies such

they are closely examined for their impact upon social

as BMW South Africa, Vodafone, and Levis Strauss,

development and maintaining balance and equality

are extending their affluent networks and creating

across designated communities of concern. At the very

innovative partnerships to organically assist business

top of the agenda, it is essential that South African

growth, whilst also revamping the business sector for

MNCs are able to ensure that both their company, and

a much more sustainable future. As leaders in South

the country as a whole, are eligible to equally benefit

African multinational business culture, these three

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WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM SOUTH AFRICAN MULTINATIONALS PAVING THE WAY | EDITORIAL

multi- award-winning conglomerates are pushing a new

the fight against GBVF. Also aimed at providing relief

wave geared towards transformation that is impactful

during this time, the German government has partnered

and enduring – and there is much to be learned from

with BMW South Africa to upgrade hospital facilities

their individual approaches!

to make considerations for the rapid influx of new patients affected by the virus. The R76-million project

CRISIS: A CATALYST FOR CHANGE

has assisted with the renovations and upkeep of 8 South

BMW South Africa stands as a globally renowned

African hospitals thus far, as well has boosting poor

automotive brand today. Recently ranked at 23rd

infrastructure at 4 local clinics. Member of the Board of

place for being one of the World’s Greatest Employers

Management of BMW AG, Dr. Milan Nedeljkovic, spoke

(2020), and 27th place in the category of World’s Most

out publicly about BMW’s responsibility in committing to

Valuable Brands (2020), the BMW Group comfortably

the future of South Africa, and safeguarding its people:

sits within the Top 10 automotive manufactures in the world. With a reputation that precedes itself globally, BMW South Africa remains a key contributor

“For us [the BMW Group] it’s about

to multinational investments and economic stability,

more than just producing vehicles

especially during the COVID-19 pandemic which has

for sheer driving pleasure. It’s about

ultimately crippled many other automotive giants in SA. Now, more than ever, BMW South Africa understands the growing need for corporate intervention and assistance

being an integral part of society and improving the livelihood of our

with redressing social inequalities and environmental

employees, their families and their

impact – understanding that it is not just their business

surrounding communities”.

and employees who are battling in the current social climate. In February this year, BMW Group South Africa, handed over five BMW i3 vehicles to the South African Business Coalition on Health and Aids (SABCOHA), to be used by community-based care workers for riding out and assisting victims of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in local communities that have been plagued with more and more cases of rape and murder.

This came at no better time, with GBVF shockingly on the rise during lockdown, especially. This initiative is part of the Automotive Industry Transformation Fund and was founded by the group’s partners to alter the automotive value chain and facilitate participation in the sector by marginalised groups, including the youth, people with disabilities and women of colour.

The automotive group’s contribution (of reportedly R6-billion) is momentous in that it demonstrates growth in the government-civil society partnership; growth in bonds formed between the South African business sector and international partners which positively succours

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75

ACHIEVING INCLUSIVE ACCELERATED GROWTH Vodacom and its parent company, Vodafone, have taken the route of empowering masses via connection and access. Globally-speaking, the Vodafone Foundation (founded in 2016) understands that communications technology plays a pivotal role in imbuing the values instilled within their core approach – ‘Connecting for Good’. At the forefront of their projects, the message stands that their corporation will go beyond mere ‘charitable’ measures, in an effort to bring about inclusive opportunities and skills development for employees and the larger African diaspora. As of now, their primary focus is on investing in

for women by 2025. Alongside this ambition, we have

selected projects that will produce meaningful change that

seen Vodafone’s Instant Network Schools benefit more

is impactful. Therefore, their focus has predominantly been

than 86 500 students and 1000 teachers to date, giving

on transforming spaces which typically and historically have

children and refugees across Africa access to quality,

side-lined women and children: educational institutions and

accredited qualifications, and important learning tools

the greater labour force.

and meaningful learning opportunities.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) recently released ‘The

Empowering female children from such a susceptible age is

Global Gender Gap Index 2020’ rankings. Each year

a foot in the right direction. Young women can then choose

research is done to determine the rate of global progress

careers for themselves having been equipped with the

towards gender equality. Statistics prove that South Africa

necessary tools for change. With such pertinent long-term

has made minimum improvement, dropping in position

investments, it is no surprise as to why Vodafone has been

to 121st place for Wage equality for similar work criteria,

recognised by Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index this past

according to the WEF. This ties in with stats on leadership

year for being a global leader of building inclusive, fair

roles occupied by women in our country – only 38% of

workplaces with strong company community engagement.

women in South Arica have obtained senior positions in management and CEO roles. Surprisingly, however, we

Vodafone Group CEO, Nick Read, opens up about

are currently ranked at 17th position (going up two places

the company’s passion for growth, inclusion and

since early 2018) in the world for gradually combating

accessibility:

gender inequality. For more, you can download a copy of the latest stats here: http://www3.weforum.org/docs/ WEF_GGGR_2020.pdf

“Africa needs to connect to a better future. Vodafone is committed to doing its

Even in the face of this pandemic, Vodafone and Vodacom continue to invest in the education and skills development of their female employees, customers and children around Africa, using their digital capacity and data supply to give women and children equal access – a key factor in accelerating growth and social

part. This aligns with our purpose -which are the values we stand for and high standards we hold ourselves to account – to build an inclusive digital society, in

development in the 21st century. As stated in their public

all countries we operate in, while halving

mission statement, Vodafone is committed to (now

our environmental impact by 2025”

more than ever) becoming the world’s best employer

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WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM SOUTH AFRICAN MULTINATIONALS PAVING THE WAY | EDITORIAL

he expressed. “We need to utilise

(focused on the empowerment of women aged 18-28).

the power of digital [data

The South African based team has donated thousands of

specifically] to increase access to

hours to volunteer in local communities in need this year.

various public services to enhance

And just recently, the MNC hosted the ‘Pioneer Nation

citizen living conditions and

Festival’, an event aimed at assisting young entrepreneurs

employment prospects… We are

in South Africa specifically. “Consumers are very conscious

also partnering with governments

of the role big brands play in their communities”, says

on digital skills and more education

South African Managing Director Nuholt Huisamen.

projects - for example, the zero-rated e-schools curriculum in South Africa”.

“Community involvement is an important part of our heritage. We will

FOSTERING POSITIVE COMMUNITY CULTURE On the topic of digitalisation, fashion enterprise Levis Strauss & Co. has recently been proving how and why

continue this culture of giving back and remain relevant to our consumers”.

they keep their finger on the pulse of social and political trends – community outcries online are now a driving force behind addressing social injustices and converting digital impact into real-life change for the better. Levis Strauss always keeps all ears and avenues for critical conversation open. Previously, we’ve seen Levis Strauss: South Africa use their influence to encourage the youth of SA to have their say in electoral voting procedures as the popular hashtag #UseYourVoice circulated last year. Also using social media as a springboard for discussing female empowerment in SA, Levi utilised #IShapeMyWorld in a campaign geared towards celebrating fearless women who step up and break barriers to make a difference in their respective communities. As a fashion-focused MNC, Levis has obtained a vital understanding of how to

These three global conglomerates have not shied away from

listen to customers and convert community debates and

crisis, using the pain and pressures of this global pandemic as

opinions into valuable leads for social change. This is why

power; power to fuel their long-term ambitions and spread

giving back is not viewed as a corporate stipulation, here,

social change and transformation. The transition has not been

but rather the fundamental and relevant groundwork for

easy, but it has equipped these leading MNCs with the drive

fostering a healthy, open-minded community culture that

and passion they need to uplift, not only their companies,

is crucial for future growth and expansion.

but their surrounding communities in need of support and guidance. Being a MNC comes with great responsibility and

This year the Levis Strauss Foundation committed to

influence, and these leaders believe in being a force for

granting R5-million to important causes around South

positive change in South African communities with a lasting

Africa, including esteemed partners such as the Nelson

impact. Three lessons to take away from their brands: rise up

Mandela Foundation and AIDS Legal Action Network.

to social challenges, identify your core business strengths and

Along with these long-standing partners, they have

utilise them as weapons for positive change, and appreciate

welcomed new pioneering local organisations, namely

the concerns and opinions of your customers – the customer

Greenpop (a sustainable living pioneer) and 18Twenty8

is always right, as the old saying goes.

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INTERVIEW WITH SIBONELO NKOSI, CEO OF

GIANTFUSE

SIBONELO NKOSI Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Giantfuse Capital partners

Q: PLEASE GIVE A BRIEF PARAGRAPH

between signals of temporary

SUMMARY OF THE COMPANY, AND

distress and real problems. A

ITS CURRENT PRODUCTS AND/OR

true transformation cannot be

SERVICES, AND WHICH MARKETS IT

produced by popping a company

CATERS TO.

in a microwave oven. Changing

We are an alternative investment

strategies and people, not to

firm that focuses on long-term

mention products, technologies,

value within various industries,

channel strategies and marketing

with the emphasis on maximising

programmes, takes time.

the potential of brands in small and medium businesses. Our

Q: HOW DO YOU RETAIN PERSONNEL

focus is small businesses within

IN YOUR COMPANY AND STOP KEY

our community that are driven to

STAFF JUMPING SHIP?

expand and create employment

We have to try and be more

opportunities. We pride ourselves

understanding. After all, it’s their

on influencing South African young

workplace that’s going to be directly

people and supporting them with

affected by these decisions day in

raising capital for their projects, as

and day out. We conduct a focus

well as stimulating the market so

group with employees from different

Best business book read this year:

that others who do the same work

departments, experience levels and

The Ride of a Lifetime by Robert Iger

may do so in a way that it is most

job titles. No supervisors, managers

effective for an entrepreneur to

or executives are, however, included

practice their ideas and capacities.

in the focus group. We allow them

Born: 1989-07-04 Frankfort, Free State First job: Book Salesman Best advice and who gave it: Allow the process, it will take you far (my grandmother)

Most inspiring business leader: Aliko Dangote

to review the mission, vision and

Way you relax: By playing golf, there’s no better place than a golf course Business philosophy (in one sentence): There is one consistent theme, and that is simplicity. I have the ability to simplify a problem and identify a solution.

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IMPUMELELO TOP EMPOWERMENT

Q: WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE KEY

values and give their input. We take

CHALLENGE FOR TRANSFORMATION

advantage of performance reviews to

IN YOUR SECTOR?

see where our employees are going

The forces unleashed since the start

above and beyond, and where their

of the COVID-19 pandemic, have

weaknesses are. We give employees

only reinforced the importance of

an opportunity to lead a project, and

value creation rooted in business

encourage them to attend classes,

building capabilities, distinguishing

webinars and conventions.

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GIANTFUSE | INTERVIEW

Q: WHAT ARE THE SKILLS YOU LOOK FOR IN STAFF,

Q: HOW HAS YOUR B-BBEE RATING BROUGHT YOU

AND ARE THESE NEEDS BEING FULLFILLED?

BUSINESS OR EXPANDED YOUR BUSINESS?

1. Drive: we prefer employees who want to be

Well, it’s been great, but I hope we will collaborate

challenged and will often exceed expectations.

2. Teamwork: teams work together on all work related projects and help where necessary. It doesn’t matter who gets credit for what because they accomplish everything together.

3. Good communication skills: we allow every employee to be a communicator, state their ideas and what they like to see improved and altered within their projects.

4. Creativity: we work on a lot of projects and usually it is good to have someone who can work directly with our clients and express their levels of knowledge and understanding of the projects assigned to them, Q: WHAT ARE YOUR COMPANY’S KEY TRANFORMATION MILESTONES? 1. Sourcing investments with potential for operating improvement - operational transformations begin with

more with other institutions for the betterment of our economy. Profit aside, we need to stand and unite as the business of South Africa, forgetting labels and accolades.

We need to build collectively. Through B-BBEE, we can continue building this country and creating more jobs, working hand in hand with the government, and eliminating the corruption that is blocking business opportunities on our shores.

Q: WHAT TIPS OR ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PITCHING BUSINESS CONTRACTS? Do proper research on the market, get your business assumptions right and know your business inside out from operations to executive level. This gives an investor assurance that you are involved in your company.

Business culture is also important. Talk more about the company culture and the systems that are in place.

sourcing. We look at the front end of the investment

Q: IS THE DRIVE FOR SUSTAINABILITY CHANGING

process where we spend time identifying underperforming

THE WAY YOU DO BUSINESS? HOW?

businesses that can be enhanced through more activist

Well, not really. The direction of the company has

management initiatives and/or strategic repositioning.

always included sustainability. Integrating sustainability

2. Operational investment decision-making for

into everything we do is part of our vision to become a

increasing exposure to rapidly growing economies.

global leader in sustainable energy solutions. Our aim

We acknowledge that we are in a two-speed world:

is to improve our own environmental performance –

developing economies are in third or fourth gear,

while creating value for local communities, promoting a

while developed economies are in first gear.

safe, diverse and inclusive workplace, and leading the transition to a world powered by sustainable energy. In

Q: WHAT SKILLS DO YOU THINK THE NEW GENERATION

short, we make sustainability part of everything we do.

OF BLACK LEADERS ARE GOING TO NEED? HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY THOSE LEADERS IN YOUR BUSINESS?

Q: WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT CHALLENGES YOU

Building skills are vital. We have to be able to build our

HAVE HAD TO FACE IN YOUR TRANFORMATION AGENDA?

own culture, not family culture or religion, but a business

We must ensure that the practices of Giantfuse Capital

culture - making sure we conduct business from a

and our investments, with regard to the environment,

foundational base to see it continue to the 3rd and 4th

at the very least meet local laws and regulations. We

generation. We need to respect the process of building

strive to lessen our imprint and to avoid damaging the

something from nothing, have resilience, and patience

environment by minimising waste, reducing packaging

to construct and operate businesses that will change our

materials, promoting recycling and, in general,

economic scales, this economy depends on us but if we

considering the impact of our daily operations and those

do not have skills then we won’t have an economy.

of our investments.

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INTERVIEW GIANTFUSE

Q: WHO ARE THE PEOPLE YOU MOST ADMIRE, AND WHY?

We also opt to invest in small to medium sized

My family. Despite the fact that I am in a busy field of

acquisitions, but only if they are attractive targets that

work, and managing my own company, they are the

have the right cultural fit and will enhance our portfolio.

ones who always put me back in line when I go wrong, even today. I enjoy their company because when all is

Q: WHY DO YOU BELIEVE TRANSFORMATION IS SIGNIFICANT

said and done I am still a son and a grandson.

IN SA? Transformation is a must for building this nation.

Q: IF YOU HAD TO START YOUR WORKING LIFE OVER AGAIN,

South Africa is a beautiful country, with a plethora of

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOURSELF IN HINDSIGHT?

opportunities. We just need to open the market up for small

Focus, draft your goals and rearrange them every six

businesses to thrive, then we will see progress. We need this

months. Be forever fearless and grab every opportunity

transformation not only in business, but in our government

that comes your way - or create opportunities!

as well. 26 years later the business community still depends on our government systems, which is detrimental for the

Q: WHERE DO YOU HOPE TO EXPAND / IMPROVE IN THE NEXT

next generation because we are breeding a dependant

FIVE YEARS? WHERE WILL YOU BE IN 10 YEARS TIME?

generation. This type of transformation should begin

Across the whole Sub-Saharan Africa, we are working on

right at the top and trickle all the way down. The next

having a few offices in Africa’s key cities, to monitor and

generation should be able to innovate from a very young

support businesses in those countries, and also provide

age, because resources are provided for them to do so.

the resources we have to build the community. In 10

Instead of just giving handouts, let us create systems that

years, we will be known for the impact we are making in

will allow our people to think for themselves, for a better

society. Shifting our focus to Big Data, AI, and 4IR, we are

and non-corrupt South Africa.

supporting and affecting the foundations of technology, to provide resources and education to our African community on how technology should be implemented for providing infrastructure support.

Q: HOW DO THE COMPANY’S CSI PROJECTS CONTRIBUTE TO THE BUSINESS AS A WHOLE? Giantfuse Capital‘s founders and employees helped in establishing the GiantGreen Foundation to support communities and conservation efforts in Africa and beyond. The foundation, with a dual commitment to working with children at risk’ and environmental degradation, allows us to view needs first-hand and to act on perceived imbalances. The foundation emphasizes Giantfuse Capital‘s commitment to social and environmental standards.

PRIDES ITSELF ON. Our priority is to capture organic growth opportunities, as these yield the best returns.

IMPUMELELO TOP EMPOWERMENT

155 West Street, Sandown, Johannesburg info@giantfusecapitalpartners.co.za www.giantfusecapitalpartners.co.za

Q: DESCRIBE THE BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY THE COMPANY

80

Contact details

Social Media www.linkedin.com/Giantfusecapitalpartners www.twitter.com/GiantfuseP

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THROUGH OUR SIGNA VALUES WE STRIVE

TO MAKE AFRICA THROUGH OUR SOUTH SIGNA VALUES WE STRIVE A PLACE. THROUGH OUR SOUTH SIGNA VALUES WE STRIVE TOBETTER MAKE AFRICA A PLACE.AFRICA TOBETTER MAKE SOUTH A BETTER PLACE.

Uplifting and training individuals, learners and businesses for atraining working future.

Uplifting and

individuals, learners and We thrive on Power of One Uplifting and businesses forour atraining working future. initiative thatlearners emphasises individuals, and every action, no on matter how small, businesses forour a working future.

We thrive Power of One can make a difference. initiative that emphasises every We thrive our Power of One action, no on matter how small, initiative emphasises every can makethat a difference. action, no matter how small, can make a difference.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT | B-BBEE ADVISORY | JOB CREATION

The Leading Company in Economic Transformation Solutions and Skills Development Programmes.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT | B-BBEE ADVISORY | JOB CREATION

The Leading Company in Economic Transformation Solutions and Skills Development Programmes.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT | B-BBEE ADVISORY | JOB CREATION

The Leading Company in Economic Transformation Solutions and Skills Development Programmes.

T: +27 (0) 87 230 0329 | E: info@signa.co.za | W: www.signa.co.za

MAPPING SEA HARVEST’S JOURNEY TO BECOMING

ONE OF SA’S MOST EMPOWERED FISHING AND FOOD COMPANIES Transformation is not a destination but a journey. This has

zone by national government). The company’s growth

been the experience of Sea Harvest Corporation (Pty) Ltd

has accelerated over the past few years in pursuit of its

– Sea Harvest – which began as a small fishing company

vision of being a leading black-owned, responsible and

on the Cape west coast in 1964 when a Spanish-owned

diversified global seafood business.

company called Pescanova joined forces with Southern Sea Fishing Enterprises and Imperial Cold Storage (ICS).

Sea Harvest has navigated many changing tides in its 56-year history but has always honoured its commitment

Since its establishment, Sea Harvest has grown to become

of delivering premium quality products to its customers,

one of the largest employers and economic drivers in the

while meeting the expectations of its people and the

Saldanha Bay area (declared an industrial development

communities in which it operates. In 1992 founding

Some of the phenomenal women who occupy various positions across Sea Harvest’s operations at its Saldanha Bay plant on the Cape west coast.

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SEA HARVEST ADVERTORIAL

partner, Pescanova, sold its stake in Sea Harvest to

investment, there is always an overall aim of promoting

Tiger Brands (formerly ICS), which listed Sea Harvest

black empowerment within the industry where we

on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). This listing

operate. Our commitment to transforming the industry

allowed for the introduction of new shareholders into the

will continue into the future through the R100 million

company and provided access to those who had been

South African Fisheries Development Fund established

previously disadvantaged. In 1998, post the country’s first

to develop small, medium and macro-sized enterprises

truly democratic election, broad-based black economic

(SMMEs) involved in the fishing industry, as well as small-

empowerment (B-BBEE) transformation of the fishing

scale fishers and their communities in South Africa’s four

industry became an imperative, which facilitated the

coastal provinces.”

entry of Cape-based empowerment company, blackowned and managed Brimstone Investment Corporation

Sea Harvest and Brimstone Chairman, Fred Robertson,

(“Brimstone”).

says that, “Sea Harvest is no doubt climbing a very steep growth path but we are ensuring that our strategic goals

By 2004, Brimstone had steadily increased its Sea Harvest

are achieved in a way that meets the expectations

shareholding to 21%. However, a seminal moment in

of government, industry and all South Africans in a

Sea Harvest’s transformation evolution was in 2009

meaningful and transformative manner.”

when Brimstone led a black consortium comprised of Kagiso Investment Holdings and senior management in acquiring Tiger Brands’ majority shareholding in Sea Harvest, which was, at the time, the largest empowerment deal in the fishing industry. Since then, Brimstone has invested over R115-million in Sea Harvest to ensure that the company continues to grow whilst benefitting historically disadvantaged individuals (HDIs).

It is now an 83% blackowned company and a Level 1 B-BBEE contributor.

Central to the transformation focus is ensuring that its employees also share in the wealth of the company through the Employee Share Trusts, whilst remaining healthy and safe through a variety of safety and health initiatives that the company provides. Over the past four years the Trusts have received and paid out dividends and capital from shares of over R115 million to qualifying employee beneficiaries of the schemes.

Sea Harvest Group CEO, Felix Ratheb, says, “Over the past 16 years as a company we have always deliberately structured our growth on the central tenet that HDIs should stand to benefit from all we do. From shareholding and employment to procurement and corporate social

Cape Town: Telephone: + 27 [0] 21 468 7900 Fax: + 27 [0] 21 465 5883 V&A Waterfront: Telephone: +27 (0) 21 419 4140 Fax: +27 (0) 21 419 6731 Saldanha: Telephone: + 27 [0] 22 701 4100 Fax: + 27 [0] 22 714 3555 Postal Address: PO Box 761, Cape Town, 8000 E-mail: info@seaharvest.co.za Web: www.seaharvest.co.za

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SKILLS TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT: POISED TO UNLOCK SOUTH AFRICA’S ECONOMIC POTENTIAL

BY NICOLE MCCAIN

The skills training and development

staff will create more effective leaders

sector holds the power to change

and confident workers.

South Africa’s economic trajectory by promoting the inclusion of all

But the country’s skill shortage has

demographic groups. Research

left more than a third of companies

by the United Nations has found

struggling to fill their positions. Many

that increasing access to skills and

of the shortages lie in practical skills,

education can have a direct effect

such as artisans and technicians, and

on reducing poverty levels and

with so many companies standing to

increasing economic activity.

benefit from skills development, it is no surprise that businesses are willing

At the level of basic education,

to invest in training. South African

studies show that for each year of

companies on average invest around

schooling, an individual can increase

4% of payroll on training, with 64% of

their lifetime earnings by around

training designed externally and 62%

10%. But education has also been

of training is delivered externally.

A DIVERSE SECTOR Mapping transformation with the South African industry

75 300

The number of staff employed in the public higher education sector

directly linked to a country’s ability to increase its domestic product

This need for continued skills training

(GDP) growth and meeting the

and development has resulted in a

skills shortage can have profound

robust sector comprised of various

impacts on business activity within

levels of education providers.

the local market.

The higher education landscape encompasses universities, universities

Aside from creating economic

of technology, comprehensive

growth, continuous training and

institutions, and various kinds

development can have numerous

of colleges, as well as private

benefits for a company: Ongoing

training providers. These providers

training improves organisational,

work under the guidance of the

team and individual performance. A

Department of Higher Education and

business with an engaged workforce

the National Skills Authority, to ensure

will achieve a 59% lower staff turnover

courses and learning modules are

rate, and ongoing empowerment of

accredited and regulated.

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50.8%

The percentage of posts filled by Black South Africans at higher education institutions

52 000

businesses have been created in the education and training sector

SKILLS TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT | EDITORIAL

The Education, Training and Development (ETD) industry supports in the region of 52 000 businesses in 14 subsectors, according to 2018 data supplied by the ETDP SETA. And the industry has great potential as a job creator, with research showing it is expanding year on year, having grown by 4% this annum.

The 50 public TVET colleges, with 250 campuses, employ over 18 000 staff. Roughly 10 800 of these jobs are in lecturing positions, providing tuition to over 705 000 students.

There are 26 universities in the country, which employ over 57 300 permanent staff and provide tuition to over 685 000 full-time students. There are also 290 private Further Education and Training (FET) colleges, which provide training in a specific occupational field, and 125 private higher education institutions.

TRANSFORMING THE HIGHER EDUCATION LANDSCAPE In the private sector, there are many opportunities for transformation to take place, explains Sharon van der Heever, chairperson for the Association for Skills Development in South Africa (ASDSA).

ASDSA represents skills development practitioners

To qualify and gain accreditation to offer a single standard unit (a learning module), can cost in the region of R40 000, she explains. To recover that cost, the service provider would need to train around 40 students. Added to this is the complex legislation that governs the sector and the need for qualified staff to offer the courses.

“It takes a long time to recover your costs and build a reputation in the industry. There are also many barriers to small businesses and red tape that they must navigate,” she says.

To encourage smaller service providers, and in turn transformation, much needs to be done at government level to reduce red tape, offer tax rebates and provide improved training for businesses owners, Van der Heever believes.

and skills development administrators.

“Corporate clients also tend to favour larger training

“Transformation is taking place, but the problem is that

is needed,” says Van der Heever.

operators over smaller suppliers, which means a mind shift

there are many barriers facing the small and medium sized enterprises which are driving transformation.”

Diversity creates a space for critical thinking, by encouraging the challenging of stereotypes and preconceptions. Not only

The business landscape, along with the regulatory framework

does it allow students and educators to begin conversations

governing private training operators, is not very conducive

about cultural difference, but diversity also stimulates

to small business ownership, explains Van der Heever.

economic growth and reduces poverty.

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TOP EMPOWERED PUBLIC SECTOR LEADER 2020

IMOGEN MASHAZI

– FIRST WOMAN CITY MANAGER OF EKURHULENI Winner of the prestigious Public Sector Leader Award 2020 at this year’s Top Empowerment virtual awards ceremony, Imogen Mashazi has more than 20 years of experience in local government and has had an inspirational journey fuelled by tenacity, commitment and hard work.

She was appointed City Manager of the City of Ekurhuleni in December 2016 - becoming the first woman City Manager of the City and is responsible for directing a variety of administrative processes that allow the City of Ekurhuleni to operate efficiently and effectively. Her office implements and oversees policies crafted by the city council. She is currently the only woman to head the administrative structure of a metropolitan municipality in the country.

Imogen Mashazi not only directs the administrative processes in the City of Ekurhuleni, but she is also a loyal resident of this municipality. She has over 20 years’ experience in local government and has worked her way through the ranks from operational staff member to COO and now city manager. She therefore understands the systems, policies, and most of all the processes of ensuring that the municipality delivers quality, sustainable, and predictable services to the residents.

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IMOGEN MASHAZI –FIRST WOMAN CITY MANAGER OF EKURHULENI

| EDITORIAL

Education and constant lifelong learning have been key to her success, starting in the mid-80s with a Diploma in General Nursing from Unisa and 30 years later a National Certificate in Municipal Financial Management – LGSETA in 2015.

Under her watch, the metro has witnessed a focus on the recruitment, placement and promotion of women leaders – a prime example of “lift as you rise”.

At the same event, the City of Ekurhuleni won the Top Empowered Services Award, which Imogen ascribes to the leadership of the City’s Executive Mayor Mzwandile Masina and his team,

“ IT ALL STARTS WITH ASSEMBLING A STRONG TEAM OF QUALIFIED PEOPLE TO KEY POSITIONS. WE, AS A CITY, HAVE ALSO PUT TRUST IN TALENTED YOUNG PEOPLE AND WOMEN AS WE TRANSFORM THE CITY TO BE ABLE TO DELIVER SERVICES TO OUR PEOPLE AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.” - IMOGEN MASHAZI

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INTERVIEW WITH EMMANUEL NGULUBE, CEO OF

E&T MINERALS

EMMANUEL NGULUBE First job: Co-Owner in an events company called J.E.T Entertainment Best advice and who gave it: “Excellence

COMPANY SNAPSHOT

generation of our society being

Founded in 2013 by Emmanuel

reduced to unemployability. The

Ngulube, Daniel Eyre and Tommy

second area is that in our experience

Matau (resigned 2014), E&T

it’s rare to find women, black women

Minerals is a South African-based

in particular, filling high level decision

commodity brokerage and trading

making positions within the mining

house, specialising in coal. E&T

industry (particularly in the trading

offers commodity trading, contract

and brokerage disciplines).

management, management of performance risk, and logistics

Q: WHAT ARE THE SKILLS YOU LOOK

management to clients in diverse

FOR IN STAFF, AND ARE THESE NEEDS

of Youth for Christ South Africa, and “Your

industries, from steel manufacturers

BEING FULFILLED?

character is more important than your

and paper millers to power

We built our business from the

reputation” - My father, Knox Ngulube

generators and multinational

ground up and fulfilled all the skills

commodities traders.

required by not on actively looking

is in the detail” - Uncle Roulph, President

Best business book read this year:

for individuals who had the skillset

Startup Owner’s Manual by Bob Dorf

Q: WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE KEY

but who were also willing to do the

and Steve Blank and The Personal MBA

CHALLENGE FOR TRANSFORMATION

groundwork required to build the

by Josh Kaufman

IN YOUR SECTOR?

business to the level we envision

The key challenge centres around

it is destined to be. This means

Most inspiring business leader:

two areas for E&T; Firstly the industry

finding people who were hungry

Steve Jobs and Mark Rich (ability to

needs more youth-based and

to learn, willing to sacrifice for the

structure and problem solve)

black participation at all levels of

benefit of the organisation, who

the mining industry, from mining

are team players and also leaders

Way you relax: Spending time with

through to trading and brokerage.

in their own right.

friends and family. I also love to attend

The mining industry being one of

cultural shows, discover new cities and

the country’s biggest contributors

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR COMPANY’S KEY

the experiences that they offer.

to GDP and employment - and a

TRANSFORMATION MILESTONES?

country with youth unemployment

Albeit, we are a Black youth

Business philosophy (in one sentence):

reaching unprecedented levels, the

company, our organisation is

Make sure you have a plan and that

industry should be promoting, as far

predominately male. Our company

as possible, black youth to counter

wishes to employ more black females

the eventual effects of having a

going forward not only to keep in line

you stick to it.

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E&T MINERALS

| INTERVIEW

with the country and the sector’s transformation goals but

Q: WHY DO YOU BELIEVE TRANSFORMATION IS

because we understand that the diversity of an organisation

SIGNIFICANT IN SA?

is its highest strength. We’re also always looking to meet and

Exclusion of your youngest and largest participants in any

to transact with any woman-run organisations within the

society threatens to deform that society. We can never

sector where we believe we have value to add.

hope to build a fulfilled and functioning South Africa if the majority of its society remains.

Q: WHAT SKILLS DO YOU THINK THE NEW GENERATION OF BLACK LEADERS ARE GOING TO NEED? HOW DO YOU

Q: DESCRIBE THE BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY THE COMPANY

IDENTIFY THOSE LEADERS IN YOUR BUSINESS?

PRIDES ITSELF ON.

The next generation of black leaders will need to have

Our three pillars are reliability, efficiency and transparency

courage and perseverance (although this rings true of

– all key elements to building a long lasting customer base

any leader). We need leaders who aren’t preoccupied

and in building industry alliances. Being a young company,

with self-preservation and self-enrichment at any cost. I

these pillars of belief have seen us grow exponentially and

also fear that young black South Africans get too caught

build a business that is not only successful, but sustainable.

up in the cycle of making money fast and don’t take time to learn to build strong competitive businesses, and as a result miss out on the lessons of courage, perseverance and sacrifice required to achieve this, lessons we believe are the cornerstone of leadership, ones that are most needed to get a country out of economic turmoil, high unemployment in their most vital

Our greater philosophy as an organisation, I believe is leadership. Our organisation aims at being an industry leader within the continent and therefore is filled with members that view themselves as being able to lead.

This means we have a dynamic team of members who are proactive and not reactive, who understand making

age brackets and abject poverty.

sacrifices, who are able to make the tough decisions

Q: WHAT TIPS OR ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PITCHING

value proposition to the organisation is what will ultimately

BUSINESS CONTRACTS?

collectively and who collectively understand that their get E&T to the highest levels of the sector.

• Be honest about your capabilities • Stay true to your performance obligations • Expect and prepare to make mistakes • Remain teachable Q: WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT CHALLENGES YOU HAVE HAD TO FACE IN YOUR TRANSFORMATION AGENDA? Finding members for the organisation that will fit the culture of the business. No one wants an opportunity purely because of race or gender and no organisation wants to make decisions purely based on the same. The challenge would then be to find members that tick our transformation boxes but are also a fit and value contributor to the organisation.

Q: IF YOU HAD TO START YOUR WORKING LIFE OVER AGAIN, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOURSELF IN HINDSIGHT?

61 Woodlands Avenue, Nicolway Centre, Hurlingham, 2196 072 021 4438 info@etminerals.com www.etminerals.com Social Media:

Don’t be afraid of rejection and always surround yourself

@E&T Minerals

with people that are smarter than you.

@E&T Minerals

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TRANSFORMATION AND DIVERSITY IN AFRICA

BY JADE SEPTEMBER

When one thinks of global diversity, the appreciation thereof is easily most visible in Africa. At the very least, diversity is centered around, but is not limited to, culture, ethnicity, gender and religion. Woven into these high-level categories are sub-categories such as age, education and even sexual preference.

These differences give rise to the stirring of larger conversations around transformation and globalisation in Africa.

The effects of the transformation to an African digital age has perhaps never been more poignant than during the Covid-19 pandemic. The implications of forced social distancing and lockdown protocols birthed a “new normal” rife with virtual events and socialising, a culture of working from home and a global shift in how economies

The reach accompanied by globalisation has caused

are kept moving.

inevitable transformation. This is especially evident in activism as well as nuanced conversations around

In recent decades, an age of disinformation has slowly

human rights.

declined and given rise to a digital era that has provided us with an exponential increase in access to information.

This is very apparent when we look at the power of social media and how this power has cultivated a culture of accountability for one’s actions.

The increase in transparency alone is remarkable. If we think about accessibility a decade ago, we were not

“ T H E L E V E R A G E A N D I N F L U E N C E SOCIAL MEDIA GIVES CITIZENS ARE RAPIDLY SPREADING INTO THE BUSINESS WORLD.” - S IMO N MAINWARING

as aware of current affairs across the African continent.

Globalisation has resulted in current affairs having a much

Of the many instances of human rights violations having

deeper impact on economic power and even legislation,

an economic impact, the most prominent is the war on

which, in turn, has created a growing sense of community

Gender-based Violence. Here is an example of how

among Africans.

transformation as a result of globalisation is visible in Africa:

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DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN AFRICA | EDITORIAL

sensationalism, others see it as a means of ensuring that the wheels of justice do indeed turn.

One thing is abundantly clear when it comes to the canceling or calling out of people or companies: Nobody is immune.

ACCOUNTABILITY The transformation of how information is consumed has caused a shift in how the law prevails. Where previously, citizens in any given country were confined to merely observing as the law ran its course, now, citizens are proactively ensuring that guilty parties, and sometimes even those perceived to be guilty, are brought to task.

Aspects of the execution of justice such as the presentation of evidence have also changed. Where once, reams of transcripts had to be poured over, now, one simply has to check what has gone viral to be in the know. The reason why accountability is so absolute, is because of the sheer transparency brought about by unbridled accessibility.

This is illustrated by the fact that, as it stands, perpetrators of gender-based violence or domestic violence disputes are exceedingly less likely to receive bail than they were CANCEL CULTURE Born of a social media hashtag, the rapid spread of information has resulted in this movement gaining such momentum that it has given rise to something called “cancel culture”, which, by definition, is the practice of withdrawing support from persons or companies after they have done something considered to be

as recently as 2 years ago.

IMPACT The Gender-Based Violence or #AmINext movement is a prime example of the impact of transformation in Africa.

One hashtag resulted in women in every province in South Africa unifying in protest. The protest action then

objectionable or offensive.

gained momentum and spread to other countries in

The reputational, and by extension, financial implications

as well as African women in the United States of America

of cancel culture have resulted in an almost ruthless era

and the United Kingdom throwing their weight behind

of absolute accountability.

these protests in solidarity.

As with all things, cancel or “call-out” culture is subject

In Cape Town, one particularly large peaceful protest

to critique. The dichotomy being that while some view

resulted in President Cyril Ramaphosa making an

this culture as a mechanism via which to settle scores,

unscheduled appearance at the march in order to

chase clout or garner more of a digital presence with

directly address concerns with protesters, the result of

Africa before culminating in African American women

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which was a promise to spearhead legislation that will bar

A more sobering fact is that gender inequality is currently

men arrested for Gender-based crimes from receiving bail.

costing Sub-Saharan Africa at least $95-billion per year.

This remains a truly pivotal moment in recent African

The time to invest in women, particularly women

protest action history.

entrepreneurs in Sub-Saharan Africa, is now. The return on investment has never been more promising.

The upswing in protests against Gender-Based Violence also resulted in institutions such as the University of Cape Town publishing case studies on the stunting effect of violence against women and children on the South African economy.

A case study by KPMG quantified this loss and ventured that Gender-based Violence costs South Africa a staggering R42.4-billion per year. Another notable observation is that in Africa, and particularly Sub-Saharan Africa, the move towards actively pursuing the strengthening of diversity through gender equality has grown monumentally.

Over the last few decades, the conversation around the importance of investing in women-led and womenempowering businesses has picked up immense speed.

The reasons for this, while nuanced, are critical to the

“ I N A F R I C A , 4 7 % O F BUSINESSES ARE OWNED

BY WOMEN, YET VERY FEW SCALE OR HAVE ACCESS TO CAPITAL SOURCES.” -LELEMBA CHITEMBO PHIRI, GENDER-LENS INVESTOR, AFRICA TRUST GROUP

building of economies.

As it stands, the female economy has the potential to add $12-Trillion to the global GDP by 2025, thus making the female economy the largest emerging market in the world. Furthermore, with Ghana churning out more female entrepreneurs than any other country, it is safe to say that Africa is at the forefront of this revolution.

Over and above the obvious economic advantages of investing in women entrepreneurs, social fabrics such as women needing to marry in order to secure economic freedom are being replaced with financial education and independence in the most remote communities.

This, in turn, means an increased rate of financial inclusion and a ripple effect that includes job creation and more stable micro economies which lead to a more

Compounding this, is the fact that female-led

stable world economic market.

organisations have been proven to: • Better serve female customers, who make up and control the majority of the consumer market

The African transformation to a digital age has also added vigour to the quest for human rights for minority

• Yield better returns

groups, particularly, members of the LGBTQIA+

• Spur economic growth

population. Digitisation of activism and social justice has

• Increase innovation

resulted in the establishment of many advocacy groups

• Diversify and even open new supply chains

and Non-Profit Organisations such as Gender Dynamix,

• Offer unique assets and services

Iranti, Freedom and Roam Uganda, the Gay and

• Open new markets

Lesbian Coaliton of Kenya as well as the Malawi Centre for the Development of People.

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DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN AFRICA | EDITORIAL

the heteronormative gaze on LGBTQIA+ minority groups, The reach and pull of these organisations garnered through social media, virtual education and digital activism has resulted in: • A brighter spotlight on hate-crimes • Human rights legislation for members of the African LGBTQIA+ community being drawn up and implemented • A better understanding of Gender dysmorphia • A culture of inclusivity

and ultimately cultivate and preserve a more inclusive African landscape.

As this essential and educational transformation takes shape, the discourse becomes more inclusionary and the legal implications of opposing the discourse becomes more objectionable.

This transformation means a more informed people. It means the destruction of disinformation and, instead, an incredible opportunity to tell truly African stories in

Where this inclusivity is especially visible is in the increased representation of LGBTQIA+ individuals in film, media and art. Movements such as the Queer Feminist Flim Festival in South Africa, the Mawjoudin Queer Film Festival in Tunisia and Pride Afrique have given rise to panel discussions, workshops and an unapologetic

a compelling way. The niche here, would be selecting the gems we would like to share with the rest of the world and quantifying our African pride.

We are well on our way towards a more unified and informed Africa.

celebration of African minority groups.

It has also given rise to an increased number of members of the community looking to broaden visibility on minority groups by documenting their own stories and giving the broader African community access to hours and hours of content that answers questions, addresses misconceptions and, most importantly, educates.

“My channel serves to document my experiences and thoughts on issues pertaining to the LGBTQIA+ community, specifically around the experiences of transgender and gender diverse people.” - Zoey Black, Transgender Activist and Digital Content Creator.

The transformation to a digitised Africa has yielded a subset of unique, diverse and extremely rich cultural identities, over and above binaries such as ethnicity, gender and religion.

It also given rise to a culture of constantly striving to empower women, dismantle gender inequality, adjust

“ E D U C A T I O N I S T H E M O S T POWERFUL WEAPON WHICH YOU CAN USE TO CHANGE THE WORLD.” -H.E. NELSON MANDELA

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ONE GLOBAL NETWORK - ONE INNOVATIVE TEAM : A LEADING GLOBAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES COMPANY

We are a global professional services

As a global organisation, Accenture

to innovative and cost-competitive

company with leading capabilities in

believes we have a responsibility

supply solutions supporting our

digital, cloud and security. Combining

to engage proactively with the

unmatched experience and specialized

business to grow and lead. It allows

businesses in communities in which we

us to drive a more-inclusive and

live and work. One of these ways is

empowered marketplace.

skills across more than 40 industries, we offer Strategy and Consulting, Interactive, Technology and Operations services — all powered by the world’s largest network

through the Accenture global Diverse Supplier Development Programme (DSDP), where we create opportunities

of Advanced Technology and Intelligent

for qualified enterprises to grow and

Operations centers. We embrace the

actively participate in the economy.

power of change to create value and shared success for our clients, people, shareholders, partners and communities.”

Our programme works across 18 countries to engage and develop businesses owned by women,

more than 120 countries, Accenture brings

LGBTQIA+ communities, ethnic

continuous innovation to help clients

minorities and persons with disabilities.

improve their performance and create

By incorporating diverse businesses

lasting value across their enterprises.

into our supply chain, we gain access

FAST FACTS

With 506,000 people serving clients in

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• 50 YEARS of enabling digital acceleration in SA • R68-MILLION INVESTED IN SKILLS development in 2019 • 8 500 YOUNG PEOPLE TRAINED AND PLACED in jobs by Skills to Succeed Initiative • 4000 INDIVIDUALS have been UPSKILLED thus far • 2000 JOB OPPORTUNITIES CREATED in sub-Saharan Africa.

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ACCENTURE IS A LEVEL 1 B-BBEE CONTRIBUTOR OWNERSHIP: 30% black-owned and 16.43% black women-owned through Akha Trust MANAGEMENT CONTROL: 80% black representation at Board level SKILLS DEVELOPMENT: R56-million spent on training for black employees and learners with disability in FY20 EMPLOYMENT EQUITY: EE initiatives include Women’s Network, People with Disabilities & LGBT. 67.17% of employees are black and 37% are black female employees ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT: R67-Million procurement spent with suppliers who are present and past participants of the ESDP in FY20

ACCENTURE SA | ADVERTORIAL

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES VIA THE DIVERSE SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (DSDP) Our DSDP, a mentorship programme launched in the US in

We adopt a blended development approach,

2006, now runs in 5 geographies (US, Canada, UK, South

consisting of:

Africa and India), and has successfully graduated over 175 diverse suppliers. We are excited to be launching programs in Mexico, Germany, Australia, and Switzerland regions in 2021.

Mentorship Training Operational efficiency

STIMULATING GROWTH: THE ENTERPRISE AND SUPPLIER

Technology and skills transfer

DEVELOPMENT (ESD) PROGRAMME

Digital SME toolkit

In South Africa, from a successful pilot in 2015, Accenture launched a two-year Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) programme in 2016 with a group of black-owned Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) who graduated in 2018 and we currently have 19 SMEs our 3rd class. Our key objectives are to provide SMEs with access to market,

Access to market Collaboration Early payments when supporting our beneficiaries to ensure we build high performing businesses

stimulate growth and increase their economic participation through our supply chain.

Our programme is organisation-wide with shared responsibilities. The executive mentors and trainers are Accenture Senior Managers and Managing Directors, who go beyond their call of duty, and take up the challenge to mentor small business participants. Our approach is not a one-size-fits all. When the SMEs enter the programme, they go through a business assessment which assesses the individual business and highlights areas of development.

Then, a development plan is mapped out for a two-year programme, which is specific to the individual SME.

“The 2016 – 2018 ESDP participants achieved 63% growth in combined revenue with a total combined revenue of R127 851 750, as well as a 40% increase in clients - with 50+ clients across various industries now being serviced by them.

They have also experienced a 55% increase in employment and employ a combined total of 271 people.” - Zandile Njamela Mampone, Accenture Global SI&S and ESDP Lead

ADVERTORIAL | ACCENTURE SA

In accelerating SMEs, the programme leverages Accenture’s

full rights to their IP, nor does Accenture take any stake

capabilities and global reach while exposing the SMEs to

in the businesses it develops,” Zandile highlights. ‘‘We, as

the latest cutting-edge Technology and Digital solutions.

Accenture, put our technology and our people into the development programme. We really get involved. It’s

Our ESD programme is driven from the top and is designed to meet transformation goals of Accenture

what differentiates our ESD.”

and its clients. It has progressed to strategically

To enable the efficient delivery of ESDP/DSDP

enable growth and generate pipeline to procurement

programmes, Accenture has built a Small &

transformation strategy. The programme allows us not

Medium Enterprise Digital Ecosystem (SME-DE)

to only develop SME but also to procure from them.

platform. This platform facilitates easy interaction

The programme significantly contributes to our B-BBEE scorecard, however, it was established and adopted long before the Government formalised its expectations of empowerment in the private sector.

between SMEs and the business. It supports SMEs through the entire DSDP cycle, from having an automated application selection process, business assessment for targeted development,

“The ESD differs from many other incubator-type

providing business tools and exposing

programmes in that our mentored companies all retain

commercial opportunities as they mature.

RECOGNITION AWARDS 2020 • Top ESD Program in ICT Award by Top Empowerment Awards 2019 • Leader Enterprise and Supplier Development Award by Top Empowerment Awards 2019 • Ranked #2: Top 15 Best Supplier Diversity Programs 2019 by Diversity Inc. Magazine • 2020 NBIC Top 50 Best of the Best Corporations for Inclusion by NGLCC

Contact details 3, Waterfall Corporate Campus, Building, 74 Waterfall Drive, Waterval City, 2090 011 208 3000

• Top 10 International Global Supplier Diversity Program by WEConnect

Zandile.njamela@accenture.com

• 2020 Equality Awards Champion by Accenture

www.accenture.com/za-en

• Nation Builder Award 2019 by ABSA South Africa • Supplier Diversity Advocate Award 2020 by MSDUK • Company Supplier Diversity Leadership Award 2019

by TAG • Supply Chain Digital Magazine #1 Largest Sustainable Supply chain • CDP’s Climate Change A List 2019

ESD website: https://www.accenture.com/za-en/ insight-enterprise-supplier-development-programme Social Media @AccentureSA @AccentureSA @AccentureSA @Accenture

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ESDP ENTERPRISE PROFILES A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO OUR CURRENT SME’S

INVOKE SOLUTIONS

MATDIN CONSULTING

Information Technology

End-to-end cyber security

consulting that offers

packages are progressive and

bespoke customer solutions

designed to scale with your

across ERP, Business

business growth trajectory

Intelligence and Analytics,

to mitigate risk and provide

Cybersecurity and more.

preventative strategies.

Founded in 2014, Invoke Solutions is an innovative

Nthekgo Moroaswi Managing Director

MATDIN Consulting is an innovative brand founded

Phindile Matrose Managing Director

IT solutions provider that helps organisations across all

to provide IT and Telecommunications services and

industries unleash the power of information, in order to

solutions that are meant to assist our customers to

gain valuable insights. These insights will help our clients

provide simple and effective products to the end

run their organisations efficiently and help them increase

user. The market for IT and Telecommunications is

profitability through the use of technology. “We provide

wide open. Demand for traditional systems and

our clients with turnkey solutions, consulting services, as

solutions surpass conservative forecasts. The ICT

well as innovative ICT-related solutions and products.”

market is even more exciting due to the recent trend of possibility to integrate traditional Telecomm

“Our top-class ICT solutions are guaranteed to ensure

systems with IT solutions.

your sustainability and give your operation a competitive edge over the competition. Today, Invoke Solutions is the

MATDIN Consulting is committed to developing

proud owner of various business solutions including, Invoke

middleware solutions to help customers integrate

EXCO reporting, which was nominated one of 6 aspiring

their traditional systems, to modernised systems, and

innovation solutions in South Africa by Gartner in 2016.

achieve an integrated network, which will produce

Invoke EXCO reporting combines quantitative data from

results in a more real-time and automatic manner.

a wide variety of sources into reports and dashboards on a

Matdin Consulting have proudly developed the fully

platform that allows you to add commentary to live data.”

customisable and proactive DeskAlert app, which allows clients to communicate internally with their

“I have always had a desire to solve business problems.

staff on security awareness campaigns.

Invoke Solutions is the vehicle that allows me to access other skills to offer comprehensive solutions. I am proud that I am

“I am invested in working with my clients to give`

working on building a legacy, something that will live on long

them the most tailored solutions to suit their business

after I am gone.” – Nthekgo Moroaswi, Managing Director

environments.” – Phindile Matrose, Managing Director

www.invokesolutions.co.za

www.matdinconsulting.co.za

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SIYAKHA ADVISORY SERVICES

TULO VATION

Strategic consulting and

Black female-owned ICT

business development partner

company specialising in

geared to facilitate businesses

Cyber Security Training

in approaching the market.

& Consulting services.

Siyakha Consulting is a market

After 15 years in corporate,

leading transformation

of which most were in the

consulting firm with specialists

ICT space and with big names

divisions that focuses on Transformation, Advisory,

Bulelwa Koyana Managing Director

in the industry, Tumediso ‘Digital Queen’ Lobelo

Tumediso Lobelo Managing Director

Development and People

decided to take the leap

Services. Our areas of expertise include tailor made and

into entrepreneurship. And so, Tulo Vation was born,

solution-based Black Economic Empowerment (BEE)

a start-up providing cyber security training and

Advisory Services, Consulting and the related services

consulting services. Tulo Vation partners with various

to support compliance and long-term sustainability.

establishments to assist in identifying vulnerabilities within your environment and trains your staff to

The key differentiator for Siyakha lies in our ability to

proactively address threats internally and externally.

implement. It makes sense that you cannot implement a strategy that doesn’t exist, so strategy formulation is

Clients have access to a skills pool to ensure that

included in our scope of work. However where a strategy

their digital presence is protected from unwanted

exists, our differentiator lies in our ability to partner with

external forces. Tulo Vation prepares your organisation

your business, co-located to implement the strategy.

to manage information through training and skills

“We focus on the provision of services that support

development, to withstand security vulnerabilities.

application of best practice and achievement of

We assist businesses in protecting their data, assuring

local relevance in South Africa and across Africa in

peace of mind in knowing that their information is safe.

Development, People Services and Transformation.”

“Our partnerships with industry experts allow us to provide personalised solutions that cater to the

With a culture of positive, proactive, solution-seeking

needs of each business.”

we support your organisation through the provision of our three core services – Localisation, Development

“For me, being part of the Accenture ESD

Services and People Services.

Programme has not only given me the opportunity to work with Accenture executives, who have

“I have always had a strong desire to create a

proposed new ways of thinking about my business

business that will leave a legacy. I approached

model and value proposition, but more importantly,

a colleague at the time to join me, and the rest is

it has granted me access to market.” – Tumediso

history.” – Bulelwa Koyana, Managing Director

Lobelo, Managing Director

www.siyakha.co.za

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www.tulovation.com

ACCENTURE SA | PROFILE

XSEMBLE

ZELA HOUSE

ICT company offering

Your house of

smart Automated Meter

technology solutions

Infrastructure solutions (via uxview) in the utilities sector.

Zela House is a data solutions boutique. We do data

Our mantra “Expertise

analytics, BI, data integrations

Assembled” demonstrates

and data models. If it’s data

that we are a company that

related, we will do it. The

unifies engineering and ICT in its approach to implementing

Madimetja Mogoba CEO

organisation was started with the vision to offer the same

Ntokozo Mkhize Managing Director

solutions. The ICT division

advanced, quality analytics

offers a holistic and integrated approach, where we

that big corporates have to the smaller companies.

leverage Advanced Metering Infrastructure through an

That way they realise the benefits of being a data

open-platform API across authorised stakeholders and

driven organisation. We assist organisations with their

disciplines. “We utilise advanced products, tools, systems

ambitions to become data driven and insight led.

and methodologies to optimise system efficiency in your business establishments.”

The company was created to solve real business problems using data. We have deep experience

“Our professional services incorporate IT Infrastructure

in using analytics to derive value out of data.

Library (ITIL) best practices in line with: Project

We design our solutions to find ways to save you

Management, Business Analysis, Architecture

money, find ways to make you money, and/or offer

Development, System Development/ Integration. We are

operational efficiency.

a silver Microsoft partner in the competency of application development and are assisting organisations with being

As an Accenture ESD programme candidate,

able to work remotely by modernising the work place.

Managing Director, Ntokozo Mkhize has already began working with the Accenture Microsoft

“As a modern ICT company with the understanding

Team, but says that his regular bi-monthly mentor

that technology always evolves, we are always looking

meetings have been a highlight:

at expanding our bouquet of services so as to best serve our client base and become a one stop shop for

“My mentor has been able to help me navigate my way

all their ICT needs.

around Accenture. In our meetings, we’ve discussed ideas to move the business forward. As someone who

“We’re asking: How green can one go by looking at

runs a business alone, it’s great to have someone to

usage patterns and seeking interventions to improve on

bounce ideas off, someone to guide me and to have

consumption? … We now need to move from concept to

honest conversations with about things happening in the

implementation!” – Madimetja Mogoba, Xsemble CEO

business.” – Ntokozo Mkhize, Zela House Managing Director

www.xsemble.co.za

www.zelahouse.co.za

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HORTATIVE HARVESTING Kedithabitha Agriculture and Project (Pty) Ltd. is a South African agricultural business company with its purpose rooted in Hlagalakwena village farm. The company was established in 2012, and assists sector and local economic development fields throughout South Africa. We have developed strong and healthy relationships with our clients thus far, and in 2018 won two Top Female Producer for the Year Awards, in the Waterburg district and Lephalale municipality, respectively.

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KEDITHABITHA AGRICULTURE AND PROJECT | ADVERTORIAL

VISION

production. Our work is backed by over a quarter

To become one of the leading investors in

century of experience and service in this field.

the agricultural sector, by forming beneficial and profitable partnerships with smallholder

CROP PRODUCTION

farmers, and other key stake holders in South

We are experienced in finding solutions to complex

Africa.

agricultural issues by examining crop production methods. The crop production group evaluates

MISSION

agricultural practices and systems concerning

To produce quality agricultural products using

crop yield, profit, environmental and ecological

improved production, value addition and

consequences with the goal of identifying best

marketing innovations with multiple benefits.

practices for local and international growers to produce more with less. Major crops under active

AIM AND OBJECTIVES:

investigation include corn, soybean, wheat, oat,

• To use improved crop production techniques

alfalfa, and forage species, as well as apples,

for a maximum enterprise profitability.

• To form partnerships with individual farmers, local and foreign investors, farmers associations, agricultural business and the crop value chain, that are beneficial for the longevity of our business.

tomatoes, sweet corn, and ornamental plant species. Current projects include crop growth and development, crop management techniques, integrated pest management, crop competition, cover crops, rotations, tillage, plant nutrition, cultivar evaluation, and agroecology.

• To process and market quality crop product at prices that are enough to meet all production, marketing and management costs along the way.

IN SOUTH AFRICA Being a South African based company, we have extensive experience in the undertaking of agricultural development projects.

Our company was formed to fill the voids of independent, objective, engineering services, at the production agricultural grassroots, as well as

Contact Us: BUSINESS PROFILE

sophisticate research, demonstration, or test facilities.

:

We have refined the products most needed and beneficial to our clientele, and geared our company to provide them with efficacy.

No project is too large or too small for us. We are committed to leading state of – the- art of agricultural

Hlagalakwena Village, House no 62, Lephalale : +27 (0) 0825471874

Office Contact No. Email Website Company Registration No. Directors:

: thabithafarm@gmail.com : Kedithabithaagric.co.za : 2012/188294/07

+27: Thabitha (0) 0825471874 Kedibone Chauke thabithafarm@gmail.com kedithabitha-agric.com

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Celebrating forty years of inclusive growth.

Courageously pursuing many more.

HOLLARD | COMPANY PROFILE

HOLLARD

ENABLING BETTER FUTURES THROUGH TRANSFORMATION

SAKS NTOMBELA

HOLLARD GROUP CEO

OVERVIEW

demonstrates the Hollard belief that

Established in 1980, the Hollard

there is always a better way and

Insurance Group (“Hollard”) provides

the idea of ‘win-win-win’, whereby

short-term and life insurance as

Hollard, the partner, and the

well as investment products to a

consumer all win through this spirit of

diverse customer base including

collaboration and co- creation

individual consumers, commercial

Contact Us:

Corporate Head-Office, 22 Oxford Road, Parktown, Johannesburg GPS Co-ordinates: -26.175975, 28.039110 PO Box 87419 Houghton, Johannesburg, 2041 0861 000 107 https://www.hollard.co.za/ Social Media:

entities, and corporate clients. It

TRANSFORMATION AND DIVERSITY

ranks among a growing number of

As a proudly South African

companies advocating an inclusive

organisation, we believe it is important

growth model, measuring its social

to contribute to the socio- economic

dividends as well as its contribution to

development of our country and

shareholders. Hollard’s organisational

create an organisation in which

purpose is to enable more people to

everyone feels that they belong.

create and secure a better future.

In embracing the spirit of Hollard South Africa and Hollard

transformation, we have therefore

International wrote a combined

identified several areas which

premium income in excess of

form part of our Group Goals and

R25-billion in the year to June 2019

through which we believe we can

across short-term and life insurance

create an organisation that reflects

operations in 11 countries, including

the demographics of our country

South Africa, Botswana, Ghana,

and contribute to Broad-Based

Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia,

Black Economic Empowerment

Zambia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

(B-BBEE) and the Financial Sector Code (FSC) through our ownership

@HollardInsurance

Since inception, partnership has

structures, management control and

@Hollard

been at the heart of its business

skills development opportunities,

model, with the group boasting over

preferential procurement, enterprise

100 ventures across the insurance

and supplier development initiatives

value chain today. Each one

as well as access to financial services.

@Hollard Insurance @hollardgram

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LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT SERVING MEET TOP EMPOWERED YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR SYLVESTER CHAUKE - FOUNDER & CHIEF ARCHITECT, DNA BRAND ARCHITECTS My journey as an entrepreneur has not been an

amongst some of these pioneers. Key for me however is the

overnight success. It has been as a result of a vision in

ability to extend my success as a leader into the success of

play and doing everything possible to reach the goal.

the people that I work alongside. It is imperative that as a

I want to contribute to the world of business beyond

business, we focus on the people as a key lever for business

our borders and that means, I need to strive to build an

success. Fulfilled people in turn deliver great product to our

excellent business anchored by an excellent team that

clients and this in turn creates profit.

can go the distance.

After heading up marketing at Nando’s South Africa and building a global narrative for the brand, I joined broadcasting giant MTV Networks Africa as its Director of Marketing and Communication and spearheaded the expansion of the brands within the African continent. In 2012, I established DNA Brand Architects; a marketing and brand consultancy that works with some of the most revered brands on the continent. The company has since made an impact in the industry as a young business that punches above its weight and has up to now won many local and international business awards for its creative thinking, leadership and innovation.

In 8 years of operation, DNA Brand Architects boasts an impressive list of clients and partners such as Telkom, South African Breweries, Edgars, Pernod Ricard, Volvo, Steers and the Nelson Mandela Foundation amongst others. The business has achieved great milestones and the people in the business have also seen great growth in terms of better qualifications, awards and peer/ industry recognition.

THE ETHOS BEHIND MY LEADERSHIP APPROACH The African continent is filled with amazing leaders and entrepreneurs and it is always an honour to be counted

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LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT SERVING | EDITORIAL

My focus on growing the business is based on the premise

Company World Confederation of Businesses, World

of growth while changing people’s lives – be it the

Business Leader Award Golden European Award for

people in the company, their families and the community

Quality and Commercial Prestige European Business

in which we operate in. My success as a leader is widely

Assembly, Quality Award

anchored in this notion and through this, we have seen great results from our business expansion, our financial

2016

performance, growth in our people and growth in our

Top Empowerment Young Achiever Award; South African

giving back to our communities.

of the Year Finalist, Business Innovation Falcon Award for Excellence in leadership, Dubai

We need to build businesses that add value to the community they serve – that truly make a difference. We

European Business Assembly, Best Enterprise and CEO Award

need to demystify that it is NOT only social entrepreneurs who play in this field. It needs to be the way of doing

Winning the Top Empowerment Young Achiever Award

business - period.

in 2016 provided huge impetus for my journey. It gave me the opportunity to showcase our effectiveness

POSITIVE INFLUENCE

and compliance.

My aim as an entrepreneur is about being able to positively influence the space in which I engage in. I

The recognition encouraged me, proved I was on the

believe as an entrepreneur I have a responsibility to take

right path. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn from

the opportunities that I am given not only to better my

industry greats Since then I have gone on to do better

own life but also the lives of those around me. As young

and greater things.

entrepreneurs, we are far too important to sit back and wait – we have to build enterprises that tells a new story

This has been a challenging time for everyone globally.

of African business to the world.

But we must hold onto the steering wheel! We became entrepreneurs for better and for worse – a bit like

In April 2017, I was selected as one of 22 young leaders

marriage – and we will get through the worst as long

from around the world to sit as the Advisory Council

as we keep our grip on that steering wheel.

for the World Economic Forum Global Shapers and subsequently chosen as one of the 5 African Global

COVID has turbo charged me to make decisions that

Shapers to sit at the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos,

are best for the business! These have included looking

leading the conversation of youth entrepreneurship and

at consolidation, spend and waste reduction. In a short

assisting CEOs in working with millennials.

space of time we have had to evaluate our businesses holistically and honestly. And while this is a time of huge

To date, the DNA journey has been noticed and so far,

disruption, my business has benefited from the decisions

has been honoured by accolades such as:

I have made.

2018 Top 100 Africans in Business NSBC - Entrepreneur Champion 2017 All Africa Business Leader Awards; Young Leader of the Year World Confederation of Businesses, Inspirational

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RICHARD MAPONYA (1920 – 2020)

A TRIBUTE TO 99 YEARS OF PIONEERING SERVICE, COURAGE AND ENTREPRENEURIAL EXCELLENCE

BY FIONA WAKELIN

Just short of a century ago, one of South Africa’s richest

Maponya’s links to the Mandela family became more

businessmen, Richard Maponya, was born in Limpopo

formalised when he married Marina Nompinti, cousin to

province. He trained as a teacher at Kagiso Teacher

Nelson Mandela and together he and his wife took the

Training College but his vision to see Soweto flourish in spite

next step on the journey to the creation of the Maponya

of the stranglehold that apartheid had on black business,

empire with the opening of Maponya Dairies, which

led him to enter the world of enterprise as a stock taker at

delivered milk by bicycle to customers in the 50s.

a clothing manufacturer. His entrepreneurial drive resulted in his selling material offcuts in Soweto and eventually

In 1965 Maponya founded and became president of the

attempting to open up his own clothing shop, but as a

National African Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC) a

black business man he was denied a licence – despite

voluntary business support organisation focused on the

the attempts on his behalf of the first black law firm in

“economic emancipation of small to medium businesses

South Africa, Mandela and Tambo. This article takes a look

in township and village economies”. The 70s then saw

behind the scenes at the life and times of business titan,

an expansion of Maponya’s business interests growing to

“father of township entrepreneurship” Dr Richard John

include bus services, a funeral parlour, motor dealerships,

Pelwana Maponya who turned his dreams into reality.

petrol stations and a BMW franchise.

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RICHARD MAPONYA | EDITORIAL

In 2007, the father to eight children and eighteen

circuit, they were proudly wearing the ANC colours,

grandchildren, and founder and trustee of the Nelson

green, black and gold. He called the first horse he

Mandela’s Children Fund, received one of the highest

bought “Another Colour”.

orders of the land – the title of Grand Counsellor of the Baobab in gold “for his excellent contribution to

On 29 March 2012 Maponya Motor City opened its

entrepreneurship despite oppressive apartheid conditions,

doors on Klipspruit Valley Road in Orlando East:

and for serving as an inspiration to disadvantaged South Africans striving for business success”. In April 2016

“Today, through their various projects the Maponya

the Order of the Baobab in gold was then bestowed

Group is the largest independent job creator in Soweto,

posthumously on Marina Nompinti Maponya.

having created thousands of jobs through the Maponya Mall project and many others.” – Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe Dr Richard Maponya died of a short illness on Monday, 6 January 2020 – just a few days after he celebrated his 99th birthday. Bidding farewell to the highly respected business mogul, President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a poignant eulogy, describing Maponya as a phenomenal public role model “who rose above his circumstances and persevered until he reached the pinnacle of success.”

“Richard Maponya was the most devoted of patriots. He loved his country and her people. He was [a] soldier, not of the battlefield, but at the frontline of the struggle for the economic emancipation of his people – a struggle that endures to this day,” the President said.

On 27 September 2007, Nelson Mandela officially opened one of the biggest shopping centres in South Africa, Maponya Mall, in Soweto. The R650-million centre – which houses more than 200 stores and boasts a cinema complex – was the realisation of a lifelong dream.

Renowned for being a leading racehorse breeder and

“Fifty years ago, the very idea that a black man could

owner, Maponya challenged the white-only hegemony

build and own a shopping mall in a black township,

“sport of kings” by applying for an owner’s licence in the

where young black men and women could socialise, eat,

80s. It took five years before his application was approved

buy books and watch movies, would have been dismissed

and finally when his jockeys took their places on the

as a fantasy. And yet, Richard Maponya did it.”

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EDITORIAL | RICHARD MAPONYA

“HE WAS ALIVE TO THE CHALLENGES OF OUR COUNTRY BUT ALWAYS URGED US TO DO MORE AND TO GO THE EXTRA MILE TO IMPROVE THE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT FOR BUSINESS, ESPECIALLY SMALL BUSINESS.”

Today, the emblem of the Maponya Africa Group is an elephant, symbolising wisdom, fearlessness, and community – longstanding values which Dr Maponya instilled in our nation. Maponya was mourned, globally, by millions who were inspired by his legacy, and by a business world that is greater, in more ways than one, for his era of industrious work ethic in which retirement was never an option.

“The legacy he created is visible, as one travels through Soweto. The evidence of Dr Maponya’s legacy is not only visible in the buildings and infrastructure, but in the spirit of entrepreneurship which he built. To say he was successful would downplay his achievements. It is one thing to take advantage of opportunities that exist, but it is another to create opportunities where there are none.” – Hon. Mangosuthu Buthelezi

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WESCOAL HOLDINGS LIMITED | ADVERTORIAL

COAL: CREATING VALUE Wescoal, through its two divisions

regional councils create, manage and

– Mining and Trading – is a

monitor all the commitments of the SLPs

• Phola Hall renovation project completed

coal-focused mining company

to the benefit of the local communities

• Tunnel Farming Project for Khanyisa

incorporating mining, processing,

where its operations are located.

• Phase 1 of 12 houses at Khanyisa

selling and distribution of coal and coal-related products.

completed and handed over in Wescoal participates in the incubation

February 2020. Phase 2: 12 houses

of community-based initiatives that will

commenced in April 2020

The operating assets of the mining

provide long-term contractual services

division consist of four mines, namely

to its operations. R6.4-million was spent

Exciting highlights for the year

Arnot, Elandspruit, Vanggatfontein and

on housing during the year.

• Strong partnerships with formal

Khanyisa, and four processing plants

community structures in all areas

located in the Mpumalanga province.

Contributions were made to the

Moabsvelden, which is adjacent to

following projects in support of

Vanggatfontein, is a growth project

social and community upliftment

within the mining division.

during the year:

The trading division is a strategic distribution business that specialises in the supply of coal, by road and rail, and is made up of three operations countrywide, as well as a logistics network covering South Africa.

The key component of the Wescoal business strategy is to be a responsible and contributing corporate citizen guided by an ethical business philosophy and core values.

Through its community investment strategy, Wescoal is committed to

of our mining operations • Introduction of an ESG platform to guide all our operations • Increase in transformed leadership

• Thirty-three housing units at Elandspruit. Construction is

from shareholding, board, management and staff

planned for post-lockdown • Sewing project realised – currently used for masks for COVID-19 • Poultry project planned for FY21 • Agricultural hub project at

• Appetite for growth - both from resources and customer base • Improved operational excellence, especially at the Vanggatfontein mine

Elandspruit: The beneficiaries have been identified and trained on farming. Simeka Harvest has a service level agreement to provide support to the centre. The service provider is currently installing the farming tunnel • Community skills development centre

Contact Us:

Building 10, Woodmead Business Park,142 Western Service Road Woodmead, 2191

the empowerment, development

– Delmas development centre

and growth of disadvantaged

operations are supported monthly.

communities.

A grader has been purchased on

011 049 8611

behalf of the centre. The project will

086 268 3536

In conjunction with the Department of

be supported for six months through

Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE),

the payment of a service provider to

local community forums and local and

conduct training with the grader

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P O BOX 1692, Edenvale, 1610

reginald@wescoal.com www.wescoal.com

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WESCOAL HOLDINGS LIMITED Company vision

maximining reuse and preventing

To play a leading role in

water and air pollution and water

delivering a reliable energy

contamination from operations.

source in a manner which adds transformational value to society.

Energy Energy efficiency and carbon

REGINAL DEMANA

GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE, WESCOAL HOLDINGS LIMITED WESCOAL is one of two coal mining companies in South Africa listed on the JSE. The other one is Exxaro.

The Wescoal strategy is based on three pillars: Stability, Sustainability and Scalability which are centred around safety, health and the environment.

Mission

emissions are important management

To become a dynamic black-owned

issues for Wescoal, particularly as

and black-led coal company

we look towards a responsible,

which champions socio-economic

leadership role in the industry.

change and transformation. To lead the industry in shareholder

Carbon

value creation, environmental

Wescoal acknowledges that it has a

sustainability and stakeholder

leadership role to play, both in terms

partnerships with communities,

of limiting emissions from operations

employees and shareholders.

and in terms of influencing and collaborating towards a low carbon

What is your target market, and why

growth economy.

should they do business with you in preference to your competitors?

People

Eskom is still our primary customer and

Our duty is to act in a responsible

The company has grown primarily through acquisition the last major acquisition was Keaton Energy in 2017, which includes the Vanggatfontein Colliery - outside of Delmas.

we continue to look at opportunities

leadership role, to value, protect

to increase and strengthen this

and nurture our people and to

relationship. We are however looking

partner with them on a journey

at growth opportunities through our

of personal and sustainable

trading business - both local and export.

development.

Wescoal has started its ESG journey that will underpin its future sustainability reporting.

WESCOAL VALUE CREATION

Communities

Land and biodiversity

We prioritise our social licence

Our activities are directed at reducing

to operate, by maintaining and

damage to soil, land, landscapes,

developing the resources and

biodiversity and natural habitats.

livelihoods of mining communities.

The company is black-owned and black managed.

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We do this through social and labour Water and air

plans (“SLPs”), skills development

We are committed to reducing

and supplier development and

relative water consumption,

localisation programmes.

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WESCOAL HOLDINGS LIMITED | PROFILE

Value chain

Wescoal (a majority black owned

box exercises to community needs

Wescoal has a growing sense of

entity) is committed to building a

driven initiatives. For example, we

duty to engage and exert influence

South Africa that is inclusive and fair.

were able to respond to COVID-19

on our customers and suppliers to

By delivering shared value through

challenges because of our proximity

reduce and mitigate ESG impacts,

our empowerment initiatives, Wescoal

to community structures.

and to collaborate with them

is making a meaningful contribution

towards sustainable and alternative

to many of our stakeholders, while

EMPOWERMENT STATUS

business models.

ensuring the long-term stability and

Black Empowerment level –

profitability of our business.

shareholding (%):

Stakeholders

>50.1% black shareholding

Stakeholder engagement provides

It is this belief that has been at the

opportunities for us to align business

heart of our B-BBEE efforts within

Black Empowerment Level - executive

practices with societal needs and

Wescoal: that the success of South

directors/senior management (%):

expectations, helping to drive long-term

Africa – in driving inclusive growth and

>50.1% black executive directors

sustainability and shareholder value.

social cohesion – is our success too.

What innovations have you been

Wescoal views its B-BBEE status and

directors/senior management (%):

responsible for?

rating as a strategic and competitive

25.1-50% female executive directors

• 50% interest in Arnot Mine acquired

lever that positions it advantageously

• Khanyisa Triangle operationalised

in the market compared to

Black Empowerment - total staff (%):

other junior mining entities. This

>50.1 % black staff

Gender empowerment level – executive

(100% acquired FY19) • Acquired remaining 26% minority in Moabsvelden effective 30 June 2019 • Vanggatfontein extension in start-up of pit 5 • Khanyisa extension in start-up of Triangle 2 • Moabsvelden development initiated, to commence box cut development during June 2020

commitment to B-BBEE is not only to ensure compliance but a tool used

Gender empowerment – total staff (%):

to measure our ownership profile and

25.1-50% female staff

core values as a “good citizen South African entity” with an empowering

COMPANY INFORMATION

supplier status.

Branches:

PARTNERSHIPS, DEALS, MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS Wescoal acquired a 50% interest in

Specific BEE achievements

the empowering Arnot Mine from

We are currently a B-BBEE Level 2

Exxaro. The group business now has

contributor with 58% black ownership

coal resources in excess of 300 million

and over 88% black employees. This is

tonnes, three operating mines, four

in line with our commitment to play a

processing plants and minor interests

leading role in driving transformation

in coal supply chain infrastructure.

• Elandspruit • Khanyisa Complex • Vanggatfontein • Moabsvelden Colliery • Arnot Mine (50% Shareholding) Wescoal Trading depots: Pretoria, Bellville, Benoni Turnover: R3,81-billion EBIDTA: R332-million Financial year-end: March

within the junior mining sector and our majority black ownership continues

CSI INITIATIVES

Subsidiaries: Wescoal Mining,

to set us apart from other miners. With

We are not just focusing on

Wescoal Trading, Keaton Energy

the employment and integration of

compliance, but rather being

JSE listing and date: 20/07/2005

women in strategic positions, Wescoal

more engaged with community

continues to drive gender balance

structures to meet their needs.

Key clients: Eskom, Kelvin Power

within its structure from the top-down.

We’ve also moved away from tick

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Station, industrial and commercial customers under our Trading Business

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SOUTH AFRICA’S EMERGING IMPACT ENTREPRENEURS H I G H L I G H T I N G S A ’ S B I G G E S T I N N O VA T O R S

BY CHARNDRÉ EMMA KIPPIE

Over the past few years, our nation’s economy has witnessed a remarkable influx of entrepreneurial contributions, with local self-starters opting to build big brands and businesses up from scratch. This year we’re celebrating eight of the most innovative and diversified business moguls making waves across various sectors within the South African landscape.

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MILISA MABINZA Pioneer of Khula Lula: Venture Capital Milisa was born in the Eastern Cape town of Willowvale. Her family then moved to Cape Town and later settled in Secunda, Mpumalanga. She later pursued a BCom Accounting degree at the University of Johannesburg, exposing her to the full scope of career options that were attainable outside of the limitations she was exposed to growing up in the mining industrial town of Secunda. She also then opted to complete her Honours in Investment Management–– a pivotal move in setting her career in motion. Mabinza gained her working experience in the private sector, thereafter. In her pursuit to become an Investment Specialist, Milisa is currently working towards obtaining a CTA qualification through UNISA. Milisa Mabinza is the epitome of what it means to be a strong black South African business woman in 2020. Having made quite the name for herself this last year, Milisa has now established one of South Africa’s first solely black-womanowned private equity fund for black women tech start-ups, creating vital access to micro-financing and scale for African tech start-ups. At present, Khula Lula’s biggest investment has been Native Nylon – an inclusive fashion e-commerce brand,

those who tried to disrupt them even before you came along. This is what truly inspires my work ethic. I am fixated on building an enduring legacy!

Q: WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ON YOUR JOURNEY AS A STRONG BUSINESS WOMAN SO FAR? The greatest lesson I have learnt so far is that the most powerful visionaries and pioneers take risks, and they back ideas before they are widely acceptable. And when you want to be a catalyst for change and empowerment in any capacity, you must be prepared to deal with the resistance to change. You should always let the barriers to progress fuel the fire in you. Also, I’ve learned that we cannot build on a system of extraction.

The only way to revolutionise the private equity landscape is by tearing down the systems that displace the larger proportion of the population and build ones that serve the collective.

Q: WHAT MOTIVATES YOU ON A DAILY BASIS? My life mantra has always been “No guts, No glory.” This is something I have said to myself repeatedly ever since I was in high school, and it’s always driven me to push myself outside of my comfort zone. I have conquered everything in my path because I was bold enough to fight for it. Anything rewarding will always be entangled with risk, and you must put yourself out there to win. There’s just no other way!

OTHER ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS?

and luxury for South African women

Stop trying to network upwards and start

– which launched in November 2020.

networking across. Collaboration has been such a game changer in building my

Q: HAVING A GREAT BUSINESS

business. I cannot stress this enough: when

ACUMEN IS ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESS.

you find your tribe amongst your peers,

WHAT INSPIRES YOUR WORK ETHIC?

and collaborate in spaces filled with

My work ethic is rooted in my desire

like-minded people, you will feel so

to build a generational legacy. My

empowered! We need to have the

vision has always been long-term

spirit of empowering each other and

in nature, and Khula Lula is not

realise that there is room for all us to

just my dream, but it is the dream

flourish when we share our insights

of my father, my grandmothers and

and combine our resources.

the forefathers that came before

IMPUMELELO TOP EMPOWERMENT

repressive cycles, it is important to build on the efforts of

Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR

bridging the gap between affordability

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them. I have come to learn that in order to break out of

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RIVONINGO MHLARI Chief Executive Officer of Rikatec Limited (Pty) At the tender age of 13, Rivoningo Mhlari dreamed of becoming a successful chartered accountant. Raised in a small coal mining town in Limpopo in South Africa, he set out on his entrepreneurial journey in 2013, when he was attending the University of Cape Town (UCT). Completing a degree in Finance and Accounting via the Business Science stream, he graduated in 2016 with not only a degree, but a company to his name too, called Rikatec Limited.

At 26 Rivoningo is one of South Africa’s youngest technology executives, and is also one of the youngest South African entrepreneurs to feature on the Forbes 30 Under 30: 2018 technology list. Today, Rikatec Limited is popularly known for being a top-notch information management system for vehicles. Utilising data analytics, AI and machine

In the beginning, Rivo’s ideas were rejected, not because what his team was doing was not novel or attractive, but because people thought what Rikatec wanted to do was impossible.

In essence, this team was quite simply ahead of its time. Thus, loads of research and time had to be invested in order to lift this successful business off the ground and gain traction.

Rivoningo takes much pride in the promise behind his products. He believes in cultivating an inclusive environment for his team, and is welcoming of any new insight and recommendations from team members. Today, Rikatec is

learning, their management systems are able to

certified by the Independent

accurately foresee and detect vehicle wear and

Communications Authority of SA

tear (in models 1996 and up), as well as potential

and is effective in linking motor

and impending breakdowns.

vehicles to the closest quality assistance within five minutes

Rivoningo’s tech improves prediction of vehicle

of breakdown detection.

longevity, providing assistance in determining

Moreover, Rikatec offers

insurance and warranty premiums, and can

‘predictive maintenance’

also assist in enhancing the resale value of motor

for fleets, examines driving

vehicles. Rivoningo, popularly nicknamed ‘Rivo’,

habits and wear and tear,

started this successful business along with a fellow

and utilises big data

UCT student by the name of Jesse Matheri. Both

and analytics

men were in their early twenties at the time.

in order to

The two were actually rejected when they

be able to

presented their ideas to manufacturers and

identify vital

insurance companies. However, they did

information

not lose faith or drive. Rivoningo understood

that could

that their idea was a novelty people were

help decrease

sceptical to embrace at that time. Today,

operational

the management system device is 100%

costs.

manufactured in South Africa.

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NNEILE NKHOLISE Founder of iMed Tech Group

complicated surgical procedures - all by using 3D virtual models.

She started the company after witnessing many challenges in the medical sector that could be solved by creating a strong collaboration between engineering and

Nneile Nkholise is the iMed Tech

medicine to create solutions that are

mogul hailing from Thaba Nchu,

unique and custom made to fit each

Free State. As an impactful female

person. She believes that for one to be

entrepreneur, she is the founder of

successful in Med Tech, going beyond

Likoebe Innovations, an organisation

being passionate about tech, one

specialising in creating state-of-the-art

needs to also have a passion for helping

products in medical and educational

people. Because in medicine, human

sectors. Currently, Likoebe Innovations

life is very important and one should

owns multiple innovative design

always have human life at the centre

patents. Nneile is a jack of all trades:

of one’s company’s mission and vision.

Mechanical Engineer by profession,

And today, as per her foresight, society is

sport activist by passion, and a

seeing a lot of investors starting to show

social entrepreneur by devotion.

a keen interest in this sector, because a

Beyond entrepreneurship, she is a

lot are starting to realise that health is

brand ambassador of the South African government

directly proportional to economic growth. Nneile believes

National Development Plan 2030. This strategy is led by the

that in order to keep a country performing well, we need

Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation. She

to invest in the health of the people leading the country.

also serves on the board of Rhulani Mokwena Foundation.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS Nneile completed a BTech Mechanical engineering degree at the Central University of Technology, in the Free State, and is in the midst obtaining her MEng in Mechanical Engineering at Central University of Technology. Her field of research zooms in on specific applications of Additive Manufacturing in Medicine. She has been formally acknowledged for being one of the top MedTech entrepreneurs in South Africa

by Discovery, and was celebrated as one of the Top 40 innovators by Ventures Africa, in 2017. Nneile is also the founder of 3DIMO, which is a sport tech company providing tracking and insurance solutions for athletes during training, and at tournaments, to ensure that their livelihoods are secured, and for sports clubs to make sure that their investments are safeguarded. 3DIMO’s software solution aims

• Winner of the SAB Foundation Social Innovation Awards (2015) • iMed Tech was a finalist in the 2016 Gauteng Accelerator Programme • Participant in the 2016 Discovery Entrepreneurs Medtech Silicon Valley Programme • Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) fellow • Finalist in the Gauteng Accelerator programme an • Part of the Discovery MedTech Silicon Valley programme • Recognised as Africa’s top female innovator at the World Economic Forum on Africa held in Rwanda (2016) • One of the 100 entrepreneurs selected to represent their countries at the Global Entrepreneurship summit in San Francisco (2016)

surgeries, reducing the timespan of surgical procedures

• Harambean Status: group member of elite African entrepreneurs leading entrepreneurial ventures that are impacting the development of Africa and its people

by enhancing efficacy, and decreasing risks involved in

• Listed on the Forbes Africa under 30 for 2018

to assist medical specialists in planning for complex bone

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SIMPHIWE MAJOZI Founder of Majozi Bros. Construction Simphiwe and Sihle started working together after realising that they had a lot in common, particularly the fact that we were the same age, felt the same way about business and shared the same values. At first, it was tough for them to convince potential clients — especially established, older generation clients — that they could It’s been 8 years since Simphiwe Majozi began his

deliver. They realised that they could allow this problem

family-owned luxury home construction company under

to hinder their growth, or they could find a way to use

the watchful eye of his father Musa Majozi. Simphiwe

it as an advantage. Together they highlighted the fact

saw a lucrative opportunity to assist an emerging black

that they are two young guys in construction. In every

middle class clientele, who sought to build luxury homes

interaction they had, particularly with the media, they

in the townships, however, were battling to source

painted a positive picture of youth and aspiration. They

contractors who could make their dream homes a

just needed to get a foot in the door so that their record

reality. Later on, he was joined by young entrepreneur

could start speaking for itself, and the hype they created

Sihle Ndlela, who had extensive experience in Marketing

did exactly that for them.

and Business management. In 2018, Majozi Bros.

Construction was acknowledged for their work,

Successful businesses are all about positive cash flow.

making it onto the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

Once these two business partners decided on their path towards expansion, they were careful to only ever buy one

The dynamic duo’s passion for attention to detail and

property at a time and to never exhaust their cash flow.

obsession with perfection lead to them growing the

Each time they used the profits from one sale to build the

business from building high end residential homes in

next property. This was their business model. Slowly, they’ve

townships across KZN to being a sought after accredited

established a base, and a great reputation. They’re

turnkey building contractor of choice in various luxury

currently sticking to a project-by-project model, with profits

estates across KZN building upmarket luxury homes ranging

reinvested into the next property.

from R3 Million to R30 Million and greater per home. Over the past few years, Majozi Bros. Construction has built

CORE BUSINESS VALUES

up a team of qualified managers and subcontractors

Brotherhood

who’ve accumulated more than a 100 years combined

Excellence

experience in the exclusive home building space, having

Integrity

worked on properties within Simbithi Eco Estate, Hawaan

Growth

Forest, and Zimbali to name but only a few. This renowned

Perseverance

team is favourably known as ‘celebrity builders’ having built homes for a number of high profile clients.

For more Information Visit: https://www.majozibros.co.za

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JACQUES SIBOMANA

develop slowly, and specifically for what users need.

Second, focus is very important.

Founder and Managing Director

Focus on what the customers

of Kuba Technologies Pty Ltd.

want. If you’re not focused, you

Passionate about making business development services

do everything

available to aspiring businesses, Jacques Sibomana founded

wrong and it

Kuba Technologies for the purpose of empowering informal &

takes longer to

small enterprises, by providing them with the necessary tools

learn the lessons.”

and resources needed to enable easy access to the market.

Jacques’s mission: make it simpler for corporations and individuals to acquire and work with small business owners.

At present, Kuba Technologies is making brand new online courses available to entrepreneurs who have been impacted by the Covid-19

Born in 1987, Jacques is a 33-year old Rwandan national

pandemic. Jacques believes that, given a nudge in the right

who came to Cape Town at the age of 12, and never

direction, SA’s unemployed youth and those who have been

looked back. Starting his successful online business in

retrenched can work towards investing in themselves, and then

February 2017, Jacques has now achieved many prestigious

venture into becoming small business owners too: To find out

accolades for his generous work, including the 2019 SAB

more about courses on Offer: https://kuba.services/courses/

Foundation Disability Empowerment Award – the Seed Grant, R 200 000. Kuba’s reputable software actively assists small business owners in building a digital administrative track record, and supplies these businesses with supportive aids which aim to streamline their trade with large

QUICK-FIRE Q&A Q: WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOUR WORK ETHIC? My father Q: GREATEST LIFE LESSON?

corporate companies in Cape Town.

Do something, not just for you, but to inspire and “Our number one objective is to stimulate local

impact those around you. Life is bigger than the

economies through job creation in the townships, creating

mere sum of one person, so just be mindful.

opportunities for existing township entrepreneurs to expand,

Q: LIFE-CHANGING BOOKS YOU’VE READ?

and for new entrepreneurs to emerge, and to increase

It’s got to be The Bible, for me.

asset creation and the better use of existing assets to create value” Kuba Technologies

Q: WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PASTIME? Watching National Geographic & Hiking

With more than 600 registered vendors around South Africa, Jacques acknowledges that there is a great demand for forward-thinking and targeted solutions, encouraging him to consistently upgrade his digital business model:

Q: PERSONAL MANTRA YOU LIVE BY? ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together’.

Q: ADVICE FOR OTHER ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS? You need to listen to your community and target

“Firstly, tech is an enabler. You can spend millions of rands

audience, and always be open to learning and

on the tech, but without users, it’s useless. I’ve learned to

acquiring new knowledge.

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REABETSWE N G WA N E Managing Director at Kreamfields (Pty) & Co-Founder of Atyre

Reabetswe Ngwane, an innovative young female designer, and the co-founder of KreamFields (Pty) and Atyre, is a locally celebrated premium producer and retailer of eco-friendly handbags. She was born and raised in Mogwase, a town in Bojanala District Municipality near Rustenburg, where she initially realised the potential of recycling tyres to make locally-

responsibility to sustain and grow the company to greater

produced, exquisite, sustainable fashion accessories – which

heights. Ensuring that we all have a job that feeds us, and

would potentially counteract the negative environmental and

our loved ones, is more than enough motivation as well.

economic effects of what is categorised as ‘Fast Fashion’.

Q: WHAT IS THE GREATEST LESSON(S) YOU’VE LEARNT THUS FAR? Ngwane was selected as one of News24’s 100 Young

That it’s never quite the end, just the beginning

Mandela’s of the Future Honouree for 2018, and has also

of something greater.

already been listed on Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30. In a formal letter written for Atyre, she recently expressed

Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS?

her passion for redressing the intersection between

Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, Power by Naomi Alderman,

sustainability and inclusion: “We [Atyre] are committed to

and The Woman I Wanted to Be by Diane von Furstenberg.

continually innovating the craft of bag making, to not only be ecologically friendly and sustainable, but also socially inclusive

Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES?

by working with local communities to eradicate poverty”.

A good run, hiking and travelling to new places

Q: WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOUR WORK ETHIC?

Q: BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU COULD PASS ON?

Having grown up in a household of women who were

Just start! Never wait for validation from anyone to start

passionate and driven entrepreneurs, with the most

your business. In this day and age anyone can turn just

impeccable work ethic, I was constantly inspired by my

about anything into a profitable business, so don’t doubt

grandmother and my mother to always put my best foot

your ideas and compare them to someone else’s. That

forward. My work ethic is equally inspired by my team, the

inspired idea was placed in your head for a reason!

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NADIA JAFTHA Digital Creator & Founder of ‘For Everyone Asking’ Apparel After completing a BA degree in Film, Media and Writing, from the University of Cape Town, household name Nadia Jaftha initially had plans to travel to New York to continue her studies. However, she decided to take a gap year in which her career as a comedic vlogger and social media fashion and lifestyle influencer unexpectedly took off. With an amazing business mind and a knack for making

WHAT WE KNOW FROM HER SOCIALS:

the best use out of social media tools and platforms, this quick-witted millennial is a winning combination of ‘entertainer’ meets ‘entrepreneur’. In 2015, with a love for fashion and design, Nadia pursued designing full-time and founded her very first local

•

Nadia is really passionate about

clothing line, ‘Strada Chic’, in conjunction with her building her

being an advocate for female

online identity via Birdline Blog.

empowerment, making sure to align herself with brands that

Going on six years in the digital media industry, Nadia is a top-class digital

uplift women, such as LUX - a

content creator and entrepreneur who dons many other hats proudly:

Unilever brand.

actress, singer, YouTuber, fashion icon. Nadia has been featured on the cover of multiple publications, including Glamour SA magazine, where she was celebrated with a ‘Women or the year award’ in 2017. She has

•

She enjoys travelling, especially

also represented Africa as an official influencer correspondent at the

to the Philippines, and loves

Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, and is an official brand ambassador

taking in new cultures.

representing Africa’s Anti Ivory Trade campaign. Earlier in 2020, she was announced as part of the winning team during the destination game show, Tropika Island of Treasure Curaçao. Thereafter, Nadia made

•

Nadia has encouraged aspiring

significant charitable contributions to organisations in need, and as of

content creators and young

July this year, expanded her personal brand, opening her own line of

entrepreneurs to pursue their

on-demand locally-made stylish apparel – ‘For Everyone Asking’. Aside

dreams, even if they are not

from this new business venture, Nadia co-founded a best-selling local

seeing results immediately,

swimwear brand called ‘Dusti Swimwear’, alongside her business partner,

because it does take time, and to

close friend and celebrity make-up artist, Lindy Lin.

remain consistent in their efforts.

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VUSI

T H E M B E K WAY O Venture Capitalist, Motivational Speaker and Author

For the past 18 years, Vusi Thembekwayo has travelled the world as a business speaker, becoming one of the most globally sought-after public speakers from Africa.

Alongside his role in coaching others, he has obtained exemplary levels of success as an entrepreneur and business leader in his own right. By the age of 25, Vusi was running a R400 million rand division in a R17-billion rand company, and has recently been recognised as one of the youngest JSE directors in South Africa.

QUICK FACTS

Today, Vusi serves on numerous boards and is CEO of a boutique investment firm called My Growth Fund and

VUSI’S FAVOURITE QUOTE

the IC Knowledge Bureau, helping businesses produce

From a poem by Rudyard Kipling called ‘If’

better leaders, strategies and working cultures. Vusi’s

- “If you can meet with triumph and disaster and

latest mission is to “change the African narrative by

treat those two impostors just the same”.

challenging the mind-set and approach towards achieving economic freedom”. Back in 2013, Vusi also

TOP TIP FOR ENTREPRENEURS

became the first African speaker to be invited to speak

Remember that an SME is not necessarily

at the World Bank.

a start-up. If you want to scale fast, have a mass impact, and exponential growth, you should choose

Aside from his many business initiatives, Vusi is a best-

the start-up model.

selling international author of, namely, The Magna Carta of Exponentiality and Vusi: Business & Life Lessons from

WHAT’S NEXT FOR VUSI?

a Black Dragon - both of which have become highly-

It’s all about legacy – when Vusi’s not in the room,

praised pieces of business literature since 2018. His books

what’s left? That’s where he’s at for now.

have given many business leaders valuable insight into making impactful moves in business, and how the stumbles they face actually manifest into massive wins.

In Vusi’s public opinion, successful business owners don’t always know that they’re going to succeed. Most of the time it’s a combination of luck, guesswork, and a little bit of instinct and skill. Strong business leaders, like himself, have to make more mistakes than just getting everything right straight off the bat.

Vusi believes that the worst money mistake he has ever made, so far, has probably stemmed from trusting people out of wanting to be ‘the good guy’. Financially, however, he has done extremely well, and is successful because he plays to his strengths and surrounds himself with phenomenal people.

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LEBOGANG ZULU USING STEELY RESOLVE TO LIFT AS SHE RISES AND GROW HER COMPANY INTO AFRICA Trailblazer and CEO of AV Light Steel, Lebogang Zulu, is an entrepreneur and founder of Tshitshirisang Construction with over 15 years of experience in the energy, construction and engineering sectors. Her passion about the green building environment has been instrumental in the successful completion of multi-million rand projects using the Robust Building System. This success goes hand-in-hand with growing the presence of women in the alternative building industry.

Under the leadership of this stern, energetic and revolutionary leader, the company has, to date, scooped

The second challenge has been the slow adoption of

a couple of awards in the past year including Winning

innovative building technologies (IBTs) and products by

the 2019 16th Standard Bank Top Women Award in the

the Department of Economic Services and Infrastructure.

Construction and Infrastructure Development category,

In February 2015, the Department of Human Settlements

runner up of the 2019 Vision 2030 Awards, CIDB 2020

Technical MinMec adopted the stipulation that at

ERWIC awards for Transformation Entity of the Year and a

least 60% of new housing projects must be built with

runner up of the Women-Owned Contractor of the Year.

Innovative Building Technologies (IBTs). To date, the implementation of this stipulation has yielded very few

Lebogang speaks to us about the importance of going

results in most provinces with the exception of Western

green, technology and leading from the front.

Cape. Traction for the use of IBTs has been very slow and therefore resulted in the IBT industry sitting with solutions

WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE MAJOR CHALLENGES

and government sitting with backlog problems. However,

YOU HAVE FACED?

in recent years, the NHBRC has developed a dynamic

The first challenge has been that, while the construction

database of approved tried and tested Innovative

sector generates just over R150-billion per annum and

Building Technologies ae as well as the guidelines on

R95-billion of that is attributed to building materials

how to implement them. Furthermore, the NHBRC also

manufacturing and distribution, this 100 plus year-old

embarked on various projects with the approved IBT

sector is 98% predominantly owned and managed by

developers where the various systems and products

non-transformed entities who have become gatekeepers

were showcased through identification of beneficiaries

of the industry.

throughout the country.

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LEBOGANG ZULU | EDITORIAL

This databased has since been made available to all

grid. This investment will further enable the company to

provinces, hence the industry is starting to see an increase

partner with government in a bid to accelerate service

in the number of tenders specifically speaking Innovative

delivery while addressing the unemployment crisis and

Building Technologies.

contribute immensely to the gender equality drive within the manufacturing and construction industries.

AND MAJOR SUCCESSES? The adoption and approval of the North West IBT Youth

Furthermore, the investment from IDC, dti and ABSA has

and Women Development Programme that will see the

opened an opportunity for the company to participate

accelerated delivery of 2 500 energy efficient SMART

in the export market and reach the African continent

homes in the rural parts of the North West province is

with our innovative building solutions that halves the

a major success – as is the training, development and

construction period and empowers communities.

licensing of 57 youth and women contractors - and new greens jobs created for 2 144 people across the province.

WHICH SECTORS WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXPAND INTO? Outside the public sector space we currently operate

On a personal note, I was recognised as a Trailblazer

in (which includes housing, student accommodation,

of Innovative Building Technologies by Mangosuthu

schools and hospitals), the company is currently keen

University of Technology and I have featured in various

on expanding its operation base into the mining

magazines including Impumelelo Top Empowerment,

and property development sectors. From a mining

Construction World Magazine, SA Manufacturing, and on

perspective the Fortis Building System is applicable in

the cover of Leadership Focus.

underground ventilation walling while in terms of property development, a critical factor to the profitability of a

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE GROWTH OF THE MANUFACTURING

construction project from a property developer and

SECTOR TO THE SOUTH AFRICAN ECONOMY?

Investor’s point of view, is getting the facility occupied

Productivity growth and technological advancement

on time, so that rental income starts as soon as possible.

lie at the root of economic development, which is why

The Fortis Building System which yields a significant

manufacturing is so important. In fact, efficiency across

reduction in terms of construction period and a

all sectors of the economy has improved as a result of

reduced construction costs, presents a great solution for

technology diffusion from the manufacturing sector.

accelerating the return on Investment for any investor.

Following the social and economic impact of COVID-19 especially the significant impact it brought to an already high unemployment rate in the country, the manufacturing sector will play a critical role in activating the industrialisation that will stabilise the economy by creating much needed jobs.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE INVESTMENTS BY ABSA, IDC AND DTI. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR COMPANY? Following the funding injection received, the company is now fully geared towards forging partnerships with both the public and private in delivering energy efficient structures that respond well to the impact of climate change without applying pressure on the electricity

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HOW HAS TECHNOLOGY IMPACTED ON YOUR BUSINESS?

Therefore, yes, environmental impact awareness plays a

Technology has played a significant role in terms of

critical role not only in our operations but in the products

improved productivity and efficiency. All of AV South

and services we render to our customers.

Africa’s production lines are driven by pneumatic functions with each line fed from a design into a

WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE COMPANY IN THE

production system that reads the data, tabulates

NEXT 5 YEARS?

measurements according to the design and straight

Our company’s business model consists of a clearly

into production. The whole operation results in higher

defined social mission guiding the strategy, value

productivity, improved efficiency and reduced wastage.

proposition and industry best practices. It is embedded in the principle that we can achieve social impact and

Over the past decade, digital progress has transformed

sufficient profit simultaneously where both social and

whole industries, ushering in a new technological era now

economic value creation result.

known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It is the age of technology; we embrace the disruption that comes with

To this end, the company’s vision is centred on

the 4th Industrial Revolution in streamlining our operations

maximising value for our shareholders while targeting

for higher productivity.

the increasde participation of women industrialists in the innovative building technology space.

As a company we will not rest upon our laurels until; a) At least 50% of the IBT industry is owned and managed by women entrepreneurs not only as contractors but as manufacturers and distributors thus impacting the construction value chain. b) W e have built and delivered at least 1 million energy efficient SMART homes of high quality IS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AWARENESS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF AV’S VALUES? As one of the proud black industrialists funded by the Department of Trade Industry and Competition through the Black Industrialist Scheme and in consideration of

even for the low-cost housing market. c) The Fortis Building System is well known and is impacting 50% of the African continent and being led by women at the front.

the fact that the innovative building materials supplied

by AV South Africa, we take pride in presenting SMART solutions for rapid delivery of quality and energy efficient

Founded by the late Mr. Vincent Bender and acquired

infrastructures through the Fortis Building System, thereby

by Ms. Lebogang Zulu in August of 2017, AV Light Steel

contributing immensely to the green economy. Climate

(now trading as AV South Africa) is the largest innovative

change is a reality that we live by daily, what was known

building manufacturer in Africa supplying a range of

to us as a winter season informed by June to August

alternative building products including the Fortis Building

has now shifted. Today, we experience winds travelling

System, steel wall panels, galvanized steel roof trusses as

at speeds that damage people’s homes and assets.

well as the profiled steel roof sheeting amongst others.

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LEBOGANG ZULU | EDITORIAL

AV South Africa is the first 100% black women owned entity to have its innovative building system (Fortis Building System (#FBS)) certified and approved by Agrément South Africa, Green Building Council, Proudly South African as well as the National Home Builders Reistration Council.

The Fortis Building System is defined as a re-inforced steel and concrete walling system designed by Africa for Africa. It is an innovative building technology that yields comparable acoustics performance, better thermal performances that responds well to weather patterns with a R-value of 1.9, it is twice as strong as the conventional brick and mortar system while yielding a lifespan in excess of 100 years and a fire rating performance of 60minutes.

To the industry and the market, the Fortis Building System technology halves the construction period and is up to 20% cheaper than most building systems available in the country including brick and mortar.

The company’s vision is deeply entrenched in providing

We look forward to training, developing and licensing at least 200 women and youth contractors in the innovative building space per year, partnering with other women in infrastructure towards increasing women industrialists offering innovative building materials and contributing immensely to the Green Economy and drive towards reducing the rate of unemployment in the country.

ground-breaking and innovative building solutions for women in the alternative building industry. To this end and in realising our vision, the company has developed and is driving a programme for Technology and Innovation for Gender Equality and Youth Empowerment in partnership with the Black Business Council Women’s Alliance.

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ti o n

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OTTC -OPEN TRADE TRAINING CENTRE

28 2 8 228288 1992 - 2020

OTTC CELEBRATING 28 YEARS & SOUTH AFRICAN COMPANIES SUPPORTING OTTC, BUILDING PLANTS OTTC CELEBRATING 28 YEARS 1992 lloovve tthhe refrigerattioion t t GERMAN OTTC CELEBRATING 28- 2020 YEARS 1992 - 2020 TO GERMAN STANDARDS. PARTNERSHIP WITH (BIV) BUNDES INNUNG VERBAND e n 1992 - 2020 ol v t /HANDWERKSKAMMER AND I-K-K-E GGMBH DUISBURG-RHEINHAUSEN.

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/HANDWERKSKAMMER ANDcompetitors I-K-K-E GGMBH DUISBURG-RHEINHAUSEN. training excellence and has tailored its courses to Commercial and Industry Refrigeration, Airtest their in competition. /HANDWERKSKAMMER AND I-K-K-E GGMBH DUISBURG-RHEINHAUSEN. OTTC is a leading practicalRefrigeration, training provider in OTTCcover takesthe pride in the companyofphilosophy of requirements where to Conditioning, Ammonia, Heat-pump OTTC has won the80 SAcountries National have Gold agreed in the Trade entire spectrum technical knowledge, requirements where 80 countries haveand agreed tobothexcellence OTTC is a leading practical training provider OTTC takes pride in the philosophy of Commercial and Industry Refrigeration, Air- inforin andinhas its courses to test competitors in80 competition.

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Commercial and Industry Refrigeration, Airtraining excellence andcombined has tailored its courses to Conditioning, Ammonia, Refrigeration, Heat-pump cover the entire spectrum of technical knowledge, OTTC has won the SA National Gold in the Trade R & AC and Transport Refrigeration since 1992. since then 8 of their students have been chosen and informed decision-making with Commercial and Industry Refrigeration, Airtest their competitors in competition. training excellence and has tailored its courses the to OTTC the SAinNational Gold in the Trade Conditioning, Ammonia, Refrigeration, Heat-pump cover the entire spectrum of technical knowledge, Systems, Electrical Engineering Controls for bothappropriate practical theoretical, toto confident of to Refrigeration &won AC SA competition 10 times and eand areskills. expanding all trades necessary for a city to represent Africa theGold International The OTTC training courses areand designed according Conditioning, Ammonia, Refrigeration, Heat-pump OTTC has has wonSouth the National in the Trade cover the entire spectrum ofachieve technical knowledge, R & AC and Transport Refrigeration since 1992. and informed decision-making combined with the since then 8 of their students have been chosen of Refrigeration & AC competition 10 times and Systems, Electrical Engineering and Controls for both practical and theoretical, to achieve confident Worldskills Competition. to International Standards and Worldskills be sustainable, and where goods and services can Systems, Electrical Engineering and Controls for of Refrigeration & AC competition 10 times and both practical and theoretical, to achieve confident appropriate skills.informed represent South Africa in the International OTTC courses are designed according since of their students have chosen been chosen RRThe & AC andtraining Transport Refrigeration since 1992. to since and decision-making combined beinformed provided to communities by small enterprises: & AC and Transport Refrigeration since 1992. thenthen 8 of 8their students have been and decision-making combined with the with the Competition. toThe International Standards andare Worldskills OTTCtraining training courses designed accordingWorldskills to represent South the International appropriate appropriate The OTTC courses are designed according to represent South AfricaAfrica in theinInternational skills. skills.

4 Energy Saving 4 Refrigeration to International Standardsand andWorldskills Worldskills Worldskills Competition.

International Standards Worldskills Competition.

Why ‘OTTC Skills City Africa’?

Skill City Africa

W

Why ‘OTTC Skills City Africa’?

Electricity for all Trades Ammonia Skills City 4 Why4e are ‘OTTC Africa’? expanding to all trades necessary for a city to 4 Solar Systems 4 CO₂ W be sustainable, and Skills where goods and services Why ‘OTTC City Africa’?

Why ‘OTTC Skills CitycanAfrica’? e are toallallnew trades necessary forPlumbing a city to 4expanding Propane be provided to communities by small 4 enterprises:

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4 Water technological e are expanding tobyallsmall trades necessary for aTreatment city to e are expanding all trades necessary for a city to to communities enterprises: Skill City Africa be provided 4to Energy Saving 4 Refrigeration 4and Building developments W be sustainable, and where goods services can be sustainable, and where goods and services can W 4 Electricity for all Trades 4 Ammonia Skill City Africa 4 Refrigeration 4 Energy Saving be provided to communities by small enterprises: 4 Insulation 4 Airconditioning small enterprises: 4 Solarby Systems 4 CO₂be provided to communities 4 Electricity for all Trades 4 Ammonia 4 Energy Saving 4 Cooling Skill City Africa 4 Energy Saving 4 Refrigeration 4 Systems Plumbing 4 Propane all new Skill City Africa 4 Solar 4 CO₂ 4 Energy Saving 4 Refrigeration be sustainable, and where goods and services can

4 Treatment Building Management 4 Heating 4 Water Electricity for all Trades 4 technological Ammonia 4 4 Propane 4 Electricity for all Trades 4all new Ammonia 4 Plumbing Systems – BMS. 4 Heat-Recovery 4 Solar Systems 4 CO₂ 4 Building developments 4 Water Treatment technological 4 Solar Systems 4 CO₂ 4 Insulation Plumbing 4 Airconditioning Propane all newControl 4 Humidity 4 4 4 Building developments 4 Plumbing 4 Propane all new 4 4 Water EnergyTreatment Saving 4 technological Cooling 4 Insulation 4 Airconditioning 4 Water Treatment technological 4 the Building developments 4 Building Management 4 Heating 4 Energy Saving 4 Cooling OTTC believes that quality of training must 4 Building developments 4 Insulation 4 Heat-Recovery Airconditioning 4 Building Management 4 Heating Systems – BMS. 4 be relevant and practical to prepare their learners for 4Saving Insulation 4 Airconditioning 4 Energy 4 Humidity Cooling Systems – BMS. 4 Heat-Recovery 4 Controlsituations various encountered in the workplace.

4 Management Energy Saving 4Control Cooling 4 Building 4 Heating 4 Humidity 4 Building 4 Heating Systems – BMS. 4 Heat-Recovery OTTC believes that the quality of training must Management Systems – BMS. Heat-Recovery 4 OTTC Humidity Control believes thatpractical the quality of training must be 4 relevant and to prepare their learners for be relevant practicalControl to prepare theirinlearners for various situations encountered the workplace.

4 and Humidity various situations encountered in the workplace.

OTTC believes that the quality of training must be relevant and practical to prepare their learners for OTTC believes that the quality of training must various situations encountered in the workplace.

be relevant and practical to prepare their learners for various situations encountered in the workplace.

OTTC ammonia training plant. Over 400 successful completed OTTC amonia diploma holders.

OTTC ammonia ammoniatraining trainingplant. plant.Over Over400 400successful successful completedOTTC OTTCamonia amoniadiploma diplomaholders. holders. completed

OTTC CO2 training plant.

OTTC training plant.

OTTC COCO training plant.

2 2

OTTC practical diploma training plants practical diploma training OTTCOTTC practical diploma training plantsplants

OTTC trains their students to participate in the international World Skills competitions

OTTCin COin training plant.

OTTC practical diploma training plants OTTC the international World Skills competitions OTTCtrains trainstheir theirstudents studentstotoparticipate participate the international World Skills competitions

OTTC ammonia training plant. Over 400 successful completed OTTC amonia diploma holders.

2

PO Box 14532, Dersley, Springs, 1569 | Tel/Fax No +27 11 816 2580 or +27 11 366 1219 info@ottc.co.za idobelin@icloud.com |OTTC Website: http://www.ottc.co.za and http://www.ottc-training.center OTTC ammoniamailto: training plant.

400/Springs, successful CO816 training OTTC practical diploma training plants 2 PO Box 14532,Over Dersley, 1569 | Tel/Fax No +27 11 2580 orplant. +27 11 366 1219 PO Box 14532, Dersley, Springs, 1569 | Tel/Fax No in +27the 11 816 2580 or +27 11 366 1219 Skills competitions OTTC trains students international World completed OTTC amoniatheir diploma holders. to participate mailto: | Website: http://www.ottc.co.za and and http://www.ottc-training.center mailto:info@ottc.co.za info@ottc.co.za/ idobelin@icloud.com / idobelin@icloud.com | Website: http://www.ottc.co.za http://www.ottc-training.center

Box 14532, Dersley, Springs, 1569 | Tel/Fax No +27 in 11 816 or +27 11 366 1219 OTTCPOtrains their students to participate the2580 international World Skills competitions mailto: info@ottc.co.za / idobelin@icloud.com | Website: http://www.ottc.co.za and http://www.ottc-training.center

PO Box 14532, Dersley, Springs, 1569 | Tel/Fax No +27 11 816 2580 or +27 11 366 1219 mailto: info@ottc.co.za / idobelin@icloud.com | Website: http://www.ottc.co.za and http://www.ottc-training.center

INTERVIEW WITH SIMPIWE SOMDYALA, CEO OF

AMADLELO AGRI SIMPIWE SOMDYALA

skills/education, will be the key drivers

The Amadlelo ownership structure

of inclusion growth and economic

is made up of four groups which

transformation in Africa.

are Tulsacap, Amadlelo milk producers investment company,

“We see nurturing black talent as one of

Vuwa investments, and Amadlelo

the pillars to building a prosperous future

empowerment trust. The business is 72%

for agribusinesses”. – Simpiwe Somdyala

majority black owned.

Simpiwe Somdyala, CEO and Director, led Amadlelo Agri to the finals in the

Simpiwe was instrumental in the

SMME category at the annual Vision

establishment of AsgiSA Eastern Cape,

2030 Awards for 2019 and in 2020 the

an initiative that was responsible for

company won the fast growth SMME

transforming the rural agri landscape

award at the Top Empowerment

in the province prior to a merger which

virtual awards.

resulted in the formation of Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency.

We caught up with Simpiwe and asked him what winning the award

Prior to joining Amadlelo he was

had meant for Amadlelo Agri.

Corporate Affairs General Manager at

“This award is a recognition that

responsible for Entrepreneurship and

hard work does get rewarded. And

SMME Development, Transformation,

importantly the award opens doors

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

for funders to go into rural areas and

and Stakeholder Relations.

invest so that despite the fact that they are remote, they can take their

Old Mutual Limited - a function that was

The company aims to build prosperous agribusinesses and benefit from exceptional operational capacity, extensive project management, proven skills development, and significant resources as investors.

Amadlelo is driven by highly successful and experienced commercial operators with the vision to invest capital, assets, and expertise over time into projects that uplift historically disadvantaged individuals (HDIs).

Today Simpiwe sits on a number of

rightful place in the economy.”

boards/trusts including the Small

For over 28 years Simpiwe has been

micro finance organisation in the

working in development finance

country with over 200 000 clients, Old

focusing on community development,

Mutual Management Incentive Trust,

entrepreneurship, and development,

Ncera Macadamia Farming, Nombeko

and finance to small, medium, and

Development Partners and is also

micro enterprises (SMMEs). He believes

a member of the Nelson Mandela

that rural development together with

University Council.

Enterprise Foundation, the largest

Contact details

12 Fraser Street, Fort Beaufort 5720 PO Box 987, Fort Beaufort 5720 040 653 0973 www.amadlelo.co.za/

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VALUE-ADDED CONSTRUCTION THOBILE NYAWO

FOUNDER OF NYAWO CONSTRUCTION

ABOUT US

We also make a point of constantly

Nyawo construction is a black-

providing on time completion of

owned company incorporated

projects with rigorous high quality

in 2015 to render effective and

of workmanship. We strive to have

professional service of high standard

personal and ethical relationships

in partnership with stakeholder or

with both our employees and clients.

client. To this end we offer civil construction services that reflect

“ M y future plans and aspirations for the company are to become one of the top construction companies, not only in South Africa, but also in Africa, and to empower as many people as we can.”

the current demand of our clients.

We are an accredited level 1 B-BBEE company which allows us to successfully engage various challenges and our mission is to specialise in the construction industry. With a sustainable strategic growth plan in place, the company service provider with the ability to provide knowledge, quality,

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Accountability People and transformation Integrity

OUR SERVICES Road maintenance

construction sector.

Infrastructure

OUR MISSION

Road construction

Nyawo construction is a leader

Concrete structure

by creating successful partnerships.

Our pledge is to establish lasting relationship with our clients by exceeding their expectations

067 0671959

and gaining their trust through

nyawoconstruction@gmail.com

member of construction team.

IMPUMELELO TOP EMPOWERMENT

Resilient

expertise, honesty, reliability in the

construction service to our clients

157 Riverside Matwabeng Senikal, 9600

Efficiency

has positioned itself as a reliable

in providing value-added Contact details

OUR VALUES

exceptional performance by every

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& related Civil Works Pipelines Housing Building construction Building maintenance Highways maintenance

NYAWO CONSTRUCTION | PROFILE

LEAVING A LEGACY EMPOWERMENT POLICY

OVERVIEW

Nyawo construction interpret the board context of

At Nyawo construction we believe that all

board context of Black Economic Empowerment as

workplace injuries and preventable. This is driven by:

an approach which addresses the imbalance creates by the policies of the past. we strive to create equity in the work place focused at the benefiting the disadvantaged group including employees with disabilities. Our underlying principle is to strive to achieve the demographics of Republic of South Africa focusing on fair representation of all woman at all levels of the organisation where applicable disable employees will

• An uncompromising commitment to zero harm • Active involvement with regards to Risk management by all stakeholders • Applying industry best practice on all our sites • Continuous improvement of our safety and Risk Management System • Continuous training and developing our people on Risk and safety awareness

be accommodate is the policy of the company to take student for apprenticeship to gain experience from

As such Nyawo construction (pty) ltd strive towards full

specialized team.

compliance to the requirement of the International Standard Organisation (ISO) and relevant SHE

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

legislation, i.e. Occupational Health and Safety Act

The company has aims to ensure that staff has the

, Mine Health and safety Act, National Environment

maximum possible opportunity to engage in staff

Management Act. All controls and procedure

development of equal opportunity. All staff will have

are formalized against a comprehensive Safety

access to appropriate staff development bearing in

Management System that is based on the direction and

mind that the nature of training and the individuals

guidelines as set out in the international recognised

current level of career development.

safety management System (OHSAS 18001:2007)

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LIFESTYLE SECTION

S A’ S FINEST

BY CHARNDRÉ EMMA KIPPIE

South Africa boasts an abundance of exceptionally talented and versatile public figures and personalities, so it’s tough choosing a handful of standout artists and entertainers to shine a light on. We’re providing the scoop on who’s been making waves in SA’s creative landscape this year.

plays out Mary’s personal fantasies of the maternal women in her immediate

VISUAL ARTIST

family. She has created this mythical

MARY SIBANDE

figure from stories that her forbearers previously shared with her. These stories reflected the political system of the time which speaks of servitude and Sophie comes as a culmination of their collective escapism. Mary uses escapism in her artwork to tell stories through sculpture, dress and

Depicting the human form and exploring the formation of identity in a postcolonial South African context – Mary Sibande is a world-class artiste of note.

FAST FACTS Accreditation(s): 54th Venice Biennale artist, Diploma in Fine Arts, Witwatersrand Technikon & Honours Degree, University of Johannesburg Hometown: Barberton, Mpumalanga Books Authored: Long Live the Dead Queen *Mary’s work was recently honoured at the BredaPhoto 2020, a biannual festival in the town of Breda, Netherlands.

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installation. Sophie is not a static figure, and her story is continuous.

She emerges out of apartheid in the blue maid uniforms, and enters later phases of Mary’s work wearing purple (Mary’s way of redressing the past), and currently Sophie wears red (a colour which demands justice) in her latest work, The Domba Dance (2019).

For Mary Sibande, the use of colour

In terms of artistic process, Mary

is important in all her work. Her use of

uses her body as a canvas for

specific colour schemes is indicative

moulding her figures into fibre

of racial and cultural ideas - colour

glass. This is a similar process to

is her artistic way of speaking about

that used for creating mannequins.

these themes. Each colour has a

The notion of gesture becomes a

significant meaning. In South Africa,

communicative device which Mary

traditionally manual labourers wear

utilises in her work. The garments

blue - workers in the streets, and even

also play a big role in the look and

factory workers wear blue overalls.

feel of the performativity aspect of

Hence, Mary’s use of royal blue in

her artwork. Beyond the sculptural,

her installations and sculptures. Her

Mary also employs her physical body

work is not about complaining about

photographically. In this process,

apartheid, or an invitation to feel

she dresses up in a garment that

sorry for her because of her race and

she’s designed and performs for the

history. It is about celebrating who

camera. She does not regard herself

she is and where she comes from as

as a performance artist, at least not

a South African woman.

in the traditional sense of performing live in front of an audience. These

Mary’s work also includes the use of

processes allow Mary to be more

an alter ego named Sophie. Sophie

explorative about her work.

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SA’S FINEST | LIFESTYLE

A sociologist and recognised artist by trade, this inspired individual oversaw the inaugural Stellenbosch Triennale last year, and this year she’s been an advocate for art’s curative nature.

KHANYI’S KEY NOTES

and hear. Thus, having the

Be curious

capacity to grasp what is

Listen and observe

being shared and how it

Pay attention to detail

is being shared. Curators

WHAT INSPIRES YOU DAILY? The womxn in my family, who walk with me, are a great inspiration. These womxn keep teaching me how to hold space, how to show up, how to be present, how to create space, how to share, and how to exist in the abundance of our gifts deliberately and intentionally. They show me that it’s not just about being resilient, but also about seeing yourself fully, and manifesting

C U R AT O R

KHANYISILE M B O N G WA

also need to have an understanding that, on some level, curating is

about holding a safe space for those who are involved, particularly the artists – therefore figuring out what that looks like for each exhibition. Discernment is a good quality to have, and this does not always come easy. Valuing your position is essential as well - don’t settle for less than what you are worth.

FAST FACTS Accreditation(s): BA in Humanities (Sociology); Honours in Curatorship;

from that fullness, even if the world has

ANY ADVICE FOR ASPIRING CURATORS?

Masters in Interdisciplinary Art,

made it its quest to structurally and

Have fun! Please, make room for joy

Public Art & Public Sphere

institutionally deny you because you

and laughter in your process. Some

Hometown:

are womxn, black, LBGTQIA+, poor

parts of the journey will be lonely,

Gugulethu, Cape Town

– and for me this is the type of love

especially when you are developing

Favourite Books:

and freedom that inspires me.

your voice and what it is you want to

Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi

say. Give yourself time to develop your

Dangaremba & A Thousand

ideas, theories and concepts. Take up

Splendid Suns by Khaled

internships, but be clear on how they

Hosseini

WHAT IMPORTANT QUALITIES SHOULD ANY CURATOR SHOULD HAVE? I think it’s important to develop a critical sensitivity so that you are open to listen

align with where you are heading, and always trust your intuition.

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CHEF

K AT L E G O M L A M B O

On completion of his studies at Silwood School of Cookery, Cape Town, Marabi Club’s Head Chef Katlego Mlambo has become synonymous with the skilful elevation of authentic African flavours.

HIS SIGNATURE DISH A 12-hour braised beef tongue with smoked-parsnip purée and pickled mustard seeds.

HIS STYLE OF COOKING Katlego’s own style of cooking

QUICK Q&A

is eager and quick-footed, with scrumptious savage flavours. A lot

Essential kitchen tool: The humble spoon

of different things influence him as a chef, whether it be music, pop culture, or local food vendor’s world one plate at a time.

Pet peeve: A dirty sink and when someone messes salt

HIS HOBBIES

Foodie guilty pleasure: Burnt Popcorn

offerings. His aim is to change the

This young chef is known for being

Best drink after a long service: Gin and tonic

social and pretty active, and he enjoys getting the chance to get out of the kitchen - visiting

Last meal on earth: His Gogo’s pap with lamb chops and gravy

beaches, playing touch-rugby and soccer. He is also an avid thrift shop fan.

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SA’S FINEST | LIFESTYLE

AV I D A R C H I T E C T

S U M AY YA VA L L Y

After designing the 2020 Serpentine Pavilion, Sumayya Vally’s all-female studio, Counterspace, is currently in collaboration with the Serpentine on a series of off-site and online research endeavours, which will culminate with the launch of the Pavilion, in Summer 2021.

THE SERPENTINE PAVILION PROJECT The Pavilion, as a whole, intricately considers construction’s role in society, both socially and environmentally.

Sumayya approached this project using her same values when designing something locally – looking out for the inspirations in the fabric of the city and the lives of people in it. Like some of her previous projects, the methodology for the Pavilion is moulded through the lens of a key interest in belonging, identity, territory, and trying to see architecture beyond that which is materially built.

HER BACKGROUND Sumayya spent a big part of her childhood taking walks from her grandfather’s stores on Ntemi Piliso Street in Joburg, to her nearest Johannesburg library. For her, this process of simply walking in her city was a very sensory experience, through which she learned that architecture can either exclude people and groups othering them – or can be a vital force for the exact

TO A YOUNGER ARCHITECT

opposite - bringing people together.

• There is always architecture waiting to happen in places that are overlooked.

HER WORK WITH COUNTERSPACE

• Learn how to dissect the index of an archive, and how to make your own indexes.

Everything Sumayya completes with her all-female studio, is all about what she and her team desire to bring out in a space or location. Sumayya believes that spaces have stories to tell, and she and her team have the power to select which narratives to push forward. The Counterspace team always tries to achieve this in many of their public art projects, which are usually about place-making and bringing together an image or a landmark

• Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that everything you can ever imagine has already been done. They are incorrect.

• Ingest atmospheres; observe things deeply, absorb them. *Find out more here: https://counterspace-studio.com/

for a place that stems from the context that they’re working in.

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S U S TA I N A B L E T E X T I L E C H A M P I O N

SINDISO KHUMALO Born in Botswana and raised in Durban, Sindiso Khumalo is a textile designer who completed her architectural studies with the University of Cape Town, before relocating to London to work for the renowned Ghanaian British architect, David Adjaye. She went on to obtain her Masters degree in Design for Textile Futures at Central Saint Martins - University of the Arts London. Today, she owns a self-titled womenswear brand, which embraces daring, graphic prints with a touch of chic, minimalist construction.

Recently, she was awarded ‘Best Independent Designer Award’ at the 2020 Green Carpet Fashion Awards. She is also a finalist for the coveted LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers, granted by LVMH group.

Sindiso started her career Milan Fashion Week four years ago, and would not be here today without the immense opportunities Milan Fashion Week offered her brand as a

The eco-conscious fashion aficionado uses potent, historicallyinspired narratives to underpin her distinctive textile pieces.

whole. She recently dedicated her award to the amazing artisans she’s worked with in places like Burkina Faso, Barrydale, KwaZulu-Natal, and Cape Town. Sindiso started her brand with the goal of being a ‘modern-day Robin Hood’,

Through previously studying architecture, Sindiso has

aiming to make luxury clothing that’ll eventually assist the

witnessed the cross-pollination between architecture and

poorest and most vulnerable in society, to create a change

fashion disciplines. Both are based on structure, space

for our continent and to create a new future for our youth.

and shape and are also basic necessities to human life – clothing and shelter. So the transition from the one to

Her label focuses on unveiling the lives of women of colour.

the other was smooth for her. In this latest collection,

Sindiso’s most recent collection is based on Sara Forbes

her approach was a very architectural one. Like an

Bonetta, a Yoruba princess who was sold into slavery in

architect, she is always challenging the materials she’s

the mid-1800s, then later freed, taken to England, and

confronted with and debates the relationship between

adopted as a goddaughter by Queen Victoria. Her work is

the body and the garment, using the body as her main

somewhat of an ode to African folk tales, which she executes

context and site for inspiration. Sindiso is committed to

via handmade prints. As a young Black woman living

threading her own life, dreams and ramblings into her

with freedoms that were not afforded to her mother and

designs. This is what makes her work so personal and

grandmother, Sindiso feels a responsibility to tell these stories.

unique - it is an extension of her true self

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SA’S FINEST | LIFESTYLE

Image: Paul Samuels

This fashion icon needs no introduction at all – David Tlale talks on AFI Joburg Fashion Week and showcasing his latest Covid-conscious collection.

FA S H I O N F U N D I ‘RISE FROM THE ASHES’ (2020)

guru. Whether it’s

David’s latest offering is titled Rise

in London, Paris

from the Ashes. The designer publicly

or New York, it’s

expressed that he drew inspiration

clear that fashion

from our current times, zooming in on

internationally is on

the fact that everyone has lost loved

another level. David, however, is a huge

ones, people have lost their jobs,

advocate for uplifting the South African

and everything else in between too.

fashion landscape, based on everything

David believes that fashion and art

he has already had the chance to

can be cathartic; that as a creative

learn. In South Africa, Fashion Week

it’s his responsibility to inspire people,

takes on a very small scale at present,

now more than ever, and this is what

and is still gradually blooming. David

he hopes to achieve through this

has high hopes for the future of South

collection. In terms of his garments,

African fashion designers.

D AV I D T L A L E

the lines he has used are very clean

FAST FACTS Accreditation(s): Fashion Design Certification, Vaal University of Technology Hometown: Vosloorus. Gauteng Awards: Abryanz Style

and elegant. His colour scheme begins

DAVID ON LOCAL BRANDS:

with white and travels through to nude

“We need to support local brands, and

shades and then an almost-yellow

get rid of this mentality that someone

hue, which is indicative of sun rays - a

must go and showcase in New York or

theme of hope. David’s silhouettes are

London first for you to start appreciating

all about chic and beauty. As much

them. It’s very important to realise

as people are working from home, the

what we have around us. It’s shocking

designer still wants people to look and

how Mam’ Esther Mahlangu has been

feel beautiful from inside out.

around for so many years, and only now

and Fashion Awards (ASFAs) Lifestyle/Style and Fashion Icon Achievement Award (2016) & Continental style & fashion influencer – Male Designer

people are starting to pay attention, David has previously had the honour

just because her Ndebele designs have

of experiencing fashion weeks in the

been showcased in London and Paris.

USA and the UK too, taking him to all-

Let’s appreciate what we have here

new heights as a renowned fashion

and work on excelling it.”

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Once just a small town girl in Piet Retief, Mpumalanga, soprano superstar Pretty Yende has ascended to all-new heights in the opera world – and this is just the beginning…

SOPRANO SONGSTRESS

PRETTY YENDE Living her younger years in Piet Retief, South Africa, Pretty was

GROWTH AS A WOMAN:

blessed with God-given singing

I’ve learned new ways to

abilities, but she had not grown

handle my fears. I’m also

fond of opera until she was 16

learning to accept the weight

years old. Pretty stepped onto

of a character’s process and

the Met Opera stage by the age

emotional journey on stage.

of 27, after engaging in rigorous

This is not just a lightweight

vocal training. She graduated

career - it’s deeper than

from the South African College

you’d think.

of Music (where she studied under Virginia Davids, the first

Remaining humble, however, she

Black woman to sing in operas in

is an avid advocate for art which

Apartheid South Africa), and the

allows people to experience

La Scala Theatre Academy. By

a universal language of love

the time that she reached New

through music. Yende has strong

York, she was on the heels of major

hopes that artistic communities,

acclaim from performing Musetta

including the opera industry, will

in Puccini’s La Bohème at La Scala,

lend a hand in teaching society

and she later received a plethora

about equality and diversity

of awards partaking in opera galas

through visceral experiences

and contests throughout Europe.

and deep messages in their artworks.

Pretty Yende is popularly known for playing the first Black Lucia

BIGGEST LESSON

at the Lincoln Centre, which is a

LEARNED SO FAR:

huge accolade for such a young

There will always be risks

songstress. Being the first Black

in life, but calculated

person to have a new production

risks are always

of La Traviata in Opera Garnier in

worth the shot.

Paris is anything but a ‘small feat’.

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FAST FACTS Accreditation(s): South African College of Music Qualification, 2011 graduate of the Young Artists Accademia of the Teatro alla Scala Hometown: Piet Retief, Mpumalanga Albums: Dreams (2017), A Journey (2016) Awards: First artist in the history of the Belvedere competition to win top prize in every category, First Prize winner in the Operalia Competition (2011)

SA’S FINEST | LIFESTYLE

BEYOND THE FRAME

JAHMIL QUBEKA The film offers viewers a visceral

Award-winning film director, Jahmil Qubeka, talks about his globally recognised, quintessential South African film, Knuckle City.

experience of what it’s like to be punched repeatedly. So in choreographing the fights, Jamil referenced an old PlayStation game called Fight Night. In it, there is a point of view mode that gives you a really dynamic perspective of being the actual fighter in the ring. Cleverly,

FILMOGRAPHY

keen interest in professional

Jamil applied this same technique to

boxing. Jamil and his team

the cinematography and the results

then quickly reached out

were amazing.

to a lot of professionals for

2006: Shogun Khumalo Is Dying! (short)

assistance and many of them came

Conclusively, Jamil hopes audiences

2010: A Small Town Called Descent

to the party. From the likes of trainer

will see how we all have had a role

2013: Of Good Report

extraordinaire, Vido Madikane, to

to play in the propping up of what

2018: Sew the Winter to My Skin

current world champion Xolani Tete’s

he terms the, ‘pseudo identity of

2019: Knuckle City

stable, he had the honour of working

the macho man’, which is shaped

with the likes of former SA champion

around toxic habits and ways of

As an idea, Knuckle City was growing

Loyiso Mtya and former two-time

being. Through his film, he hopes to

in Jahmil Qubeka’s creative mind

world champion, ‘Showtime’ Yekeni.

incite widespread change in society.

and heart for years. It was not until producer and editor, Layla Swart,

Making the film was definitely a

and Jamil became partners, that the

‘homecoming’ of sorts for the film-

project was able to lift off, finding

maker. Having grown up in the same

a home at Mzansi Magic who were

streets, that he was now shooting

determined to enter the premium

a major motion picture in, was

feature film market. In the Mzansi

remarkable. Whilst shooting the film,

Magic team, Jamil found partners who

the people of Mdantsane and Buffalo

shared a collective desire to grow

City were vocal in their support of

indigenous cinema-going audiences.

the project, and it was evident right

It was not difficult for him to then delve

from the get-go that the community

into the required research because

was eager to make this film with Jamil

he’d already developed such a

and his team.

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FAST FACTS Hometown: Mdantsane, Eastern Cape Awards: Golden Horn Award for Best Achievement in Script in a Feature Film (2014), Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Director (2019), Golden Horn Award for Best Achievement in Directing in a Feature Film (2020)

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AWARDS 2020

THIS YEAR WE WENT DIGITAL!

www.topempowerment.co.za

WELCOME ADDRESS

RALF FLETCHER CEO of Topco Media Topco has been recognising and benchmarking performance in business for over 20 years. We really try to dive into key strategic areas of important to business and society like gender empowerment, transformation, sustainability, culture, HR and performance. For us, this is in itself a celebration of transformation and empowerment, but I think it’s also a different kind of celebration. We always knew it was important to celebrate success, but for the last 3-6 months the world has been turned on its head.

There’s a saying by Mike Tyson, that everyone has to plan until you get punched in the mouth. I don’t think there’s

an impact. And we feel this is very important, if not the

one business, individual or community that hasn’t been

most important part. Because if you’re successful by luck,

punched in the mouth by COVID-19.

you can’t share it with other people. But if you’re success comes from a process and you can help others, that is

It’s affected all of us in many ways. So, to be able to put

truly transformative. Today is about unlocking those brave

this event on is very important to me and the organisation

organisations and individuals who have measured their

that I represent. It’s important to celebrate those leaders

own programs, policies and projects.

who are championing transformation and empowerment.

Who are brave enough to put their organisations

We have some absolutely amazing, innovative

and themselves forward for the scrutiny of these most

observations that we’ll be showcasing in our publication

exceptional judges. One of the things I’ve learned about

that comes out after the event, which gives an

transformation is that it’s not an event and winning tonight

opportunity for those organisations to then speak about

is not the be-all and end-all. It’s about joining the race

what they did. But tonight is really just a celebration and

being part of the journey. There is no real finish line. We

a coming together of organisations and individuals who

are constantly striving to improve humanity, society and

share a common purpose around driving and growing our

business. These are only steps to fulfilling this objective.

economy through transformation and empowerment.

Topco has the purpose of creating a trusted network of

Although we’re not altogether in person, we’ve tried to

top companies in Africa, and for Top Empowerment, we’re

make this event as meaningful as possible, and we’ve

looking to shine a light on those organisations that have

done that through making it available for you to connect

transformed in a meaningful ways. But also more than that

with each other through this platform. We want you as

the judges were dealt the difficult task of really trying to

a community to be driving transformation, we are just a

unpack those organisations that could really demonstrate

vehicle to bring this ecosystem together.

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2020 AWARDS WINNERS

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2020 AWARDS PRESENTERS

Keynote Address KGANKI MATABANE CEO OF BLACK BUSINESS COUNCIL Kganki is currently the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Black Business Council, an umbrella body of black business in South Africa. He also occupied the position of Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director at Sentech SOC Ltd. He is a highly experienced and seasoned business executive with over 25 years operational and strategy execution experience, including doing business in more than 10 countries in the African continent, covering the telecommunications, policy, power utilities, rail logistics, motor retail, Bus Rapid Transport and mining sectors.

Kganki, who started his career as an interim teacher/educator, is a highly accomplished public and private sector business professional who managed Profit and Loss, have served as both Executive and Non-Executive Director. He served with diligence and continues to serve as a member of board committees such as EXCO, Audit, Finance and Risk, Social and Ethics, Transformatioån as well as Human Resources and Remuneration committees.

His academic standing includes a Masters in He is a highly influential networker and sought-

Business Leadership, Post Graduate Diploma

after speaker who is a thought leader on socio-

in Business Administration and a Baccalaureus

economic issues of national and international

Technologiae (B-Tech) degree in Cost and

significance and importance.

Management Accounting.

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Master of Ceremonies SNE DLADLA Sne Dladla is a two-time Fleur du Cap Awardwinning actor and performer. He has performed and created works with Nicholas Ellenbogen – a collaboration that won him his first Fleur du Cap. In 2014 he joined the SAFTA award-winning ZANEWs as a puppeteer, voice artist and writer, for which he received a best supporting actor nomination.

Sne’s first one-man comedy show, ‘The Joke’s On You’, won a 2014 Silver Ovation Award at the National Arts Festival. Most recently, Sne performed in Athol Fugard’s ‘The Painted Rocks at Revolver Creek’ and David Kramer’s ‘Orpheus in Africa’ and ‘District Six - Kanala’.

2016 saw him being the host of Comedy Central News. Sne performed his second solo show, ‘iChameleon’ at the Baxter Theatre in 2017. The year of 2017 also saw him playing Pop in the revival of King Kong in Cape Town and the Jhb theatre.

2018 was an incredible year with him playing Sam Cooke in One Night In Miami. He followed with the role of, Silence, in My Hole, My Home and the debut of his new one man show, Darker Hue. This followed with a Naledi and Fleur Du Cap award

and the production of his new one man show that

Nominations for Best Lead Actor In King Kong. Sne

combines music, acting and comedy to bring you

closed off 2018 in Janice Honeyman’s Snow White

a show that’s set apart. 2020 leads with the debut

Pantomime as a supporting actor. 2019 has been

of a new comedy show called “Black Tax” where

nothing but a success far with him releasing his EP

we see him playing a comedic role.

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2020 AWARDS JUDGES

Amanda Buzo-G qoboka

Bridget Mokwena Halala

Khathutshelo Ramakumba

CEO Service Setåa

CEO Assupol Life

CEO CHIETA

Dionne Kerr

Fanisa Lamola

Michael Davies

Founder & Chief Executive Officer Siyakha Consulting

COO South African Institute Of Chartered Accountants (SAICA)

CEO Continuity SA

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Lerato Pretorius Is Often Referred To As A Role Model For The 21st Century Business Woman, Simply Because She Is Consistently Ahead Of The Curve And Always Top Of Her Class.

Lerato Is A Business Leader.

Her Tenure In Retail Banking At Standard Bank And Investment Banking At Investec Gave Lerato Vivid Insight Into Strategic Financial Management, Which Has Served Her Well In The Last Two Decades In Rail Construction And Most Recently In The Industrial Drone Sector.

Where Her Unmanned Remotely Controlled Aircraft Implement monitor Infrastructure Maintenance And Sight Security Management 24/7/365.

Lerato Has Earned Her Place In The South African Business Landscape As An Asset To Any Organisation She Leads.

She Stands Out As A Woman Who Makes A Positive Contribution To The Growth And Productivity Of South Africa.

Memberships Lerato Is A Member At The Institute Of Directors She Is A VIP At The Stanford International Who’s Who Magazine Board Member Of The Lupus Drive South Africa

Lerato Pretorius

Maphum Nxumalo

Soraya Artman

CEO

COO

Director: Operations South

Polyzomba

Gijima Group Ltd

African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI)

Mmabatho Maboya

Moso Bolofo

CEO

Director

CEO

Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation

Bilfinger

National Development Agency

Thamo Mzobe

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2020 AWARDS JUDGES

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Victor Sekese

Vino Govender

CEO

CEO

SNG Grant Thornton

LA Consulting

Xolile George

Yoland Kona

CEO

CEO

SALGA

Gauteng Tourism Authority

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2020 AWARDS FINALISTS

TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AWARD Adopt-a-School Foundation Astron Energy Calgro M3 EnviroServ FedEx Mustek Old Mutual Praxis Computing PRP Solutions Raubex Group The Innovation Hub QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA) Tshwane South TVET College University of the Free State

TOP EMPOWERED FAST GROWTH BLACK-OWNED SMME AWARD Amadlelo Agri Bathu Blue Apple Publishing Graduate Institute of Financial Sciences (GIFS)

Majozi Bros Construction Motla Projects Nsovo Environmental Consulting Sky Tents Manufacturers Weldron Engineering

TOP EMPOWERED ENTREPRENEUR OF YEAR 2020 Colin Herold A & C Herold Construction and Maintenance Lionel Kleinhans Kleinhans Group Nizenande Machi Karani Leadership Mulalo Thabela Gauflora Munyadzi Rikhotso Nsovo Environmental Consulting Simo Maholwana I am Branded Media Tokologo Commodore Phetla Christopher Africa

TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: JOB CREATION Adenco Construction AECI CallForce Direct

Izazi Electrical Engineering

Coega Development Corporation

Kleinhans Group

Debar Ceramics

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2020 AWARDS FINALISTS

TOP EMPOWERED YOUNG ACHIEVER – UNDER 40 YEARS Deon Maduray Weldron Engineering

Dell Computers Mustek Old Mutual RCL Foods

Hiten Keshave PRP Solutions

Sasol Mining

Isaac Mbatha Sky Tents Manufacturers

South African Breweries

TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Kershen Pillay Graduate Institute of Financial Sciences (GIFS)

Cell C Sihle Ndlela Majozi Bros Construction

FedEx Isilumko

Simphiwe Majozi Majozi Bros Construction

Praxis Computing Theo Baloyi Bathu

TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: ENTERPRISE AND SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT

TOP EMPOWERED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Afrox

Aramex

Bigen Africa Services

Bigen Africa Services

LG Electronics South Africa

EnviroServ

Mpact

Praxis Computing

Old Mutual

South African Breweries

Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology TATA Consultancy Services SA

TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: SOCIO - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Tiger Brands Tsogo Sun

Adopt-a-School Foundation AECI Astron Energy

TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: PUBLIC SERVICES

Bonakude Consulting

Artscape Theatre Centre

Calgro M3

City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality

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Introduction

2

Programme Day 1

3

Programme Day 2

10

Coega Development Corporation

KFC South Africa - Add Hope

Durban KZN Convention Bureau

Visa

Virtual Conference Attendance

15

Web Engagement The Innovation Hub

16 TOP EMPOWERED: PUBLIC SECTOR LEADER

Tshwane South TVET College

Social Media

Imogen Mashazi City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality

Public Relations

TOP EMPOWERED: BUSINESS LEADER

TopMolefe Empowerment Dineo T-Systems

Media Features

Top Empowerment Awards 2020

Khalid Abdulla African Equity & Empowerment Investments Top Empowerment Awards Lance Schultz 2020 Awards Automotive Industry Development Centre

17

18

Marlene Le Roux Artscape Theatre Centre

19

Sonto Mayise Durban KZN Convention Bureau

20

Presenters

21

TOP EMPOWERED: YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SERVICE INITIATIVE (‘YES”) AWARD22

Judges

Columba Leadership Trust

2020 Awards Finalists

Litha Kutta Tiger Brands

Izazi Electrical Engineering

2020 Awards Winners

Mjaji-Mbatha Foundation

25 28

YES4Youth

TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: CUSTOMER FOCUS

Nedbank

Cell C

Investec

Debar Ceramics

MTN

Emirates

Kwambele Social Marketing

@Topempowerment @TopEmpowerment @topcomedia_

1

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2020 AWARDS WINNERS

154

Socio-Economic Development Award

Adopt-a-School Foundation

Young Achiever of the Year Award

Theo Baloyi Bathu

Job Creation Award

AECI

Entrepreneur of 2020 Award

Colin Herold A & C Herold Construction and Maintenance

Enterprise and Supplier Development Award

South African Breweries

Business Leader of the Year Award

Litha Kutta Tiger Brands

Public Service Award

City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality

Diversity & Inclusion Award

FedEx

Fast Growth SMME Award

Amadlelo Agri

Business of the Year Award

Old Mutual

Customer Focus Award

Cell C

Education & Skills Development Award

EnviroServ

Public Sector Leader Award

Imogen Mashazi City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality

Youth Employment Services Award

Nedbank

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join the conversation

@Topempowerment

www.topempowerment.co.za

@TopEmpowerment

@topcomedia_

PUBLIC SECTOR THE DIGIMAG FOR LE ADERS IN THE SOU T H A F R I CA N P U B L I C SECTO R The Public Sector Leaders publication showcases the leaders in the South African public sector as well as foregrounding what is happening at the national, provincial and local levels - and state owned entities - in terms of best practice, solutions, policy formulation and on the ground impact. At present, South Africa has a total of 45 registered national departments, operating across 52 districts. There are also 131 listed stateowned enterprises (SOEs), including leading organisations such as Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), the Central Energy Fund (CEF), and Eskom.

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PUBLIC SECTOR LEADERS

This year, more than ever, it became imperative for the South African Government and the Public Sector to operate with ever increasing efficiency, improved performance levels, and streamlined service delivery practices and policies.

With increasing fiscal pressures, and the pervading impact of COVID-19, demands for transparency and broadened service offerings are at the forefront of public expectation. Our nation has undergone massive transitions in all spheres and in times of change true leaders come to the fore.

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PUBLIC SECTOR LEADERS

Improved and responsible management of public resources.

Trustworthy disclosure and accountability.

Adequate recognition and implementation of the latest government and public sector accounting and financial management guidelines, policies and practices.

KEY ELEMENTS FOR SUCCESS IN 2021:

Efficient tracking and public documentation with regards to value-formoney propositions.

Utilising optimal practices and discipline for IT while simultaneously improving service levels and fostering reliable continuity of operations.

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Implementing solutions for capacity constraints within social development, justice and health domains, and local government as a result of personnel shortages.

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Join us in Public Sector Leaders as we celebrate the strides we are making as country and shine the spotlight on the leaders who have come to the party, making a difference, innovating and staying ahead of the curve so that we, as South Africans not only survive but thrive.

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WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR A PROFESSION TO BE RELEVANT?

BY CHANTYL MULDER In its Constitution, the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) stipulates that its mission is to serve the public’s interest. This is a nobility that sometimes gets forgotten. If we think about the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), it is an institution that serves its members and associates, regulates their behaviour, delivers talent into the economy and society, upholds standards, but ultimately serves and supports members in fulfilling their duty of serving society. If SAICA and its members and associates do not serve society, the profession would lose its relevance.

Some query, for example, if it’s reasonable for an accountant to serve as a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and have the same obligation, and public duty, as a public auditor. Whilst the public auditor might certify accounts, this brings a different responsibility. In the same way as a CFO who provides information for decision making supports the entity that he or she serves so that it Every professional, regardless of whether they are an engineer, lawyer, doctor or accountant, exists to serve society.

meets its own responsibilities, the entity has a responsibility to society. It has a responsibility to deliver financial or commercial returns to its investors, but it also has a duty to behave as responsible corporate citizens.

From the onset, we believe that professionals have a duty to serve society. This stems from the fact that, first of all, they are a part of the elite class and are in the very top echelons of leadership and, by the nature of their positions and knowledge, it is for the benefit of society to invest in their value. It may sound altruistic, but it is something we believe – that all professionals have a noble cause to bring to bear, a noble obligation to serve society. One that does

Serving society informs our sense of what SAICA should always be (inside that sweet spot of relevance where the organisation needs to find itself) as an important facet to help its members become more accustomed to what it means to serve the public interest while it offers support to this quest.

not warrant non-payment of servitude.

SAICA, therefore, must continue to create platforms

For accounting professionals this mandate goes

needed by society. It has to be about dealing with the

for members to collaborate in delivering that value so

even deeper.

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really pertinent questions of our time. In a nutshell, we are

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not going to be relevant as long as we don’t help our

the world reach the SDGs by 2030. SAICA has undertaken to

members understand their public interest responsibilities,

track the manner in which its members are contributing to a

while also failing to set up platforms for their efficiency. It

better world and showcase this in a special annual report.

isn’t helpful for SAICA and the profession to have a narrow

Through the voluntary contributions of our members and

view of what society expects of its membership.

associates, SAICA has, for the third year running, extracted key learnings that can help build the momentum required

Ultimately, we should be aware that the profession doesn’t exist for itself. It exists to serve society.

across the sector. It is notable, for example, that quality education, poverty eradication and inequality remain top three concerns among both our individual

In 2015, world leaders gathered at the

member and company responses. This is no

United Nations to adopt an ambitious

surprise when you consider that these

framework of 17 Sustainable

areas remain the key priorities South

Development Goals (SDGs) and 169

Africa needs to focus on if we are to

associated targets to address the

move our country forward.

full range of social and economicdevelopment issues facing people

We are encouraged by our

around the world. These goals

profession’s commitment to the

included finding solutions for

SDGs. However, the commitment

poverty, hunger, health, education,

and actions of individuals alone

climate change, gender equality, water, sanitation, energy, environment

is not enough to see us deliver on the Global Goals. As Goal 17 outlines,

and social justice. When bunched up these

it is the partnerships-based approach

goals, provide governments, businesses and

underpinned by collective actions that will truly

civil society with a universal roadmap to tackle urgent

see us reach the targets set in the 2030 Agenda.

challenges, to meaningfully engage with emerging risks and discover new opportunities for creating value.

As SAICA, we have united around the SDGs to deepen the country’s understanding of the challenges, opportunities

Whenever we think about themes relating to ‘a profession

and dynamics that can be leveraged to accelerate and

of national value’, the UN SDGs or nation building, we are

prioritise the delivery of the SDGs. It should be incumbent

reminded that it is imperative that we find a very good

on all professionals – not just those in the accountancy

way to anchor all of this very good work in the idea that

profession – to rally behind these Goals for the greater

the profession needs to be in a position to be able to

good of our country and our planet.

solve some of society’s most pressing problems. We are not going to do that by ourselves as SAICA. We can only

SAICA’s 2020 SA Chartered Accountancy Profession and

achieve this by ensuring that our members understand

the Sustainable Development Goals Report is available at

their public duty. Of course, making sure that they have

http://saicasdg.co.za/sdg-reports.

the technical competencies they need to have is also important and we shouldn’t take it for granted.

As the leading accountancy body in South Africa, SAICA has been calling on its members not only to ‘adopt’ one of the SDGs, but also show the work that members do – in their personal and business capacity – in assisting to help

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CORPORATE PROFIL

Kgomo Engineering

INTERVIEW

Sustaining power and serving landscapes is the mission behind the energy company Freddie Letsoalo built six years ago Kgomo Engineering n the six years since Freddie Letsoalo established Kgomo envelope and to innovative. His company website (www.narekgomo.co.za)

I

CORPORATE PROFILE

KGOMO ENGINEERING:

Sustaining power and serving landscapes

the mission behind the energyto company Engineering, he and his partners have evolved theirisservices refers the “marriage” of Kgomo Engineering with the agriculturally Freddie Letsoalo built six years ago focussed Nare Group. and products and learned invaluable lessons from their “My interests in engineering and farming led me to discover an exciting successes as well as their mistakes. This solid foundation KGOMO ENGINEERING link between the two sectors, as the waste generated by theSustaining one industry ensured the company had the resilience to withstand the power. Serving landscapes actually feeds the other,” says Letsoalo, who highlights the fact that ravages of the effects of Covid-19 on their business. manure and animal excrement can be converted into natural gas, bio-gas “It definitely affected our business adversely, although we are still here, or bio-fuels, while fertilised manure can create organic fertiliser for your despite the setback of having a number of projects cancelled,” says agricultural output and products.

Letsoalo. “Our challenge is to work with “This actually talks to the first SUITE OF SERVICES our clients to helpwas them to find a way law thatYOUTH energy OWNED Kgomo Engineering Q: A of Sthermodynamics, A 100% BLACK to get these projects up and running cannot be created–nor destroyed–but conceptualised COMPANY, WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR again, evenand if in alaunched different form in altomerely changes from one form to gether, and a few have started to come another.

The more time POSITIONED we spend 2015, and continues to be work ORGANISATION IN THE back on line, but probably 98% of those understanding all these relationships in progress.

Kgomo Engineering INDUSTRY projects will have to be remodelled or and ENGINEERING possibilities, the more we under-AT PRESENT? redesigned in a commercial term.” stand we know and we can now startwe are (PTY) Ltd. is a 100% black A: At Kgomo Engineering, Kgomo Engineering is a 100% utilising the resources that we have youth-owned and dynamically to proving Black Youth-Owned and Dynamically and actually minimisingdedicated what we call waste, Managed Engineering, Procurement, whereas by right there shouldn’t 48 managed engineering, our true competence, be skill and Construction and Management (EPCM) any waste, we must just be able to procurement, construction and on knowledge, from within Tier 2 ESCo company that focusses utilise all these things in the formboth the the engineering space, the energy that they are in after we have meanmanagement (EPCM) Tier 2 ESCo private and public sector - with space. ingfully used up what we think we covers everything know about company.“Our Thefocus organisation hasfrom little toit.” no assistance. We soldier on your simple energy audits all the way What sets his business apart from accumulated 40+entire years through challenges and the competition is the manner that his continuously through the valuecollective chain and up to self-generation or generations for team view and engage with a problem, experience with a highly qualified develop innovative ways of other people’s usage,” says Letsoalo. for example in the way they have linked and strategic team which offers engagement, survival and growth The team boasts over 40 years of colagriculture and engineering. lective expert engineering experience “As a human species, we have kind specially tailored engineering and we strive for efficacy and excellence to offer specially tailored engineering of forgotten the two and we have energy solutions innovative in service. and energyat solutions at innovative divorced them from each other, which pricing models. is why we are so proud to have found pricing models.

“We specialise in measurement and the connection.

Q:“This W HAT ‘OUT-OF-THE-BOX’ verification, energy management and ability to see the bigger, wider STRATEGIES engineering services spanning several Freddie Letsoalo picture is what sets us apart from all of Kgomo Engineering specialises in MAKE YOUR COMPANY UNIQUE? industries and service clients from the our competitors, because whenever we industrialand sectorverification, through to commercial mining, in addition to residential andhat engage with potentialfrom client we do notcompanies pretend to be experts measurement energy management and comeA:in W sets usa apart other is our fluid clients and governmental projects,” adds the dynamic, Pretoria-born and in their process. Our aim is to work alongside them as strategic partners engineering spanning across industries. and keen ability to acclimatise.

We are also a raised services engineer, whose family has a strongvarious agricultural background.The to assistnature, them to reach their optimum effectiveness and efficiency levels,” “My one granddad is a farmer and we grew up knowing farming.

I says Letsoalo. company employs professional engineers (Pr.Eng.), project very curious and flexible organisation, with the strength didn’t traditionally study farming but I know what needs to be done and “We also pride ourselves on our knowledge and ability to skillshare management (PMP), certified measurement and engage andwith know-how for marrying two or more industries, and/ the basicsprofessionals of working the land.” clients to impart a positive experience on a client, Althoughprofessionals he learned from his grandfather and certified those aroundenergy him, he employee anyone we work with.

That initially is the onethought core value that we not having and verification (CMVP) and ororprocesses, that were of as also questioned farming methods and was always looking to push the try to keep as our base.” ▲

EXCEEDING ALL EXPECTATIONS I

n the six years since Freddie Letsoalo established Kgomo Engineering, he and his partners have evolved their services and products and learned invaluable lessons from their successes as well as their mistakes. This solid foundation ensured the company had the resilience to withstand the ravages of the effects of Covid-19 on their business.

“It definitely affected our business adversely, although we are still here, despite the setback of having a number of projects cancelled,” says Letsoalo. “Our challenge is to work with our clients to help them to find a way to get these projects up and running again, even if in a different form altogether, and a few have started to come back on line, but probably 98% of those projects will have to be remodelled or redesigned in a commercial term.”

Kgomo Engineering is a 100% Black Youth-Owned and Dynamically Managed Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Management (EPCM) Tier 2 ESCo company that focusses on the engineering space, the energy space.

“Our focus covers everything from your simple energy audits all the way through the entire value chain and up to self-generation or generations for other people’s usage,” says Letsoalo.

The team boasts over 40 years of collective expert engineering experience to offer specially tailored engineering and energy solutions at innovative pricing models.

“We specialise in measurement and verification, energy management and engineering services spanning several Freddie Letsoalo industries and service clients from the industrial sector through to commercial mining, in addition to residential clients and governmental projects,” adds the dynamic, Pretoria-born and raised engineer, whose family has a strong agricultural background.

“My one granddad is a farmer and we grew up knowing farming. I didn’t traditionally study farming but I know what needs to be done and the basics of working the land.”

Although he learned from his grandfather and those around him, he also questioned farming methods and was always looking to push the

envelope and to innovative. His company website (www.narekgomo.co.za) refers to the “marriage” of Kgomo Engineering with the agriculturally focussed Nare Group.

“My interests in engineering and farming led me to discover an exciting link between the two sectors, as the waste generated by the one industry actually feeds the other,” says Letsoalo, who highlights the fact that manure and animal excrement can be converted into natural gas, bio-gas or bio-fuels, while fertilised manure can create organic fertiliser for your agricultural output and products.

“This actually talks to the first law of thermodynamics, that energy cannot be created–nor destroyed–but merely changes from one form to another. The more time we spend understanding all these relationships and possibilities, the more we understand we know and we can now start utilising the resources that we have and minimising what we call waste, whereas by right there shouldn’t be any waste, we must just be able to utilise all these things in the form that they are in after we have meaningfully used up what we think we know about it.”

What sets his business apart from the competition is the manner that his team view and engage with a problem, for example in the way they have linked agriculture and engineering.

“As a human species, we have kind of forgotten the two and we have divorced them from each other, which is why we are so proud to have found the connection.

“This ability to see the bigger, wider picture is what sets us apart from all of our competitors, because whenever we come in and engage with a potential client we do not pretend to be experts in their process. Our aim is to work alongside them as strategic partners to assist them to reach their optimum effectiveness and efficiency levels,” says Letsoalo.

“We also pride ourselves on our knowledge and ability to skillshare and engage with clients to impart a positive experience on a client, employee or anyone we work with. That is the one core value that we try to keep as our base.” ▲

Kgomo Engineering (Pty) Ltd is a 100% black youth-owned, and dynamically managed, engineering, procurement, construction and management company.

The firm specialises in measurement and verification (M&V), energy management and engineering services, spanning various industries.

As a Tier 2 energy-services company, Kgomo Engineering provides 40-plus years of collective experience by a highly qualified and competent team, offering specially tailored engineering and energy solutions, with innovative pricing models.

It employs professional project managers and engineers, as well as certified energy specialists with vast industry experience to provide complete designs for industrial, commercial, mining, residential and governmental developments.

Through decisive leadership and innovation, Kgomo Engineering continuously provides assurance to its clients through the provision of effective and efficient solutions, as opposed to being solely product-driven.

As an organisation, Kgomo Engineering believes client satisfaction is critical to its survival and sustainable growth.

That can only be achieved through

employing highly skilled and competent professionals who specialise in providing innovative and cost-effective solutions.

• M&V plan development • Project performance and certification • Section 12 income tax incentives

By building a sustainable organisation that seeks to alleviate the generational poverty cycle, the transfer of skills and knowledge is embodied in the ethos of the organisation. For this reason, Kgomo Engineering strives to partner with locals on an as-when-needed basis for the projects it engages in.

• Project scheduling and planning • Resource allocation and management • Cost control • Stakeholder engagement and management

Project management

Engineering services

Energy and resource management

• Resource efficiency and cleaner productions • Energy and demandbaseline development • Revenue protection and enhancement • Renewable energies • Project design, development and management • Financial-model development

M&V

• Independent analysis and reporting of energy-saving impacts • Scoping (due-diligence) study • Energy and demandbaseline development

• Utility bill analysis and verification • Conditional assessments on electrical and mechanical systems • Feasibility studies • Conceptual and detailed designs (electrical and mechanical) • Installations and maintenance of systems (electrical and mechanical)

Renewable energies • Solar PV • Solar thermal • Biogas • Waste to energy • Co- and tri-generation

Plant hire

• Tipper trucks • Interlink side tippers • Water tankers • TLBs and excavators

info@narekgomo.co.za | 082 652 6337 | Plot 25, Second Road, Hillcrest Agricultural Holdings, Putfontein, 1513

managers (CEM), who have seasoned industry experience

for providing 48 immaculate designs for industrial, commercial mining, residential and governmental facilities.

any commonalities.

Q: W HAT ARE SOME OF THE HURDLES YOU’VE FACED, AND HOW HAS THIS IMPACTED YOUR CURRENT MANAGEMENT STYLE?

Tshwane-born CEO, Freddie Letsoalo, sits down for an insightful interview with us.

A: One of the major issues we’ve faced is having to witness a set proposal being implemented incorrectly by others, coupled with not being paid timeously. However, we

CAREER ACCOLADES

value our policies and contracts, and are always willing to

• Certified energy manager (CEM®) and

negotiate all terms and conditions to make adjustments

• Certified measurement and verification professional

where possible, making our management style rather

(CMVP®) • Measurement and verification expert review panelist for the section 12 tax incentive administered by SANEDI

flexible. We also realise that payment, at times, is often better or worth more when not financial, and rather in the form of credibility and exposure.

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DNG - CHAMPIONING THE LNG VALUE CHAIN Q: P LEASE GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF THE BACKGROUND OF DNG

The availability of large volumes of LNG through DNG’s activities at Coega will therefore mean that South

A: DNG is a liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure and

Africa has security of supply to feed gas-fired power

supply company that was established in 2013 by South

stations with a reliable source. In addition, LNG plays

African entrepreneur, Aldworth Mbalati. We are present

an important role in stabilising the electricity grid that

in four African countries: South Africa, Mozambique,

will be largely supplied by

Ghana and Nigeria. Our reason for existence is bringing

renewables as envisaged in

about an energy revolution through the provision of

the Integrated Resources

LNG. We are investing in smart LNG infrastructure to

Plan (IRP 2019). The

ensure that we contribute to the revival of Africa’s

building of new gas-

economy by ensuring availability of stable, affordable

fired power plants, and

and sustainable power.

conversion of existing diesel-fired turbines to

Q: WHAT SERVICES DO YOU SUPPLY?

using LNG, will bring

A: We have an LNG bunkering licence, which allows us to

about new skills and

supply LNG to international ships that pass through South

opportunities for jobs

Africa’s Algoa Bay, and we are finalising authorisation

in the gas power

to be able to supply the local South African market with

market.

LNG. We have operations that traverse the whole LNG supply chain from importing, distribution to beneficiation of large quantities of LNG. Our services will include bunkering, feeding LNG to marine, road and rail transport, commercial and industrial operations, gasto-power plants, ordinary homes and manufacturing cryogenic, and gas equipment for our operations and other clients in the industry.

Q: H OW WILL LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS IMPACT ON THE ENERGY MIX IN SOUTH AFRICA – AND WHAT BENEFITS DOES IT PROVIDE? A: LNG is used as a cleaner and affordable fuel for transportation, commercial and industrial operations as well as powering homes and gas-to-power projects. LNG has less carbon than other fossil fuels so it will fast-track the move to a decarbonised energy industry that achieves just transition.

166

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Aldworth Mbalati Group Chief Executive Officer

INTERVIEW

Q: W HAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF YOUR MAJOR MILESTONES AS CEO OF DNG? A: O ne of the notable milestones was when DNG

Q: HOW HAS COVID IMPACTED ON YOUR BUSINESS? A: We are fortunate that our team is still intact, and we went through the first wave without any loss of life.

introduced a small-scale LNG solution for natural

Our business suffered some delays in terms of timelines

gas users in Ghana in 2016. The two main end-users

we had set for ourselves, but we are working hard

were Trojan and Sunon Assogli power plants, who

to catch up on those plans. One such project was

were to consume LNG transported by DNG from

the construction of the DNG loading container and

Nigeria and delivered through the Port at Tema

transport barge, which we are now working towards

and then ultimately distributed to the power plants

finishing in 2021.

via LNG trucks and ISO tanks. However, the biggest milestone so far is DNG getting the bunkering licence

Q: WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR 2021?

for Coega. This is going to be a game changer for

A: I n 2021 we plan to get underway with bunkering in

energy provision and security in the country and

Algoa Bay and then expand our operations to the port

continent. Our footprint will become global, as we

of Maputo.

will begin serving international ships passing through Algoa Bay, and the country will move to greater heights on the back of economic development that will be brought about by DNG’s activities at Coega.

Q: D O YOU HAVE A MESSAGE FOR BUSINESSES AND PEOPLE OUT THERE STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE? A: H ard times are part of the journey of life, so it is important to plan and build resilience within the business systems.

Q: W HAT HAVE BEEN YOUR GREATEST PAIN POINTS AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM? A: I would say that the pains we have experienced

This is where creativity, agility and resourcefulness come into play. One may even find opportunities, during times of crises, when these are approached with a cool head.

were growing pains of the industry. The regulatory

Partnerships also help as one can collaborate with a

environment for LNG is still in infancy. The process

like-minded business or person to serve a certain need. I

of obtaining the bunkering licence took a

believe that it is in serving that we get to be our best and

whopping seven years of hard work. However,

reap good rewards. I am saying this being mindful that

we have learnt a lot during this period and

we sometimes face circumstances that are beyond any

are proud to have charted a way in this

plan we may have put in place. This is where the spirit

industry putting in place blueprints that will

of Ubuntu comes into play. If we are to survive into the

make it easier for those who will follow us.

future, we must go beyond narrow business interests and

We have also gained invaluable knowledge

build in care packages in the business system that will

and experience in dealing with multiple

take care of society when times are hard. This could be in

stakeholders and ensuring that the process

the form of big business assisting small businesses who are

delivers positive results for all concerned.

struggling to rise above hard times to remain sustainable.

HEAD OFFICE – DNG SOUTH AFRICA Telephone: +27 (0) 10 880 2935 Physical Address: 27 Fricker Road, Illovo, Sandton, 2196 Web: dng.energy

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Everything by focus and design The Inzalo Group is a strong network of leading B-BBEE Level 1 industry players whose technologies are purpose-built to be agile and resilient. We partner with local government to optimise the complete municipal revenue cycle. From our expertise, and data-driven insight, to our proudly South African manufactured products, we focus on what matters: futureproofing South Africa’s public sector.

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