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Head Prestige Banking KZN Standard Bank Nicky Thompson has had 38 years of banking experience in the longstanding employ of Standard Bank SA Ltd, where she has gained a deep understanding of Personal and Business Banking. Starting her career in banking in the early 80’s, Nicky has witnessed the digital transformation of this industry, as it adapted to the changing needs of customers and has developed the necessary future ready skills in this now highly competitive environment. She built a solid foundation of both financial and operational skills, and she found her passion for people and leadership. Through determination and hard work, Nicky moved into managerial leadership roles at an early age, which was mostly unchartered territory in a male dominated industry at the time. Following various Branch Manager roles, she was appointed the first female on the KZN Executive in the early 2000’s. Click SAVE YOUR SPOT and be part of Nicky Thompson’s inspirational journey.

The Standard Bank KZN Top Business Women 2021 featured on the following pages participated in the streamed webinars on the 7 October and the 28 October. The women have had very different experiences that are based on their individual circumstances, which have guided their career or business choices. All the women have incredible insights to offer, which showcases the individual and universal strengths they have been able to draw upon as a woman. These women identify themselves as mothers, daughters, sisters as well as businesspeople, entrepreneurs, sportspersons, and community activists, which well indicates their ability to multitask. Their paths have led to banking, medicine, health and wellness, the arts, sport, law, community upliftment and funeral services amongst others. Many of the women reflect that being in a man’s world is tough and is a space that constantly has challenges. However, much research into gender differences highlights that woman score higher in emotional intelligence than men. This strength means women are more likely to be adaptable, show inspirational leadership, have good communication skills, show empathy, be creative, take risks, persevere and, at the same time, be humble. All these strengths, as well as many others, are well illustrated in their stories. We salute you all!

The Standard Bank KwaZulu-Natal Top Business Women gala evening will take place on 18 November at the Coastlands uMhlanga Hotel and Convention Centre. The 2021 initiative celebrates the achievements of some of the impressive women in KwaZulu-Natal. These women are contributing to their workplaces, to society and to their families in amazing ways. Each woman has been nominated for her achievements by employers, employees, clients, or other stakeholders. Nicky Thompson, Head Prestige Banking Standard Bank KZN says, “I am proud to work for an organisation that strives for gender diversity and female empowerment. Through events like the Standard Bank KwaZulu-Natal Top Business Women, we can recognise phenomenal women in KZN who are making a difference in their communities and in their different industries.” The gala evening will not only emphasize a culture of women’s empowerment but will serve as a showcase of success. It is hoped that this initiative and the recognition afforded, will inspire other women to strive to achieve more in their own endeavours. “We really need to shift the mindset about the contribution of women in our society and focus on the importance of women’s rights and gender inequalities so that we achieve sustainable change; one that respects and creates a safe environment for all women,” says Mano Singh Executive Head: Insurance, Asset Management & Fiduciary at Standard Bank KZN. Key note speaker for the evening will be Iman Rappetti, an award-winning journalist, who has worked across print and radio and is currently a senior news anchor. Iman counts among her many career highlights, interviews and encounters with a range of politicians, celebrities, and thought leaders. However, she insists that it is always the conversations with ordinary families and communities that are, for her, the most powerful and thought-provoking. Iman is the author of two books, ‘Becoming Iman’ (2018) and ‘Sermons of Soul’ (2020), which have been critically acclaimed. The master of ceremonies for the evening is Thato Moeng. Thato is a South African journalist, voice-over artist, host, brand ambassador, and a presenter. She is best known as one of the talented Supersport female presenters who is motivated by telling stories and sharing her love for sport with others. Grant Adlam, publisher of the KZN Top Business, says, “Our theme this year is ‘Women Inspiring Women’. Our team has been humbled by the many amazing women whose stories we have heard. These stories are about women, from many different backgrounds, who have had varied journeys to get to where they are today and have much wisdom to offer.” To obtain the stories that form the basis for the evening’s proceedings, the KZN Top Business team has interviewed all the women; the video recordings of which are available online. In addition, each story, accompanied by a black and white photo, are being collated in a limited-edition coffee table book. In order to introduce the women participating this year, three webinars have been held in the build up to the event, which are available for viewing www.youtube.com/c/KZNTopBusiness The event on the 18 November 2021 will follow a hybrid format and will be streamed live from 6.30 pm. In order to register (the event is free) visit www.kzntopbusiness.com .

Last Christmas was not much fun for a lot of people. No large family gatherings. No trips to the beach. No eating out, or flying off somewhere on holiday. For elders living at The Association for The Aged (Tafta), Covid-19 lockdowns meant missing out on their annual festive lunch. Although the kitchen staff pulled out all the stops to serve special meals to individuals in their rooms, it just was not the same. “That is why we are determined to give our elders a real festive get together this year. Most of our elders have had their vaccinations and with lockdown restrictions easing, we are hoping for the best and planning festive lunch menus, dates and venues. To do this, we need the generous support of our donors once again; because, although we call them ‘our’ Tafta lunches, truthfully they are not ‘ours’. They are yours. It is the good people of Durban who make it possible for us to dish up 1 500 lunches to Durban’s elders over the festive season,” said Tafta CEO, Femada Shamam. Your kindness means the world to pensioners who may not have any family of their own – and cannot afford to buy special treats for themselves. Not even a chocolate bar to enjoy with their tea on Christmas morning. Being invited to Tafta’s festive lunches would mean the world to elders who have been greatly impacted by the social isolation and anxiety brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. For them, this would be a rare opportunity to get dressed up in their best clothes and sit down at a table laid with festive linen, tinsel, party hats and Christmas crackers while enjoying companionship, fun, laughter, music and dancing. And of course, a delicious traditional festive lunch. Tafta has outsourced the catering at the best possible price; with this year’s meal of roast chicken and lamb, crispy potatoes, veg and dessert amounting to just R125 per person. “Your gift of R250 will pay for two friends to go to lunch together, while R500 pays for a table of four and a gift of R750 or R1 000 covers a table of six or eight. But, any amount you can give now will help bring Christmas cheer into our homes. In return, you will enjoy the warm feeling in your heart of knowing that you have given joy to a lonely elder, who might otherwise not have a proper Christmas,” explained Shamam. If the worst comes to the worst and we find ourselves back in lockdown again this festive season, be assured that your meal will still be enjoyed by one of Tafta’s elders in the safety of his or her room. For more information on how you can spread joy this festive season, visit www.tafta.org.za or call Kemmy-Leigh on 031 332 3721. ABOUT Tafta – The Association for the Aged Tafta is one of South Africa’s leading, registered non-profit organisation in Care in KZN. Established in 1958, for more than 5 decades, Tafta has been the leading provider of Care focusing primarily on the needs of the elderly and vulnerable groups in Durban. Our unique value proposition lies in creating value for clients and our partners with a key focus on outcomes and benefits. Our strength in healthcare, community outreach programmes and community development initiatives are our main differentiators. We seamlessly integrate our services with best in class processes and programmes that maximise efficiency, quality, safety and service excellence. Our Mission: Our mission is to encourage and promote active ageing in older people-to live as independent members of the community for as long as possible, and to care for those who are no longer able to look after themselves. Our aim is to alleviate distress of the elderly and other vulnerable groups by using our resources in the most effective and efficient manner and where the need is greatest. Our Vision: “Leaders in innovative solutions for elders, inspiring a life worth living”

Healthy teeth and gums prevent oral problems arising and they’re crucial for our well-being. Brushing your teeth daily is essential in keeping your teeth and gums in good condition. Significantly, new toothbrushes remove up to 30% more plaque than one that is three months old. Therefore, regularly replacing your toothbrush is essential for maintaining a consistently high level of oral hygiene. We recommend that you should replace your toothbrush every three months, or when the bristles begin to show wear, whichever comes first. This is important not only to ensure that the toothbrush is effective at cleaning your teeth, but also because the bristles can collect germs over a period of time. However, with so many toothbrush types on the market these days, it can be tricky to decide which one is the most suitable. You may select your new toothbrush based on your favourite brand, or maybe you choose one according to the handle’s colour, or the one on the special at the supermarket. If you are driven by the above motivation, we here at Crown Dental Studio want to advise on some tips to consider when purchasing a toothbrush. Head Size: While there is a range of brush heads available, a small to medium size brush will have better access to all the hard-to-reach parts of your mouth. For this reason, a round headed toothbrush is also useful. However, the actual size of one’s mouth must also be considered. Children will need smaller toothbrushes than adults. Bristle Design: Bristle design is equally important when it comes to choosing your toothbrush. An increasing number of manufacturers are now producing heads with varying size bristles, which is very useful for getting into the deeper gaps between teeth and those hard-to-reach locations. It’s also important to note that a tapered design is gentler on our gums. Bristle Firmness: Many people wrongly believe that firmer bristles will do a better job of cleaning teeth. In fact, firm bristles can actually damage your teeth and gums. Soft to medium strength bristles are just as effective at cleaning your teeth and do so without irritating your gums or causing them to shrink contributing to a receding gum line. There’s also the risk that if you brush over-enthusiastically you could damage your teeth enamel. On the other hand, very soft bristles might not tackle plaque effectively, so unless you have gum problems, it’s best to go for medium. Handle Grip: Considering that you should brush your teeth for at least the recommended two minutes every time, a handle with a comfortable and secure grip is a priority. There are lots of handle varieties available so just pick whichever makes cleaning your teeth easiest. Electric toothbrush: The fast rotations of the head of an electric toothbrush can do an exceptional job of cleaning your teeth. If you have limited manual dexterity, then an electric toothbrush will help you to achieve an adequate level of cleanliness. In addition, electric toothbrushes often come with a built-in timer which helps to ensure that you are brushing for the recommended time for proper cleaning. It’s also a useful way to encourage children to brush for the correct amount of time. Manual toothbrushes are mainly disposable, and most can be recycled. You can throw it away when necessary and replace with a clean new one. Unlike electric toothbrushes, you do not have to stick with the same type of toothbrush. Of course, no matter what toothbrush you buy, it’ll only be as effective as your brushing technique. So, be sure to use gentle circular or oval motions along all your teeth and gumline surfaces. If in doubt we will be happy to make recommendations as to the right toothbrush, for each individual patient. If you would like more information on effective daily hygiene practices, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. Crown Dental Studio is one of the few truly 24-hour dental practises in Durban as this is not limited to emergency dentistry treatment. T: +27 81 207 8621 E: info@dramod.co.za W: www.dramod.co.za #KZNbusinesssense

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people worldwide have significantly changed their drinking habits, shifting from consuming alcohol in bars and restaurants to drinking at home. For many, alcohol is part of their social lives – and the resulting disruption, together with loss of income and loved ones has increased alcohol consumption, according to a report published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Malcolm Young, general manager of Durban-based Choose Life Specialist Recovery Centre, said this was definitely happening locally. There had been a massive increase in the number of people seeking help since the pandemic hit. “We are not only dealing with people battling with existing addictions but also with those who are new to addiction and using various substances to avoid and deal with the pressures of life in the shadow of Covid-19,” he said. According to the OECD report, alcohol sales increased by 3% to 5% in Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States in 2020 compared to 2019. Alcohol sales in bars and restaurants may have plummeted but off-premise sales via ecommerce and retail stores had escalated. For example, in the United States, online sales increased by up to 234%. The OECD also noted that women, parents of young children, people with higher incomes and those with anxiety and depressive symptoms reported the highest increase in alcohol consumption. Emergency calls as a result of domestic violence, which is closely associated with alcohol consumption, rose by 60% in EU countries. Despite the fact that the South African government attempted to limit alcohol purchases and consumption during the pandemic, the same remains true in South Africa. “During this period, people have been admitted for addiction as well as depression and anxiety. Alcohol problems, in particular, seem to be on the rise despite bans put in place. We have learned from our patients that, despite the bans, illegal substances are readily available whenever and wherever,” he explained. According to Young, many of those who had reached out to Choose Life, which is a sister facility to Riverview Manor, a specialist clinic in the Southern Drakensberg, had been searching online for a rehabilitation facility that met their needs. “We are a private facility where medical aid rates apply. This is the saving grace for people who can afford medical aid. However, there are a lot of enquiries looking for a facility to help overcome addiction by the less fortunate who have no medical aid. This seems to be the true epidemic,” Young said. Choose Life is rising to the challenges of tackling addiction sparked by the pandemic by providing a full-time rehabilitation programme. Clients can be referred by clinical professionals but attend the centre on a voluntary basis. The centre offers an out-patient programme as well as a 21-day in-house programme. Its holistic approach means that each patient has individual sessions with a social worker and a psychologist as well as group therapy during his or her stay. Supervised detoxification is available to overcome withdrawals. “This facility accommodates 17 patients. It is big enough to provide individual attention and small enough to ensure that no one gets lost or flies under the radar. We are also able to accommodate outpatients looking to speak to a psychologist by appointment,” Young said. He said that a gym had recently been added to help patients deal with and release stress and anxiety. There are 12 staff members, including two social workers, a psychologist, a house doctor, a psychiatrist, day nurses and night nurses. “We are dedicated to saving lives and offer our clients effective, professional treatment. Through our specialist staff, co-ordinated approach and intimate groups, we are able to provide clients with the tools to address their addiction during this difficult time,” he said. Choose Life Specialist Recovery Centre, South Africa’s leading private specialist rehabilitation centre and clinic, (dealing with symptoms of, alcohol, substances, cocaine, rock, opiates, dagga, anxiety, depression, obesity, anorexia, burnout, sex addiction and stress) opened its doors to recovering addicts in 2015. The facility is situated on the Berea in Durban. www.chooselifesa.co.za #KZNbusinesssense

South Africa’s fastest growing food rescue organisation, SA Harvest, is continuing its rapid expansion in its mission to end hunger in South Africa. The NPO, which launched in October 2019, operates from four warehouses around the country – in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and George. The exponential growth of this young organisation, sister to OzHarvest in Australia and operating under the chairmanship of airline entrepreneur Gidon Novick, comes in response to the unprecedented increase in food insecurity in South Africa. Prior to lockdown it was estimated that 13 million people were going hungry daily. Today, with unemployment reaching 32,6%, the number has increased to around 20 million people experiencing hunger every day. “Ending Hunger in our country requires both practical and sustainable solutions in a collaborative framework. SA Harvest is working with many organisations and corporates that understand that while charitable food donations are critical at this time, ending hunger also requires intervention in a system that causes hunger in the first place,” says Alan Browde, founder and CEO of SA Harvest. In the last 24 months, SA Harvest has rescued over 3,3 million kilograms of food and delivered the equivalent of 11 million meals to food vulnerable communities across South Africa. SA Harvest’s fleet has expanded to five refrigerated vehicles, with access to additional vehicles through partnerships with logistics companies. The NPO now employs a staff of 28 people. Alan Browde, SA Harvest Founder and CEO, says that the delivery of over 11 million meals – which equates to more than 15 000 meals every day – was way beyond the organisation’s initial expectations for the first two years. “Our journey has been filled with many milestones, the most significant of which are the long-lasting relationships we’ve created with food donors, benefactors, and most importantly, with more than 200 beneficiary organisations who feed hungry people every day. Aside from these vital and fulfilling relationships, we have also built a magnificent team – men and women who go the extra mile to enable SA Harvest to fulfil and go beyond its objectives.” Durban SA Harvest’s 380m² Durban warehouse in Briardene, together with a refrigerated four ton truck and logistics solutions with outsourced transporters and staff of seven enables the delivery of an average of 12 500 meals per week to beneficiary organisations, extending from Richards Bay in the north to Umlazi on the south coast to Hammersdale near Pietermaritzburg. SA Harvest’s Durban operation was ramped up significantly after the KZN riots in July, when two 1 000 square metre marquees were erected on sports grounds in the city centre within one day, serving as a temporary warehouse for the massive volumes of food and essentials being transported to the city from SA Harvest’s branches in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Relief stock is now being delivered to over 100 vetted beneficiaries that are all registered non-profit organisations. More importantly, adds Browde, data collection systems have been bolstered to ensure, inter alia, accurate reporting to our donors and efficient and equitable distribution of produce to the fast-growing number of beneficiaries in a substantially increased geographical area “Transparency is fundamental to our operation and we are being especially vigilant in a situation where the rapid extension of our services to the more rural and largely neglected areas of KZN that have been severely affected by the unrest.” Johannesburg In Johannesburg, SA Harvest’s move into a dedicated warehouse in Eastgate, Sandton, increases its capacity to 40 tonnes per week. The region is headed up by operations manager Victor Mpofu, who, working with a team of six staff, delivers in excess of 65 200 meals per week to its beneficiary organisations. Cape Town The NPO’s Cape Town operations are well established, operating from a base in Epping. With a capacity to handle 45 tonnes per week, the Cape distribution centre currently delivers 32 600 meals every week, with a staff of four under operations manager Lane Ridgway. SA Harvest’s reach extends from inner city to townships to rural areas. In addition to its four main centres of operation, the organisation has satellite networks in Mpumalanga, Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth. Eastern Cape operations will be run from the newly opened George office. For more information www.saharvest.org #KZNbusinesssense

You can’t keep a good woman down. Despite the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which brought travel and conference tourism to a standstill, Lindiwe Rakharebe, CEO of the Durban ICC, has bagged a second award in two months for her leadership qualities. She has just won the Leadership Award in the third annual Sebenza Awards which focuses on recognising and celebrating top women for their brilliance, strength, and achievements in various fields of work. Rakharebe, who has been at the helm of Africa’s leading convention centre since April 2015, also took top honours last month in the Venue Representative of the Year category of the seventh Women in MICE Awards. Meetings magazine and The Planner Guru website jointly hosted the celebration of the leading Women in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry to recognise the important role women play in the sector. Ms Rakharebe’s award was given to “the woman who has ensured the highest standards of guest and staff well-being by moving swiftly to implement measures that not only meet all requirements but exceed them”. Ms Rakharebe said she owed the two latest awards to every man and woman employed at the Durban ICC. “A leader is only as good as the team. It is the fortitude and resilience of our employees that has ensured the Durban ICC is post-pandemic ready. “The success of our business depends on the satisfaction of our clients which, in turn, depends on the quality of the product we deliver and the level of customer service we provide. We set our goals high, working to achieve 100% satisfaction from our clients and exhibitors.” “Unfortunately, at the beginning of 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic impacted our business more profoundly than anything to date. Nevertheless, we are filled with pride for all that we accomplished despite the challenges. As they say, ‘tough times don’t last; tough teams do.’” she said. Kini Shandu, the founder of the Sebenza Awards, said for too long women in South Africa have been marginalised and still face gender-based violence on a daily basis. “The Sebenza Awards brings about equality by identifying stars doing exceptional, extraordinary work in various sectors. We shine the spotlight on women, their contributions and position them in areas that create opportunities for them to excel even more,” she said. She added Rakharebe’s award was all the more significant, coming at a time when the pandemic hit the Durban ICC particularly hard as it relies heavily on gatherings, which have been heavily restricted as local, national and international travel came to a halt. “However, our Lindiwe ensured that contingency measures were put in place to ensure the Durban ICC continued to provide the highest levels of infrastructure and service standards. Glen Mashinini, Chairman of the Board of Durban ICC, said: “We are proud of the Leadership Award bestowed on Ms Rakharebe for her sound leadership and outstanding achievements at a critical time. “Her strengths which include vision, inspiration, interpersonal communication and strategic and critical thinking have motivated the Durban ICC team’s efforts to put new measures in place, uphold all principles of corporate governance, diligent oversight and efficient financial and supply chain processes during a most challenging period,” he said. Meanwhile, the Durban ICC has been nominated for the title of World’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre 2021 on the World Travel Awards and hopes to win the heavily contested accolade at WTA’s Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2021 which will take place in Moscow on 26 November 2021. Durban ICC has been nominated in the World Travel Awards – Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre 20 times and has been voted the winner in this category no fewer than 17 times. Issued by: The Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC)For more information contact: Durban ICC Marketing Manager – Sandile Makhanya, 031 360 1192 or sandilema@icc.co.za #KZNbusinesssense

Lockdown has been particularly difficult for South Africans with many having to undergo a change in lifestyle and approach to everyday activities. The change has revealed a few stark realisations related to how people interact with one another, how they work, how they travel, and how they budget – shattering previous concepts of what was thought to be necessary and how well alternatives can work when given a chance. One of the biggest burdens on South Africans during this period of change has been long-term expenses that people are tied to for years on end. The pandemic has shown how volatile life can be and that what you need today may not be needed tomorrow. During the hard lockdown, for example, people had to upgrade their internet, but downgrade their gardening or cleaning services. Vehicles that were needed on a daily basis (and had to still be paid for via finance) were left dusty and largely unused – whilst still attracting monthly premiums and maintenance costs. Why should you be paying for something you’re not using or be locked into an expense that may change from year-to-year or even month-to-month? WhyBuyCars was launched at the height of the hard lockdown to provide relief to people who wanted to cash in their vehicles and lease a vehicle that suited them on a three-month basis. With a model that includes insurance, maintenance, tracking, and taxes, the company challenges the previous notion that you have to own a car to drive a car – and strips all the complications and additional costs associated with ownership. WhyBuyCars presents a simple concept that lets you ascertain what you need on a short-term basis and then make an informed choice that you don’t even need to be attached to a few months later. WhyBuyCars has simply based its offering on how consumers are re-thinking how they approach finances. This new wave of thinking has challenged South Africans to reconsider how they spend their money and how they allocate their hard-earned budgets, and the reality is that owning a car and being locked into long-term finance doesn’t allow you the flexibility you may want in your life. Find out how WhyBuyCars can give you the flexibility you need and discover the better way to drive a car. www.whybuycars.co.za #KZNbusinesssense

Human development has always been directly linked to our ability to efficiently save information. A fast moving South African startup, CleverCloud, is aggressively addressing the problem of better managing our complex business software applications and business information systems to give medium and large-scale companies a critical edge. Today with over two billion websites, seven billion smartphones in operation and billions of active computers in the workplace, the management of business workflow and information is absolutely paramount. The team at CleverCloud hold firm that although we’ve seen progress in collaborative data management, as well as an influx of software tools, computer users are still saving and managing files the same way we did over 30 years ago. “All computers are based on the infrastructure of a library, and today that library is being overloaded with SaaS or Software as service products, websites, document file types, innovative software applications, various storage locations and more. We’ve developed a simplified solution, that seamlessly helps business manage all of it,” gleams Zosukuma Kunene, the Head of Marketing for CleverCloud. “We’ve expanded the previous limitations of the traditional Cloud to include the management of the entire digital landscape.” As business tasks and priorities change throughout the day, businesses increasingly need to save their active combination or configuration of windows required for a specific task. It’s about the ability to save the state of your workflow, then switch to an on-line meeting, work with a colleague to finish a separate project and when you’re ready – instantly come back to exactly where you were. CleverCloud’s chief operations officer, Ra Kunene, emphasizes the point further stating, “In today’s remote-work landscape, every single employee has to be fully connected and must be a springboard to growth. Employees critically need to access not just individual files, but everything managed together. That’s a key value we’re providing to companies through CleverCloud.” Equally providing value for both individual users and enterprise teams managing their own servers and security, CleverCloud offers on-premise installations where needed. Here in South Africa large institutions such as banks, manufacturing plants and insurance companies, are all aggressively on-boarding cloud computing infrastructure to take remote-work efficiencies to new heights. The approach of companies such as UiPath, a European based start-up recently valued at over seven billion USD, has focused on providing automation tools that customers purchase separately and piece together at a very high development cost. CleverCloud takes a different approach and pre- packages cloud automation for a much faster value return for customers. The CleverCloud team says that cloud-based automation has to be pushed within the 4IR game plan, to better manage the growing overload of information being moved across quickly expanding business environments. Those thoughts seem directly in line with the SA Department of Science and Technology who specifically recently stated that, “…one of the central logics of the 4IR is that of ongoing growth in automation.” World renowned Durban born architect Don Albert, describes the need for such solutions as, “The Holy Grail of information management.” Various global networks have begun incorporating cyber-physical systems in their machinery, production facilities and warehousing systems. Such systems include smart machines, storage systems and autonomous information exchange systems. These systems are offering unprecedented opportunities to optimise production and communication processes across all major industries. When highlighting the importance of knowledge retention, Zosukuma says, “It’s clear that faster information management encourages a culture of sharing the formulas behind how we solve problems. That is very important. The workflows that CleverCloud helps to capture for business owners and teams, are actually the backbone of what a company is in relation to how they create and manage solutions. When an employee is the holder of knowledge and a fellow colleague or junior is struggling, CleverCloud can instantly provide them access to the group of digital resources that can expedite delivering a solution.” With employee churn increasingly high these days, companies can incorporate CleverCloud to build a library of not only documents and folders but more importantly, how those different assets come together to solve problems faster. The CleverCloud team is strategically expanding partnerships and customer engagements, both in the United States and southern Africa. They can be contacted directly to book a demonstration or for further information. Contact Zosukuma Kunene Head of Marketing on zkunene@zudogroup.com or log on to www.zudogroup.com . #KZNbusinesssense

As the late Mr. Rajen Reddy would say, “The measure of achievement and success must rightfully be balanced by the knowledge that we must pass failure along the way. Education is when you read the fine print, experience is what you get if you don’t. Experience is, therefore, the greatest teacher and the greatest leveller.” History has often recorded such events that spin on an uncontrolled axis, levered by forces beyond human control. For instance, nobody, not even physics could have foreseen that the sale of four barrels of diesel fuel would effectively launch KZN Oils back in 1998, but it did, and the rest as they say is history. The history itself is peppered with blood, sweat, and tears; a history inscribed with the ink of disappointment and successive failures. KZN Oils now forms part of a larger entity, The RR Group of companies. These entities are largely black women-owned and led businesses with the majority of female personnel holding executive positions. While maintaining a BBBEE level-1 company audit status, the Group aggressively supports black-owned businesses across the board. Mrs Celeste Esayvanie Sivalingum Reddy as the newly appointed executive director and the Group CEO, is an accomplished business woman with over 30 years of experience in the petroleum, quick service restaurant, healthcare manufacturing, telecommunications, and distribution industry. Mrs Reddy’s main focus is on building high growth businesses with solid balance sheets and exponentially growing profit and loss functions to ensure business going-concern, job securities for her people and sustainable returns for the shareholders. As an astute business leader with a wealth of experience, Mrs Reddy oversees sound strategic manifestation and delegation across all business functions, ensures profitability and is the chief custodian of the Group’s brand image. She is an innovative visionary and has a traceable success record. Equipped with hands-on experience in business strategy and development, she applies herself in alignment with the RR Group’s values, goals, and objectives. The RR Group always strives to retain a people-first focus, for with the empowerment of people, comes the empowerment of communities and empowered communities can add to the positive socio-economic growth of South Africa and the world. The Group prides itself on establishing self-sustainable business models, which in return, allows them to give back to their communities in the form of jobs, business opportunities, low-cost high-quality products, and corporate social investment initiatives. The RR Group of companies comprise various industries such as the energy sector, telecommunications, health care manufacturing, quick service restaurant industry, and property development and construction. Growing KZN Oils within the African commercial sector may sound farfetched. However, engaging with neighbouring countries offer a better footing in negotiating with either import or export of liquid bio-fuel (LBF), while partnering with other non-refining wholesalers will increase their footprint and enable them to negotiate lucrative deals that will benefit both parties to ensure a complete solution for all customers. Looking further than the African continent, partnering with international countries will ensure the impact of greener and cleaner fuels. And moving into a full-on retail offering will ensure control of the entire supply chain which ultimately results in more affordable products to end-users. KZN Oils will be looking at not only supplying commodities such as fuels, but also Jet A1, other relevant lubricants, and becoming the preferred transporter for major petroleum companies throughout the world. Champion Health Care (CHC) will soon follow suit in gaining momentum in the African market if it hasn’t been doing so already. The Africa Health Trade Expo in conjunction with the Department of Trade and Industry is one of CHC’s signature exhibitor events. CHC has been in attendance since 2019 and has again made its presence on the virtual Africa Health Trade Expo 2021. Through these networking events, Champion Health Care has been initiating trades with neighbouring African countries, identifying machinery that will improve productivity and reduce costs, investigating product customisation to address customer needs, and ensuring products meet private and public sector specifications. The possibilities of franchising a health care manufacturing company are endless. Supplying from a toothpick to a full flame-grilled or fried chicken, Ko-lay is on its way to becoming one of the sought-after distribution centres. Currently supplying about roughly fifty Grill to Go outlets within the Caltex KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng network, Ko-lay seeks to supply to all provinces in South Africa. By developing a cradle-to-grave mentality, they can control an entire supply chain, expand their logistics fleet, introduce new and exciting products, continuously create employment, and showcase various franchise models. Franchising in the quick service restaurant industry has taken on a storm in the past few years. Ko-lay currently has a fully-fledged flagship diner store in the heart of Durban, and the near future will make way for low to high-end Ko-lay franchise offerings. With the increase in chicken products becoming a staple diet for most of South Africa and the African continent, Ko-lay Home of Chicken is an offering you want to look out for. JD Telecoms is firmly cementing themselves as leaders in the telecommunication industry with a focus on satellite connectivity and educational services. The initiative for JD Telecoms is to bridge the digital divide towards affordable connectivity. They aim to make connectivity accessible and affordable to every household and business on the African continent, regardless of the income bracket. Established in 2019, JD Telecoms has already become an approved Telkom Dealer for B2B and B2C products and services and also has a business processing outsourcing (BPO) contact centre. In conclusion, the progression of the RR Group of companies will depend on their adaptability towards the digital age. And there is an immense amount of ongoing effort in the background to digitalise these companies. The future holds exciting insights into online ordering platforms, payment gateways, online client portals, online loyalty programs, and online monitoring and analytics for a better user experience just to name a few. “In closing, there is a need for building high-growth businesses with a pan-African focus in aiding the newly emerging African elite to create a sense of diversity in unity in mobilising Africans towards the struggle of independence and social cohesion. As business leaders, we must come together and need to utilise our resources to encourage and strengthen bonds of solidarity between all indigenous and diaspora ethnic group of African descent. We must also emphasise the need to make specific meaningful and purposeful contributions to the historic task of transitional justice from apartheid to democracy under overarching social justice. This can be made possible through the development of ethical leaders.” #KZNbusinesssense

Andrew John Layman born in Durban on 26 November 1944 passed away peacefully on the 16 October 2021, in Hi1ton, KZN aged seventy-six. He will always be remembered for his commanding personality, his deep booming voice and his caring heart. Andrew was a positive influence and enriched the lives of all those who were fortunate enough to know him. He was a role model and was highly respected for his inclusive and mentoring management style. Andrew attended Durban High School (1958-1961) and went on to attain a Bachelors of Arts degree in English, History and Geography and a University Education Diploma from the University of Natal. He was passionate about education and went on to obtain a Masters degree M.Com (Leadership) at the University of Natal at the age of sixty-six. Andrew started his career as a teacher and later head of department of Glenwood High School (1967-1982). He went on to become the Deputy Headmaster of Maritzburg College (1983-1985), and Head Master of Alexandra High School (1986-1997). Andrew was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business (1997-2011) and then the Chief Executive Officer of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry (2011-2015). He went on to become a highly respected consultant at SAPOA KZN, Catalyx Consulting and Strategic Urban Management. He was a well-known regular columnist (2003 – 2014) for The Mercury newspaper writing articles on contemporary business, education and societal affairs. Andrew was an avid cricketer going on to coach and umpire. Andrew was husband to Valerie (deceased 2008) and a loving father to four children. Amanda, David, Guy and Olivia and five grandchildren Cayden, Cameron, Christian, Rafa and Theo. #KZNbusinesssense