Search Results

The Minara Chamber Global Trade promotion were pleased to meet virtually with the Kenya High Commissioner in the Republic of South Africa, Catherine Muigai Mwangi and a team from the mission. Minara President, Solly Suleman welcomed Her Excellency and echoed the importance of having such an engagement to discuss programmes and initiatives that will grow and build the economy of Africa. In his remarks, Mr Suleman underscored that many investors looked abroad for opportunities adding that Africa had a lot of potential and was a source of an array of quality products and raw materials. In a rejoinder, High Commissioner, Muigai Mwangi said from South Africa emphasizing that Kenya was one of the few destinations in Africa that has been recognised for ease of doing business assuring that given its exceptional infrastructure, business investors would not face many hurdles in doing business in the country. The High Commissioner further pinpointed that Kenya had a great variety of products and was therefore looking forward to taking the discussion to the next level with South African businesspersons through tangible actions that will promote trade between both countries. W: www.minara.org.za #KZNbusinesssense #kzntopbusiness

Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business CEO Melanie Veness was elected chair of the Association of South African Chambers (Asac) at the organisation’s annual general meeting last month. Bernadette Zeiler, CEO of the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) was elected deputy chair. Asac was established in 2019 by some of the country’s largest chambers – Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Border Kei Chamber of Business. Since then, the chambers of Middleburg, Northern Cape and George have joined Asac. Representing businesses of all sizes and across sectors, Asac collectively accounts for a significant proportion of the organised business community in South Africa. It is run by a working committee of chamber CEOs who share learnings, best practice and collaborate on matters of mutual interest, said Veness. “We’re on the ground in the trenches with businesses, both large and small, and as such, we are uniquely placed to provide meaningful input on challenges being faced by Business. Working together makes sense and we look forward to playing an active role at a national level,” she said. #KZNbusinesssense #kzntopbusiness

Our cover photo and lead story features Hameed Noormahomed who is the Standard Bank Head of Business Clients, Client Coverage, KwaZulu-Natal. Commenting on his professional career thus far, Hameed says, “I have had an enjoyable journey and accomplished much along the way. I have walked the long road and saw opportunities instead of challenges. I dreamt big and wanted to succeed in everything that I did.” His story can be found on page 3. Newly appointed SLG Group CEO Mzi Tyhokolo has had 20 years of experience in the gas industry, with 14 of those years being at SLG and six years at Sasol Gas. See page 4. On page 5 we introduce you to Andrew Clark who is the recently appointed managing partner of Cox Yeats Attorneys, which is based in uMhlanga Ridge, KwaZulu-Natal. We are delighted to have Business Coach Marlene Powell on board as a regular columnist on page 7. Marlene is one of the top business coaches with ActionCOACH and has been coaching for the last 13 years. She is in the top 100 Action Coaches in the world and has won numerous awards. Last year she was voted as ActionCOACH’s Global Action Man of The Year for the African continent. She has won the ActionCOACH Brand Personality of the Year award for South Africa for two years running. Judging is well underway for the Standard Bank KZN Top Business Awards 2021. This year a large number of entries have been received. The shortlists appear on pages 8 and 9. The June edition of Business Sense will contain a special feature on all the winners. Our ‘Coffee with Grant’ interviews on page 10 feature Johan van Deventer, Regional Manager KZN, LabourNet and Johannes Maree, CEO Destinata Capital. Maree gives insight into the Section 12J tax programme, which is set to end on the 30 June 2021. The iLembe Chamber’s 11th annual The Entrepreneur Programme and Competition was launched on Tuesday, the 18th of May 2021. Read more on page 11. Currently, Elangeni Buildings is one of the leading family-owned building companies in KwaZuluNatal. Read more on page 13. David White and his teams at DRG and BusinessFit have since 2017 been travelling back and forth to the United Kingdom to help open the doors to ‘simple trade’ between South Africa and the United Kingdom. Read page 16. We are proud to share our growing collection of video interviews with you. One of the most powerful techniques is through QR codes. Open the camera on your phone (or use a scanning app) and hover steadily for 2-3 seconds over the QR Code to see the video. #KZNbusinesssense #kzntopbusiness

Hameed Noormahomed is the Standard Bank Head of Business Clients, Client Coverage, KwaZulu-Natal. His role comprises the management of Business, Entrepreneur, and Enterprise banking within KZN. Commenting on his professional career thus far, Hameed says, “I have had an enjoyable journey and accomplished much along the way. I have walked the long road and saw opportunities instead of challenges. I dreamt big and wanted to succeed in everything that I did.” He added, “I believe that my success is related to the importance of not forgetting my roots and remaining humble throughout. I never forget who I am and where I come from. In order to be successful, one must be honest and dedicated, have perseverance and importantly have the passion and willingness to win.” Hameed lost his mother in his teenage years and his father brought him up together with his sister and brother. “My father had limited schooling and no formal qualifications but learnt the welding trade from other trade professionals. My mother was the brains of the house. She was a self-made entrepreneur who worked as a dressmaker for a local boutique.” The determination of his parents to provide for their family set the work ethic that was to drive Hameed’s career path. During his school holidays and needing to earn some money, Hameed worked at a service station as a petrol attendant on weekends. “The service station owners are clients of the bank and had such pride in my achievements including the fact that I once worked for them later becoming their Bank Manager,” explains Hameed. While Hameed‘s dream was to be an attorney, coming from a disadvantaged family meant that obtaining a tertiary education wasn’t easy. After only completing one year at university, he had to find suitable employment and study part time. His first job was as a salesperson for a lighting company in Pietermaritzburg. Fortuitously, Hameed responded to an advertisement to join Standard Bank. After completing the application process, including undergoing psychometric tests, he was recruited as a banker. Through the 1990s, Hameed continued to study law part time. His work experience at the bank led him to discover that being an attorney could be very tough and that some attorneys struggled to make a decent living, which persuaded him to change his career trajectory. Following a banking career offered much potential and his dream changed to one of becoming a Bank Director, which still drives his ambitions today. He added, “I saw in the end that in every job there are some people who are successful and those who are not. It is one’s positive attitude, agility and drive that makes one successful in life.” Hameed completed his BA Law degree at UNISA, then went on to graduate with an Honours in Public Administration. He also completed the required banking exams with The Institute of Banking, CAIB(SA). His pursuit of academic knowledge also led him to complete a BCom (Marketing Management), a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (University of Natal), and an MBA at Mancosa. He later completed a Masterclass in Strategic Client Management at University of Cape Town Business School. Whilst studying, Hameed’s banking career was progressing simultaneously. He joined FNB and ABSA as a Portfolio and Relationship Executive respectively. He was re-employed at Standard Bank at the end of 2011 with a stint in Corporate and Investment Banking, which gave him much exposure to Public Sector, Local Banks and Multinationals. This experience provided him with a good grounding for his career to advance. In 2016, Hameed was promoted to the Head of Business Banking in KwaZulu-Natal, an achievement which he says was very gratifying. Important aspects of this role included ensuring Business Banking Clients obtained client value from Standard Bank by partnering and helping these clients to grow their businesses in the African economy. After a couple of years in Business Banking, Hameed was promoted to Standard Bank Head of the Central Region in KZN, Retail and Business Banking which comprised the Dolphin Coast, eThekwini, and the Hibiscus Coast Region. Hameed looked after both the Business and Retail markets. He was then promoted to his current position on 1 January 2021. His diverse role is to drive the performance of the bank’s management teams and to ensure that all Standard Bank’s objectives are met in a holistic manner. This includes the key strategic priorities of Commerciality, Customer Obsession, Risk and Conduct and People Management across a diverse team over several sectors. The role includes the FAIS oversight within the bank. Commenting on his leadership role, Hameed says, “It is most important to be a leader rather than to manage people. He strives to lead through his charismatic nature and is concerned about his team’s welfare, nurturing and encouraging them to grow and learn. “You need to be fair, honest, open and transparent and always be there for your people. Coach them and mentor them when they need it. Mentoring and coaching helps grow our people and make them future ready. You need to have an understanding of the people that you work with, what makes them tick and what they are going through on a day-today basis.” He added that it was important to listen to the internal micro and external macro environment, which keeps changing constantly. Currently the external environment has been disrupted by Covid 19. In response to these changes, the bank’s customers are evolving. “An important part of modern banking is how do you create client value by solving for their needs now and in the future?” Digitalisation has grown customers and stakeholders who are well tuned in to a modern working environment. Each customer wants to be treated differently and the bank needs to have flexible tools with which to do so. Customers require 24/7 access to banking services and rely on the digitalisation of services with on call backup services when needed. However, hybrid banking services are still required as there are many clients who still want to go into a physical bank (Brick and Mortar setup) in order to have personal access to banking staff when necessary. When looking at the people who have inspired him in life, Hameed points to Mandela’s charisma and compassion for people. “I looked up to him as being honest, open and trustworthy. He exemplifies leading by example.” His advice to young people entering the banking field would be, “Be passionate, committed and dedicated. Stick to the course. It’s not easy to get to where you want to be. Treat everyone the way that you want to be treated, which is with respect and dignity. Be yourself, be open and listen.” In his downtime Hameed enjoys gym and the creative side of property refurbishments. However, he says that spending quality time with his family is of utmost importance to him as they are his foundation, who have backed him and recognise what he has achieved over the years. Hameed concluded, “To be able to harvest one needs to plant seeds. Plan to achieve, implement and execute the plan. If you do that you will be successful in life.” #KZNbusinesssense #kzntopbusiness

Alan Paton, the South African anti-Apartheid activist and author wrote in his acclaimed novel Cry, the Beloved Country: “There is a lovely road that runs from Ixopo into the hills. These hills are grass-covered and rolling, and they are lovely beyond any singing of it….if there is no mist, you look down on one of the fairest valleys of Africa.” Paton’s description of the picturesque landscape was penned more than 70 years ago, and while he may have referred to the Ixopo region, he could well have been extolling the beauty of the neighbouring, unspoilt KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Just over an hour away from Durban, between Pietermaritzburg and Drakensberg, is a delightful region filled with stretches of farmland, quaint little towns full of charm, a marvellous road of arts and crafts, restaurants brimming with gastronomic delights and scenic landscapes bordering the sublime region known as the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. As you soak up the landscapes, sounds and fresh air of the KZN Midlands, you will quickly realise that this is the ideal place to recharge your soul’s batteries in surroundings that resemble God’s canvas. At the heart of the KZN Midlands is the popular Midlands Meander – an itinerary of art, handicrafts, restaurants and farm holidays – that is a retreat for holidaymakers with many cafes, art galleries, beautiful guesthouses, cheese farms, seamstresses, cobblers, trout farms, potters, weavers and painters who have made this region their home. The Midlands Meander is a wonderfully refreshing combination of over 150 places to eat, drink and shop, and stretches from Rietvlei and Curry’s Post to Dargle Valley and Fort Nottingham – a total of about 80km of activities. One of the historical sites in the Midlands Meander is the Nelson Mandela Capture Site, one of the most-visited memorial sites in KZN with a visitor centre and a world-renowned sculpture of the peace activist and politician Nelson Mandela, designed by the South African artist Marco Cianfanelli. Ayanda Nyandeni, tour guide at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site, said, “After a year of pandemic-induced lockdowns, people are looking to travel again. I am so excited that leisure tourism is coming back with a bang. While natural beauty abounds in the KZN Midlands, people who are looking to travel this winter holidays will also be well advised to also take in some history linked to our nation’s hard-won freedom.” “The Nelson Mandela Capture Site is a cultural and historical exhibition that is situated at the site at which Nelson Mandela was apprehended for his anti-Apartheid activism acts in August 1952. There is a museum with videos and photographs that will give you goosebumps as the people’s Struggle is retold through sound and images,” said Nyandeni. Several owners of hotels, chalets, game lodges and holiday resorts cannot wait to welcome visitors to the KZN Midlands and have posted their amazing specials on Tourism KwaZulu-Natal’s website making travel fun and affordable – see www.zulu.org.za The general manager of the Midlands Meander, Marian Evans said, “The Midlands Meander is special because it offers its visitors an array of accommodation to choose from, beautiful autumn and cosy winter days, an abundance of wonderful cuisines and countless charming scenic areas to enjoy outdoor activities. “Parents are now more aware of focusing on creating special memories with their children and we encourage more of these family holidays or day outings together. Farms stays with the family is a must; children can enjoy a visit to Endeavour Alpacas at Nirvana Farm, fly-fishing and horse riding.” Mount Shekinah Country Hotel, near Michaelhouse School, just off the R103 in Balgowan, is a gem and a must-visit destination to include on your bucket list. The general manager of the hotel, Silindokuhle Bhengu, said, “Our location is ideal, private and peaceful, offering visitors’ scenic views and amazing hospitality. Guests can enjoy horse-riding within the property, go for a hike or get cosy in the lounge area next to the fireplace.” “We also offer group bookings for those interested in hosting a private dinner event. Whether it’s a business luncheon, a casual dinner or a celebration event, our goal is to make every meal a memorable experience.” For nature enthusiast and adventure seekers, Karkloof Canopy Tour, situated in a spectacular valley of the Karkloof Forest Reserve, offers 12 platforms and 10 zip-line slides, the longest of which is 200 metres. Kai Schulz, managing director at Karkloof Canopy Tour said, “The zip-line journey is safe and a fun adventure for people between the ages of six and 80 and over. It is the second largest indigenous forest in South Africa and is unique due to the incredible bird life which includes glimpsing emerald cuckoos, Knysna Turaco, a great variety of birds of prey and if you are lucky, the elusive Narina Trogon or endangered Cape Parrots.” “The forest also shelters a variety of mammals, but it is the loud cries of the Samango monkeys that you will remember best.” Wine lovers, couples and families will enjoy a trip to Highgate Wine Estate, which produces its very own wines, and is situated in the heart of KZN Midlands. Terri Evans, general manager of Highgate Wine Estate and Piggly Wiggly, said, “The Kassier family purchased the Highgate Farm which was then a small one-hectare vegetable farm. Thereafter, the Kassiers saw an opportunity, a need for fresh produce, and the concept of Piggly Wiggly was born. From this passion came Highgate Wine Estate, and in 2016, the first commercially produced bottle of wine was bottled and sold exclusively in their winery. Highgate now has five hectares of vines with a variety of Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz and visitors can relax and enjoy the wine-tasing and delicious foods.” Discover KZN by visiting: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU8rGVbBgCc and www.midlandsmeander.co.za

Judging is well underway for the Standard Bank KZN Top Business Awards 2021. We are delighted with the vast number of entries and the range of companies that have entered and our team is hard at work reading and scoring entries. GENERAL CATEGORIES The Awards recognise and celebrate some of the best businesses that operate in KZN across a range of different categories. Nominations of the various participants are made through Chambers of Business, CEOs, employees and clients of companies and organisations around KwaZulu-Natal. Being recognised as a top business is an important achievement, because it means that the organisation is worthy of recognition. To be eligible for a category award, entrants need to demonstrate how their companies have embraced the core values of business excellence, sustainability and responsibility, which are principles in line with the King IV Report on Corporate Governance in South Africa 2016. The companies must then motivate their reasons for being selected as a winner in one or more of the following categories which are totally new and a departure from the industry sector categories used in previous years. The first round of adjudication has been concluded and the following companies have been shortlisted in the various categories. Finalists will be drawn from these shortlists. CATEGORIES 1. Business Innovation This category is open to businesses that can demonstrate an innovative approach to products, or processes, which has contributed to the success of the business. We are interested in businesses who have pivoted their operations as a result of the pandemic. How has innovation contributed to success? The large number of businesses that entered this category well indicates the emphasis on the need for change to succeed in today’s business environment. The shortlist includes: · Imperial Armour · Adah Investments · Innovate Durban · Durban Technology Hub t/a SmartXchange · Future Farmers · Chemsol Adhesives · The Sharks · Ocean Driven Media · Greenheart Organics · Shelley Residential · Icebolethu Group · Mi7 National Group (Pty) Ltd · Woodford Group · Boxer Superstores 2. Entrepreneur Resilience This award is aimed at young business leaders between the ages of 18 and 35 who have shown exceptional leadership and exhibited entrepreneurial flair. Entrepreneurs are a different breed. They take risks where others play it safe. They see problems and answers where others see the status quo. They fend off comfort zones in the name of progress, even when it means potential failure. · Dr Fareed Amod (Crown Dental Studio) · Sizwe C Khumalo (Adah Investments) · Njabulo Maphumulo (Borderless Investment Group (Pty) Ltd) · Sihle Ndlela and Simphiwe Majozi (Majozi Bros) 3. Digital/System Implementation The winner of this award will be implementing in the digital sector to provide results that have real impact. This award is for those businesses that employ digital thinking and technologies. Shortlisted are: · Blue Security · Tag Your Delivery · Durban ICC · The Wend · Plennegy Group · Toyota South Africa Motors · Woodford Group · Beekman Group 4. Employee Wellbeing This award is for businesses that go the extra mile to engage their staff members and what difference this makes to the business. This may be through in-house training, flexible working, personal development, workplace wellbeing activity and teambuilding. The shortlist comprises: · Illovo Sugar S.A. · Imperial Armour · Capitol Caterers · King Shaka International Airport · Blue Security · Beverly Hills Hotel · Toyota South Africa Motors · MCS Debt Recovery · The Harvest Table · Beekman Group 5. Small Business Start-up This award recognises start-up businesses that have translated an idea into a successful business venture in response to Covid 19. The judges want to see to see evidence of achievements to date, where the opportunities lie and how the entrants in this category have managed their challenges, especially given the circumstances of 2020. Shortlisted are: · 1787 Wine Cellar · Sikephi App (Pty) Ltd · Tag Your Delivery · Borderless Investment Group (Pty) Ltd 6. Community and Social Responsibility This award is open to businesses or social enterprises that have made a significant positive impact on the community and region they operate in. We have had great interest in this category which is going to make it very difficult for the judges and we are astounded by the amazing initiatives that are underway in the province. · King Shaka International Airport · Blue Security · Imperial Armour · Capitol Caterers · Pro Talent · Tafta · Tronox · SLG · Toyota South Africa Motors · Ithala SOC Limited · Phindavele Creche · Tag Your Delivery · The Sharks · Illovo Sugar S.A. · Icebolethu Group · KwaZulu-Natal Joint Municipal Pension Fund · Mi7 National Group (Pty) Ltd · Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. · The Harvest Table · Beekman Group · Boxer Superstores 7. Family Business Open to businesses where the majority ownership remains within a family (or multi-family) structure, and where more than one generation contributes to the success of the business. Judges will be evaluating why these entrants are a stand-out family business and how being a family business has helped them to succeed. · Hirsch’s · Ramsi Group · Elangeni Buildings · Supertech Group · LHL Engineering · Beekman Group · The Magnolia Farm Trust (Macbanana) · The Harvest Table 8. Business Personality of the Year The Standard Bank KZN Top Business Personality award is an honorary award given to a businessperson who has demonstrated exemplary business achievement, industry influence and is a true inspiration to others. Our shortlist is: · Henk van Bemmelen · Louisa Garland · Ashok Sewnarain · Melanie Veness · Nomfundo Mcoyi · Ebrahim Patel · Giles King · Anthony McCleary 9. Top Brand The Top Brand award is judged solely by public vote. This award is much contested and much coveted by all businesses in KZN HYBRID EVENT The Standard Bank KZN Top Business awards ceremony, which will be hold on the 10 June, will be a hybrid event with the live component hosted at the ONOMO Hotel Durban‘s Topaz Restaurant & Skybar. The winners in each category will be chauffeur driven in luxury vehicles to and from the venue by Woodford Car Hire to receive their awards. You are encouraged to extend the invitation to join us online to your employees, clients, families and friends. For more information contact tracy@topbusiness.co.za

South Africa and the United Kingdom enjoy a unique and effective trade relationship that has been developed over many hundreds of years. The relationship is advantageous to both countries, and especially now in the post Brexit circumstances. South Africans may consider the Rand-Pound exchange rate advantageous for trade, and it is, but there is so much more to ensure successful international trade than relying merely on the favourable exchange rate. Rightly noted, if South Africa did not have a favourable foreign exchange rate there would be little hope of South Africa having any trade advantage at all. However, this is not enough on its own, and hence the recognition and use of networks and experienced business professionals being essential in setting up and securing profitable and sustainable international trade routes. David White and his teams at DRG and BusinessFit have since 2017 been travelling back and forth to the United Kingdom to identify these essential networks, and to meet and establish relationships with other business professionals to help open the doors to ‘simple trade’ between South Africa and the United Kingdom. The focus of these trips has been centred around the South African Chamber of Commerce in London (SACC). The SACC is an umbrella organisation and conduit for trade, community, and investment into and out of South Africa. The SACC aims to bring under one concerted effort, a forum and meeting point for businesses who have an interest in both the United Kingdom and South Africa, in an attempt to facilitate the development of business opportunities. DRG and BusinessFit joined the SACC in 2017 as Platinum members. This created the opportunity for David and his colleagues to meet and interact directly with SACC Exco and board members, to be involved in SACC functions, and to sponsor events such as the SACC Best Entrepreneur Award. In David’s words, “As Platinum members we were given red carpet treatment, and were introduced personally to the likes of Nomatemba Tambo, Lord Peter Hain, Dennis Zietsman, and to share our passions and collaborations with CEO Sharon Constancon. Mike Miller, the past founder and CEO of the SACC, literally took us under his wing and showed us what is possible in creating opportunities for South African business leaders to learn about, understand, interact with, and successfully trade with organisations in the United Kingdom. David as CEO of DRG and chairman of BusinessFit has led the relationship development and trade conduit initiative from South Africa, and in recent months has taken on the role of South African Chapter Leader for the SACC. This role is exclusively focused on supporting trade facilitation between South Africa and the United Kingdom, and vice versa. David says this role is critical in bridging the gap in ensuring successful trade for new market entrants between South Africa and the United Kingdom. David says that setting up a simple trade conduit has been his primary focus since 2017. The help and guidance from members of the SACC Exco and a business assessment process, developed by himself and Mike Miller, has aided the process incredibly well. Successes to date have included introducing: · A South African accounting firm to a United Kingdom organisation to learn about providing back-end bookkeeping services to United Kingdom companies · An organisation teaching painting skills in rural areas in South Africa to various outlets in the United Kingdom to sell their completed painted items that have been converted into bags, table runners, cushion covers, etc. · A South African chocolate manufacturer seeking new markets in the United Kingdom · A successful South African farming company using rural farmers to grow crops appropriate for United Kingdom markets · A South African scientist who created a portable pyrolysis machine that converts plastic into biofuel, and many more interesting initiatives. The aim is always to keep the process as simple as possible, helping entrepreneurs and pioneering business leaders to better understand local market conditions in the United Kingdom, and being introduced into networks and to industry specialists. One of the first questions we ask business leaders, says David, is, “Have you been successfully trading in South Africa, as if you have not yet been successful in South Africa, then what makes you consider that your products will sell successfully in the United Kingdom.” A second question… “Are you aware of the sophisticated United Kingdom market, and have you considered the reasons your products will be able to compete within the global economy.” The process encourages entrepreneurs and business leaders to recognise that the United Kingdom has trade partners from across the world, and that as the United Kingdom is a large consumer of goods and services, only best quality and well-priced products and services will be attractive to consumers, industry, and government. In discussions with South African entrepreneurs and business leaders, we often find that there is a limited awareness of international business practices and expectations. In these circumstances we assist these business leaders with sustainability discussions, ensuring that matters such as cold chain management, timeliness in shipping goods from South Africa, governance, reporting and standards, payment term norms, etc., are well considered and included into business models and cash flow projections. The South Africa Chapter Leader function includes providing trade support for companies moving (or considering moving) from the United Kingdom to South Africa. Setting up business operations in a new country is as everyone can imagine, enormously complex, and requires suitable support partners in banking, human resources, legal, accounting, B-BBEE, market intelligence, mobility and other. These South African support partners are affiliated to the SACC and provide confidence to international companies enquiring and engaging assistance to ensure their in-country operation is compliant and following governance and best practice expectation within South Africa. The SACC is largely made up of South African people, who are well known for not only their ability to ‘make things happen’, but also for their supporting, kind, and engaging manner. The SACC takes an interest in everyone, and according to the membership category the organisation has chosen, so too is effort and support shared. As an example, an SME member will receive newsletter and website exposure, invention opportunities, introductions, and an ability to contribute to the community awards evening. A Platinum member will receive these same benefits plus specifically tailored projects designed to meet member’s needs, engagements and introductions, round table meetings, webinars specific to the company’s service/product, seminars, speaking at events, tailored face to face functions, and more. There are individual membership categories, as well as the Silver, Gold and Strategic categories. The SACC has close ties with the British Chamber, and the two organisations are able to work together to support trade between South Africa and the United Kingdom. Members of the SACC therefore have a huge advantage in being able to access information, tap into existing networks, receive support and encouragement, and gain insights into possible new opportunities. Deciding if your business is going to be successful and sustainable in trading internationally starts with discovering your organisation’s specific target market and working through the value chain to ensure there is advantage to potential customers and consumers. This is the work of the SACC and their networks. To support the achievement of these goals, the SACC has chapter leaders in many specific locations, each chamber leader defining their portfolio around specific local member needs, but all are focused on encouraging effective trade into and out of South Africa and the United Kingdom. The chapter leaders include: John Mulder – Emerald Isle; Natalie Finlayson and Maree Wilms – Professional Women; Tania Verdonk – East of England; Ferial Puren – Scotland; June Whiteman – Isle of Man; and David White – South Africa. For anyone wishing to know more about how the SACC can support their desire to help their business thrive in an international market, specifically the United Kingdom, we look forward to speaking and sharing our passion with you. You will do well to visit our organisation website www.southafricanchamber.co.uk contacting David White, or any of the specific area SACC chapter leaders.

Curriculum reform needed to match the skills revolution HIGHER education institutions have long been considered to be the repositories of knowledge and learning and the structures through which knowledge is produced and disseminated. They have survived sweeping societal changes created by technology – the moveable-type printing press, previous industrial revolutions, information and communication technologies, electronic media and computers. Today, however, higher education institutions appear to be susceptible to technology disruption as much as other information-centric industries such as the news media, magazines and journals, encyclopaedias, music, movies and TV. This can be reflected in the fact that the transmission of knowledge does not have to be tethered to a fixed location or campus. The technical affordability of cloud-based computing, Artificial Intelligence-based learning platforms, massive open online courses, high-quality streaming video, and “just-in-time” information gathering have pushed vast amounts of knowledge to the “placeless” World Wide Web. This has sparked a re-examination of the role of contemporary higher education institutions within society. Indeed, higher education institutions are being disrupted by a wide variety of social and technological forces. Developments including the globalisation of services work, the increasing value of domain expertise, rapid developments in educational technology and the rise of online open courses are creating both challenges and opportunities for incumbents as well as new entrants. The unbundling of research, educational delivery, content and block chain certification means that new business models and ways of engaging students will be at the heart of future higher education landscape. With the world in a state of major transition, education in general, and higher education in particular, becomes critical in this seismic shift because the transitions being experienced are centred on two essential elements – knowledge and skills. In addition, the pace of the decay of knowledge has increased significantly. In the past, a university student would enrol for a degree, graduate, and live off the knowledge obtained for at least 10 years. Today, by the time a qualification is achieved, the knowledge and competencies need to be refreshed. By just about any measure, the pace of decay of knowledge is increasing. One of the implications of this rising pace of knowledge decay is that we must be specialists. Without world-class expertise in our domain we are reduced to being commodities. As these pools of deep knowledge around the world are connected, the phenomenon of collective intelligence is beginning to emerge. While this idea is not new, it is only in the last decade that we have become so richly connected through technology that collective intelligence is moving from a dream to reality. This is a major shift in who we are, our human identity, and in how we learn. A former director of Xerox PARC laboratory, John Seely, wrote in 2011 that the half-life of a skill is five years (and shrinking). This means that half of what is learnt today will become obsolete in five years or less. This idea is receiving a great deal of attention from leaders of higher education institutions, who must plan for a future in which students will need to keep learning new skills ever more frequently before and after they graduate. The advent of and necessity for continual re-skilling will impact most on the graduate professional education segment, which has traditionally been structured around one- and two-year Master’s degree programmes. A widely held view is that such graduates will consume this lifelong learning in short spurts when they need it, rather than in relatively lengthier blocks of time as is the case presently. However, the most important challenge will involve a shift in the way students consume higher education. Participation in tertiary education is set to increase. New educational technologies could open the doors to new knowledge for a wider audience, if the current social stratification of access and usage patterns could be overcome. Consequently, higher education institutions like Regent Business School are learning to be nimbler, entrepreneurial, student-focused and accountable for what students learn. New learning styles and mounting financial and sustainability pressures are impacting the education landscape. Equally, there appear to be many trends, pressures, and concerns that society through its political and economic leadership is imposing on higher education institutions. A cacophony of voices, a diversity of expectations and contradictory requests are all evident. There is no doubt that the world finds itself in a precarious situation where constant change is ubiquitous and responses are slow. Moreover, it has been frequently argued that higher education is a “consumer market”. Such a market would exceed a billion “customers” with varying behaviour and demands. Higher education institutions will have to adapt to changing consumer behaviour trends, while maintaining a focus on the balance between disciplinary skills, in demand skills and employability competences. In today’s job market there is an increasing need for training and retraining of individuals. Thus, a focus on job-oriented education and on economic participation is driving an emphasis on relevance or on what can be called vocationalism – and thus changing the demand structure for higher education with profound effects on the support of, demand for, and appropriate preparation of participants for a rapidly changing job market that requires 21st century skills and competencies. In the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and its attendant skills revolution) the number of jobs involving routine skills has shrunk as a result of increased automation. AI technologies like machine learning and computer vision are permanently eliminating low-skill jobs. The trend in economies is to turn from manufacturing to service, in which most new jobs do not require advanced education. Rather, human skill in creativity, imagination and problem-solving will become key differentiators in a hybrid workforce that involves collaboration between human talent and technology in the form of smart machines and robots. Finally, in conceding that education in general and higher education in particular are on the brink of huge disruptions, two questions have become paramount. What should young people be learning? And what credentials will indicate that they would be ready for the workforce? We believe that in order to remain relevant, higher education will have to fundamentally reorganise its current (post-industrial) model and engage in deep curriculum reform in order to match the skills revolution required for a complex and uncertain future. Visit our website www.regent.ac.za for more information.

Newly appointed SLG Group CEO Mzi Tyhokolo has a 20 year track record in the gas industry, with 14 of those years being at SLG and six at Sasol Gas. Mzi has been a member of the SLG executive team in charge of various functions in the business for the last five years contributing to the strategic management of the organisation and supporting the two previous chief executive officers in the implementation of the business strategy. Mzi has a proven track record in organisational strategy development and implementation, business development and sales, managing customer and stakeholder relationships, contract negotiations, implementation of key accounts management strategies, market development, formulating marketing and sales strategies, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) operations management and managing strategic projects. One of his notable achievements in SLG was the successful implementation and completion of the CNG project in 2016. Mzi led the development of the CNG concept, the development of the project to financial close, and subsequently managed the project to completion and commissioning, ultimately becoming the new business’s first general manager. This is now the largest CNG operation in southern Africa by volume compressed. Mzi is a motivated, driven and independent professional with strong relationship management, analytical, negotiation, decision making, problem-solving, communication and leadership skills. His leadership philosophy is firmly grounded on the premise that leaders need to achieve results through others and as such need to focus on developing people to realise their full potential. One of his favourite quotes is from Zig Ziglar who says, “You don’t build business, you build people, and then the people build the business.” He explains that this is one of the surest ways to create a sustainable business that has excellence in every aspect, every level and every function and most importantly, can continue to thrive long after its CEO or leader is gone. His academic qualifications include an MBA degree (UNISA), Chartered Industrial Gas Consultant (GTI, Chicago, USA), Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing ´ (UNISA),and BSc Honours (Chemistry), Rhodes University. Mzi has an interesting view about SLG and the leadership that the business needs to realise its vision “To be a first choice energy partner”. He wants to bring this vision into reality by turning SLG into the country’s leading commercial natural gas trader by 2025. He believes that SLG’s current track record, its entrepreneurial culture and the combined industry experience of its people are the three main assets to be leveraged to create this leading company. He also believes that galvanising SLG’s position in the natural gas space will create the foundation for the company to be a true energy partner and a significant one at that in the South African energy landscape. So in essence, his main objective is to lead SLG from good to great, and great companies are built mainly through people. The first order of this great mission is to build a culture of excellence such that the people in SLG become leaders in their respective functional areas of expertise. T: +27 (0)31 812 0555 W: www.slgas.co.za

The Minara Chamber Global Trade promotion were pleased to meet virtually with the Kenya High Commissioner in the Republic of South Africa, Catherine Muigai Mwangi and a team from the mission. Minara President, Solly Suleman welcomed Her Excellency and echoed the importance of having such an engagement to discuss programmes and initiatives that will grow and build the economy of Africa. In his remarks, Mr Suleman underscored that many investors looked abroad for opportunities adding that Africa had a lot of potential and was a source of an array of quality products and raw materials. In a rejoinder, High Commissioner, Muigai Mwangi said from South Africa emphasizing that Kenya was one of the few destinations in Africa that has been recognised for ease of doing business assuring that given its exceptional infrastructure, business investors would not face many hurdles in doing business in the country. The High Commissioner further pinpointed that Kenya had a great variety of products and was therefore looking forward to taking the discussion to the next level with South African businesspersons through tangible actions that will promote trade between both countries. W: www.minara.org.za

Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business CEO Melanie Veness was elected chair of the Association of South African Chambers (Asac) at the organisation’s annual general meeting last month. Bernadette Zeiler, CEO of the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) was elected deputy chair. Asac was established in 2019 by some of the country’s largest chambers – Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business, Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Border Kei Chamber of Business. Since then, the chambers of Middleburg, Northern Cape and George have joined Asac. Representing businesses of all sizes and across sectors, Asac collectively accounts for a significant proportion of the organised business community in South Africa. It is run by a working committee of chamber CEOs who share learnings, best practice and collaborate on matters of mutual interest, said Veness. “We’re on the ground in the trenches with businesses, both large and small, and as such, we are uniquely placed to provide meaningful input on challenges being faced by Business. Working together makes sense and we look forward to playing an active role at a national level,” she said.

Our cover photo and lead story features Hameed Noormahomed who is the Standard Bank Head of Business Clients, Client Coverage, KwaZulu-Natal. Commenting on his professional career thus far, Hameed says, “I have had an enjoyable journey and accomplished much along the way. I have walked the long road and saw opportunities instead of challenges. I dreamt big and wanted to succeed in everything that I did.” His story can be found on page 3. Newly appointed SLG Group CEO Mzi Tyhokolo has had 20 years of experience in the gas industry, with 14 of those years being at SLG and six years at Sasol Gas. See page 4. On page 5 we introduce you to Andrew Clark who is the recently appointed managing partner of Cox Yeats Attorneys, which is based in uMhlanga Ridge, KwaZulu-Natal. We are delighted to have Business Coach Marlene Powell on board as a regular columnist on page 7. Marlene is one of the top business coaches with ActionCOACH and has been coaching for the last 13 years. She is in the top 100 Action Coaches in the world and has won numerous awards. Last year she was voted as ActionCOACH’s Global Action Man of The Year for the African continent. She has won the ActionCOACH Brand Personality of the Year award for South Africa for two years running. Judging is well underway for the Standard Bank KZN Top Business Awards 2021. This year a large number of entries have been received. The shortlists appear on pages 8 and 9. The June edition of Business Sense will contain a special feature on all the winners. Our ‘Coffee with Grant’ interviews on page 10 feature Johan van Deventer, Regional Manager KZN, LabourNet and Johannes Maree, CEO Destinata Capital. Maree gives insight into the Section 12J tax programme, which is set to end on the 30 June 2021. The iLembe Chamber’s 11th annual The Entrepreneur Programme and Competition was launched on Tuesday, the 18th of May 2021. Read more on page 11. Currently, Elangeni Buildings is one of the leading family-owned building companies in KwaZuluNatal. Read more on page 13. David White and his teams at DRG and BusinessFit have since 2017 been travelling back and forth to the United Kingdom to help open the doors to ‘simple trade’ between South Africa and the United Kingdom. Read page 16. We are proud to share our growing collection of video interviews with you. One of the most powerful techniques is through QR codes. Open the camera on your phone (or use a scanning app) and hover steadily for 2-3 seconds over the QR Code to see the video.