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Nomfundo Mcoyi, is a former educator who has become a multi-skilled entrepreneur and community builder based in KwaZulu-Natal. After founding Icebolethu Funerals 10 years ago, she grew this into the Icebolethu Group, a conglomerate comprised of 10 companies. Icebolethu Group has over 100 branches in KZN and representation in the United Kingdom. The group employs over 1000 people and its funeral division holds over 400 000 funeral policies, making it one of the leaders in its industry. Nomfundo’s drive and determination have seen her transform the Icebolethu Group into a very prosperous business, yet despite this success; Nomfundo has maintained her Faith, her family values and her strong sense of community. Nomfundo’s faith, family and community play an important role in how she sees life, and this is demonstrated in her sharing her success through the establishment of the Icebolethu Foundation, Icebolethu Group Academy as well as Rhoda Girls. Nomfundo is also the chairperson of the South African Funeral Practitioners Association KZN, a shareholder at Scribante Labour Consultants and Blacksuits. Besides being an accomplished entrepreneur, Nomfundo is the author of Boardroom to the Kitchen with Nomfundo Mcoyi: From Boss Meals to Supermom Dishes. Nomfundo is also a mother of three children. Go to https://morar.co.za/webinars/ to register. See you online.

Don't miss this opportunity to hear Andre Wessels share his insights on current challenges in the business environment in the Business Leadership Shaping the Future webinar on the 07th December at 10.00am. Andre Wessels is fascinated, challenged and excited by the interaction of people and technology. He is a logical 'outside the box' thinker who has developed advanced solutions for complex business requirements. Consequently, Wessels has been responsible for managing billions worth of assets at blue chip international companies, processing millions worth of transactions per month that improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals, for the past 30 years. Wessels prides himself on being a business-minded, decisive leader with demonstrated expertise in understanding business needs and achieving the required solutions. He has a passion for delivering essential and critical business solutions via cost effective, innovative and smart technology. As a system architect, Wessels has taken a leading role in projects developing solutions that address stability, durability, maintainability, scalability, and performance criteria. The methodology developed over many years proves itself time and again where clients’ processes are individually customised and configured in the AsOne Enterprise Data Platform (EDP) system. More than 100-fold improvements achieved, are the order of the day. Go to https://morar.co.za/webinars/ to register. See you online.

Following the success of our first “Business Leadership Shaping the Future” webinar we are delighted to invite you to the second in the series. This will be hosted at 10.00 am on 7 December. The first event gave much insight into the importance of effective leadership in adapting to current challenges in the business environment. Significantly, Covid-19 has not only created challenges but provided opportunities. How we manage these and other dynamics in our businesses will certainly impact on their sustainability, especially in an environment of uncertainty. Roshan Morar, David White and Grant Adlam look forward to hosting you at this event. Please click HERE to register now

MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION FACILITY UNDER DEVELOPMENT The Cato Ridge Logistics and Intermodal Hub, now more aptly referred to as the Cato Ridge Dry Port (CRDP), has been the topic of discussion in the transportation and logistics corridors for many years. Some of the views expressed by those who call themselves industry specialists are that Cato Ridge is an ideal location as an intermodal, or even a multimodal transportation facility. ADVANTAGEOUS LOCATION The location on a strategic intersection of the Natcor railway line, the N3 freeway and the soon to be decommissioned Durban Johannesburg Pipeline (DJP) and positioned between the busiest port and the primary economic node on the African continent, certainly supports this view. There have also been many prophets of doom, claiming this location to be either too far or too close to the Port of Durban to make economic, or logistical sense, predicting that a dry port in Cato Ridge will never see the light of day. However, for those who use the truck congested N3 freeway, for those who work, live or play in the vicinity of the ‘back of port’ area, for those who sit, work and even live in their trucks for days on end, waiting to either collect or drop off cargo in the port, or those logistics operators and traders who have to cope with increasing costs and decreasing predictability and reliability, there is stark realisation that the status quo is not sustainable. Understanding that the Port of Durban has very limited scope for expansion, especially for back of port activities and onsite freight handling, that the over reliance on road freight and a skewed road to rail ratio is further stifling or smothering the port and that if we are already struggling to cope with existing freight volumes, how are we ever going to cope with doubled volumes in the not too distant future, then one has come to understand the logic of the Cato Ridge Dry Port. The area of Cato Ridge with its surrounding, predominantly rural and impoverished AmaXimba Community, located roughly midway between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, presents a series of unique social, economic, environmental and spatial challenges and opportunities. Merging the social needs surrounding this area, with the vast economic potential, stimulated by transportation, logistics and manufacturing sectors and executed in an environmentally sustainable manner, presents an opportunity too good to be ignored by both government and business interests. DEVELOPING THE DREAM It is against this background that the Cato Ridge Logistics Hub Consortium (CRLHC) as the project owners and developers, acting on behalf of and representing the AmaXimba Community in this development, has conceptualised, planned, packaged and is now in the process of developing and even operationalising this dream. Those who described this as “a pipe dream”, are now waking up to a reality where the Dry Port is ready to start operations and where: · A business structuring model, with clear community ownership and involvement, has been concluded between CRLHC and the AmaXimba Development Trust (ADT). · Optimal coordination, alignment and integration is facilitated, and regulatory applications are processed, with the support of a Project Facilitation Team, co-convened by Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) and the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality Chief Operations Officer. · A land purchasing framework has been developed to secure phased access to short, medium, and longer term development phases of the project · A heads of agreement between CRLHC and Transnet, which outlines the respective roles and responsibilities and various operational modalities in respect of rail and terminal facilities, is in the final phases of conclusion and is ready for signing · A heads of agreement between CRLHC and Engen has been concluded in respect of the development of a truck stop and staging facility · The conceptual design for the new KwaXimba N3 Interchange has been concluded and environmental impact assessment for this strategic intermodal infrastructure component is soon to be completed · A bulk services agreement between CRLHC and the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality is being negotiated and is facilitated by the eThekwini Chief of Operations Office; and last but definitely not least · A transformation strategy has been developed in full collaboration and in partnership with the AmaXimba Development Trust, representing the community and recognising their ownership in the project, to guide the implementation of community development and empowerment programmes and projects. PROJECT COMPOSITION The Cato Ridge Dry Port is a R18 billion project to be rolled out over the next 25 to 30 years and is comprised of: · An interim rail terminal to handle approximately 90K TEUs per annum, to be expanded to a fully-fledged dry port intermodal facility with capacity to handle 500K TEUs. This will be supported by SARS customs services to manage freight clearance and bonded warehousing facilities · A truck stop and staging facility to accommodate 300 parking bays with all ancillary support structures for drivers, as well as vehicle maintenance and testing · Logistics parks to accommodate warehousing, freight handling logistics and freight preparation facilities · An industrial park to accommodate manufacturing opportunities presented by its close proximity to the Dry Port and Logistics land uses; and in the longer term · A tank farm as a strategic fuel storage facility. It is important to conclude by emphasising that the CRLHC is implementing this project as an agent of the community and the community is not merely regarded as an incidental beneficiary of the development. The community owns this development in partnership with its development agent, the CRLHC. W: www.crlhc.co.za

Opening 1 December 2020 The installation of an imaginative, world-class playground at Gateway Theatre of Shopping takes children from the heights of the iconic uMhlanga lighthouse, to the fascinating depths of the Indian Ocean. Located in the outdoor Palm Court, the beautifully structured Lighthouse & Ocean Play area, is ideally placed for families to keep an eye on their children while enjoying a meal at one of the many outside restaurants. “Our intention with the Lighthouse & Ocean Play area is to create an engaging setup for kids to explore while their parents relax,” says Gateway Theatre of Shopping General Manager, Feysel Potgieter. The playground captures aspects of the North Coast’s personality and will be a permanent installation. “It’s aesthetically beautiful and adds to the overall Gateway Theatre of Shopping experience,” says Potgieter. “We are delighted with how our local coastline has been incorporated. The iconic eye-catching uMhlanga lighthouse, the hammerhead shark, yellowfin tuna, and seaweed are featured,” says Marketing Manager, Michelle Shelley. Activities The playground inspires hours of fascination for kids from as young as 4, up to 10 years old. The flow of the activities is designed to spark children’s curiosity and imagination. Moving around the 10m x 4m area, they encounter surfaces, objects and cavities begging to be explored. As a free play area, children are able to manoeuvre themselves under, over, through and on the structures. “The Lighthouse and Ocean Play is made for kids to climb, balance, slide, crawl, and hang on. We encourage them to find their way around, play and have fun,” says Potgieter. The Lighthouse Venturing into the lighthouse through either of two entrances, children climb the spiral stairs before reaching the tower where they can view the surroundings, before sliding into the seascape below. Twisting down the enclosed 3m slide, they slow down at an open section in the submarine world. Here they can stretch their bodies and imaginations and listen to the waves crashing. Hammerhead shark With its odd elongated head, this hammerhead shark is a friendly predator who likes to be played with. A local in our North Coast waters, the hammerhead shark can see far and wide thanks to the extra distance between his eyes positioned at either end of his hammer-shaped head. “Ride on his back, crawl inside him and balance through him. That’s what he’s here for,” says Potgieter. Yellowfin tuna Swimming through the seaweed alongside the hammerhead, are two of the fastest, strongest fish to be found off our beaches. With their distinctive dark grey and yellow bodies, yellowfin tuna are shaped like torpedoes to outpace their prey and predators. “We’ve included them as a well-known local species,” says Potgieter. “Children can move under, over, and around them, hanging and climbing on their replicated bodies.” Seaweed and seabed Seaweed stretches up from the ground, giving children something to hold on to for balance, or move around. Ribbons of colour track the currents’ swirling paths along the rubberised seabed. Safety As part of Gateway Theatre of Shopping, the playground is under CCTV surveillance but will not be managed by child minders. Parents need to watch their children as it is used at their own risk. With children’s safety as a priority, the ‘seabed’ is constructed with specialised impact protection flooring. Fun to play on as it’s smooth and soft underfoot, the flooring is designed to cushion the body’s joints and ligaments. Covid-19 protocols will be in place, including the wearing of masks, sanitising hands before entry, and social distancing. Distributed by Shirley Williams Communications If you would like more photos call Shirley on 0833031663 or shirley@shirleywilliams.co.za - or witmagnolia99@gmail.com . The parents of all children featured in these photographs have signed their approval for photographs to be used in the media.

What is Relevant Now? eRelevant is all about  remaining relevant to your customers. It’s what your tagline refers to. It’s about being relevant today and into the future. Whether you are in Retail Industry Lending, Data, Fuel, Insurance, or are looking to further your digital commerce presence with speed-to-market. Taking a flexible and adaptable approach Taking a flexible and adaptable approach to your digital transformation by embracing ambiguity, considering various career paths, and continuously learning can prepare you for the change ahead and enable you to adapt and embrace that change. As individuals, we need to constantly evolve, not only to meet the demands of our employers, but also our own personal career goals. In the next part of this series, we will highlight practitioners who have successfully applied these recommendations and continue to build the skills needed for the future of work. www.zambezzi.com

Amanda Mnguni proves that learnerships unlock sustainable employment opportunities. Amanda Mnguni is addressing the 400 learners at EduPower Skills Academy and she commands the room as she is a respected role model. Just 12 months ago, Amanda was one of the learner’s, but she grasped every opportunity the learnership offered and has rightfully earned her place as a full-time employee on the EduPower team. Amanda’s learnership journey began when she was retrenched. With five years working experience, some of which was in a managerial position, the 27-year old began looking for another job but her options were limited by her disability. “I have limited hearing so I cannot work in a noisy environment. I applied for various positions but with no response and I became very concerned about how would support my baby. That’s when a friend suggested I should apply for a learnership at EduPower,” Amanda explains. Doing a learnership appealed to Amanda as she had a matric but no other qualification. She researched learnerships and the Academy and liked what she saw. Learnerships are 12-month skills development programmes that consist of 30% theoretical training and 70% work-based experience. They increase employability as the deliberate focus on practical experience prepares learners for the working world. “The learnership offered me the opportunity to get a recognised qualification and gain practical work experience at the same time. And the fact that I could earn while I learned sealed the deal,” she says. Amanda was enrolled for a National Certificate in Information Technology: End User Computing. The NQF Level 3 qualification was combined with practical work experience which takes place in EduPower’s unique, custom-fitted contact centre. The Academy sources live campaigns for the learners so that they gain relevant, market-related experience and as both the training and work experience take place under one roof, its learners are introduced to working a regular five-day week, eight hours a day. “Due to my hearing impairment, I was very concerned about calling people on the phone but from day one, EduPower accommodated my disability and made me feel part of the family,” Amanda explains. While she was doing very well, a couple of months into her learnership Amanda had a new opportunity. EduPower needed additional hands to help with basic office work and true to the Academy’s ethos of developing workplace skills, they looked to their learners first. “I applied for the role and I was among the five learners selected. It was a steep learning curve but working with the team helped me to understand the administration required for learnerships and provided an introduction Skills Development and B-BBEE too,” Amanda explains. As she was a willing and fast learner, Amanda excelled in the position. She proved to be a valuable addition to the team and when EduPower decided to create a full-time position, Amanda was invited to apply. This time however, she was up against experienced candidates. “The Client Liaison Assistant role was advertised extensively. Fortunately, I had the skills and experience required but it was still such a sense of achievement when I learned I was successful. I started as a full-time employee at EduPower in November 2019 when my learnership ended,” she adds. Amanda’s appointment not only confirmed her new skills and improved employability, it also unlocked five bonus points for absorption for her learnership sponsor. This win-win for both the sponsor as well as the learner delivers on the true intention of B-BBEE Skills Development. “The learnership at EduPower prepared me for the position I’m in today but I realise there is so much more I need to learn. I am currently doing an NQF Level 5 in Generic Management as well as a facilitation course,” says Amanda. “My goal is to train new learners when they join EduPower. I have been given such an incredible opportunity here and I want to share this with our recruits by playing a role in developing their skills so that when they finish, they have everything they need to start building their careers.” Press release disseminated on Behalf of: Rajan Naidoo Managing Director of EduPower Skills Academy Disseminated by: Tayla Gibson Account Manager Say Watt

The annual South Africa Investment Conference has in 2020 raised over R109 Billion in investments through projects that will reignite the economy and drive employment. “Blythedale Coastal Estate” was included in the Presidential led list of projects that will impact in growing the SA economy. Blythedale Coastal Estate is a catalytic project for KZN and now has the support of national government. The development is further set to deliver on creating 1000’s of SMME’s through an initiative called “Shift Africa” a business model that puts true business ownership into the hands of the local communities where catalytic projects happen. Shift Africa is launching on the 27 th of November 2020. We want to thank our clients and partners for their patience, commitment and understanding while we worked to get this point in delivering what will be the best address on the KZN North Coast and will truly rival all estates in SA, as a truly integrated home for our owners. Mark Taylor and the Elan Team

Future-focused research for impact – growing leaders for social change REGENT BUSINESS SCHOOL is on the cusp of a significant step change in its conceptualisation of its role in Higher Education in Africa. Since the institution has become a member of the Honoris United Universities, a network of Pan-African private higher education institutions, it has stepped up its innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership imperatives. The intention is to produce graduates who not only have the ability to shed light on the complex, interrelated and unpredictable nature of change we are experiencing in our world, but to adjust to, and take advantage of, a rapidly changing economy. The accreditation of the Doctorate of Business Administration could therefore not have come at a better time: it provides an opportunity to identify a unique focus and identity for this degree. Over the last weeks, REGENT BUSINESS SCHOOL has hosted webinars to help construct this identity. In the webinars preceding the launch webinar, we asked two questions: what should we do differently (epistemologies, designs and methodologies); and, what should we be researching (local, national and continental social and economic issues for sustainability). In the launch webinar we asked: given the social and economic contexts, what is the future that we need? And then, what role can the REGENT DBA play in helping to determine this future? The REGENT BUSINESS SCHOOL Doctorate in Business Administration is therefore actively pursuing theoretical and conceptual frameworks to support social innovation, which signals the imperative to drive social change with transformational benefits to society. Prof Ahmed Bawa, from Universities South Africa, responded to these questions by reminding us that, while Covid-19 is a major disruptor, it is evident that prior to the pandemic, there were many disruptions already underway: the so-called 4th Industrial Revolution; decolonisation; workplace transformations, and geopolitical changes to the world economy; to name only a few. Thus, for the DBA, to make real contributions to the ‘renewal of humanity’, it must interrogate the perplexing socio-economic problems facing the country, the region, and the globe. These issues need new ways of thinking: innovative and creative approaches that will help solve the big socio-economic problems within the current contexts. Doctorate of Business Administration graduates should be ethical corporate citizens that will undertake research for impact. Dr Ahmed Shaikh, the Managing Director of REGENT BUSINESS SCHOOL, largely agreed, and pointed out that the massive health, social and economic fall-out brought on by Covid-19 has also laid bare the deep structural challenges in the global Higher Education sector. Some of these challenges relate to unequal access and to the urgent need to transform the curriculum. Indeed, the question he asked is whether it isn’t time to completely reconceptualise the Higher Education system. For example, Dr Shaikh is of the view that, in meaningfully combining the old with the new, especially with the use of appropriate technologies, Higher Education can help reformulate the curriculum to be more responsive to those skills and capabilities that will enable us to change the future for ourselves and our communities. The Doctorate of Business Administration, and Higher Education more generally, must respond with collaborative agility, and an openness to experiment with new ways of constructing knowledge. REGENT BUSINESS SCHOOL therefore puts its stake in the ground with a Manifesto for a new era of development. The Manifesto calls for the Higher Education system to embrace a more fluid, more contingent world, to create more permeable and transformative relationships within their communities and beyond, to wider society. This will only be possible through imagination, creativity and critical thinking as key 221st Century skills at the core of its renewed curriculum, pedagogy, technologies and disciplines. He concluded by saying that “we need to ensure that our students will graduate into a world that they can help shape with wisdom and skill, while building a future society we would want future generations to live in”. By registering for the Doctorate of Business Administration, you are joining REGENT BUSINESS SCHOOL in our aspiration to grow leaders for social change by undertaking research for impact.

Many companies have limped their way through lockdown and have survived by cutting costs, predominantly through retrenching employees, and developing innovative business strategies to align with a changed market. The net result: companies have let go employees who have the know-how to commercially cripple their businesses by either competing with them, or "stealing" their clients. Companies are now desperately seeking to protect their proprietary interests to curtail this undesired effect. The mechanism to do so is a restraint of trade clause in the employment contract. In order to enforce a restraint of trade, the company would generally endeavour to first obtain an undertaking from the employee that the employee will abide by the restraint. Should the employee refuse, court proceedings would need to be instituted, usually on an urgent basis. The question, however, is whether a restraint of trade can be enforced during a pandemic? Principles Restraint of trade clauses generally have two aspects: a noncompete clause, which prohibits the employee from having an interest in or being employed by a competitor, and a non-solicitation clause, preventing an employee from taking clients away from the employer. Whether a restraint of trade clause is enforceable depends on several factors. Firstly, the employer must have a proprietary interest worth protecting. These interests include trade secrets, know-how and their client base. The proprietary interest to be protected must be weighed up against the limitation placed on the employee's freedom to trade, in other words, the employee's right to earn a living using the skills and expertise of their profession or occupation. In the case of Magna Alloys and Research (SA) (Pty) Ltd v Ellis 1984 (4) SA 874 (A), the Court confirmed that a restraint of trade clause is enforceable until proven otherwise - reinforcing our common law principle that all South Africans are free to contract as they see fit. The onus is therefore on the restrained employee to prove that the restraint of trade clause is not only unreasonable, but contrary to public policy. In making a determination on whether a restraint is unreasonable and against public policy, the Court will consider various factors including the duration of the restraint, the area in which the employee is restrained from operating and whether the employee is able to earn a living. Importantly, the Court held in the Magna case that it will look at all the facts and circumstances that are prevalent at the time the restraint is sought to be enforced, and not only the commercial climate in which the contact was originally concluded. The Court acknowledged that the circumstances may be drastically different from those that were relevant when the contract was concluded. The Current Circumstances: COVID-19 According to Stats SA, the South African economy shed 2.2 million jobs in the second quarter of 2020 - the largest quarter to quarter decline since the survey started in 2008. To state the obvious, the pandemic has clearly had a negative impact. Judges will be cognisant of the shift in the economy and will be loath to enforce restraint of trade clauses in circumstances where an employee, due to COVID-19, has been retrenched but is being prevented from putting bread on the table due a restraint of trade. So how do companies protect their proprietary interests in these trying times? A pragmatic approach to restraint of trade clauses Companies should consider constraining their restraint of trade clauses to protect only those proprietary interests which are essential to the success of the business. It would, in the writer's view, be difficult for a Court to declare a restraint of trade unenforceable in circumstances where it protects those proprietary interests without which the business would collapse and potentially more jobs would be lost. As a restraint of trade can only be enforced when there is an agreement in place, the most pertinent time to obtain the restraint is when the employee first concludes the employment contract, alternatively, when an employee is promoted as the offer of promotion will be on new terms and conditions between the parties. In the current economic climate, it is advisable to review all restraint clauses to align them with the principles set out in the Magna case, including tailoring them such that they are considered to be reasonable and not against public policy. Please contact us should you require assistance or advice for your Corporate & Natural Resources matters. Contact us on: Wayne Ogilvie T: +27 (0)31 536 8527 E: wogilvie@coxyeats.co.za Adrian Krige T: : +27 (0)31 536 8567 E: akrige@coxyeats.co.za

ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY PRESENTS #DFF2020 MENTEES FASHION SHOWCASE! In living up to its slogan of ‘The Show Goes On’ , the much-anticipated Durban Fashion Fair (#DFF2020) Class of 2020 show is ready to showcase the work of designer mentees and new face models next month. The show will be hosted simultaneously with the Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) Recognition Awards that rewards excellence in the industry on Friday evening, 11 December at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. This event will not only celebrate the fascination of fashion but also introduce newcomers (models and designers) to the world of fashion – a move that could prove central to growing Durban’s clothing and textile industries and boosting the city’s economy. The close association between the world of fashion and the economy stretches further as the DFF is an integral part of the broader Durban Business Fair (DBF) programme. This premier business gathering (DBF), proudly hosted by eThekwini Municipality through the Business Support, Tourism and Markets Unit, has reflected the local government’s commitment to boosting business growth for more than 21 years. It is an integral part of the City’s Economic Recovery Plan which aims to uplift the economy as well as develop the skills amongst the youth. The exciting DFF Class of 2020 event will officially mark the end of an intensive five-month learning period for a diverse group of young designers who range from self-taught to recent graduates from fashion schools across the City. They have honed their creative skills under the guidance of the Fezile Fashion Skills Academy and the Fezile Mdletshe Fashion Agency based in KwaMashu. So, it is time to dress up, bring out your fashion bling and join us on this one-night spectacular. You can expect the best that local fashion has to offer and find out who will walk away with the following sought-after awards - the Best Ladies’ Wear Collection, the Best Menswear Collection, the Next Generation/ Emerging Durban Designer of the Year, the Fashion Innovator and the Collection of the Week. Guests can also look forward to the DFF New Faces Award, and the prestigious Durban Designer of the Year Award as well as who will be our three rising designer stars from the Class of 2020. Showcasing their creations on the catwalk are the following #DFF2020 designer mentees: Akhona Dlamini, Bongekile Cele, Bayanda Motunane, Judaine Naidoo, Londiwe Ndlovu, Mbali Zulu, Nompumelelo Mjadu, Nongcebo Mchunu, Nonhlanhla Shange, Phiwo Sithole, Sandile Sikhakhane, Sipho Lushaba, Sithembile Mncwango, Slindile Msa, Terrence Luthuli, Thoba Mbelu, Thokozile Zwane, Waalid Mohammed, Yolanda Samson and Zodwa Makhado. Their garments will be modelled by the #DFF2020 new face female models: Mbali Buthelezi, Minenhle Shinga, Nokukhanya Bulose, Nokwethemba Zondo, Nombulelo Mthembu, Sanelisiwe Mngoma, Sebolelo Hlabi, Sinenhlanhla Mthethwa, Thobekile Mzila, Uviwe Tonga, Zandile Sikhakhane, Zobaphi Hlongwa – not to forget our new face male models: Malik Ibrahim, Melusi Ngcobo, Mluleki Hlophe, Ndabezinhle Msomi, Simphiwe Zulu, Siyabonga Jompolo, Sizwe Mchunu and Vukile Magwaza. One thing is certain, this is not a night to miss out on. If you’re looking forward to all the fashion action and celebrity entertainment, book now as seats are limited. All Covid 19 protocols will be in place to ensure the safety of both our new talents and visitors to the show. Tickets for the evening are on sale via webtickets.co.za or at Pick ‘n Pay outlets. They are priced at R150 per person. We are looking forward to seeing you all as we celebrate the best that local fashion has to offer on Friday, December 11th from 18h30 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. Follow all the fashion action on our DFF Facebook page: Durban Fashion Fair or on Twitter / Instagram @Dbnfashion_fair or #DFF 2020.

Enter the DCC Business Accelerator Programme and kick-start your business’ idea with the support of South Africa’s business leaders. Do you have a bold business idea that has the potential to be a gamechanger in your industry? If you are an aspiring entrepreneur or you are already running a small business, enter the Durban Chemical Cluster (DCC) Business Accelerator Programme and put yourself in the running to win R50 000 seed capital for your business. In addition to the grand prize, the first runner up will receive R20 000 and the second runner-up, R10 000. Meghan King, Executive of the Durban Chemical Cluster Business Accelerator Programme says that while the cash prizes are a great incentive, the real win for the top three businesses is the opportunity to participate in a 4-month hands-on mentorship programme with some of South Africa’s business leaders. Upon completion, this can unlock up to R2 million for each business in preferential loans. “South Africa is home to an abundance of individuals who have worthy business concepts, yet these often go unfulfilled as the people with the ideas don’t have the means to develop them,” Meghan explains. “The Business Accelerator Programme aims to identify innovative products and services and fast track the time needed to market or scale these ideas by giving the entrepreneur access to the expertise and resources they need to unlock massive growth potential,” says Meghan. The DCC Business Accelerator Programme is open to all entrepreneurs, small businesses and established SMME’s nationwide. To enter, candidates need to submit their innovative ideas and projects by completing an online application by Friday, 4 December 2020. These will be screened by a panel of judges who will identify and invite the top 20 candidates to a capacity building workshop in Durban on Tuesday, 8 December. “The full-day, highly interactive session is an extraordinary opportunity for the candidates to network with leading business people and learn about their experiences of launching successful businesses. These experts will also be helping the candidates fine-tune their business pitches which they will present at the end of the day,” says Meghan. “The top 10 pitches will qualify for the second round of judging which is modelled on the “Dragon’s Den” concept. These finalists will have the opportunity to deliver their pitches the following day to a panel of business experts and investors who will select the three winning businesses concepts,” Meghan adds. While the top three will automatically qualify for the mentorship programme, the panel of judges also have the option to nominate additional candidate for this prestigious prize. “Last year, five of the top 10 candidates were awarded the business mentorship programme so even if you aren’t selected as one of our winners, there is still a huge opportunity to develop your business,” Meghan explains. The 2020 DCC Business Accelerator Programme is certain to repeat the success of the previous two programmes. Started by the same companies that are still the main sponsors today, Ferro Polymers and NCS Resins, their intention with the programme is to make a meaningful difference to the development of small enterprises. This is achieved by driving more impact, transformation and going above and beyond to ensure a partnership for development with these small enterprises. For more information on the DCC Business Accelerator Programme or if you want to enter visit https://durbanchemicalscluster.org.za/business-accelerator/ . Entries close on Friday, 4 December 2020.