In just over a month, the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business will present the 2022 Business Awards at its scintillating annual banquet. Sponsored by Investec, the awards and banquet is one of the highlights on the city’s calendar that pays tribute to the achievements of the chamber’s top companies. The gala event at the Royal Showgrounds on Friday, 11 November will recognise eight awards. The awards on offer include four Business of the Year accolades - manufacturing, services sector, retail and professional and state-owned enterprises - in addition to the recognition for the top medium enterprise, small business, champion entrepreneur, franchisee of the year, and social enterprise of the year. The Chamber’s awards programme aims to recognise members who establish a track record of merited achievement over and above the median level. Accordingly, invite nominations/entries from anyone within the PMCB membership are invited to nominate a company, an entity or an individual as the case may be, or a company, an entity or individual may enter on their own initiative. Companies and individuals have until Wednesday, 19 October to submit their applications. For more information visit www.pmcb.org.za

Nineteen South African high achieving individuals, independent companies and community figures have been shortlisted for the coveted annual awards hosted by the Minara Chamber of Commerce on the 28th October in Durban this year. Solly Suleman, President of the Business Chamber, said the independent adjudication panel were most impressed with the calibre of nominations received from across South Africa and the phenomenal business and community development activities that are being carried out by South Africans. In the Business Entity of the Year category, the three finalists are Plastimed Liquid Packaging, Natal Box Factory and Regent Business School. The Businessperson of the Year finalists are Hanif Salat of Elegant Line Trading t/a Copper Chimney, Sabah Collection and Chill-Zone; Mohammed Amra, Pam Golding Franchisee owner and Yusuf Bux, Director of Multiwood Furniture and Appliance. Shortlisted for the Businesswoman of the Year category are Mariam Tayob Cassim, Zahida Kara Sulaiman and Rooksana Moodan. Author Fiona Khan, Dr Shabnam Abdoola and Invest SA CEO Yunus Hoosen are the three contenders in the Professional of the Year Category 2022. The Young Entrepreneur finalists include Talha Motala, Spirit Wood Investments, Moosa Bux founder of Pedros and Yusuf Arbee of IV Wellness Institute. South Africans are doing dynamic community work around South Africa and internationally so selecting three Community Builders was indeed a difficult choice. Given our first time ever experience of a pandemic, July 2021 unrest and recent floodings the decision was to recognise each of the following individuals for leading and successfully carrying out their responsibilities of donor contributions and the same time assisting South Africans at the time of emergency and need. Each individual has sacrificed their family and personal time in ensuring assistance was carried out timeously with the support of their teams. These four individuals for 2022 are: · Azhar Vadi of Salaam Foundation · Yasiera Mahomed Suliman of Caring Sisters Network and an executive member of Islamic Medical Association · Ahmed Paruk a community activist who has immensely contributed to the burials and community development in various aspects · Ashref Ismail, CEO of Fleetmax Africa who has played an exceptional role in road safety education and programmes empowerment to emerging businesses. The winners will be announced at the upcoming Awards evening where some of South Africa’s leading personalities from business and the professional sector will be present. This year’s keynote address will be delivered by Zunaid Bulbulia, group executive of Morvest Group. A special address will also be delivered by the Honourable Premier of KZN, Ms Nomusa Ncube-Dube. We are pleased to welcome the Minara Awards Corporate Partner 2022, Standard Bank and supporting partners Amka Group and Capital Group. It is through such partnerships we are able to facilitate programmes to recognise dynamic South Africans and promote and create business development programmes to grow businesses to improve our economy. For further information and bookings contact Minara Chamber of Commerce on: T: +27 (0)31 208 1898 or E: kzn@minara.org.za

Rob Shongwe , the CEO of Sandock Austral Energy, is a born and determined entrepreneur who has always been strongly led by the desire to innovate in order to uplift other people. Sandock Austral Energy is the latest offering of the Sandock Austral Group of companies. Speaking about the company, Shongwe explained, “Sandock Austral Energy seeks to provide bespoke energy solutions in line with global and local sustainability priorities. It places particular attention on the development of greener and renewable energy technologies and solutions, therefore contributing to the nation’s socially and environmentally conscious economic growth agenda.” Among other projects, the company is amid manufacturing a lithium-ion battery energy storage in Durban for residential, industrial and utilities, using its intellectual property in battery energy storage systems (BESS). “These are the first indigenous batteries in South Africa. We own the intellectual property, and we will put Durban on the map because of this initiative,” Shongwe commented. Shongwe previously occupied the position of Head of Portfolio Project Management Office for the Sandock Austral Group, where he was responsible for strategy and projects execution. He grew up in Mpumalanga Province at a village called Mooiplaas where he attended Ebuhleni Primary School. Shongwe then attended high school at Highveld Comprehensive High School, located in a village close by - Aremberg. Of his motivation to succeed Shongwe says, “I have been blessed with a strong entrepreneurial spirt, which was modelled on the example of my mother.” As a child he sold sweets, snacks, ice cream and other items at school. In his matric year in 2005, Shongwe made it to the top ten learners in the Mpumalanga Province with a total of five higher grade As and two Bs. Of note he received an A in both higher-grade Mathematics and Physical Science despite not having any higher grade teachers for these subjects and having to teach himself the subject matter. Due to his own lack of teachers, he was motivated to help other learners at his school achieve. Consequently, he and some friends cofounded an evening school to assist fellow learners with their homework and subject matter. Shongwe went to Wits University in 2006 to study for a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. Of his study selection he commented, “In 2005 when I was in Matric, I found the most challenging course in the Wits brochure, and I went for it… I did electrical engineering because I wanted to come up with an innovative way to generate electricity, which was not coal fired.” Shongwe’s drive to succeed was apparent in that he made it to the Dean’s List in his first year of university. His call to volunteering and giving back to the community resulted in him, among other programmes, working in the Kaosane NGO, a non-profit organisation in Secunda, to assist learners to achieve results that would allow them to participate in tertiary education. Shongwe’s career journey has had a number of challenges, which included an ineffective training programme for engineers. He commented that he proudly became part of the solution by coaching and mentoring engineering interns when he himself was a junior engineer. Other frustrations he experienced, as a corporate professional, included the lack of growth opportunities within a corporate organisation. He also commented that there was a general lack of access to funding for young entrepreneurs. However, Shongwe believes that his continued success is attributable to the strong support structure, with the greatest support from his wife, his family, and friends. In addition, he is an ambitious person who is driven to persevere and persist. “I believe in working smart rather than working hard and in taking calculated risks,” he explained. However, his determination to succeed is also apparent in his willingness to learn and he is not afraid of asking questions when he does not understand something and is able to quickly adapt to change. “When I want something, I focus on achieving it,” he said. In 2021 Shongwe graduated from Wits Business School with an MBA – his research focus was on energy analytics. Apart from Sandock Austral Energy, Shongwe is involved in a number of business enterprises with other people, which include an investment stokvel, property investment, pre-teens toiletries and IT consulting. His goal is to uplift other entrepreneurs so that they can participate in economic activity that will make a difference in their lives. “I have big dreams and ambitions. In the future I would like to build a bank that is built on a social entrepreneurship model that will focus on the unbanked,” he commented. Shongwe’s leadership style is situational as he changes his method to address the circumstances with which he is faced. “I am a servant leader mostly, and I bring water to the team, this is only under steady conditions,” he explains. “I can be a coach, collaborative or if necessary – authoritarian especially if there are deadlines at stake.” Speaking of who inspires him he says he inspired by his mom to always do better. He also commented, “I am inspired my two sons, they are three years old and ten months old. I want to build a legacy that they will always be in their memories about their father.” In addition, he says that he is motivated by Black Coffee (Music Producer, DJ and businessman); his business partners; Sandock Austral’s Executive Chairman Dr Mthobisi Clyde Zondi, Group CEO Prasheen Maharaj; and Jay Z. In advising others he says that one must be true to oneself, be positive and embrace simplicity. He commented, “It’s important to look up to someone who can guide you. You don’t have to get set on ideas. You need to collaborate with others to get things done. Dreams come true if you persist and work on them every day.” As Shongwe did not have a mentor himself during his internship, he is currently involved with The Mentorship Challenge involving three young professionals. He says, ‘I didn’t have a mentor for guidance along my junior journey and I want to help others on their journeys.” In order to disconnect Shongwe is keen on jogging and likes to hike as he enjoys the outdoors. He is passionate about cooking and baking which he sees as a creative process. In conclusion, Shongwe says that his motto to live by is: “If the dream is big enough, the facts don’t count.” (Cynthia-Stewart Copier) W: www.sda.co.za

It is no secret that business to business (B2B) linkages are essential for the growth and development of any company. We do not manage our businesses in isolation. The networks and referrals we make, or we receive, creates trust, and builds critical relationships necessary to operate in a competitive economy. What is often not so well known is how important it is to have vetted networks in place to ensure these B2B linkages are optimised. Vetted networks provide a number of advantages that can help businesses maximise their potential, improve their bottom line and create job opportunities. For example, B2B linkages can: Find the Right Partners Help businesses connect with the right partners. Vetted networks through a B2B specialist brings together businesses that have been carefully screened and selected based on you, our client’s specific criteria. This means that businesses can be confident they are connecting with reputable partners who can offer quality products, quality services and cutting-edge technology. Facilitation Role Vetted networks make it easier for businesses to connect with each other by facilitating introductions and referrals. This saves time and effort in trying to identify potential partnerships yourself. Collaborations Pay A B2B specialist promotes collaboration. By bringing together like-minded businesses, a B2B specialist with their vetted networks will create an environment for their client where collaboration is encouraged. This can lead to more innovative products or services being developed as well as cost savings from shared resources. One of the best ways to connect with other businesses is through a B2B specialist who has an existing vetted network. A vetted network is a group of companies that has been carefully selected by your B2B specialist to be part of a growing business relationship. This type of relationship can provide many benefits, including: Increased Efficiency Vetting networks can help reduce the time it takes to identify potential business partners, since the B2B specialist has already done some of the work for you. In addition, having access to multiple potential business partners through a single platform can also save you time and money by reducing travel costs associated with meeting face-to-face. Planning National and International Meetings Once the initial introductions have taken place then use the B2B specialist to leverage in-person meetings. Our company has successfully arranged national and international itineraries for clients in the private and public sectors. One of the testimonials our company received from a client who appreciated the planned itinerary for Mauritius reads “You made our week so special. Meetings we had and excursions. You exceeded our expectations.” Improved Quality of Decision Makers When you start working within a vetted network environment, you gain access to decision makers who have been pre-screened by the B2B specialist. This means that you are more likely to find good matches for your products, services, and technologies, which can lead to improved business and income. If you’re looking to secure clients for your business, one of the best ways to do so is by working with a B2B specialist. By partnering with someone who understands the ins and outs of B2B marketing, you can more effectively target and reach potential clients. Marketing Plan A good B2B specialist can help you create a comprehensive marketing plan that takes into account all of the different touchpoints that your potential customers might have with your brand. They can also help you identify key influencers and decision-makers within targeted organisations. Most importantly, the B2B specialist can provide guidance on how to best position your products or services in order to appeal to businesses. Our company is currently working with an ICT company to deliver a detailed marketing plan that will allow the company to go global. Working with a B2B specialist is an investment that will pay off in spades when it comes time to securing new clients for your company. Industry sectors that have recently benefitted from the vetted networks of our company to date include automotive accessories, FMCG, ICT, engineering, and manufacturing. If you’re serious about growing your business, consider partnering with a Business-2-Business specialist today! Simply contact Monique at Monique Labat Consulting (Pty) Ltd T: +27 (0) 82 924 6349 E: monique@moniquelabat.com

Payroll audits should be conducted regularly to ensure that your payroll records are accurate and properly maintained, and to identify problems before they become issues. Generally, payroll audits are internal, meaning you or someone in your business conducts them. Performing internal audits can help you catch errors and prevent possible external audits in the future. Steps to follow for an effective payroll audit: 1. Verify Active Employees - Some employees commit payroll fraud by adding fake employees to payroll. Or, you may have forgotten to remove a terminated employee from your payroll. Make sure that the list of employees on your payroll matches your employment records. Remove any employees who no longer work for you. To be proactive also set up e-mail notifications in your application to warn relevant users when employees statuses are changed (i.e., new, discharged etc). Your checks can also be performed against these e-mails. 2. Verify Bank Information (Active Employees) - Over and above fraud potentially happening during step one, it’s also imperative to check the bank details loaded against employees. Verify that bank details are correct or perform a check by printing a bank audit report comparing bank details for staff against previous months. Ensure that you have approved bank changes for staff where applicable. To be proactive also set up e-mail notifications in your application to warn relevant users when bank details are changed. Your checks can also be performed against these e-mails. 3. Check Employee Pay Rates - Ensure that the Rate of Pays captured on your system is correct for each employee. Unfortunately, all of us are human and finger errors come into play and that extra “0” could make a big difference on your payroll bill. Also, keep in mind that there will be package changes with promotional increases etc. To be proactive also set up e-mail notifications in your application to warn relevant users when changes on the Rate of Pays are made. Your checks can also be performed against these e-mails. 4. Review Hours Paid - In this process, you will need to check all fluctuating payroll attributes i.e., wage hours, overtime hours, leave pay etc. Review everything a manager may have overlooked that could influence the payroll budget. If you have a Time and Attendance clocking system, verify hours processed in the payroll against the system to eliminate possible errors. 5. Variance Checks (Comparisons) - It is also a great idea to do a variance check against your previous pay periods. If your payroll system can provide these types of reports this process should be a quick win. 6. Compare payroll to the general ledger - Ensure that the totals in your payroll matchup with the general ledger records. Review any unusual amounts. 7. Bank Reconciliation - Compare and review your payroll bank statement against payroll records. Be sure the totals align, and that all EFTs (electronic fund transfers) loaded on the bank are balancing to your payroll EFT reports. If there is an error in this step perhaps review all above mentioned steps. 8. SARS Submissions - Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), and Skills Development Levy (SDL) contributions need to be paid monthly and reconciled and submitted bi-annually. Ensure that accurate records are submitted to SARS (South African Revenue Service) and values balances back to your payroll totals for the relevant periods. If you make changes after your declarations, ensure that SARS is updated accordingly. In summary, conducting an effective payroll audit procedure keeps you in control of your organisation’s financial management. When you manage payroll effectively, you do not have to waste time reacting to problems you could have avoided. Another key step in maintaining your Human Resources (HR) workload, while increasing your company’s cost-effectiveness, is to consider outsourcing. A professional company such as LabourNet can provide much-needed help with HR needs and questions. T: +27 (0)31 266 6570 C: +27 (0)82 786 7480 E: johanvd@labournet.com

Marketing works! If marketing does work then why is your marketing not? Do you find that you are marketing in various ways but just not getting the response you are looking for? Are you putting a lot of money behind your marketing and just not getting a return on investment? Are you getting the right leads responding to your marketing? … And there are many more questions I could ask you but let’s leave it to these for now. There are two ways to consider marketing your products and/or services. Market first or market last! Surely one should market first to get the leads? Well, Yes and No. To ensure your marketing is effective and gets you the return on investment in both your time and money there are key focus areas to look at first before deciding Why, Who, Where, What and How to market. Follow these four key focus areas*: · Identify your most profitable product and/or service offerings · Identify your top 20% of clients/customers who use these products/services · How often do they buy? · How much on average do they spend with you? Based on the outcomes of the above four focus areas these will then give you a very clear idea of who your ideal client/customer is. Now put your MarketingPLAN together. · Who is your ideal target market? · Where will you find them? · What are you going to offer them? · How are you going to reach them? · What is your call to action? · Why should they buy from you– your unique selling proposition (USP)? Please note that your MarketingPLAN must be tracked, tested and measured to ensure that you are getting the desired results. You need to create a steady flow of leads so you can turn the tap up if you need more leads or down to reduce the leads dependant on the number of clients/customers you can handle to maintain your customer service delivery. In the box on the right are some results my clients are enjoying just by focusing on this simple (not easy) methodology. As you can see no matter in which industry you are in, if you focus very specifically in these four key areas you too can get these percentage growth increases in your business (some of my clients have achieved significant growth). These are just a few of the examples and there are many more. Yes, there are some clients whose growth was not as significant, and you may ask why? · They don’t know their numbers in each of these four key focus areas (see the 5 ways model) · They are not confident with their product/service · They may not have an interest or limited skills in marketing and sales · There isn’t a sales process in place · They are not clear on what makes their business unique · They have lost interest · They have an incorrect mindset · … And much more In closing to ensure your marketing works there needs to be the right foundation built to support your MarketingPLAN and the MarketingPLAN needs to be SMART. Read my article on closing the deal once your prospects respond to your marketing … If there is anything you have gained from my article that creates excitement or fear, let’s discuss what frustrations/challenges you are currently facing or goals/targets you have not yet achieved and have a strategic session with me. Contact me on http://www.linkshare.co.za/marlenepowell or call +27 (0)83 479 4471

Infinity Growth Digital Marketing is an award winning boutique digital marketing agency based in Durban, South Africa. Ndumiso Sikhakhane, the founder and CEO of the agency, is a result, goal driven and career-oriented entrepreneur who is highly passionate about people, brand communication and business development. Infinity Growth Digital Marketing develops diverse digital marketing strategies for medium sized businesses and large corporates across a number of sectors. The full-service agency is results driven and works very closely with their clients with the aim of coming up with effective marketing solutions. The agency’s strategy is to analyse and understand their clients’ business goals in order to create innovative digital marketing strategies and to execute these. Through growing their client’s online presence, the agency strives to improve their clients’ business operations. SERVICES OFFERED Strategic Consulting The flexible strategies offered create a competitive edge that enable brands to successfully engage with the right audience at the right time and through the right channels. Most clients prefer a consultation to provide an overview of their expectations. Through these expert consultations, Infinity Growth Digital Marketing paints a clear picture of all the market opportunities for the client. The agency then assists in developing content that is diverse, versatile and that speaks to the target group of the clients. This approach enables brands to build meaningful and powerful relationships with their clients across all channels. Creative Design The agency is staffed by highly experienced and uniquely talented graphic designers. They have experience in both print and digital design, with extensive knowledge of different layouts, design, copywriting and optimising for various formats. Creativity and strategy come together to create eye catching designs. Infinity Growth Digital Marketing is dedicated to giving their clients designs that tell a story and have clear calls to action. They pay attention to detail in design creation and always aim to deliver great quality in all adverts, portfolios, brochures, business cards, menus and logos. They make design simple! Web Design, SEO & Analytics The world is moving digital, the digital economy is growing ten times faster and by 2023 all companies around the world will have some online presence. Infinity Growth Digital Marketing’s approach to web design is modern. They are about simplicity and always ensure that their clients get cost effective and quality website solutions from standard to ecommerce. The talented team of creative and strategic thinkers challenge themselves to bring different stories from different backgrounds enabling their clients to take advantage of all online opportunities for their businesses. Content Marketing The diverse team is flexible, creative and intelligent. Through strategic content creation and implementing an aggressive content distribution strategy, the agency seeks to influence change, and create a competitive edge for their clients. The content strategies are a combination of clear messaging and captivating images or video for clients’ specific brand communication needs. These incorporate each company objectives and are tailormade for their clients’ desired target audience. Social Media Marketing The agency makes use of proven social media marketing strategies and techniques that help attract highly targeted traffic that delivers results for their clients. The goal is to use technology to continuously connect people and the brand through storytelling, creating meaningful solutions and relationships. Digital Marketing Training Courses Infinity Growth Digital Marketing training courses have a high degree of practical activities and are run by experienced and energetic trainers, who are top in their professional fields. Facilitated by a certified Google marketing expert, the training is designed enhance technological knowledge and to improve digital marketing and online skills both at individual and collective levels. Over the past four years Infinity Growth Digital Marketing has trained many business owners and companies on the fundamentals of digital marketing, focusing on corporate enterprise development programmes. They have been fortunate to facilitate these courses every year with their clients AME Africa and Dimension Data. To give the training courses extra strength, the agency has developed their own workbooks and advise on extra reading. The workbooks are regularly evaluated based on the latest digital marketing trends to ensure that the learner is equipped with the right material to use after training. T: +27 (0)31 307 1988 / +27 (0)81 246 5781 E: ndumiso@infinitygrowthdigital.co.za W: www.infinitygrowthdigital.co.za

Innovate Durban is extremely excited to inform you that preparations are well under way for the 7th annual Innovation Festival which will be held on the 29th of November at the Hilton Garden Inn – Umhlanga Arch. We are honoured and looking forward to welcoming key ecosystem players within the industry and opening up a platform for celebration, collaboration and ground-breaking discussions on innovation. Produced successfully for over seven years, the Innovation Festival is the premier Innovation and Technology event produced in KwaZulu-Natal which gathers stakeholders including innovators, funders, corporate partners, ecosystem players, academia, and policy makers in the celebrations of all things innovation. Past partners of this event have included eThekwini Municipality, Uber SA, Amazon Web Services, Adams and Adams, Software AG, Standard Bank, Transnet, Durban Chamber of Commerce and East Coast Radio. This year the event will incorporate a full day impact driven conference session under the theme, “The Next Big Thing”, that will be unpacking the current world of innovation and charting a roadmap of the developments, trends, disruptions and shakeups that the industry is foreseeing. The programme will incorporate the most inspiring and motivating industry leaders that will engage the audience by sharing critical skills and expertise as well as business insights. The session will also be accompanied by a high-]tech exhibition showcasing the latest products and solutions to sweep the technology space. There are a limited number of delegate seats for this event and ticket sales will be released soon. Partnership and sponsorship packages are available for organisations that would like to showcase their solutions to the technology, digital and innovation decision makers that will be attending. For more information about registration, partnerships or exhibitions for the Innovation Festival 2022, please visit http://www.innovationfestival or contact, Sithabile Cele, Marketing and Events Manager, Innovate Durban Tel: +02 (0)87 365 3131 E: sithabile@innovate.durban

Why should I do a Masters in Business Administration (MBA)? This is a question business leaders across the globe regularly consider. A worthwhile MBA degree requires a serious investment of time and money but should provide significant tangible and intangible benefits for the rest of your career. Here are some of the top reasons to pursue an MBA: · Develop your leadership skills · Build your network with other industry leaders · Upskill yourself in core business sectors such as marketing, finance, HR and operations · Learn how to build a sustainable competitive advantage If I choose to do an MBA, why should I choose a manufacturing focus? The manufacturing industry is complex, global and far-reaching. The value chain for a manufacturer includes suppliers, financial institutions, logistics, government and public service providers and customers. If your career exists within the manufacturing eco-system, then the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) manufacturing focused MBA at Toyota Institute for Manufacturing Studies (TWIMS) is explicitly designed for you. The GIBS Manufacturing Focused MBA Developed as a partnership between TWIMS and GIBS (Africa’s #1 MBA provider), this specialised MBA is Africa’s first and only to focus on the manufacturing industry. The 18-month programme is comprised of a PGDip and MBA. Students who received 60% and above for the PGDip year graduate to the MBA, which comprises three core sections: 1. In-class electives 2. The Global Module 3. A thesis Our electives are manufacturing-specific and cover some of the most relevant topics in today’s manufacturing environment. Current MBA electives: · Future of Manufacturing · Sustainable Finance · Green Manufacturing · Inclusive Leadership · Africa Trade · Lean Supply Chain Management · Lean Operations Management The global module sees students embark on a group overseas excursion to learn how global manufacturers are tackling pertinent issues. Our partnerships with manufacturers in Asia, Africa and Europe offer students an opportunity to learn from some of the most well-respected and diverse manufacturers globally. Finally, students must complete a research-based thesis of their choice before being awarded their MBA. To ensure both academic rigour and real-world application, all students are partnered with an academic advisor and experienced industry leader who will provide guidance based on their decades of experience and learning. How The Programme Is Structured In year one, PGDip lectures take place on the TWIMS campus in Kloof, Durban, during four block release periods. The block is between seven - ten days, including weekends. Additionally, there are two exam periods of four days each. The MBA electives are also taught in block release periods, which vary in length and frequency depending on your selected subjects. The thesis does not require on-campus attendance and meetings with supervisors can take place online. The GIBS Manufacturing Focused MBA is an academically rigorous degree designed to challenge and upskill students. If you consider your future to be within the wide manufacturing industry, there is no better way to ensure you are adequately prepared to lead with confidence. T: +27 (0)31 767 5202 E: info@twimsafrica.com W: www.twimsafrica.com

The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry inaugurated SanDock Austral Shipyards CEO Prasheen Maharaj as its new president at a glittering gala dinner held in the city on Tuesday night. Maharaj succeeds Nigel Ward, Executive Vice President of Toyota SA, who has served in the chamber role for the past three years. Maharaj, addressing guests at the ceremony, said he would focus on three aspects of business – driving membership, revenue generation and protecting the brand’s legacy – during his tenure as president. He said entrepreneurship held the key to unlocking job creation and economic growth in the country. “This country needs an entrepreneurial revolution if we are to address the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment. Entrepreneurs, through starting a business, can create jobs quickly. “The US Chamber of Business has three million members, 90% of which employ fewer than 100 people and 70% employ fewer than ten people,” said Maharaj. He said the DCCI was committed to be a pillar of strength as entrepreneurs began their business journey. “The DCCI will create new business opportunities for its members and build a conducive and resilient business environment. We have to reduce the trust deficit between the public and private sectors and one way for this to improve is to reduce the ‘do-say’ ratio so there is timeous delivery on the promises you make.” Maharaj said a “conscious capitalist” mindset would be an invaluable partner to helping achieve this as he firmly believed that “doing good, is good for business”. “If just some of us embark on this journey together we will create a snowball effect.” Maharaj is a multi-award-winning business leader and a noted deal maker who has secured a number of multibillion-rand projects for his organisation. He has led the execution of several complex, multi-year mega projects in the marine and defence industries. He is a Masters Graduate in Finance and Business of the University of KwaZulu-Natal and is pursuing further post-graduate studies at the London School of International Business. (Original source http://www.freightnews.co.za )

These words, “Forward with Sappi, forward,” were the words of encouragement that the President of South Africa, His Excellency Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, had for the team from Sappi as he led the official opening of the R7.7billion expansion and environmental upgrade project at the Sappi Saiccor Mill on Tuesday, 13 September 2023. Commenting during his keynote address, following the official ribbon-cutting and plaque unveiling, the President said: “Today, we are witnessing far more than a financial investment. We are witnessing an investment in infrastructure, people, innovation, technology, and sustainability. It is an investment in community development, in the local economy, in our export capacity and in the industrialisation of our economy.” During his address the President made the point that Sappi Southern Africa, one of the country’s largest users of container for exports, makes an important contribution to the country’s export revenues, and that while foreign direct investment is important for the economy, the greatest demonstration of confidence is when South African companies take that lead. He went on: “The realisation of Sappi’s investment here at Umkomaas sends the strongest signal that our home-grown multinationals are taking the lead in investing in our economy. It demonstrates confidence to other potential investors that this is indeed a favourable place to invest in and to do business,” he said. The President congratulated Sappi on staying true to and delivering on the commitment that Sappi Limited Chief Executive Officer, Mr Steve Binnie, made during the inaugural South African Investment Conference held in 2018, when the expansion project was first announced. Commenting on the investment, Sappi chairperson Sir Nigel Rudd said, “Our investment here at Saiccor provides tangible confirmation in our belief that South Africa has more to offer as an export hub; has great potential to expand its forest products sector especially as a low carbon renewable resource driver of economic growth and social upliftment; and can help guide and lead Africa to develop the continent’s forest products potential.” The project will not only add 110,000 tons of capacity to the mill’s production of dissolving pulp (DP) to meet the increasing demand from global customers for natural and renewable dissolving pulp, particularly Lyocell pulp, but will also significantly reduce the mill’s environmental footprint and supports Sappi’s decarbonisation journey, whilst also generating an additional ZAR1 billion per annum in direct benefit to the KwaZulu-Natal economy. In addition, Saiccor Mill is busy with the construction of a pilot plant to produce Furfural, a bio-chemical extracted during the processing of timber. Used as a replacement for fossil fuel[1]based chemicals in agriculture, foodstuffs, and industrial processes, this will provide further revenue streams and export opportunities for South Africa and further underpins the country’s move to embracing low-carbon circular economy options. In her address, the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Ms Nomusa Dube-Ncube saluted Sappi on being an iconic and patriotic business and expressed gratitude that Sappi was part of the radical socio-economic transformation programme in the province, focused on the localisation of goods and services and the employment of local residents. Commenting on the expansion project she said: “It represents not just a vote of confidence in the people of KwaZulu-Natal as a rising province, but it also has a knock-on effect for other companies to benefit from the emerging opportunities.” Echoing these sentiments, Mr Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Trade and Industry and Competition pointed out that the challenge with development was for it to focus on parts of the country and communities that are marginalised and not in the economic mainstream. According to him, the Sappi Saiccor expansion meets this challenge, saying “it’s at the heart of what development is all about. It supports the government’s rural economic development strategy; it connects local communities to global value chains.” Steve Binnie, CEO of Sappi Limited, illustrated how this was achieved by saying: “We are pleased that this project opens the way for the many forestry value chain participants that benefit as part of the eco-system. Sappi sees itself as an anchor tenant and proud role-player in the rural landscape of our country, leading the way in the multibillion Rand forestry industry and in responsible forestry management with its dual-certified FSC and PEFC plantations. We are thankful that this project helps us to ‘open the way’ to achieve our ambitious Thrive 25 purpose of moving toward a more circular economy by reducing and replacing the need for fossil-based products by using renewable and sustainable wood to produce innovative biobased products. Not only for our own benefit, but for the benefit of our country, its people, and for the planet at large.” The event – witnessed by invited guests including government dignitaries, traditional leaders, community members, industry and business representatives and Sappi management and staff - was a fitting testament to the hard work that the project team put into this mammoth project over the past four years. Highlights video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3Y5fGx_oHM For more information on Sappi please visit www.sappi.com

A set of healthy white teeth to go with a lovely smile is something we all desire. Keeping our teeth healthy and white is often a challenge. While brushing daily is important, so is flossing, using mouthwash, avoiding sugary drinks, and visiting your dentist regularly. Your dentist will not only check for any problems, they or a dental hygienist can also carry out simple, yet highly effective procedures such as a scale and polish. The mouth provides the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, which thrives in dark, warm, moist locations. While some bacteria can be beneficial for our health, too much, combined with plaque, can lead to gum disease. Do your teeth need scaling and polishing? These bacteria can lead to many dental health issues. And no matter how much you brush or floss your teeth, or how carefully you clean them, there will be teeth surfaces that you can’t reach, which allows plaque to build up. If allowed to accumulate, this can lead to possible dental health issues, and unsightly teeth. Plaque can eventually become crusty yellow/brown deposits which are known as tartar. The tartar sticks to the teeth and cannot be easily removed by only brushing. The only way to have these deposits removed is via a scale and polish. What does a scale and polish involve? A scale and polish are carried out by your dentist or hygienist and first involves a ‘scrape’ stage in which a special device is used to scrape away as much of these deposits as possible. Afterwards, special tools may be used to remove whatever the scraper couldn’t get. Scaling teeth regularly also prevents heavy tartar build-up along the gum margins. The second stage is the polish stage, whereby your dentist will polish the surface of the teeth to leave them smooth and whiter. The polish also gets rid of any imperfections and rough patches so tartar will struggle to grow again. Does scaling and polishing whiten teeth? People often ask does scaling and polishing whiten teeth, and the answer to that is yes. However, a scale and polish are not primarily designed to whiten the teeth, as that is what teeth whitening treatments are for. With that said however, a scale and polish will in fact leave the teeth looking smooth, shiny, and whiter after the treatment. Bad breath can also be eliminated or reduced through a scale and polish as it gets rid of the bacteria that is producing the smell in the first place. Scale and polish side effects While a scale and polish are one of least invasive dental procedures you will undergo, there are a few side effects that you can expect during and after a scale and polish, including: · Bleeding of the gums · Tooth sensitivity · Very minor tenderness in the mouth · Sensitive gums · Minor swelling As long as scaling teeth is done properly and by a trained dental professional, you won’t experience any negative teeth scaling side effects. Remember, your tooth enamel is stronger than the scaler. How often should you scale and polish your teeth? To keep your teeth looking their best, Crown Dental Studio recommends scaling and polishing every six months. However, everyone is different, some people build up plaque and tartar more quickly or have other periodontal issues. We then may recommend a treatment up to every two to three months. If you’re concerned about plaque and tartar in your mouth, or if you just feel as if your teeth could use a bit of a sprucing up, book your treatment with Crown Dental Studio now! We offer tooth scaling and polishing, as well as countless other treatments and procedures. Crown Dental Studio is one of the few truly 24-hour dental practices 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