The grand finale of the Standard Bank KwaZulu-Natal Top Business Women 2021 initiative took place on 18 November at the Coastlands uMhlanga Hotel and Convention Centre. Mano Singh, Executive Head: Insurance, Asset Management & Fiduciary at Standard Bank KwaZulu-Natal said, “We are delighted to be part of the Standard Bank KwaZulu-Natal Top Business Women initiative. It serves as an invaluable platform to celebrate women in the province who are pushing boundaries, challenging new territories and in the process, creating a better life for all in KwaZulu-Natal. Portia Mthembu, Head Private Clients (Non-Metro) within Clients High Net Worth, Msunduzi Area at Standard Bank KwaZulu-Natal said, “As an organisation that strives to drive gender diversity, Standard Bank welcomes the opportunity to recognise the phenomenal female business leaders who have all made an impact on their respective communities and contributed to the economic growth of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal.” Key note speaker, Iman Rappetti, an award-winning broadcaster, media leader and communications specialist, provided a thought provoking and entertaining account of her personal life experiences, as well as much motivation to assess one’s own journey. She commented, “As a storyteller I’m very interested in the stories we tell about ourselves. Many of you have your story about who you are. Mother, wife, partner, sister, daughter, widow, divorcee, business owner, service provider. We choose our headlines, I am a survivor, I am a creator, I am a… add you own title.” The glamorous gala evening celebrated the achievements of thirty women in KwaZulu-Natal who were nominated for their achievements by employers, employees, clients, or other stakeholders. At the function, six of the women were recognised further and asked to share aspects of their journeys as well as some of their insights on stage. The interviews were a highlight of the evening and were received with much appreciation from the audience. The women who were recognised further were: 1. Nomfundo Mcoyi, CEO Icebolethu Group: The courage to realise a dream 2. Thandi Ngxongo, Thandekile Projects: Exceeding customer expectations and delivering brilliant experiences 3. Fatima Moolla, SmartXchange Centre Manager Port Shepstone: Operating effectively and productively 4. Dr Nomusa Shezi, Specialist Neurosurgeon Albert Luthuli Hospital: Fostering a culture of empowerment and diversity 5. Lindsay Hopkins, Humanitarian/ KZN operations manager SA Harvest: Making a difference in the business and community 6. Esayvanie Reddy, Group CEO RR Group: Being a woman extraordinaire: Given to a businessperson who has demonstrated exemplary business achievement, industry influence and is a is a true inspiration to others. Grant Adlam, publisher of the KZN Top Business, said, “Our theme this year has been ‘Women Inspiring Women’. Our team has been humbled by the many amazing women whose stories we have heard. These stories are about women, from many different backgrounds, who have had varied journeys to get to where they are today and have much wisdom to offer. It is hoped that this initiative and the recognition afforded will inspire other women to strive to achieve more in their own endeavours.” Each of the participating women shared many of their ups and downs, their wins and their losses. All the women have incredible insights to offer, which showcases the individual and universal strengths they have been able to draw upon as a woman. Other women need to know these stories, so they can clear the image of fairy tale lives from their minds. When other women see that the road that has been travelled is very similar to the one that they’re on, they’ll start believing they have the power to reach their own goals and be inspired to follow their own dreams and ambitions. To obtain the stories that formed the basis for the proceedings, the KZN Top Business team interviewed all the women who participated on camera. In addition, to introduce the women participating this year, three webinars were held in the build up to the event, which were facilitated by business coach, Marlene Powell. The webinars and videos are available for viewing at https://www.youtube.com/c/KZNTopBusiness/videos As attendance was limited, the glamorous gala evening was streamed. The direct link for the video is https://youtu.be/sEpNGTU0lOs Thato Moeng, programme director for the event, concluded with the latest Standard Bank brand message, “A single step can change the way you live tomorrow. Your dreams have no limits. All you have to do is take that first step. A better tomorrow starts today. How about now.”.

The Top Employers Institute Africa has published its list of the best companies to work for in South Africa in 2022. The institute recognises companies for their outstanding HR strategies and people practices, with 24 organisations from 31 African countries included in this year’s cohort. As part of the ranking, companies are evaluated across a number of key areas including: Talent strategy; Workforce planning; On-boarding; Learning & development; Performance management; Leadership development; Career & succession management; Compensation & benefits; Culture The Top Employers Institute then evaluates the implementation of these practices and reviews how they are supported through strategy, ownership, practices, measurement and technology. It must also be noted that the Top Employers certification is by application. Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company Unilever was ranked as the top employer in South Africa, followed by professional services firm Accenture, and telecommunications company Vodacom. The overall top 20 for South Africa is outlined below. Rank Company Sector 1 Unilever South Africa (Pty) Ltd FMCG 2 Accenture (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd Professional services 3 Vodacom Group Pty (Ltd) Telecommunications 4 HCL Technologies IT Services 5 JTI South Africa Tobacco 6 Tata Consultancy Services South Africa IT Services 7 Nestlé (South Africa) FMCG 8 Mondelēz South Africa, Hilti (South Africa) FMCG 9 Hilti (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd Construction 10 DHL Supply Chain (South Africa) Logistics 11 SAP South Africa Software 12 = Mercedes-Benz South Africa Automotive 12 = BAT South Africa Tobacco 14 Dimension Data IT Services 15 HPE South Africa IT Services 16 Sasol Limited Energy 17 AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals 18 Santam Ltd Financial services 19 LAW FOR ALL Legal services 20 Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages FMCG In 2021, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic continued to be a challenging and difficult time for societies across the globe. It demanded that companies worldwide continue to commit to meeting the changing needs of their employees and the wider world around them, said chief executive of Top Employers Institute David Plink. “Reflecting on the demanding year that has, like the year before it, impacted organisations across the world. We are happy to see those certified organisations in Africa have continued to prioritise maintaining excellent people practices in the workplace. “Despite the challenges, they continue to meet the challenges of the changing world of work while working tirelessly to make a positive impact on the lives of their workforce.” Staff Writer 23 January 2022 - BusinessTech #kznbusinesssense

The KwaZulu-Natal Business Chamber Council (KBCC) is delighted to announce that the recently launched Durban Chapter of the South Africa Chamber of Commerce United Kingdom (SA Chamber UK) has joined its ranks. The KBCC is the representative voice of organised business in KwaZulu-Natal. Membership is open to all formal business representative organisations in the province, with the major chambers and business organisations in KwaZulu-Natal already members. The KBCC provides input on economic growth and strategy to the KZN provincial government, especially through the KwaZulu-Natal Economic Council, which is representative of all four social parties – civil society, labour, government, and business. The South African Chamber UK’s purpose is to encourage opportunity for the upliftment of all South Africans. The South African Chamber UK (SA Chamber) is proficient in drawing together quality networks of people and businesses, essential for impactful creation of business development ecosystems; and for creating opportunity for South African businesses to expand their operations into the United Kingdom and other relevant countries. The SA Chamber recognises that its success in creating new opportunities for upliftment and trade is enhanced by being present and on the ground in South Africa. Hence, the importance of creating regional Chapters, led by capable, passionate and influential leaders such as Sanelisiwe Gantsho (Cape) and Mxolisi Miya (KZN). The SA Chamber, operating in many jurisdictions, for South African trade, brings fresh enthusiasm for the advancement of South Africa’s presence on the global stage. An additional value for SA Chamber members is the ability to interact and engage with existing South African chambers, associations, institutes, trade bodies, and similar such organisations, both within South Africa and internationally, for joint benefit, together providing the infrastructure to aid productive trade engagement with the United Kingdom, South Africa and Africa. Dominic Collett, chairperson of the KBCC said, “The Durban Chapter of the SA Chamber UK’s involvement in the KBCC will supplement the work of the KBCC, which will be to mutual benefit. The Durban Chapter’s mandate is to attract and promote international business linkages with the United Kingdom and other countries while the KBCC is regionally focused within KwaZulu-Natal. “The KBCC in KwaZulu-Natal is a wonderful organisation, drawing together the leaders of each of the KZN Chambers into a combined team to share knowledge and understandings of how business can grow and thrive within the province,” commented David White CEO of DRG Outsourcing and SA Chamber UK South African Chapter Leader. “The South African Chamber UK is honoured to be recognised as a contributor to growth and development of business in KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa and to have been invited to join the KBCC as its 13th member.” The combination of all the skills and passion within the many KwaZulu-Natal chambers and SA Chamber Chapters draw together the ingredients needed to help South Africa leap forward into trading opportunities that have recently not been easily accessible. For more information on the SA Chamber UK visit https://southafricanchamber.co.uk /or contact david@drg.co.za Sharon Constançon, Chairman of the SA Chamber UK discussed the launch of the KZN Chapter and the SA Chamber UK’s trade insights with SABC news anchor, Peter Ndoro. #DurbanChapteroftheSAChamberUK

Implementing a strategy of Business to Business (B2B) linkages has proven to be the solution for many companies seeking to secure new markets, new suppliers or new clients. Fundamental to B2B is access to networks and information systems to create these sustainable linkages. What forms the basis of successful B2B opportunities is accurate and verified information. Companies undertaking B2B look for integration into new markets and then have the ability to reach new customers. How does one go about securing leads to grow one’s business? A clever sales technique is to host an educational webinar about your services or products and participate in a buying or selling mission to target hundreds of contacts. This participation can develop into hundreds of valuable business relationships. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Capturing the content and recording the responses in the form of a customer relationship marketing database across the company means that at all levels of sales, marketing and management, the content is readily shared within the company. This database proves to be a great time saver. B2B Databases When creating researched databases be mindful to comply with The Protection of Personal Information Act 4 Of 2013 (“POPIA”). What B2B needs to deliver is access to local supplier and distributor networks. This entails contact verification, data mining and company profiling. To undertake B2B successfully ensure you find the key contact person and start building the B2B relationship. This involves researching and verifying the contact details of the leads and then you can conduct the initial qualification. International B2B Networks A company seeking to find distributors, stockists, or resellers in a new market, may find difficulty in tapping into these foreign networks. Language barriers, cultural differences, managing global teams, currency exchange and inflation rates and the nuances of foreign politics, policy and relations all impact the cost of securing new markets. It makes sense when identifying partners to supply goods and services, to collaborate with skilled and experienced B2B firms who have the necessary experience in those countries. B2B Matchmaking For local businesses, connecting with one business can open up the way to future opportunities and help the local market integrate into a global supply chain. Business matchmaking can help facilitate and speed up this process. Business matchmaking services help connect national and international buyers looking for goods and services with verified local businesses. Business matchmaking is an active approach of establishing contracts between international buyers and local suppliers. Both parties are able to identify the needs of the buyer and the capacities of the supplier. B2B interventions include site visits, vendor promotion events, product sample collecting and networking events between buyers and suppliers. Inward buying missions arranged for importers or manufacturers have specific objectives. This begins the business conversation in a targeted manner resulting in exports of locally manufactured goods and services. Virtual B2B Matchmaking During Covid-19 many of these exhibitions and trade fairs have been undertaken online. Extensive growth in e-commerce and online B2B matchmaking has demonstrated that connecting buyers to suppliers virtually is successful. Promoting B2B market linkages is an excellent strategy to make long-term investments develop into new business. B2B requires ongoing communication and will have long-lasting effects, which will promote your business growth. As B2B successes are made known, it will be easier to include more local manufacturers and buyers in the process. Case Study Success Monique Labat Consulting successfully manages inward buying missions. French companies from Reunion Island were asked to outline their objectives which had to be met for the inward buying mission’s success. The B2B matchmaking was facilitated. Manufacturers of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) were invited to meet with the French companies. A B2B deal was signed and FMCG products manufactured in Durban are regularly exported to Reunion Island. Global business comes with unique challenges but creates opportunity for excellent company growth. To prepare for challenges, follow foreign politics, use experienced B2B firms to prepare for today’s nuanced and interconnected business world. Information on B2B matchmaking and market linkages to secure new markets, new suppliers or new clients is available from Monique Labat. T: +27 (0)82 924 6349 E: monique@moniquelabat.com W: www.moniquelabat.com #businesssense #moniquelabatconsulting

It is common knowledge that the B-BBEE Verification process is quite challenging based on all the data and documents required, finding out about unexpected interpretational changes which could negatively impact your B-BBEE scores and overall level as well as the tedious time-consuming process of having your information verified. It is no wonder, why most companies shy away from B-BBEE compliance as the verification process in itself, can leave you and your team disgruntled and defeated. Fortunately, there is no need to brace yourself or muster up the required courage to face your upcoming B-BBEE Verification as the preparation process can be made simple using the steps below: · Based on when your company’s actual financial period will come to an end, when you will have either management accounts or signed financial statements available and taking into consideration the expiry date of your current B-BBEE certificate or affidavit, you can draft an action plan to confirm when your organisation will be ready for verification. If your company has not yet been verified, liaise with your clients and sales department to confirm if there are any pending tenders or specific B-BBEE pressure. · Once drafted, you can confirm suitable timeslots for the formal verification and decide on a SANAS Accredited Verification Agency (for more details on all the accredited agencies or the agencies operating within your region, please make use of the following link to the SANAS website https://www.sanas.co.za/pages/index.aspx?page=AccreditationServices ). · With your selected Verification Agency confirmed, request a list of the data and general documentation required for your verification. This list will be specific to your industry and the applicable Codes or Sector Codes. · It is important to note that there is no standard document list or procedure and that this differs from Verification Agency to Verification Agency. This difference also extends to interpretation and methodologies used, all of which you can confirm in advance. · To effectively utilise the available time and to ensure that all internal deadlines are met, the following is critical: i. Start preparations as soon as possible i.e., at the start of your financial period ii. To manage the intricacies, collation of information and to drive your team, identify a B-BBEE Champion within your organisation who will take charge of the process iii. As multiple departments within your organisation will be involved, ensure that all employees are aware of the document requirements and extend this to any third party you are working with (i.e., your financial auditors, training providers and beneficiaries). With everyone updated and informed of what is expected from them, your B-BBEE evidence file can be created once off and be updated as and when contributions are made. · For tracking your progress and to ensure that it is possible to obtain or maintain your desired B-BBEE Level, conduct bi-monthly or quarterly internal quality control audits. This will allow you to confirm that your B-BBEE evidence file is truly updated regularly and that the documentation on file is valid, accurate and sufficient. If you are unsure of the validity or format of a specific document, contact your selected Verification Agency for clarity and assistance. · Having regular internal quality control audits, will further allow you to accurately track your target spend requirements throughout the year and will provide you with ample opportunity to make the needed adjustments whereby you save money and time by making smart informed decisions. By implementing the above in your organisation, the B-BBEE Verification process is not just simplified but will provide you and your team with a pleasant and utterly rewarding experience. For more details, please contact your respective LabourNet branch. T: +27(0)31 266 6570 E: johanvd@labournet.com W: www.labournet.com #kznbusinesssene #labournet

The #Summerishere and many are looking for the ultimate #kidfriendly location that provides sufficient outdoor activities and well-ventilated venues. Fortunately, the KZN South Coast is a one stop, #familyadventure holiday destination with its Blue Flag beaches and nature reserves home to a variety of exciting sites and activities. 1. Blue Flag Beaches - The KZN South Coast is home to the highest number of Blue Flag beaches in the province, including Hibberdene, Umzumbe, Southport, Ramsgate, Marina and Trafalgar beaches. 2. Golf Courses - Stretching from Umkomaas to the Wild Coast and inland to Harding, there are 11 quality golf courses found on the ‘Golf Coast’. Among them are Selborne Park Golf Estate and the Wild Coast Sun Country Club which is one of the top 10 courses in the country. 3. Diving, Fishing and Ocean Safaris - Further offshore, there’s an entire world to be explored. Here visitors can find two Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) – Aliwal Shoal off Umkomaas and Protea Banks off Shelly Beach. These are considered two of the world’s top sites for scuba divers, free divers and snorkellers. For anglers, there’s ample opportunity for spearfishing, deep-sea fishing or rock-and-surf fishing. There are also numerous charter boats that take visitors out for a closeup ocean experience viewing dolphins and migrating whales. 4. Extreme Adventures Wild5Adventures in Oribi Gorge has the Wild Gorge Swing,the highest swing of its kind that drops visitors 55 storeys. There’s the 80-metre cable suspension bridge some 130 metres off the ground; epic white water rafting and ziplining across Oribi Gorge. Lake Eland Game Reserve is another exciting location for an African adventure. 5. Great Drives Out - These authentic rural excursions include the KwaXolo Caves Adventures, a mountainside hike along a cable-and-rung system to the caves adorned with ancient San artwork. The KwaNzimakwe Multi-Trails is a beautiful network from Mpenjati Nature Reserve and, just inland of Shelly Beach is the Nyandezulu Experience, a guided tour across the Ntantana Mountain. Local history can be learned at the Ntelezi Msani Heritage Centre, a facility that touches on African history, indigenous knowledge, culture and creative arts. 6. Biking, Running, Walking and 4x4 Trails - Some of the area’s top spots for outdoor adventure include Rocky Bay Resorts, Burry Stander Bike Park, 5. ANEW Resort Ingeli Forest, Beaver Creek Coffee Estate and Clearwater Trails. 7. Birding and Picnicking - The region is a renowned birding destination, home to a number of unique species to tick off the list. These can be spotted in TC Robertson Nature Reserve, Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve, Oribi Vulture Viewing Hide, Ventures by Sweetdale and Red Desert Nature Reserve – among others. For the full list of KZN South Coast’s outdoor venues, activities and sites, download the free ‘Explore KZN South Coast’ app from Google Play and Apple stores, or visit: www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za . #kznbusinesssense #visitkznsouthcoast

Many people mistakenly associate the birth of granola with the hippies of the ‘60s and ‘70s. In more recent times, the word ‘granola’ has become slang terminology for people who live a health-focused lifestyle and are environmentally conscious. However, the first granola was developed in 1863 by Dr Caleb Jackson, the director of what we would nowadays refer to as a health spa. Jackson was an outspoken vegetarian, which was very rare in those days, and granola was his healthier, simpler alternative to a cooked breakfast. Head Dietician for FUTURELIFE® Angela Leach says that today granola is generally high in energy and fibre, but that’s not all! She offers three more reasons to add granola to your everyday diet: 1. Versatile: Granola can be enjoyed in so many ways! Gone are the days of simply being a boring breakfast cereal in a box – granola can be added to yoghurt to make it snazzy; used in a smoothie to bulk it up; or added to your muffin or pancake batter for added texture and crunch. Why not sprinkle a handful over your salad for a chef’s touch? Or use it on top of your veggie bake instead of breadcrumbs. You can even add some granola to your biscuit batter to spice things up. 2. Convenient: Granola can be enjoyed on the run as a delicious, dry snack – just grab a handful to munch on as you run out the door. You can also make your own trail mix by adding nuts and dried fruit to the granola, decant it into small containers and pop it into your bag or car for the days you get the munchies or forget your lunch at home. 3. Tasty: Granola not only boasts crunch and texture, but it is also tasty too! Plus, if you choose a box of FUTURELIFE® GRANOLA CRUNCH you will be spoilt with choice when it comes to flavour and benefits! FUTURELIFE® GRANOLA CRUNCH offers three enticing flavours: · BOOST made with real honey that combines energy, fibre and selected minerals; iron and magnesium · VITALITY made with real berries and fruit pieces that combines the benefits of fibre and probiotics · RENEW made with real cocoa that combines fibre and selected minerals; copper, selenium and zinc Angela adds that the FUTURELIFE® GRANOLA CRUNCH range offers crunchy goodness for the whole family. “It is perfect for anyone over four years of age, active kids, the elderly, busy executives, active individuals and vegetarians. And, with a little creativity, FUTURELIFE® GRANOLA CRUNCH can even be the magic ingredient to help you whip up some delicious recipes.” For more information visit, www.futurelife.com #kznbusinesssense #futurelife

Horace Jackson Brown Jr. an American author best known for his inspirational book, Life’s Little Instruction Book, which was a New York Times bestseller, says, ‘If someone offers you a breath mint, accept it." This may be a polite way of saying that your breath needs some attention. Bad breath, medically known as halitosis, happens when a noticeable unpleasant breath odour is present. Bad breath can result from poor dental habits or could be a sign of other health problems. In addition, bad breath can be made worse by some of the foods that you eat and/or other unhealthy practices. You can take measures to prevent and treat halitosis at home as well as with the help of your dentist or doctor. Health Problems The primary way to recognise a bad breath problem is in the smell. You may notice the bad odour yourself, or someone you know may tell you. However, you may not realise that continual bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be a warning sign of cavities, gum (periodontal) disease or dental abscesses. Other symptoms that may be associated with bad breath are sore gums, bleeding or swollen gums and toothache. Bad breath may also be caused by badly fitting dental appliances and yeast infections of the mouth. A dry mouth can cause bad breath. Saliva is necessary to moisten the mouth, neutralise acids produced by plaque, and wash away dead cells that accumulate on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. If not removed, these cells decompose and can cause bad breath. Dry mouth may also be a side effect of various medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous breathing through the mouth. Other diseases and illnesses that can cause bad breath, include: · Seasonal allergies · Respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis · Long-term (chronic) sinus infections · Postnasal drip · Diabetes · Chronic acid reflux · Gastrointestinal issues · Chronic lung infection · Liver or kidney problems Stress, excessive dieting, snoring and hormonal changes can also affect your breath. Food and Breath The food you eat starts to be broken down in your mouth. As the food particles are absorbed into your bloodstream, they move to the lungs, affecting the air you exhale. If you eat foods with strong odours such as garlic or onions, brushing and flossing – even mouthwash – only covers up the odour. The odour will not disappear until the food has passed through your body’s digestive system. Other foods that can cause bad breath include cheese, certain spices, orange juice or soda, alcohol, and coffee. Poor Habits Cause Bad Breath In order to promote fresh breath, you need to brush and floss teeth daily with a fluoride toothpaste. Food particles can remain in your mouth, promoting bacterial and plaque growth on and between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue, which causes an odour. If you can’t brush after a meal, give your mouth a good rinse with water to loosen up the trapped food bits. It’s important to use floss or an interdental cleaner to remove food particles and plaque between teeth once a day. Rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash twice a day may further assist to remove any bacteria present. Bacteria and food particles can also cause bad breath if dentures are not properly cleaned. Dentures should be removed at night and cleaned thoroughly before being placed in your mouth the next morning. In addition, braces and retainers should be cleaned as directed. Furthermore, smoking or chewing tobacco-based products can cause bad breath, stain teeth, irritate your gums as well as reduce your ability to taste foods. From a dietary view, drink lots of water which will keep your mouth moist. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless candy also stimulates the production of saliva that helps wash away food particles and bacteria. Eating more fruits and vegetables and less meat will help keep your teeth cleaner. Adding a probiotic or a daily cup of yogurt to your health routine will also promote gut health, which can affect your breath. Professional Care Visit your dentist regularly, at least twice a year, for an oral exam and professional teeth cleaning. They will be able to find problems that may cause bad breath and advise on treatment options for fresher breath. You make consider keeping a log of the foods you eat for your dentist to review. Similarly, make a list of the medications you take as these may create mouth odours. However, book an appointment as soon as possible if: · Your bad breath has been persistent and has lasted more than a few days · The odour is quite noticeable or concerning · You have pain in your mouth, bleeding, or sore gums Crown Dental Studio is one of the few truly 24-hour dental practises in Durban as this is not limited to emergency dentistry treatment. T: +27 (0)81 207 8621 E: info@dramod.co.za W: www.dramod.co.za #kznbusinesssense

The winners of iLembe Chamber of Commerce’s The Entrepreneur 2021 Programme were announced at The Entrepreneur 2021 Exhibition, which was held at the CMH Ford Ballito Showroom. The iLembe Chamber’s The Entrepreneur is a business accelerator programme that aims to find entrepreneurial gems in the iLembe District and develop and support them to sustainable levels of growth. Maxi-Lee Machado from NutriVita South Africa was announced as the winner of the Entrepreneur 2021 Competition. NutriVita South Africa produces and supplies a range of nutrient dense plant-based foods beverages, supplements and superfoods. The produce ingredients are bought fresh and sourced directly from local farmers. The company is conscious of their impact on the environment, and therefore all products are packaged in biodegradable and/or compostable plant-based materials. Judges were impressed with the high quality of the product and the strong leadership and extensive job creation and skills development potential. Mandisa V Mwandla Makhoba, owner of Have a Seat Stylish Furniture Manufacturers, was the runner-up. The established furniture manufacturer is based in Mandeni and offers a complete home and office furniture solution to its clients. Have a Seat Stylish Furniture Manufacturers have been steadily growing over the past five years, establishing a solid base by catering for various market segments. In addition to supplying the KZN market, products are supplied as far as the Eastern Cape. Owner Mandisa Mwandla believes that their main expertise lies in their creative and innovative approach to furniture design; catering for individual customer needs whilst managing to contain costs. Although Have a Seat offers a broad range of furniture products, it specialises in the design and manufacturing of dining room suites. Third placed winner was Mduduzi Daniso from Nomalinge Poultry Farming, which was established in May 2020 as a community-based project. The operation produces chickens and sells both the meat and live broilers. Mdudusi noticed the gap in the market for poultry production in South Africa considering the high levels of chicken imports from the USA and Brazil. Nomalinge Poultry Farming buys one day old chicks and breeds them until they are ready to be consumed. The company’s expansion plans include the buying of ready-to-lay pullets (young laying hens) and raising them through their productive life cycle. Mdudusi wants to use the business as a project to promote the creation of jobs for woman and the youth of his community. Phila Zulu from Phila Zulu Foods received The Social Entrepreneur award, whilst Dodi Sathianarain from Treat Attack received a commendation. The awards were presented by Councillor Thabani Mdlalose, the Mayor of the Mandeni Local Municipality. The iLembe Chamber partners in The Entrepreneur 2021 business accelerator programme are Enterprise iLembe, King Shaka International Airport, Airports Company South Africa, The North Coast Courier, Siza Water and ENGIE Peakers Operations. The Entrepreneur is an accredited UKZN Graduate School of Business and Leadership Short Course. The virtual home of The Entrepreneur programme is www.theentrepreneur.net.za #kznbusinesssense

The next 36 months hold unprecedented opportunities for the local furniture manufacturing industry. Recent market research by the eThekwini Furniture Cluster (EFC) shows that South Africa’s leading furniture retailers are looking to replace imports by sourcing up to two million units per year from local manufacturers. According to Paige Sherriff, Project Manager for the EFC, more than 50% of South Africa’s furniture is currently imported, mostly from China. “In 2019, South Africa imported R11bn of furniture from China but due to a range of factors, our research shows that over the next three years the large furniture retailers have decided to source more goods locally,” says Paige. The EFC’s intelligence based on feedback from three of South Africa’s leading independent retailers predicts a 3-4% year-on-year growth opportunity for buying local, specifically in upholstered furniture, office furniture and case goods, which present the most opportunity for local manufacturers to take advantage of local supply. Retailers are looking to local manufacturers to supply the two million units required to meet the expected market demand. Paige cautions that while this could put South Africa’s struggling furniture manufacturing sector back on the world map, the opportunity is not just going to be given away. “Whilst the opportunity for local manufacturers exists in these product categories, we have identified that firms that leverage this successfully will be those that align with the fabrication, capacity and design requirements of retail. Some examples from our research include the demand for multifunctional, contemporary and modular pieces (design) made with natural stone surfaces, brass finishes, plating (fabrication) at large volumes and economies of scale (capacity). Now it is up to the manufacturers to take advantage of this by aligning their own growth strategies to the lead enterprises predictions. This will give the manufacturers the direction they need for their strategic investment.” Other opportunities outside of the retail market are linked to sectors such as tourism and hospitality, and construction. With most furniture, reliant sectors will be returning to preCovid levels by 2023. The EFC anticipates that residential construction, hospitality and tourism will see the most growth by 2024. The market intelligence used to identify these trends has been conducted by the EFC to deliver on its mandate to boost the competitiveness of the sector by facilitating market access opportunities and developing the competitiveness of manufacturers to unlock these opportunities. “There has been a clear need to establish direct dialogue between furniture manufacturers and retailers. Manufacturers simply do not know what retailers want. So, as a Cluster we have developed a data-driven, market-led approach to create and facilitate an ongoing conversation that aligns supply and demand,” says Paige. The EFC is seeing the positive impact of this approach. Despite the economic recession, the organisation's early successes include R1,5m in new sales and 46 new jobs. Paige believes these green shoots have been since manufacturers have begun to align their own growth objectives to support retail growth drivers. These are: 1. Market positioning to achieve price-quality equilibrium - Retailers and manufacturers need to understand which market segment they wish to target and then drive value chain sourcing strategies to meet that segment’s requirements. 2. Improved consumer experience through agile retailing - Products are no longer sold in isolation. Successful brands are focusing on servicing the end-user. Whether it be through installation support, improved logistics to ship direct to customer or offering various fabrication options which can be triggered and delivered with short turnaround times. 3. Social and environmental sustainability - Manufacturers who are able to unlock retail market opportunities are successfully leveraging sustainability in multiple ways such as raw material sourcing and innovations, research and development investments, and restoring old product for an extended life span. “When manufacturers benchmark their businesses against growth drivers and assess their operational capability to support those, they can practically and proactively generate growth,” Paige elaborates. “Our data driven intelligence tools, therefore, help manufacturers more strategically align to their chosen market and develop their model to service that market.” She summarises by saying that the import replacement opportunity identified will help the EFC to achieve its goal to increase the economic potential and growth of the local furniture manufacturing sector. The EFC’s GrowthFinder tool provides a practical way for manufacturers to do this, and in turn, plays a vital role across the entire value chain. To find out more contact, E: efc@bmanalysts.com #kznbusinesssense

Owners of buildings in South Africa have exactly one year left to obtain and prominently display an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or risk a fine of R5 million, five years imprisonment or both. The regulations, under the National Energy Act, were gazetted a year ago, on 8 December 2020, and apply until 7 December 2022, meaning that building owners who have not acted have exactly a year left in which to comply. The regulations require that owners of four categories of buildings must obtain an EPC, which in general terms, gives a building a rating based on the amount of energy consumed per square metre. The South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), which maintains an EPC register on behalf of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), has urged building owners to take all necessary steps to comply with EPC regulations, emphasising that compliance affords them, and the country a range of benefits. SANEDI General Manager for Energy Efficiency, Barry Bredenkamp says compliance with EPC regulations will enable building owners to identify where they could introduce energy efficiency measures that would, in turn, save them money and possibly increase the value of their buildings. “An energy efficient building is generally a better environment in which to work and is significantly less expensive to run, so an owner can potentially justify a higher price if they want to sell or impose a higher rental for office space,” explains Bredenkamp. “The more energy efficient buildings become, the more they will contribute to taking electricity demand off the national grid. This could help to ease loadshedding, and by reducing carbon emissions, building owners will be helping our country to meet its international obligations to combat climate change.” The categories that currently need to comply are offices, entertainment facilities, educational institution buildings, and places of public assembly such as sporting facilities and community centres. The regulations apply to government buildings of more than 1,000 square metres and privately-owned buildings of more than 2,000 square metres. An accurate figure of the number of buildings covered by the regulations is not available but Bredenkamp says estimates vary between 150,000 and 250,000 buildings that need to comply with the regulations. An EPC rates buildings on a scale of A to G in a similar way to how appliances are rated for their energy efficiency. A D-rating is the benchmark rating that is in line with the national building regulations. An EPC must be prominently displayed in the foyer of a building. “The regulations do provide penalties for any particular rating lower than an A-rating, but the primary objective in obliging building owners to obtain EPCs is to make them aware of their energy consumption and encourage them to be more energy efficient if their EPC rating is poor,” explains Bredenkamp. “Buildings are responsible for between 30% and 40% of carbon emissions worldwide. EPC programmes are commonplace in many parts of the world and some cases even extend right down to the level of residential buildings, and they are one of many energy efficiency measures currently being implemented to drive down fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions worldwide. “We had cause to celebrate when South Africa introduced EPC international best-practice a year ago, and we are hoping that many more of our building owners will see the value in energy efficiency.” Bredenkamp adds that the process of obtaining an EPC has significant job creation potential. “An EPC must be issued by a South African National Accreditation System accredited inspection body. With many thousands of buildings to be rated, inspection bodies will almost certainly need to employ significant numbers of individuals to assist them in gathering the required data, measurements and related information, for their final review and sign-off”. For more information on the EPC regulations, go to https://www.sanedi.org.za/Energy_Performance_Certificates.html and Notice 700 of Gov Gazette43972 of 8 December 2020 (1).pdf #kznbusinesssense

The award-winning Durban International Convention Centre hosted the sixth major international in-person conference since March 2021 and the seven-day expo which kicked off large-scale business events in the city was a resounding success. The who’s who of African leaders attended the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2021) from 15 to 21 November to build a strategic platform to boost trade and investment throughout the continent. The fair attracted 11 828 attendees (against the target of 10 000 attendees) from across Africa to see a total of 1161 exhibitors (1100 targeted) showcasing their goods and services, with $36 billion of trade and investment deals estimated to have been signed and sealed at the event, the IATF said. An ecstatic Lindiwe Rakharebe, CEO of Durban ICC, said the convention centre lived up to expectations to successfully stage a crucial event after being almost mothballed since the Covid-19 pandemic grounded world global travel and the business tourism industry. From the opening address by President Cyril Ramaphosa; the welcoming of high-profile African delegates by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala; the trade and investment forums; the networking sessions; exhibitions; right to the closing address by Kanayo Awani, managing director of Intra-African Trade Initiative at Afreximbank, the main organiser; IATF2021 passed with flying colours. Delivering the closing remarks on Sunday 21 November, Awani said the event exceeded all expectations and it was an allround success, especially in light of the challenges. Rakharebe said IATF was previously due to be held in Kigali, Rwanda. The decision to move the Trade Fair to Durban was arrived at after formal consultations with the Government of Rwanda, who indicated that logistical constraints related to the Covid-19 pandemic had adversely affected the progress of construction of a new facility to host the event. Recalling the past 20 months, she said the Covid-19 pandemic brought travel and conference tourism to a standstill and, in the last financial year, left ICC with only 15% of the previous year’s revenue. “However, we were determined to bounce back after the pandemic, and were confident that bookings would resume when the lockdown was progressively eased and the plague had been eliminated,” she said. Although the doors of the Durban ICC largely remained closed, staff were continually being trained so that they would be in top form when the Durban ICC resumed its central role in the city, province and country’s tourism economy, creating opportunities and jobs in the broad value chain, and supporting the transformation of our economy to become more inclusive of all our people. “The close-knit team of employees strives to maintain the Durban ICC strong inherent culture of warmth and hospitality that we are known for. Our people are the main contributors to our success - they always ensure that each guest leaves the Durban ICC happy and satisfied with the service received.” The Durban ICC has won the World Travel Awards - Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre, no fewer than 17 times and has retained the number one spot as Africa’s leading convention centre in 2021. Winning awards is a visible demonstration of all the behind-the-scenes hard work from the Durban ICC teams and people whose principal focus is to continuously provide world-class customer service to clients, both local and international. “When we look ahead, we see a future which will be reshaped with virtual and hybrid meetings, with continuing innovation stemming from technology solutions. We look forward to a tourism sector that is stronger than ever, one that is more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable,” said Rakharebe. #kznbusinesssense #durbanicc