Standard Bank KwaZuluNatal has announced that the bank will again sponsor the KZN Top Business Awards in 2021. The event will boast a hybrid presentation format and include new categories that recognise the impact of Covid -19 on the people and economy of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal. Currently, the Standard Bank KwaZulu-Natal team is capably led by Head Consumer Client Coverage, Imraan Noorbhai and Head Business Clients Coverage, Hameed Noormahomed. “As a leading financial services partner, we understand that our commercial success, social relevance and sustainability over the long term depends on our team having a deep understanding of the business sector in KwaZulu-Natal. We are a catalyst for much needed economic growth and job creation in our province. Our sponsorship of the Standard Bank KZN Top Business Awards allows the bank to share in the achievements of the business sector and to inspire more businesses to demonstrate excellence, which is good news for KZN,” said Noormahomed. “The global pandemic has created very difficult times for many of our businesses. We believe that in response to Covid-19, recognising and rewarding business excellence is even more important and that this event will provide the appropriate platform to do so in KwaZulu-Natal. As such we are pleased to announce that they will again sponsor the KZN Top Business Awards in 2021,” commented Noorbhai. Grant Adlam, CEO of KZN Top Business said, “We are proud to be once again partnering with Standard Bank to present the KZN Top Business Awards. In common with many businesses, Standard Bank has had a challenging time and it speaks to the strength of their relationship with the business community that they are supporting the KZN Top Business Awards as the major sponsor in 2021.” The impact of Covid-19 persists in South Africa, where the number of confirmed cases and deaths continue to rise. In addition, the ongoing effect of Covid-19 on our lives and businesses is expected to continue during 2021. In the light of these facts, the 2021 Standard Bank KZN Top Business Awards ceremony will be a hybrid awards ceremony, which will allow for both a limited number of people to attend in person, and for the event to be streamed. A streamed component has the advantage of enabling a much wider audience to participate in the awards’ ceremony. “We know how much the Awards mean to businesses in KwaZulu-Natal and we have found a way to deliver an awards programme with the prestige and excitement that our business community has come to expect,” explains Noormahomed. The Standard Bank KZN Top Business Awards traditionally acknowledge business success, innovation, and ethical practice. In particular, the awards recognise companies and organisations that integrate responsible business practice into their mainstream operations, which result in a positive impact in the marketplace, environment, community, and workplace, creating a better life for all in KwaZulu-Natal. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has brought new challenges, different opportunities, and changed ways of working for employees and employers. Many businesses have been forced to embrace new technologies and innovate both their service delivery and products to prosper. Significantly, businesses have done so with excellence and with full cognisance of the responsibility that they have to all their stakeholders. Consequently, the categories to be awarded in 2021 have been revised and will recognise the achievements of individuals and companies in KwaZulu-Natal in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. The nine categories are as follows: 1. BUSINESS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR The Standard Bank KZN Top Business Leader’s award is an honorary award given to a businessperson who has demonstrated exemplary business achievement, industry influence and is a true inspiration to others. 2. BUSINESS INNOVATION For businesses that can demonstrate an innovative or inventive approach to people, products, or processes, which has contributed to the success of the business. 3. ENTREPRENEUR RESILIENCE This award is aimed at young business leaders who have shown exceptional leadership and exhibited entrepreneurial flair. 4. DIGITAL/SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION The winner of this award will be innovating in the digital sector to provide customers with results that have real impact. This award is for those businesses that employ digital thinking and technologies for client engagement. 5. EMPLOYEE WELLBEING This award is for businesses that go the extra mile to engage with their staff members and the difference this makes to the business. This may be through in-house training, flexible working, personal development, workplace wellbeing activity and teambuilding. 6. SMALL BUSINESS START-UP This award recognises start-up businesses in 2020 that have translated an idea into a successful business venture in response to Covid-19. 7. COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INITIATIVE This award is open to businesses or social enterprises that have made a significant positive impact on the community and region they operate in. 8. FAMILY BUSINESS Open to businesses where the majority ownership remains within a family (or multi-family) structure, and where more than one generation contributes to the success of the business. 9. KZN TOP BRAND The top homegrown brand in KwaZulu-Natal is awarded based only the results of a poll. In 2021 this process will be managed through a SMS voting system. “These categories give us an important opportunity to do things differently. Through the Standard Bank KZN Top Business Awards 2021 we want to share the stories of success in KZN,” said Adlam. “Furthermore, the new format of the awards emphasizes that “It can be” which is Standard Bank’s slogan,” concluded Noorbhai. Entries for the Standard Bank KZN Top Business Awards will open on 1 March 2021 and close on the 14 May 2021. The event will be held on the 10 June 2021. Visit www.kzntopbusiness.com for more information or email gayle@mweb.co.za

Morar Incorporated is a national firm of Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors providing quality financial business services and solutions to the private and public sector. Founded in 1995, the firm today has a complement of ten offices and is represented in all nine provinces within South Africa. Morar Incorporated is a member firm of Allinial Global, which is represented in the Americas, EMEIA (Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa), and the Asia Pacific region. Our international network provides our clients with the opportunity to look at their markets from a global perspective as well as the potential to grow their business and establish an international presence. Why Morar Incorporated? Morar Incorporated takes pride in developing long term, strategic partnerships, adding value in all that we do. Our purpose is to provide our clients with outstanding service excellence and innovative business solutions. The Morar Incorporated approach has always been to assist organisations in maximising their performance, achieve their business goals and to be leaders, forward thinkers and front runners in the markets in which they compete. We achieve these accomplishments by developing and implementing smart financial business solutions designed to improve our clients’ productivity. Morar Incorporated has a carefully selected mix of quality financial and business services that all have a role to play in business improvement and development initiatives. Their People A leader is only as good as his team. Our highly skilled staff represent everything we do and everything we are. With a culture built on collaboration, flexibility and innovation; the values that each member of Morar hold are fundamental to every function and in the delivery of exceptional service to our clients. Their Professional Affiliations · South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) · Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (IRBA) · Institute of Risk Management of South Africa (IRMSA) · Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) · Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) · Institute of Directors (IoD) · South African Institute of Tax Practitioners (SAIT) · Information Systems Audit and Control (ISACA) · Chartered Institute of Government, Finance, Audit and Risk Officers (CIGFARO) Service Portfolio We believe that our smart business solutions can deliver above par results. Accounting Services Our accounting professionals work to provide tailor-made accounting solutions for small, medium and large organisations to facilitate and enhance their financial growth. External Auditing Morar Incorporated has a long-standing reputation for providing an efficient risk-based audit service. The audit approach emphasises adding value to our clients by enhancing quality and productivity. This type of assurance assists the organisation in effectively complying with sound corporate governance principles and practices. It also enhances the control environment so as to minimise risk exposure, quantifying the impact of risk to stakeholder value, while highlighting areas that are overcontrolled. Taxation Services Morar Incorporated’s taxation services are tailored around the unique circumstances of each individual and company. Our tax professionals use a forward thinking and multi-disciplinary approach to add value and help organisations manage tax complexities in their everchanging business environments. Morar Incorporated offer clients a broad range of fully integrated tax solutions. Government Services Our services to all spheres of government include the following: Asset Management · Annual Financial Statements and Budgets · Audit Readiness Programmes · Policies and Procedure Manuals · Strategic Planning; Performance Management At all levels of government, for financial statements to be fairly presented, the effects of transactions, other events and conditions should be accurately represented in accordance with the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure criteria for assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses as contained in the relevant frameworks and standards. The primary challenge faced by ALL institutions is the completeness and accuracy of disclosures relating to, amongst others: Irregular expenditure; fruitless and wasteful expenditure; accruals and payables not recognised; commitments; moveable and immoveable tangible capital assets. Morar Incorporated has developed an in-house system known as easi which allows institutions to meet all reporting requirements with regards to annual financial statement disclosures. The system promotes transparency, ownership and accountability and provides an audit trail of all transactions to support the audit process. ECAPS Morar Incorporated has developed a performance management system, ECAPS, which integrates strategy, people, processes and measurements to improve decision making, transparency and accountability and focuses on achieving outcomes, implementing performance measurement, learning, and adapting, as well as reporting on performance. Supply Chain Management Morar Incorporated’s in house web based application was developed to assist with the management of unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure and ensure consequence management. Internal Audit and Risk Management Morar Incorporated’s Internal Audit methodology is aligned with the needs of National Treasury’s guidelines and complies with the requirements of the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing. In addition, we have certified fraud examiners, and are therefore well-positioned to provide advice on risk management. Services include: · Complete outsourcing and co-sourcing of the internal audit function · Assistance in assembling an audit committee · Preparation of an audit committee charter · Preparation of an internal audit charter · Risk identification and management · Development and implementation of three year strategic and annual operational plans · Implementation of controls · Training and capacity building Forensic and Cybercrime Investigations Our team of forensic and cyber-crime specialists can respond to alleged fraud, corruption and other commercial crimes without exposing organisations to further risk. We have assembled a team across nine provinces in South Africa. We have successfully completed various investigations across all spheres of government and the private sector leading to prosecutions. Information and Communication Technology Services (ICT) We offer specialist ICT advisory and assurance services to ensure that business objectives are met, and ICT complies with legislative requirements. Our in-depth experience coupled with our unique methodologies allows us to deliver on client expectations. T: +27 (0)33 345 4004 F: +27 (0)33 342 5699 E: info@morar.co.za W: www.morar.co.za

Pat Moodley, IDC’s KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Regional Manager, says, “This year the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) celebrates 80 years of existence in its role as a Development Funding Institution (DFI), providing funding for manufacturing. We have come a long way in aiding the development of the South African economy during this time and have also assisted many companies in expanding and trading into the African continent.” The IDC’s key sectors in the province include the textiles, clothing, and footwear industry, which Moodley says is a key driver in the KZN economy, especially because of easy access to the Durban port for exports. Other economic sectors supported in this region include agro-processing, chemicals, plastics and medical products, wood and furniture products, automotive and transportation, machinery and equipment, electronics, basic metals, tourism, infrastructure, as well as energy. “With industrialisation comes development, which includes job creation and localisation. An additional element which we actively focus on is the growth and empowerment of black industrialists, and youth and women owned businesses,” explained Moodley. Much of the investment in the province is focused on stimulating localisation, with a view to replace imports. As an example, in terms of government policy, a certain percentage of vehicle manufacturing must include using locally produced components. The IDC has assisted a number of first and second tier vehicle component manufacturers in this regard so that they can become globally competitive. Covid-19 interventions “The onset of Covid-19 has negatively impacted businesses, not just locally, but on a global scale. As the IDC, we have worked with government and other DFIs in assisting businesses to recover and provide funding packages that will stimulate the economy,” says Moodley. “We have a range of funds and interventions in place to address Covid-19 related funding requirements, including assisting companies that have capacity to acquire and/or manufacture products needed to treat, curtail and combat the spread of the pandemic,” says Moodley. To get a full list of essential supplies that can be funded visit https://www.idc.co.za/wpcontent/uploads/2020/03/ IDCEssential-Supplies-FundingIntervention- COVID-192.pdf Other interventions offered by the corporation include general distress funding, which is available to businesses, provided they have a clear turnaround strategy. In addition to this, there is the Small Business Distressed Fund for SMEs with a trading history of more than 12 months and this fund is also available for emerging enterprises with a turnover of less than R50 million per annum (minimum loan amount of R1 million to a maximum R15 million). “At prime less 3% this is an attractive interest rate. The important thing is that businesses need to have a very clear turnaround plan over the next 12 to 24 months and must have been in a healthy financial position before Covid-19 started. The repayment term for this loan is 60 months,” explained Moodley. “There are a sizeable number of small businesses in KwaZulu-Natal that have the opportunity to access funding at competitive rates, however, sustainability is key,” he adds. Responsible Lending The main difference between the IDC’s and other financial institution’s approaches to funding is that the corporation does not practice security-based lending, but rather considers the viability of the business and cash flows to service their loan repayments. The corporation however takes security for loans disbursed and is open to crowd funding with other financial institutions as a way to share the risk on transactions. “Our first consideration is the economic merit of each business; meaning it has to be sustainable, viable and profitable. In our application process, we go through what we call an initial assessment to see that the application meets all the basic criteria and mandate of the IDC. Once that stage is passed, we go into what we call a due diligence process which is a comprehensive assessment of the business including management, technical, financial, and marketing capacity,” explains Moodley. The IDC is a responsible lender and looks at compliance in all areas such as taxation, labour, health and safety, as well as environment. Of importance is ensuring that all necessary documentation and returns – including financial statements, tax certificates, labour returns, etc. are up to date. “We always advise clients or entrepreneurs to be transparent with us as our due diligence process will unpack any noncompliance,” advised Moodley. “Be realistic, remember you are projecting turnover, so you have to be able to quantify revenue streams and ensure that these are achievable,” he adds. The IDC has an online portal for applications. The KZN regional office is open Monday to Friday and staff are available to attend to enquiries or applications. “I suggest clients make an appointment, come sit with us and pitch their business proposals,” said Moodley. During the Covid-19 lockdown, the IDC went through a realignment process to streamline its service to clients. To reduce the number of touch points, the regional offices now handle funding proposals up to R15 million, proposals over these amounts are immediately referred to the relevant business unit at head office for further processing. This process means that the client deals with the relevant person from day one, significantly reducing the turnaround time for applications. If a project does not meet the IDC mandate it can be referred to a different funding institute. “Our responsibility as a development finance institution is to assist clients. If we can’t assist in line with our mandate, we will pass clients on to other relevant DFIs. We are always there to ensure that the client gets the right information,” adds Moodley. “We have some sizeable applications currently in our pipeline in KwaZulu-Natal. I think that there is a positive outlook for the province. I remain positive that as lockdown restrictions are eased, there will be a greater number of requests for more funding and we can get the economy going again,” concluded Moodley. www.idc.co.za

What makes DNA Auto Centre unique? DNA Auto Centre is a premier car service centre in Durban North, KwaZulu-Natal. We are one of the largest and busiest Bosch certified, AA quality assured service centres in KZN and we pride ourselves on the exceptional customer service. DNA Auto Centre is owned by three brothers – Dinesh, Neren and Ashen – who are all under the age of 35 and run some of the best Bosch Car Service franchises in South Africa. Our directors are hands on and actually work on the customers’ vehicles as well as check service standards personally. We always maintain our high service standards and remain market leaders in our field. You are the number one ranked BOSCH car service Centre, and have a maintained RMI five-star graded facility. What is the reason for the incredible Google ratings that DNA Auto Centre receives? The Google ratings are from our customers, and those amazing reviews are the impartial comments left by our satisfied clients who want to share with others the type of service experience they have experienced at DNA Auto Centre. We don’t just service cars; we provide a unique service experience, and we provide solutions to people’s motoring needs. That’s what sets us apart from the rest. We want to provide a ‘wow’ service experience, so that when customers go home it becomes a point of conversation among friends and family. Our biggest source of referrals comes from our customers. DNA Auto Centre has been successful in creating customers, that create more customers for us. We as DNA are destined for fantastic things… What are the benefits to bringing my car, as an individual to be serviced by you? The DNA Auto Centre is not just about servicing your car. You become part of our family. DNA Auto Centre is here to look after your car so that you can carry on with your life. We also offer breakdown services and a pickup and delivery service. We have an industry leading service facility and offer high levels of customer service. Our service reception is a coffee shop environment, and we have a business centre with free wi-fi, and a copy centre. This environment allows our busy clients to continue with their day’s work for an hour or two, whilst their vehicle is being serviced by our expert technicians. Franchise dealers will tell you that you are obligated to service your vehicle with the franchise OEM agent for the duration of the vehicle warranty in attempt to keep customers with the franchise agent for a longer period of time. The reality is that whilst under warranty, franchise dealers have held on to the right to service your vehicle. However, in reality, customers can bring their vehicles to us for repair to wear and tear items such as wiper blades, tyres and brakes, or any other item not covered by the OEM agent warranty. Of course, this will change when the Competition Commission rule in favour of the Right2Repair campaign (R2RSA). What this means is that vehicle owners will have the right to have their new vehicles (that are still under factory warranty), serviced at our award winning service facility. Our technicians are constantly being sent on training courses so that we have the latest technical data and repair capabilities. This level of technical ability enables us to service any model of vehicle. What services do you offer to fleet owners? We handle many vehicle fleets, some comprising of up to 2000 vehicles. We pride ourselves on our fleet maintenance department. We keep fleet vehicles on the road, and we minimise the down time as we understand that fleet companies need to keep moving. We carry out evening services for fleets, as well as servicing over the weekends. Through time management and work processes, we have engineered a way to manage the fleet company’s expectations in terms of getting their vehicles back on the road within the shortest possible time. Do you offer any additional benefits to fleet companies? Fleet companies are entitled to special service and labour rates. We have a free towing service, we have an after ours call out service, an in-house diesel centre, and an in-house auto electrician. We don’t send our work out, as we have all these experts in-house. From which areas do you draw your customers? We have customers through-out KZN and from as far as Eastern Cape, who are prepared to bring the vehicles to us because we are the best at advanced vehicle diagnostics. Clients from other provinces use us as a preferred service centre when they visit KZN. What back up services do you have in South Africa? Being a part of the largest aftermarket car franchise in the world – Bosch Car Service – means that we carry a national warranty on all services and repairs that we carry out. We also offer a free one-year AA assistance to all our customers who service with us. Where is DNA Auto Centre situated? DNA Auto Centre is conveniently situated at Unit 22, Greenfield Business Park, which is on the corner of Chris Hani and Rinaldo Road, Durban North. You can Google us on Google maps and that will bring you right through to our front door. Contact us on T: +27 (0)31 569 1417 E: info@dnaautocentre.co.za www.dnaautocentre.co.za Facebook: DNA Auto Centre-PTY Ltd Instagram: dna_autocentre Google maps: https://bit.ly/3mmONYD

With a rich heritage of 47 years as a dedicated Isuzu Truck Dealer, Key Truck New Germany supports the Key Motor Group as South Africa’s largest privately owned vehicle distributor to all fleet operations. Key Trucks and Isuzu are affiliated to a nationwide and cross border network of 38 dealerships that offer a 24-hour service and breakdown recovery. Isuzu Trucks is the market leader in the medium, and heavy truck segments and has retained the number one position for seven consecutive years in the commercial truck segment. The range of commercial trucks available are: · The N-Series in the medium segment 1.5 – 5 ton market · The F-series in the heavy segment 5.7 – 18.7 ton market · The FX-series in extra heavy 17.5 – 19.9 ton market and truck tractor market All Isuzu trucks come with a two-year unlimited mileage factory warranty and a three-year unlimited mileage rust warranty. Key Truck New Germany’s fleet customers are rest assured of quality service. The dealership’s sales executives take the time to obtain in-depth knowledge of each customer’s operation in face-to-face appointments. “We want to find out what is the need. We would like to take the guess work out of trucking,” O’Neill explained. He added, “There are four important facts we keep in mind when we deal with fleet customers. The first thing is the customer’s profit and convenience. The second is that we try to provide value adding solutions for the customers. Thirdly, we would like to act as a consultant – we want to be the go-to person for expert advice. Lastly, we want to build a long-term business relationship. We firmly believe at Key Truck New Germany that buying is a moment but to own a truck is a lifetime.” After the sales executive has met with a client a Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is formulated. Each truck starts with a chassis and through the truck science programme the truck is designed for its purpose. The USP is a seven-point business plan proposal that will assist the fleet customer with their decision to buy the vehicle. The USP includes the vehicle: 1. Payload and payload distribution 2. Routing with waypoints for delivery 3. Performance summary, average fuel consumption per hour, average speed 4. Vehicle finance options such as full maintenance lease, month to month lease or instalment sale 5. Vehicle service or maintenance plan 6. Vehicle costing breakdown, including fixed costs such as driver wages and insurance and variable costs such as fuel 7. Vehicle specifications All this information results in a cents per kilometre running cost calculation. An operator who is doing logistics can then work out what to charge customers in order to make a profit with that truck. “The reason why we do this is because if that logistics business fails, we as Key Truck New Germany fails,” commented O’Neill. We see ourselves as the experts that our customers can rely on for advice. There are a lot of hurdles but there are a lot of customers that need us. We take it quite seriously at New Germany that you have to buy the right truck,” says O’Neill. In addition to sales, the New Germany dealership offers after sales service and is open on Saturdays for services and does night servicing of trucks. Overnight facilities for out-of-town drivers are available when trucks are being serviced. For peace of mind and convenience, the dealership has 24-hour security. “So, any time at night if a truck driver wants to leave, he can take the truck and go back to Jo’ burg,” explains O’Neill. “We also have a truck parts department and an Auto Body Shop for accident repairs as well as Key Hire if companies want to hire vehicles. The Isuzu brand offer break down facilities.” For more information contact T: +27 (0)31 713 3111 E: patrick.oneill@keygroup.co.za W: www.keyisuzutrucks.co.za

Patrick O’Neill, the Fleet Sales Director at Key Truck, New Germany has had a long history of working in the motor industry. O’Neill started as a technician with Key in 1993. He explained that he really loves to work with cars but after a year on the bench his enjoyment of interfacing with customers saw him being promoted to service advisor. He progressed through several roles within the branch – director, foreman, workshop controller, sales manager and after sales director. His solid performance resulted in him spending four years running the workshop at the Pietermaritzburg Key branch. O’Neill joined Key Trucks New Germany as a salesman. After six months, he was promoted to manager and one year ago was provided an opportunity to buy shares in the company and became a director. He now leads a team of four highly trained sales executives to support fleet companies. “I see myself as a leader. I will never expect something from my sales staff if I can’t do it.” “I have a passion for customers and a passion for Isuzu. I spend a lot of time with them,” said O’Neill.

The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has been declared a global crisis and is one of the biggest challenges facing countries in modern times. In South Africa, while the initial Covid-19 lockdown regulations were targeted at mitigating health risks, these measures have impacted heavily on the country’s economy. Each business sector has had diverse challenges to face and consequently the responses have differed in each industry. According to Stats SA findings (September 2020), “South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) decreased by 51,0% in the second quarter of 2020 owing to the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions since the end of March 2020.” Following conversations with several chief executive officers and other leading business leaders, both formally and informally, several themes became evident in both how the pandemic has impacted business models and in how businesses have responded. One of the key business issues has been a focus on sustainability. While some companies have not been impacted and have continued to thrive and to grow, others have not. Many business leaders have questioned, “How will the business survive and remain relevant going forward, especially in an environment of uncertainty?” In an attempt to answer this question, Roshan Morar, Managing Director of Morar Incorporated; David White, CEO of DRG Outsourcing; and Grant Adlam, CEO of KZN Top Business have been hosting a webinar series entitled, “Business leadership shaping the future”, with the core theme being, “How can business leaders create and sustain long term business success?”. The panellists on the first webinar were: · Rowan De Klerk, CEO, The FD Centre · Mahomed Zubeir Moosa, CEO, Willowton Group · Merrill King, CEO, Capitol Caterers · Ashok Sewnarain, CEO, IBV International Vaults · Elias Masilela, Non-executive Chairman, DNA Economics · Pearl Bengu, CEO, Ithala Development Finance Corporation · Trevor Mvundura, Chief Financial Officer at THINK: TB and HIV Investigative Network · Dr Cassius Lubisi, former Director-General in the South African Presidency The panellists on the second webinar were: · Jonathan Naidoo, CEO, SmartXchange · Frikkie Brooks, CEO, Brooks Facilitation Services · Nomfundo Mcoyi, CEO, Icebolethu Group · Andre Wessels, CEO, Asone Limited · Clinton Govender, CEO, Brand Partners · Rajen Reddy, Executive Chairman, RR Group of Companies Key Insights All panellists gave much insight into the importance of effective leadership in adapting to current challenges in the business environment. Each panellist agreed that changes, both in business operations and business culture, have occurred, which are likely to remain evident in the foreseeable future. Many businesses have had to cope with many challenges including the extended periods of lockdown and the need to shut down operations as well as manage employees working remotely. They have had to find new ways of working, and in some cases have had to work at re-establishing their businesses on reopening. The responsibility for navigating the ‘new normal’ depends on each business leader’s timeous and appropriate actions to keep moving forward. While Covid-19 has highlighted strengths in businesses, the impact of the pandemic has showed up flaws as well as weaknesses in existing enterprises. One of the key outcomes of Covid-19 is that business leaders have had the opportunity to evaluate their business models, including their products or services, and to question whether their models are sustainable. The importance of making use of this opportunity to stay relevant was shared by many of the webinar panel members. To be sustainable, many businesses are reviewing their environment, social and governance (ESG) objectives using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a guide. However, in paying attention in how to remain relevant and sustainable, business must be agile and adaptable. But in restructuring a business to make it more effective and to increase one’s bottom line, proper planning, being cost effective and managing finances diligently is imperative. This includes full compliance with all business governance and reporting requirements. As Covid-19 allowed a chance to pause and reflect, the importance of assessing the needs of all the people that the business impacted on was stressed by many of the panellists. In this regard, the need to continue upskill and retrain employees as we go into the future must be considered. Significantly, the importance of collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders including family, employees, clients, service providers and the wider community that the busines operates in was mentioned as key to sustainability in many of the businesses represented. Business collaboration, with an increased focused on doing business locally, is also highly relevant in growing the economy of KwaZulu-Natal and improving the overall quality of life of the people of the province through job creation and social responsibility projects. Another key message was the importance of digitalisation to promote connectivity and to ensure effective communication among all stakeholders. Along with digitalisation the need to embrace technologies that ensure the effective use of operating systems within the business must be realised where appropriate. We need to translate much of the innovation that is taking place in the technology space into action. In conclusion, the panellists highlighted that it is people that make a difference and with the right leader and approach to one’s business, anything is possible. Each leader needs to take responsibility for creating a collective vision for their business and motivate their team to achieve this goal. One must get out there and do it! For more information contact tracy@topbusiness.co.za

I am the co-founder of Nkazimulo Applied Sciences, a 100% African Black-owned and managed science equipment company. We help young people become scientists which they aspire to be. I am the managing director of Nkazimulo Applied Sciences and hold a BSc. Honours Degree in Chemistry from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business. I grew up in Nongoma where I attended primary school and Ulundi where I attended high school. The education I received from these schools didn’t prepare me enough for tertiary education and I realised this, when I entered a science laboratory for the first time, at university. I had never been in a laboratory before and I was extremely intimidated and woefully unprepared for what I saw. In my high school, I was considered one of the best in class, but now I felt like one of the worst. This realisation shattered my confidence and severely affected my performance. My poor performance subsequently led to my non-acceptance into medical school and my hopes of becoming a doctor remained a dream. When I finished studying the undergraduate degree, I worked at the same university where I could see many students battling the same way that I did when I first arrived at university. I knew that just like me, this was not an issue of capability but because many of these students were using laboratory apparatus for the first time in their lives. I thought that someone must do something about this problem. On the 25 January 2015, in my MBA leadership lecture, the lecturer asked us what type of leaders did we want to be? Then it hit me, that the right person to address this long- standing problem was me. My first action was to go to schools to demonstrate science experiments. But I realised that this was not impactful as I was the one doing the experiments and not the learners. Consequently, I developed the concept of a portable science kit, which led to the inception of my company, Nkazimulo Applied Sciences in 2016. I quit my employment and became an entrepreneur. The capital for the business came via entering business competitions, of which I won quite a few. Nkazimulo Applied Sciences operates from New Germany, KwaZulu-Natal. OUR VISION A South Africa, where every child has an opportunity to fall in love with science and excel in it. We do this by providing science kits, that can be used at school and at home so that learners can discover science and perform science experiments. OUR MISSION To be the number one provider of science kits for learners for both school and home education. OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH SLG This partnership started in 2019, where SLG registered our services to provide community schools with science resources. This partnership has directly impacted over 2000 learners in 2020. More than 2000 learners will benefit from portable science kits in 2021. The teachers will be able to access mobile science kits as well. The beneficiary schools are mainly from the Molweni, KwaMashu and Pietermaritzburg areas. The schools also receive training to better equip teachers to use the science kits as they teach learners. Our packages include online lessons, which will allow the learner to interact with the content online, that will enable us to track how each learner is performing. Running a business is not easy, but partnering with SLG, through their socio-economic, enterprise and supplier development programmes, helped us to expand in 2020, even during the tough times. We are looking forward to a great 2021. For more information contact: Nkazimulo Applied Sciences, Bathabile Mpofu T: +27 82 301 6726 E: Bathabile@nkazisciences.co.za W: www.nkazisciences.co.za SLG T: +27 31 812 0555 W: www.slgas.co.za

I am the co-founder of Nkazimulo Applied Sciences, a 100% African Black-owned and managed science equipment company. We help young people become scientists which they aspire to be. I am the managing director of Nkazimulo Applied Sciences and hold a BSc. Honours Degree in Chemistry from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business. I grew up in Nongoma where I attended primary school and Ulundi where I attended high school. The education I received from these schools didn’t prepare me enough for tertiary education and I realised this, when I entered a science laboratory for the first time, at university. I had never been in a laboratory before and I was extremely intimidated and woefully unprepared for what I saw. In my high school, I was considered one of the best in class, but now I felt like one of the worst. This realisation shattered my confidence and severely affected my performance. My poor performance subsequently led to my non-acceptance into medical school and my hopes of becoming a doctor remained a dream. When I finished studying the undergraduate degree, I worked at the same university where I could see many students battling the same way that I did when I first arrived at university. I knew that just like me, this was not an issue of capability but because many of these students were using laboratory apparatus for the first time in their lives. I thought that someone must do something about this problem. On the 25 January 2015, in my MBA leadership lecture, the lecturer asked us what type of leaders did we want to be? Then it hit me, that the right person to address this long- standing problem was me. My first action was to go to schools to demonstrate science experiments. But I realised that this was not impactful as I was the one doing the experiments and not the learners. Consequently, I developed the concept of a portable science kit, which led to the inception of my company, Nkazimulo Applied Sciences in 2016. I quit my employment and became an entrepreneur. The capital for the business came via entering business competitions, of which I won quite a few. Nkazimulo Applied Sciences operates from New Germany, KwaZulu-Natal. OUR VISION A South Africa, where every child has an opportunity to fall in love with science and excel in it. We do this by providing science kits, that can be used at school and at home so that learners can discover science and perform science experiments. OUR MISSION To be the number one provider of science kits for learners for both school and home education. OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH SLG This partnership started in 2019, where SLG registered our services to provide community schools with science resources. This partnership has directly impacted over 2000 learners in 2020. More than 2000 learners will benefit from portable science kits in 2021. The teachers will be able to access mobile science kits as well. The beneficiary schools are mainly from the Molweni, KwaMashu and Pietermaritzburg areas. The schools also receive training to better equip teachers to use the science kits as they teach learners. Our packages include online lessons, which will allow the learner to interact with the content online, that will enable us to track how each learner is performing. Running a business is not easy, but partnering with SLG, through their socio-economic, enterprise and supplier development programmes, helped us to expand in 2020, even during the tough times. We are looking forward to a great 2021. For more information contact: Nkazimulo Applied Sciences, Bathabile Mpofu T: +27 82 301 6726 E: Bathabile@nkazisciences.co.za W: www.nkazisciences.co.za SLG T: +27 31 812 0555 W: www.slgas.co.za #KZNbusinesssense #slg

Basil Williams, the founder and director of Afya Foods, became interested in nutrition on a personal level after discovering the benefits of making healthier food choices and experiencing the direct impact on his own health and wellness. Williams ascertained that he wanted to be involved in some sort of health enterprise that benefitted the masses. He explained, “I thought that was the best way to help people in South Africa, where we have a high level of lifestyle diseases. I wanted to make something out of my purpose, which is to help people and to create a legacy for generations to come.” He added, “I always knew that I did not just want to work for somebody and live an ordinary life.” Consequently, Afya Foods was founded in 2015 and supplies four products – Afya Rolled Oats, Afya Sorghum and Afya Mealie Meal (coarse and fine). All products are unrefined meaning that they have high amount of fibre, which helps ensure a healthy gut. An important aspect of eating unrefined foods is that they help control glucose levels. Of significance all four products are NOT genetically modified (Non-GMO). “This is how nature intended and we have given them to you in that form,” explained Williams. He added, “We are currently the only company in the country supplying yellow non-GMO mealie meal, rolled oats and sorghum (amabele or maltabella) that are certified and endorsed by The Glycaemic Index Foundation of SA (Low GI), the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Vegan Society of South Africa and Diabetes SA.” These endorsements make Afya Foods very unique in the food business especially in the carbohydrate sector. “All four of our products are geared not to create havoc with your sugar levels,” says Williams. Afya Foods tries to source its raw material (grain) from local and regional farmers – especially poor subsistence farmers who are willing to grow grain according to specifics to meet the product offering requirements. Williams prides himself on the fact that the company is creating jobs directly through employment opportunities at Afya Foods and indirectly through using local farmers to grow the grain. Afya Foods has overcome a number of obstacles to bring its products to market and the last five years have had many challenges. Apart from setting up the company and acquiring premises, the milestones were to overcome the financial burden of getting all four products tested – including vigorous laboratory testing – where nutritional analysis of all products is performed, which comes at great cost, explained Williams. This testing was required prior to obtaining endorsements from the various foundations and societies, which was a long process. Another milestone was in obtaining a regular supply of non- GMO yellow maize from Agri-South Africa. The raw rolled oats are imported, a supply of these also had to be negotiated. Ensuring that the packaging was of high quality and attractive was another milestone. Williams explained, “Fortunately for Afya Foods we have done a lot of work behind the scenes, especially to get the packaging right, which is important to the consumer and to the shopkeeper. We did a three year pilot project where we tested the market to see what perception we would get before we started in earnest on the product production. Afya Foods has cracked that part and the market is ready and waiting for us.” Afya Foods is now taking its product to market and occupies a niche market in the health section of food stores. All four products are available in over 200 stores including selected Spar stores, Food Lover’s Market stores, The Veggie Shop and Oxford Food stores. www.afyafoods.co.za

Dental x-rays are images of your teeth that your dentist uses to assess your oral health. However, many patients question if dental x-rays are necessary and if they are safe. The short answer is, “Dental x-rays are safe and often beneficial to your oral health,” said Dr Fareed Amod of Crown Dental Studio. “Many dental problems are invisible to the naked eye, and the x-rays allows a better assessment of any potential problems in tooth enamel, gums, bone and tooth roots. We provide digital imaging for our patients as part of a standard full examination to comprehensively identify and diagnose any treatment needs and to address our patients’ concerns.” While dental x-rays are typically performed yearly, they can happen more often if the progress of a dental problem or treatment is being tracked. Factors affecting how often you need to have dental x-rays may include your: · Age · Current oral health · Any symptoms of oral disease · A history of gum disease (gingivitis) or tooth decay Intraoral x-rays are the most common type of dental x-ray taken. These allow the dentist to see any small cavities that may be developing in between the teeth as well as infections between the tooth and gums. Once cavities are visible in the mouth, the tooth may already require a crown, root canal, or may even need to be extracted. Extraoral x-rays focus is the jaw and skull and are used to look for impacted teeth, monitor growth and development of the jaws in relation to the teeth, and to identify potential problems between teeth and jaws and the temporomandibular joint. While cancer and tumours of the jaw are rare, the prognosis is always better if you can treat these early. Your dentist may also need to diagnose a problem that’s causing pain or to determine the structure of your mouth to place dental work. In addition, digital imaging has changed the technique of dental x-rays and the way in which many dentists practice. In digital radiography, a sensor is inserted into your mouth which captures the images of your teeth. The digital sensor is an electronic device connected to a computer. The sensor captures the images and then projects them on a screen for viewing by both you and your dentist. Since digital imaging requires a lower level of radiation than traditional x-rays, the result is less exposure and a safer experience for both the patient and the dental professional administering the digital x-rays. To put dental x-rays into perspective they can be compared to other environmental sources of radiation. The dose of radiation is measured in millirems or mrem; a standard dental x-ray gives off 0.5 mrem, while a single digital dental x-ray has 0.1 mrem of radiation. This can be compared to: · 35 mrem per year: Natural radiation from soil · 36 mrem per year: Smoking one pack of cigarettes a day · 5 mrem per year: Drinking water · 10 mrem per year: Using natural gas for heating and cooking “Basically, while dental x-rays expose you to some radiation, the benefits of having them performed outweigh the risks. The amount of radiation to which you are exposed during a dental x-ray is minimal in relation to the exposure that you receive in your daily life,” says Dr Amod. “X-rays allow for a better quality of service, and better access to the information required to manage dental health, which are some of the factors that matter a lot to patients to keep their smiles intact.” 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

Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) has donated personal protective equipment (PPE) to the South African Police Services (SAPS) Empangeni Command Centre and the district office of the Department of Health (DOH) in the King Cetshwayo District Municipality. The PPE, valued at R600 000, included face masks, gloves, sanitisers, and surgical gowns. Werner Duvenhage, managing director of RBM commented, “The donation was part of our ongoing support for our host communities and to help those in the frontline of the fight against COVID-19. We have taken a more proactive stance to support government in its efforts to combat the spread of the coronavirus. This is in addition to efforts we are taking as a company to share information on health protocols with our employees and communities to stem the spread of the virus.” Earlier in the year, RBM contracted four SMMEs – one from each of its four host communities – to manufacture 100 000 cloth face masks, which were then donated for free to members of the community. The SMMEs are managed by and employ mainly young people, including women. “We are pleased that our contributions to the fight against COVID-19 also benefited local communities by creating job opportunities and supporting local economic development. This donation is part of RBM’s strategy to be involved in Public Private Partnerships for the benefit of our host communities,” added Duvenhage.