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Opportunity Issue 98

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  • Property
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  • Africa
  • Investment
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  • Afcfta
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  • Midvaal
  • Economy
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Opportunity magazine is a niche business-to-business publication that explores various investment opportunities within Southern Africa’s economic sectors and looks to provide its readers with first-hand knowledge about South African business. Opportunity also looks to present South African business to international markets that may have interests in investing in South Africa. The publication is endorsed by the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI).

News & snippets Industry

News & snippets Industry insights from the past quarter Mamonkwe Trading is seizing the moment Mamonkwe Trading, a 100% black-owned company with a permanent staff complement of more than 150, is growing its footprint in a range of fields. Mamonkwe Trading is the mother body for a number of subsidiary companies trading under the same banner with the main focus being plant hire, mining rehabilitation, coal transportation and logistics. The business philosophy of founder and CEO, Robby Mogashoa, can be summed up as, “An opportunity presents itself for a moment to be seized by a prepared person.” The company was founded 14 years ago by this dynamic son of Limpopo’s soil. Says Robby, “We offer the right solution at a compatible rate. We distribute and deliver only high-quality products and services through reliable and efficient solution systems.” Clients of Mamonkwe Trading include Pan African Resources, Evander Gold Mine, Manana Chemicals, Eskom and Universal Coal. Robby Mogashoa has been going beyond expectations since moving from a rural area to Kinross in Mpumalanga to look for opportunities. He started selling cars but then started a business providing services to Evander Gold Mine. John Deere expands across Africa John Deere, the agricultural giant, announced in April 2021 that it will bring its construction and forestry product line back into its Africa Middle East branch. This expansion marks the first time that the John Deere construction products will be sold under the John Deere name in these 18 countries: South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Namibia, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, Angola, Malawi, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Egypt, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and Sudan. John Deere is taking full control of the marketing and support of its own branded construction products. “This expansion provides an opportunity for us to increase our global footprint in the construction industry, as we build upon our existing presence in Africa and deliver our product portfolio under the John Deere brand for the first time to these key markets,” says Jaco Beyers, Managing Director for John Deere Africa Middle East. “As we move into these new countries, we are delivering on what customers expect from the John Deere brand.” ocial e in nergy ) ENT le energy to o-economic ng social ners? / 06-07am EDT Inspiring the renewable energy sector Many energy projects have community participation and CSI projects but a new initiative wants to ensure that a real impact is made. INSPIRE (the Initiative for Social Performance in Renewable Energy) aims to ensure that Africa’s just energy transition delivers transformational socioeconomic benefits. The initiative was virtually launched in June by several companies in partnership with the renewable energy industry associations SAWEA and SAPVIA and entities in the energy sector. The participants in the venture are supported by Actis, Lekela and Biotherm Synergy Global Consulting, Actis, Lekela Power, Biotherm, the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) and the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA). DRA Global lists on the JSE The trading of DRA Global’s shares commenced on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in July, giving South African investors an opportunity to invest in the diversified global engineering, project and operations management company. Founded in South Africa in 1984, but headquartered in Perth, Australia, DRA Global operates mainly in the mineral resources sector, where it provides end-to-end integrated engineering, project and operations management services to customers developing and operating mining assets. The company’s primary listing is on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX), and it also has operations across several key markets spanning Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas. Valdene Reddy, Director of Capital Markets at the JSE, says DRA Global is the sixth company to list on the JSE in 2021, supporting the appeal of the Johannesburg-based bourse as a capital-raising platform. JULY/AUG/SEPT 2021 • ISSUE 98 www.opportunityonline.co.za

JULY/AUG/SEPT 2021 • ISSUE 98 Momentum boosts women-owned businesses The country’s official unemployment rate currently stands at 32.6% and the Covid-19 pandemic will cause more job losses. In the spirit of bolstering small and medium enterprises (SME) in order to increase job opportunities, Momentum recently chose five women-led businesses to receive a share of R1-million as well as some invaluable coaching as part of its Budget Speech #AdviceForSuccess competition. Charlotte Nsubuga-Mukasa, Head of Momentum Brand at Momentum, says that SMEs make up 98.5% of formal businesses in South Africa, which means that successful SMEs can have a significant impact on our economy. The latest Momentum | UNISA Household Financial Wellness Insights shows that women were hardest hit by the lockdown. Just over a million either lost their jobs or were prevented from working. The Budget Speech #AdviceForSuccess competition asked people to nominate deserving, local woman-owned businesses. One of those chosen was The Trea Garden, an outdoor area and café based in Midrand (Gauteng), owned and run by Amanda Yoyo. Vodacom’s launches VodaPay Super App Vodacom’s VodaPay Super App aims to be a game-changer for driving financial inclusion and economic growth in South Africa. Developed by Vodacom Financial Services in partnership with digital lifestyle services platform Alipay, VodaPay is an all-encompassing mobile payments solution that has been customised to meet the specific lifestyle and payment needs of consumers, businesses and tech developers. Developers and businesses of all sizes are invited to join the VodaPay ecosystem by building their own Mini Programmes. This allows them to leverage off world-class technology to accelerate digital engagement and increase access to market. The VodaPay Super App offers endless possibilities in acquiring new customers, trading, and advertising. These third-party downloadable sub applications run within the VodaPay Super App and are available to all consumers to enhance their lifestyle. Shameel Joosub, Vodacom Group Chief Executive Officer, says, “Since we announced the VodaPay Super App in July last year, we have made significant strides in developing this technology solution that will transform the fintech ecosystem in South Africa. Fortress REIT kickstarts logistics strategy Fortress Logistics Real Estate’s commitment to develop over a million square metres of logistics assets over the next two to three years, effectively transforming the weighting of its portfolio to two-thirds big box logistics, came into its own in 2020/2021. “The strategy equipped South Africa’s largest supplier of logistics real estate with the ready-built runway to support key clients’ new supply and logistics strategies in response to the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Jason Cooper, Head of Development at Fortress REIT. Fortress Logistics Real Estate’s focus combined with its commitment to developing quality infrastructure at prime locations close to the airport and the Port of Durban saw all of its speculative buildings let. Increased roof heights and yard dimensions in logistics parks meeting increased global fire regulation, security and insurance standards underpinned Fortress Logistic Real Estate’s success throughout the Covid-19 period. Fortress’s Clairwood Logistics Park (pictured) concluded large deals with Kings Rest Container Group and African Sugar Logistics. The development of a 56 000m² container terminal within Clairwood for Kings Rest to be completed in September 2021 will extend the ability of King Rest’s existing container facility within the port of Durban. Rand-Air aims for best fit Rand-Air has announced a fleet renewal programme to ensure customers receive the best fit possible: “the right fleet, at the right time and at the right price”. Rand-Air, a supplier of air, nitrogen, power, flow (pumps), steam boiler and lighting solutions, is part of the global Atlas Copco Specialty Rental division. Having an up-to-date fleet allows for operational agility and is critical to the success of customers. “Continuous fleet renewal is imperative, as this practice enables Rand-Air to retain and effectively manage a constantly updated fleet of equipment – featuring the latest world-class technologies, improved lifespans, efficiencies, reduced environmental impacts and increased user-friendliness. Such a fleet reflects our ethos and tagline of “making agility count” for our customers, by ensuring lower operating costs, efficient production and sustainable profitability,” says Rand-Air Sales and Marketing Manager, Byrone Thorne. While the “best fit” offer is effective for short-term rental solutions, longer-term rental solutions may be more customised according to requirements. With more specific factors taken into consideration, such as energy consumption, Rand-Air’s products may feature variable speed drives (VSDs) for enhanced energy efficiency over longer periods, Thorne explains.

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