Endeavour Magazine July 2017

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EDITOR’S NOTE Heads of Departments Managing Editor Djamil Benmehidi editor@littlegatepublishing.com Sales Director Alex Smith alexsmith@littlegatepublishing.com Sales Manager Emlyn Freeman emlynfreeman@littlegatepublishing.com Head of Editorial Research Paul Bradley paulbradley@littlegatepublishing.com

G

reetings, and welcome to our July

against HIV/AIDS, and the men and women

issue of Endeavour Magazine.

responsible for orchestrating the ongoing

As any British readers amongst

development of the Square Kilometre

you will surely agree, it’s been yet another

Array – one of the most ambitious scientific

fascinating month for the country, in that

endeavours of recent decades.

Jeremy Corbyn very nearly became our

There’s some great features in this month’s

Donald Trump moment.

magazine, which also includes the rise to

For those who are not aware, we came

prominence of one of the most highly-

within a whisker of a quintessentially English

regarded business parks in Johannesburg’s

political revolution on the 8th June, and it

prestigious north, and the company that

came as quite a shock to many. The rather

built it, Northlands Business Park Ltd,

lovely Jeremy Corbyn actually almost stole

Motheo Group, and Hemani Group. Last

victory from the jaws of defeat in the British

but not least, we bring to you the story of

general election, and no doubt depending

Arctic Group, a Kazakh oil and gas sector

on where you sit on the political spectrum

service provider that is currently riding the

you’ll either still be breathing a sigh of relief

wave of the country’s incredible emergence

at having dodged the socialist bullet, or

as an elite global energy sector player.

Publisher Stephen Warman

instead be utterly aghast that Theresa May and the Conservative somehow crossed the

On behalf of myself and the rest of the

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by Littlegate Publishing LTD which is a Registered Company in the UK. Company Registration: 07657236 VAT registration number: 116 776007 343 City Road London EC1 V1LR

But do forgive me; let’s get back to the

Assistant Editor Alice Instone-Brewer alice@littlegatepublishing.com Editorial Research Steven Weller steveweller@littlegatepublishing.com Editorial Research James Lapping james@littlegatepublishing.com Lead Designer Alina Sandu studio@littlegatepublishing.com Corporate Director Anthony Letchumaman

Suite 10, Thorpe House 79 Thorpe Road Norwich, NR1 1UA

Littlegate Publishing Ltd does not accept responsibility for omissions or errors. The points of view expressed in articles by attributing

finish line by a squeak. Regardless, it was an extraordinary turn of events that none of us saw coming – the running theme of the year, it would seem. We really do live in

Magazine we’ve once again brought you the latest happenings and breaking news and organisations from every corner of the world. Notably, we’ve caught up with

every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of

Nomad Adventure Tours – one of most

the information contained within this magazine,

exciting safari tour operators on the African

publishers for loss arising from use of information

country, to find out more about their latest

published. All rights reserved. No part of this

innovations for which they are so well

publication may be reproduced or stored in a

known. Also from this region, we’ve worked

retrievable system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher.

Copyright © Littlegate Publishing Ltd 2017

DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

Within this month’s issue of Endeavour

from a selection of exciting companies

no legal responsibility will be accepted by the

enjoyed bringing it to you.

business of business.

magazine do not necessarily represent those of living or dead is purely coincidental. Whilst

this month’s issues as much as we’ve

fascinating times.

writers and/or in advertisements included in this the publisher. Any resemblance to real persons,

Endeavour team, I hope you enjoy reading

in partnership with the wonderful North Star Alliance – an NGO operating throughout the Southern and Eastern African regions, who have taken a frontline role in the war

Endeavour Magazine | 3

CONTENTS

PEPSI JAMAICA BOTTLING COMPANY LTD FEATURES

NATIONAL WATER AND SEWAGE CORPORATION 4 | Endeavour Magazine

16

26

36

44

52

60

66

74

84

90

98

104

110

116

122

Nomad Africa Adventure Tours Adventure, Passion, And Innovation Pepsi Jamaica Bottling Company Ltd The Sweet Pepsi Taste To The Island Arctic Group Int The Well Of Fortune Red Crest Farms ANCA Foods Taste The Difference SKA Africa Unlocking The Mysteries Of The Universe Airports Authority of Jamaica Rising To The Challenge Hissho Sushi Certain Victory!

North Star Alliance Good Health And Wellness Motheo Construction Group A Truly Empowered, South African Company Mario’s Pizzeria World-Class Pizza With A Trinidadian Twist National Water and Sewage Corporation Pure And Simple Alderon Iron Ore Corp The Next Big Thing In Canadian Mining Caribbean Association of Banks Inc Money Talks Hemani Group A Natural Touch Northlands Business Park Exclusivity And Business Excellence

SKA AFRICA ARTICLES

6 7 8 10 11

Business Headlines Middle East Africa Asia Americas Europe

12

Focus Bicycles Against Poverty: Freedom, Empowerment, And Opportunity

32 58

Amazing World Nelson Mandela International Day The Brando

82

Automotives Volvo V40

HEMANI GROUP Endeavour Magazine | 5

BUSINESS HEADLINES MIDDLE EAST EGYPT RAISES FUEL PRICES BY UP TO 50% UNDER IMF DEAL Egypt hiked fuel prices by up to 50 per cent to help meet terms of a US$12bn IMF loan deal, a sharper rise than expected by many struggling with soaring living costs and a further test of President Abdel Fattah alSisi’s popularity.

Fuel price increases had been widely anticipated as part of Egypt’s loan accord with the International Monetary Fund and these measures were the second rise since the government floated the pound currency in November.

Government officials say spending cuts will help revive an economy where subsidies have accounted for about a quarter of state

“I doubt it will be considered soon,” said

ships in the port. It will also have exclusivity

an OPEC delegate, referring to the chance

on the container business throughout

of a larger cut. “They will look at this issue

Fujairah emirate.

most probably in the upcoming meeting in Russia in July.”

Oil

ministers

The deal will see Abu Dhabi Ports deepen the port’s berths to 16.5m to enable it to

from

five

countries

cater to larger vessels and build a 300,000

monitoring the deal plus Saudi Arabia as

sqm storage space and an additional 1km

OPEC president are scheduled to meet

quay to accommodate growing ship traffic.

in Russia on July 24. They could make a

“Abu Dhabi Ports will utilise all its

recommendation to the wider group, which

capabilities and expertise to enable Fujairah

holds its next meeting in November, on

Ports to achieve its objectives, based on

adjusting the pact.

best practices. In particular we plan to

“A larger cut could be an option,” said

leverage the geography of this strategic port

another OPEC delegate, adding that further

to contribute to the development of the

steps could be to place caps on further

UAE’s commercial and tourism sectors,” said

growth in Nigerian and Libyan output, rather

Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE minister

than requiring them to cut back their supply.

of state and chairman of Abu Dhabi Ports.

expenditures. But austerity carries risks for

UAE MINISTER SAYS QATAR ISOLATION COULD LAST YEARS

Sisi as inflation and a contested deal to hand two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia have eroded his public standing.

The UAE’s minister of state and foreign

Prime Minister Sherif Ismail told reporters

affairs has said the diplomatic and economic

after the announcement that officials would

isolation of Qatar could last years if Doha

monitor market prices, adding: “We will not

does not address the concerns of its

allow any greed and exploitation of our

neighbours.

citizens.”

Dr Anwar Gargash said that there

Last year, the government embarked on

would be “demands coming” from the UAE,

an ambitious reform programme to revive

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt to end the

the economy that includes lifting subsidies,

isolation of Qatar, which they accuse of

raising taxes and loosening capital controls as part of a three-year IMF agreement.

OPEC IN NO RUSH TO MAKE DEEPER OIL OUTPUT CUTS

ABU DHABI PORTS SEALS 35-YEAR CONCESSION TO MANAGE AND EXPAND THE PORT OF FUJAIRAH Abu Dhabi Ports has signed a 35-year

supporting terrorist groups.

“Qatar will realise that this is a new state of affairs and isolation can last years,” he said in Paris after a recent meeting with European officials.

concession agreement to manage the Port

“If they want to be isolated because of

OPEC will not rush into making a further

of Fujairah in the UAE’s northeast after a

their perverted view of what their political

cut in oil output or end some countries’

previous deal with Dubai’s DP World ended.

role is, then let them be isolated.”

exemptions to output limits, OPEC delegates

Under the deal, Abu Dhabi Ports has

Qatar denies it is funding terror groups

said, although a meeting in Russia next

established new wholly owned operational

and said the ending of the “blockade”,

month is likely to consider further steps to

arm named Fujairah Terminals that will

which has seen the UAE, Bahrain and Saudi

support the market.

oversee management of the strategically

close air, land and sea links to it, was a pre-

OPEC and allied non-OPEC producers

important port – the country’s only multi-

condition for talks to begin.

agreed on May 25 to extend an existing

purpose dock outside of the Strait of

supply cut into 2018, but oil has fallen

Hormuz.

“We have to make it very clear for everyone, negotiations must be done in a

sharply then on rising production from

Through the agreement, the unit will

civilised way and should have a solid basis

the United States and from Nigeria and

have exclusivity on enhancing existing

and not under pressure or under blockade,”

Libya, two OPEC members exempt from

infrastructure and managing all container,

foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin

cutting output.

general cargo, roll-on-/roll-off and cruise

Abdulrahman said.

6 | Endeavour Magazine

AFRICA SOUTH AFRICAN CREDIT REGULATOR SEES RISE IN IMPAIRMENTS AMID RECESSION South Africa could see a spike in bad loans as the first recession since 2009 hits millions of chronically indebted consumers struggling to pay back credit totalling 1.7 trillion rand (US$133.19 billion), the National Credit Regulator (NCR) said.

Africa’s slipped

most

into

developed

recession

in

economy the

first

quarter, compounding a slew of negative economic indicators including sovereign rating downgrades and stubbornly high unemployment.

“Already we’ve got a lot of accounts, more than a third, that are impaired and the percentages might go up. So we are worried,” Nomsa Motshegare, the NCR chief executive sais.

“There must be responsible borrowing

percent on the back of gold, cocoa and oil

fields, have repeatedly delayed the start of

exports. Taking office in January, President

production. Tony Kavuma, chief mechanical

Nana Akufo-Addo has outlined a programme

engineer at the Ministry of Works and

of job creation through the private sector

Transport, said that Uganda had already held

and rural development.

preliminary talks with UK Export Finance,

“To develop the bauxite project with

the UK government’s export credit agency,

its railway and converting bauxite into

and Standard Chartered Bank for a loan of

aluminium we will need about $10 billion

310-325 million euros.

... we signed an MOU,” Osafo-Maafo told

He said the Ministry of Finance and the

reporters at a conference in London after

two financing organisations were negotiating

arriving from China. “The money will come

the final terms of the loan agreement and

from the Chinese Development Bank, the

signing was expected by the end of June.

implementation of the project will come from other agencies, infrastructure agencies in China, like China Railway,” he said.

“We want to have this airport operational

by June 2019. It’s a very tight schedule. We need it (the airport) yesterday,” Kavuma said.

The funds from Beijing would contribute towards building 1,400 km of a planned 4,000 km railway network, which would connect bauxite mines and production sites as well as establish a rail link into neighbouring Burkina Faso.

ZIMBABWE SECURES US$478 MILLION FUNDING FOR AGRICULTURE Zimbabwe’s government has signed a US$478 million agreement with an energy company and three banks to finance the

but also responsible lending,” she said after

2017/18 summer farming season in a push

briefing parliament where changes to the

to improve food security, a state-owned

National Credit Act were being considered

newspaper said.

to help relieve over-indebted consumers.

The southern African nation has since

Motshegare said at the end of December,

2001 relied on imports and foreign donors

there were around 24 million active credit

to meet demand for the staple maize.

consumers, with 40 percent, or just under

Drought, lack of financing and President

10 million people, having some form of

Robert Mugabe’s seizures of land from white

“impaired record” of payment. Unbridled

farmers that hit commercial agriculture have

lending fuelled a consumer frenzy that lifted

been blamed for low grain production over

growth to an average 5 percent annually in

the years. The Herald newspaper reported

the period before the 2009 recession, before the

government

introduced

legislation

clamping down on irresponsible lending.

GHANA SIGNS US$10 BLN MOU WITH CHINA FOR BAUXITE PROJECT Ghana has signed a US$10 billion memorandum of understanding (MOU) with

UGANDA CLOSE TO DEAL ON NEW AIRPORT CREDIT OF UP TO US$365 MLN

that the government and local energy

Uganda said it hopes to close a loan

provide the capital to mainly fund production

company Sakunda Holdings had signed an agreement that would see three banks

deal of up to 325 million euros (US$365.92

of maize and soya. Sakunda runs a logistics

million) this month with a UK government

business and operates a 200 megawatt

credit agency and Standard Chartered Bank

diesel power plant, will work with CBZ bank,

for an international airport to service its oil

Barclays and the local unit of Ecobank to

industry.

provide the money. The newspaper did not

China to develop its bauxite industry, the

Crude oil reserves were discovered in

country’s Senior Minister Yaw Osafo-Maafo

the east African country’s Albertine rift

After a devastating drought last year,

said.

basin near the border with the Democratic

Zimbabwe received above normal rains

Republic of Congo more than 10 years ago.

during the 2016/17 farming season and

Growth in the West African country

give details on the funding.

slowed sharply in 2014 due to a fiscal crisis

A series of setbacks, however, including

expects to produce 2.1 million tonnes of

and tumbling commodity prices following

a lack of infrastructure and wrangling over

maize, its highest since 1996, according to

years of economic expansion at around 8

taxes and development strategy for the

official figures.

Endeavour Magazine | 7

ASIA CHINA’S MASSIVE CORPORATE CRACKDOWN AIMED AT CURBING OUTFLOWS: IMF’S FORMER CHINA CHIEF PRASAD

So a thousand for us is not a big number,”

previously talked about building an LNG

Chauhan told reporters in an interview.

plant in Russia’s far east together, using gas

“I would be disappointed if we don’t do a

from the Sakhalin-1 project in which both

thousand.”

firms have a stake. Rusakova said building a

Chauhan’s upbeat view rests not just on

plant with Exxon still featured in Rosneft’s

China is sending a “remarkably strong

the impact of GST, which aims to replace

plans, but her suggestion that Rosneft could

signal” about stemming capital outflows

a thicket of state-level taxes with a unified

go it alone reflects the company’s growing

by going after big companies, said Eswar

rate across a series of goods and services,

ambitions, especially in Asia.

Prasad, the former head of the IMF’s China division.

“I think there is a concern here that corporate outflows, among other types of outflows, may be providing a cover for the illegitimate capital outflows, the capital flight that the government is concerned about,” Prasad, who is currently a senior professor of trade policy at Cornell University, stated.

“I think this is a very clear signal that they intend to maintain very tight control of the capital account and even so-called legitimate flows are going to be under scrutiny for a while.”

Prasad was speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s “Summer Davos” event in Dalian, China.

China has struggled with capital outflows

but also on other measures that government

Rosneft Chief Executive Igor Sechin,

has rolled out in recent months, including

one of the most influential businessmen in

India’s demonetisation initiative and a push

Russia, has said his firm plans to become the

towards adoption of digital payments in

world’s third-largest producer of gas early

Asia’s third-largest economy.

next decade.

But the GST will be a game changer, he said, although some pain in the transitional period of about three to six months could not be avoided.

According to Chauhan, the GST will transform a greater part of India’s informal economy to a formal one, by connecting companies to a single tax framework.

That’ll

spur

companies

with

good

business models to grow at a faster pace, and tap the exchange to raise more funds for further expansion, creating a virtuous cycle.

June 2014 to below US$3 trillion in February as the central bank intervened to prop up the yuan. There has been modest improvement since; foreign exchange reserved climbed to a seven-month high of US$3.054 trillion in May, according to a report.

propel Asia Pacific to become the world’s wealthiest region by 2019, a study by Boston Consulting Group showed.

behind North America. Private wealth in

said it was targeting China’s gas market after completing a US$1.1 billion deal 20

percent

of its

Verkhnechyonskneftegaz

subsidiary

(VChNG)

to

Beijing Gas. The deal is part of a Russian

ASIA’S OLDEST STOCK EXCHANGE AIMS FOR 1,000 NEW LISTINGS AS INDIA REFORMS TAXES

years — a development that will help to

increase in overall wealth in 2016 but trailed

Russia’s largest oil producer Rosneft

sell

within and outside the region in the coming

that Asia Pacific experienced the fastest

ROSNEFT EYES CHINESE GAS MARKET AFTER BEIJING GAS DEAL

to

Asian financial centres Singapore and Hong Kong will attract more wealth from

The report, released last month, found

in recent years, with its foreign reserves dropping from a peak of US$3.99 trillion in

WEALTH GROWTH IN ASIA PUTS IT ON TRACK AS WORLD’S RICHEST REGION IN TWO YEARS: BOSTON CONSULTING

Asia Pacific, including Japan, is expected to surpass North America by 2019 and hit US$77.8 trillion by 2021.

“In Asia Pacific, which is characterized by strong GDP growth, the key impetus will be new savings,” BCG wrote in the report,

drive backed by President Vladimir Putin to

adding that China was the largest source of

forge closer economic and political ties with

offshore wealth in the Asia Pacific region,

China amid a standoff with the West.

BCG said, contributing nearly US$12 billion

Kremlin-controlled Rosneft, which aims

in revenue pools for private banks.

to ramp up natural gas sales as it squares up

BCG’s measurement of private wealth

aiming for one thousand new listings over

to Russian gas firm Gazprom, said it hoped

includes household holdings such as life

the next four to five years as a rollout of

to access China’s domestic gas market and

insurance, pensions and assets such as

the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on July

end-users via swap deals.S Rosneft vice-

equities, bonds and cash. In the coming

1 encourages more Indian companies to list

president Vlada Rusakova said the company

years, Asian financial hubs Singapore and

their shares, Managing Director and CEO

was looking at building a liquefied natural

Hong Kong are projected to attract more

Ashishkumar Chauhan told reporters.

gas (LNG) plant in Russia’s far east using its

money from abroad compared to their

own resources and gas reserves.

European rival Switzerland, the business

Asia’s oldest stock exchange BSE is

“BSE already has 5500 listings, and India has more than a million plus companies.

8 | Endeavour Magazine

Rosneft and U.S. energy firm Exxon have

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AMERICAS GOLDMAN SACHS SLASHES OIL PRICE PROJECTION AMID US SHALE SURGE Goldman Sachs has downgraded its forecast for oil prices over the next quarter amid a sudden uptick in shale drilling and an unexpected surge in production from Libya and Nigeria.

The investment bank now points to a three-month average of US$47.50 per barrel for WTI crude, down from its previous estimate of US$55.00 a barrel.

“The fast ramp-up in shale drilling and the unexpectedly large rebound in Libya/ Nigeria production are on track to slow the 2017 stock draws,” Goldman Sachs analysts

dozen liquefied natural gas export licenses.

Trump

said

his

administration

will

attempt to expand the nuclear energy sector

economic

growth

was

boosted by an upward revision to consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-

Nuclear reactors currently generate

thirds of U.S. economic activity. Consumer

about 20 percent of the country’s power,

spending rose at a 1.1 percent rate instead

but that share is expected to decline to 11

of the previously reported 0.6 percent pace.

percent by 2050 as some of the nation’s

It was still the slowest pace since the second

aging nuclear power plants retire.

quarter of 2013.

The president also touted the approval

Despite the upward revision, the Trump

of a new petroleum pipeline to Mexico

administration’s stated target of swiftly

and licenses to export liquefied natural gas

boosting U.S. growth to 3 percent remains

from a proposed export terminal in Lake

a challenge.

Charles, Louisiana.

LOWER MANHATTAN OFFICE RENTS HIT PEAK AS REVIVED DOWNTOWN BOOMS

and Nigeria — two countries which were

Asking

exempt from OPEC’s historic November

rents

for

office

space

in

downtown New York hit a record high in May

deal to curb output – could offset inventory

as construction of a new tower at the World

declines in the third quarter of this year, the

Trade Center and the migration of firms to

Goldman analysts warned.

a revitalized Lower Manhattan helped lift

“This creates risks that the normalisation

rental rates, brokerage CBRE Group said last

in inventories will not be achieved by the

month.

time the OPEC cut ends next March. We

The average rent landlords are seeking in

expect this will leave prices trading near

downtown climbed to US$62 a square foot

US$45 (a barrel) until there is evidence of

last month when the addition of 1.7 million

a decline in the U.S. horizontal oil rig count,

TRUMP ANNOUNCES EFFORTS TO REVIVE NUCLEAR ENERGY, EXPORT MORE AMERICAN COAL

First-quarter

policy to identify ways to revive the industry.

The rebound in production from Libya

production cuts,” they said in the note.

said it is working to resolve.

by launching a “complete review” of current

said in a research note published last month.

sustained stock draws or additional OPEC

calculation of the data the government has

square feet at 3 World Trade Centre is

U.S. FIRST-QUARTER GDP GROWTH REVISED UP TO 1.4 PERCENT

added to the office space available for lease, the brokerage said.

Since January 2011, 393 have moved in,

The U.S. economy slowed less sharply in

compared with only 74 leaving, CBRE said.

the first quarter than initially estimated due

The relocations highlight the transformation

to unexpectedly higher consumer spending

of a Lower Manhattan hit hard by the Sept.

and a bigger jump in exports.

11, 2001, attacks into a highly desirable

President Donald Trump announced

Gross domestic product increased at

a number of energy initiatives, including

a 1.4 percent annual rate instead of the

Downtown’s revival has been driven by

a review of U.S. nuclear energy policy and

1.2 percent pace reported last month, the

firms based in technology, advertising, media

efforts to make sure new coal plants are built

Commerce Department said in its final

and information, or TAMI, which account for

overseas. The announcements came during

assessment last month.

the largest amount of leasing at 30 percent.

a speech on achieving American “energy dominance.”

It was still the slowest growth rate since the second quarter of last year. Economists

neighborhood.

More than half of these firms chose space in buildings built before World War Two.

The position is similar to previous

polled by a leading news group had expected

The TAMI sector has also driven jobs

administrations’ goals of achieving “energy

GDP growth to remain unchanged at a 1.2

growth in the city since 2010, with new

independence,” dating back to the 1970s.

percent rate.

employment in these firms outpacing the

President Barack Obama paved the way for

GDP for the January-March period

Trump by lifting a 40-year ban on exporting

tends to underperform relative to the rest

U.S. crude oil and by approving about two

of the year due to perennial issues with the

10 | Endeavour Magazine

financial services industry, traditionally the biggest jobs creator in Manhattan.

EUROPE UK REMAINS EUROPE’S TOP DESTINATION FOR FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN FINANCIAL SERVICES

suggested recently that the IMF could join

working and its full effects on inflation will

the Greek bailout now, but not disburse any

gradually materialise. But for that, our policy

money until the euro zone clarifies what

needs to be persistent, and we need to be

debt relief it can offer Greece.

prudent in how we adjust its parameters to

Britain shrugged off the Brexit vote to

The IMF has so far refused to join in this

improving economic conditions,” Draghi said.

remain the main destination for foreign

bailout, Greece’s third since 2010, because

He reiterated: “The current context

investment in financial services in Europe

it believes that without relief Greece

where global uncertainties remain elevated,

last year, although Germany and France are

cannot get out from under its massive debt

there are strong grounds for prudence in the

proving increasingly attractive to investors

mountain.

adjustment of monetary policy parameters,

following the EU referendum, a new study has found.

Eurozone powerhouse Germany does

even when accompanying the recovery.

not want to discuss details of debt relief

Any adjustments to our stance have to

The UK’s finance industry drew 99

before German parliamentary elections in

be made gradually, and only when the

foreign direct investment projects in 2016,

September. At the same time, its parliament

improving dynamics that justify them appear

up 5pc on the year and the most for a decade,

insists on IMF participation if it is to agree

sufficiently secure.”

according to a report by accountancy giant

new disbursements.

EY.

Greek

Economics

Minister

Dimitri

UK FIRMS ‘FAILING TO PREPARE’ FOR REGULATION CHANGES AFTER BREXIT

However, EY said that Germany and

Papadimitriou accused German Finance

France also grew in popularity among

Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble of being

overseas

former

“dishonest” by blocking debt relief for

Over two thirds of UK businesses are

attracting 39 financial projects and the latter

Greece despite his acknowledgement that

“not making adequate preparations” for the

drawing 25. For France, that marked a 25pc

Athens has implemented significant reforms.

UK’s withdrawal from the European Union,

investors,

with

the

rise, while Germany enjoyed an 18pc jump.

according to senior business leaders.

The continuing lure of Britain for financial

A third of respondents to the survey,

services came in the face of the vote to

which was carried out by Interim Partners,

leave the European Union a year ago, which

said Brexit was the biggest upcoming

surprised the City and raised fears London

challenge for businesses.

could lose its status as Europe’s banking

However, 69pc of UK businesses are

powerhouse.

not preparing adequately for the regulatory

London is used by many international

changes thrown up by the Brexit process,

banks, asset managers and insurance firms

according to those surveyed, meaning

as the base for their EU operations. Firms

many businesses are likely to struggle with

have drawn up contingency plans to ensure

the fallout unless they start preparations

they can still access the EU’s single market

immediately. One respondent said that

after Britain leaves, including proposals to move jobs to European cities such as Paris, Frankfurt and Dublin.

GREECE SET TO GET CASH TO PAY BILLS, BUT DEBT RELIEF ELUSIVE Greece’s

international

lenders

are

expected to agree to unblock as much as 8 billion euros in loans that Athens desperately needs to next month to pay its bills, but to leave the contentious issue of debt relief for later.

Eurozone finance ministers will meet in Luxembourg together with International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde. She

DRAGHI SPEAKS OF ‘STRENGTHENING AND BROADENING RECOVERY’ IN EUROZONE, BUT SAYS STIMULUS MUST REMAIN

businesses must “reassess their operating model and restructure to become more flexible... to adapt quickly to the shape and impact of Brexit becomes clearer”.

The group was almost evenly split over

The European Central Bank (ECB) will

the impact of Brexit on foreign investors –

have to be prudent to gradually adjust

whether it would cause their investments to

its monetary stimulus to the economic

increase or decrease.

recovery, said Mario Draghi, the president of the central bank.

Speaking at the European Central Bank Forum in Sintra, Portugal, Draghi made it clear

In light of the lack of preparation, turnaround specialists will be in high demand over the coming years, according to 41pc of the business leaders surveyed.

however that the current stimulus needs to

A second issue expected to face UK

remain in place as inflation dynamics remain

businesses is digital transformation, with

“more muted than one would expect.”

around 21pc saying this would be the

“We can be confident that our policy is

greatest challenge in the coming years.

Endeavour Magazine | 11

FOCUS BICYCLES AGAINST POVERTY FACILITATING FREEDOM, EMPOWERMENT, AND OPPORTUNITY IN UGANDA

F

or those of us who are fortunate enough to live and work in the developed world, or in urban centres with the

infrastructure to allow us to get from A to B, the simple ability to move freely and easily over distance is something we can’t help but take for granted.

Transport is the key enabler of the modern world, allowing us to travel many miles in little time so that we can get to work or do the shopping, and make sure our children to get to school on time. It allows us to travel cross country on adventure, and in the event of a medical emergency, transportation can and does save more lives than could possibly be counted.

Transport means freedom; it empowers us, and it provides us with the means to seize opportunity that might otherwise be beyond our reach.

For hundreds of millions, if not billions of people who live and work in developing communities, however, such freedom and opportunity can seem a world away from life’s harsh realities. In rural communities and teeming cities alike, where lack of access to basic amenities is common, bicycles have become a near-priceless tool in improving livelihoods and alleviating poverty.

12 | Endeavour Magazine

In the northern-most province of Gulu in

millions of people living in Uganda, where

Uganda, an area largely made-up of quaint

over 75% of the rural population walk for

and isolated rural farming communities,

miles in order to access critical resources.

bicycle use has had a transformative effect

“I grew up in a nation where few have

on the lives of those fortunate enough to

the chance to own a bicycle. It’s a simple

own one.

vehicle, but it saves lives in times of need.

According to its own studies, Bicycles

Bicycles also mean access to markets for

Against Poverty (BAP) believes that bicycles

trade, allowing people to earn an income;

have the power to improve the lives of

they mean a ride to school for education,

and transportation to clean water sources.

Bicycles mean freedom, empowerment, and opportunity,” said Muyambi Muyambi, the one of the Co-Founders of Bicycles Against Poverty.

Fellow Co-Founder, Molly Burke, added to this, stating: “I personally got involved with BAP because it made sense. Its people need access to places—from point A to point Endeavour Magazine | 13

B. But it wasn’t until I made it to Uganda in 2009 to see first-hand that this is a real issue. It’s not just A to B, but rather mothers worried about their sick infant children getting to the health clinic on time. Or fathers just trying to care for their families.”

She continued: “BAP was born out of a university dorm room in 2008, spearheaded by a Ugandan student, Muyambi, and his friends, including myself. Muyambi founded BAP based on his own experience of growing up on a farm in a home in which no one could afford a bicycle. He knew the power of bicycles first-hand since a bicycle saved his life when he himself had malaria as a child. Since those college days we’ve distributed over 2,000 bicycles in more than 40 communities, in turn impacting over 10,000 Ugandans—and helping thousands of families like Muyambi’s gain access to a life-changing vehicle.” Since the charity was setup 10-years ago, Bicycles Against Poverty (BAP) has grown to become a valuable social enterprise that has had a profound impact on the lives of thousands of people. Through its distribution of highquality,

locally

assembled

lease-to-buy

bicycles, access to healthcare, clean water, markets and education has revitalised entire communities and catalysed upward mobility.

BAP’s program distributes bicycles on a financing plan—in short, BAP provides bicycles to individuals on a loan so that they pay back over time. BAP uses an asset-financing model since it allows its participants

to

make

small,

affordable

payments towards a bicycle loan whilst giving them immediate ownership of a tool that helps them generate income.

Molly elaborated further on this, saying: “We’re enabling Ugandan farmers to gain access to a life changing tool on credit. Our goal is to hit break-even within 5-7 years and this in and of itself sets apart.

We’re growing fast. Our portfolio. Our 14 | Endeavour Magazine

team. And our product line. Our critical next

farmers, all on credit, and all built with them

step is being able to invest in the assets

specifically in mind.

that generate significant revenue for our

We want to remove all doubt for

customers while putting us on the path to

farmers that they can achieve growth on

hit break-even.

their farms and businesses, because they’ll

As BAP grows, we will have the

know that BAP will have their backs. And

opportunity to systemically change the

as our own institution grows, we will have

tide for the entire farmer finance industry.

the opportunity to systemically change the

Today we’re reaching farmers to deliver

tide for the entire farmer finance industry,

$100 asset financing, tomorrow we’ll be

propelling

adding the $1,000 product, and further

in turn.”

other

opportunities

forward

in the future we’ll eventually be able to

The return on investment, as it were, for

incorporate the medium sized agriculture

farmers is significant indeed. With a bicycle

business for even larger investments. All for

as an asset, BAP helps local communities

achieve economic independence, financial

“Our end game is having smallholder

growth, build savings, along with a number

farmers change the lens through which

“The challenge isn’t in the concept, it’s in

of other benefits, including better access

they view the world. Instead of seeing

the processes: including appraisals, payment

to education, healthcare and water. These

endless hurdles, they will see solutions for

systems and all the work behind them. But

benefits are demonstrated through studies

their farm in the form of investments made

for us it’s the opportunity given our eight

that indicate at least a 30% increase in

by possible by BAP financing,” explained

years of experience in working with rural

income and a 180% growth in market

Molly. “She continued: BAP is now poised to

farming customers and owning that process.

attendance after owning a bicycle.

replicate and scale our model. Last year we

The potential payoff is large, with millions

Following

the

for our farming customers.”

organisations’

grew by managing a portfolio five times the

upon millions of smallholders in Uganda

achievements over the past decade, plans

previous year’s and we intend to continue

alone. What’s more, they are the number

are afoot to expand Bicycles Against Poverty

to significantly grow our portfolio. The key

one population in the world - and we have

endeavours further, so as to increase the

next step is achieving growth by investing in

developed ways to serve them where we

scale of the organisation’s ability to empower

higher valued assets with sizeable margins to

see a gap in the marketplace.”

communities and improve lives.

wield the financial results—and huge impact Endeavour Magazine | 15

NOMAD AFRICA ADVENTURE TOURS WWW.NOMADTOURS.CO.ZA // 0027 21 426 5445

ADVENTURE, PASSION, AND INNOVATION Impossibly vast, immeasurably ancient, and breath-takingly beautiful, Africa has long enchanted visitors and tourists with its outstanding natural beauty and character. The region is a sublime melting pot of culture and history – a sensory overload for travellers fortunate enough to experience it, but the biggest draw for tourists remains the safari tours that show its world-famous wilderness destinations and rich animal life in all their glory.

WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

NOMAD AFRICA ADVENTURE TOURS

Nomad Adventure Tours, one of the oldest and best-

regarded safari tour operators in the Southern and East African region, is a name which may be familiar to Endeavour readers. Through its knack for innovation and ability to bend with the winds of change, Nomad has shown thousands of satisfied customers all that is best about this remarkable continent for 20-years. We revisited the company to find out more about the secret to their success, and an exciting new partnership with Toyota which will see the company become the envy of the sector.

I

n a world where the hand of man can be seen and felt at every turn; where nature in its most raw and unspoiled form is retreating on all fronts before the relentless and irresistible

march of human progress, magnificent African landscapes like that of Serengeti National Park and the Okavango Delta stand as

Awake to the birdcalls of the Kalahari and prepare yourself for a day in the bushveld.

bastions of the natural world. Certainly, they are a valuable and accessible reminder that life doesn’t begin and end in the sprawling cities and urban centres where so many of us live and work.

For a tourist who has never before seen the early-morning sun rise over the horizon of the Masai Mara, or the sight of giant herds of wildebeest, thousands-strong, stretching almost as far as the eye can see; who has never felt the heat of the African sun on their skin, or experienced the sounds and smells of its unspoiled wilderness, the experience of leaving the hustle and bustle of urban life behind to head off on safari can see them leave a different person at the end of it all.

This ability to inspire such change is, in Alex Rutherford’s view, one of the parts of the job that makes the rigours of running one of Africa’s leading safari tour operators worth it: “If you’re running safari tours for 15,000-20,000 vs. 500 people that are paying 10x more, I’ve found that the wealthy guys tend to

(267) 721 207 91 / 75121955 ghanzitrailblazers@gmail.com www.ghanzitrailblazers.co.bw 18 | Endeavour Magazine

be a little jaded with the majesty of the world. We’re talking about people who can afford to travel anywhere, and who’ve seen and done most of it.

Nestled in the heart of Swakopmund lies a home away from home for both local and international guests.

Each of our luxury suites is designed to pro-vide a uniquely memorable stay. Enjoy breakfast at one of the quaint surrounding coffee shops, or fuel your adrenalin addiction at the nearby sky dive school, dune or ocean adventure locations.

Adventure Village Swakopmund, is a luxury backpacker accommodation lodge which form part of Desert Explorers, Swakopmund’s largest adventure operator, specialising in quad bike tours, and booking agent for camel rides, dune-boarding, angling and dolphin cruises.

Whatever your visit, our luxurious suites look forward to welcoming you.

Adventure Village Backpackers are a luxury backpacker lodge conveniently located on the B1 route between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, and still near enough to the town of Swakopmund to walk to restaurants, beach and shops.

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NOMAD AFRICA ADVENTURE TOURS I’m more into the guys who’ve never been into the wilderness,

year, this expansive array of scheduled tours and itinerary options

for example, who come from South Korea and who’ve never been

now includes the option to fly down to the South African coastline

out of the city and end up in the middle of the Namib Desert. They

and take to the waters, as Alex explained:

start crying because they’ve never been alone or exposed to that

“Most people don’t know this but South Africa is one of the

level of openness and silence – they go home changed completely.”

diving hotspots of the world, specifically for apex predators – the

Since he first established Nomad Adventure Tours in 1997, Alex

sharks, the whales, the dolphins, the seals that are abundant in

has utilised his passion for adventure and love of Africa to show

South African waters.

travellers what makes this land unique, and take them on a long

We’ve now launched this year on a scheduled tour basis,

and winding journey across up to 14 countries to see with their

incorporating our land tour products with diving – we call it the

own eyes some of the most spectacular sights they will ever gaze

‘Big 5 and dive’. Customers taking this combined package see it all

upon. Each year, the Nomad team travels an average of two million

- starting at the Kruger National Park where they go game driving

kilometres over more than 1000 tours a year, offering packages

and all of that before they then fly down to the coast and dive in

that take their customers across the length and breadth of sub-

South Africa’s pristine waters. This tour package is unique – there’s

Saharan Africa.

nobody else doing it like we’re doing it. It’s a new package so it’ll

From serene journeys across the landscape of the ‘Garden Route’ in South Africa to epic treks into the mountains of Rwanda

take a bit of time to bed in like all new products but it’s a valuable addition to our portfolio of tours.”

or Uganda, home of the Mountain Gorilla – a critically endangered

It is this ability to meet the needs of an incredibly broad clientele,

species despite the urgent conservation efforts that have been

and deliver customised tour options, that has acted as one of the

implemented to protect them, Nomad’s varied and expansive

key drivers of Nomad Tours’ success over the past two decades.

itinerary options means that there is something for everybody,

Travellers who choose to see the sights of Africa with Nomad Tours

whatever their tastes and whatever their budget. And as of this

come in all shapes and sizes, so to speak – in any one tour, a group

Marcuskraal, Citrusdal PO Box 64, Citrusdal, 7340 Mobile: 082 5511 668 / 082 4484 941 E-mail: info@marcuskraal.co.za www.marcuskraal.co.za 20 | Endeavour Magazine

Congratulations to

Nomad Adventure Africa Tours

MALAWI Tel +265999075566 +265888192003 Email info@ngalabeach.com Web www.ngalabeach.com

on 20 years of successful and inspiring business

Endeavour Magazine | 21

NOMAD AFRICA ADVENTURE TOURS can be made of people aged from 18 to 80 and be any of a dozen different nationalities, and hail from all walks of life.

with professionalism, decorum, and friendly and engaging manner.

For this reason, Alex has been careful to choose tour guides

“We really accommodate a huge and varied cross-section of the

based on their capacity for lateral thought and their temperament,

market. The campers are often younger, they’re on a budget and

as opposed to qualifications background – people can be taught

they’re not afraid to rough it a little. The mid-range guys tend to be

to drive and to cook, but good character is something that people

a little older and prefer a little more in the way of creature comforts,

come with. This approach to recruitment extends to the wider

such as a roof to sleep under, but are looking for something that

Nomad Tours team, as Alex was keen to highlight, and judging by

isn’t overly expensive, then there’s the older, wealthier clientele

the company’s track-record of success, it is an approach that which

who don’t want to camp anymore and expect a degree of comfort.”

has been vindicated:

Catering to their needs in this regard is essential, and so too

“Pound-for-pound

my team

are

top-drawer people

–

is ensuring that Nomad’s team delivers a superior customer

exceptionally good staff. The workloads can be huge, the hours can

experience that will see customers fall in love with Africa, and

be long, but that’s the nature of tourism. It can be a high-stress

catch the safari bug to the extent that they come back again. Much

environment. If you have the right people, you get staff retention,

of this responsibility falls onto the shoulders of the company’s

and then you have the meat and bones of your company in place.”

tour guides – individuals who, in Alex’s words, are ‘the priest, the

Last but not least, innovation has played an integral part in

doctor, the lawyer, the friend, and the commander’ of each and

Nomad Tour’s continued presence at the front of the industry.

every safari tour. On a multi-country tour there are a thousand

Whether the company is mapping out the most exciting, visually

different variables to consider and a thousand different dilemmas

striking safari tour routes that rival companies have yet to find,

and challenges that could be faced, relating to the climate, the

or designing overland-diving hybrid tour packages – an afore

food, the vehicle, and maintaining a healthy group dynamic. It is

mentioned industry first, Nomad Tours has achieved longevity and

a delicate mix, and the tour guide must take control of everything

a formidable reputation amongst its peers because of its ability to

Welcome to the peace and tranquility of the Okavango Delta.

Bordered by palm trees, papyrus and reed beds, Nguma Island Lodge is the perfect base for fishing, bird watching, mokoro excursions and boating. www.ngumalodge.com Tel: +267 683 0159 Fax +267 683 0158 Email: nguma@dynabyte.bw

22 | Endeavour Magazine

Endeavour Magazine | 23

NOMAD AFRICA ADVENTURE TOURS stay ahead of the curve. Indeed, the most exciting development to

something that everybody will look and think “wow, I want one.”

emerge from Nomad Tours since we caught up with the company

This new concept of 4x4 luxury overland travel will allow Nomad

last year surrounds an ambitious partnership with Toyota which is

Tours to reach out into a luxury market, centred around less people,

on the cusp of coming to fruition – one which will further cement

more comfort. The technical innovations of the new Hino, such as

the company’s status as an industry trendsetter.

seats that will be able to swing from forward-facing to side-facing

“As of January next year we’ll be launching five Toyota Hino 4x4

– perfect for game driving, where customers will want to have their

custom-built trucks which will be the first of their kind in the tourism

own private window that faces outwards – are as-of-yet unheard

industry worldwide. The vehicles we’re building are exceptional –

of in the industry, and will help make the customer experience of

they will provide true 5-star travelling for our customers. There’s

seeing Africa that little bit more special.

individual aircon, there’s toilets, there’s individual electronic safes,

Even for a company so accustomed to change and excitement,

reclining leather seats – endless luxury for a safari tour. They are

these are heady times for the company. As Alex himself admitted,

top, top of the range.

Nomad Tours has reached the zenith of what can be achieved

They will be a more expensive option for our customers, but

through what it was doing before. However, through his ability

not exorbitantly expensive – we’ve capped the number of people

to adapt to a changing marketplace, not to mention an ever more

to 12. They will be for people who want a more bit more space

demanding clientele, new horizons have opened up for man

and a bit more privacy, a little bit older, perhaps not that keen

and company – a testament, certainly, to what can be achieved

on the camping thing anymore. It’s a new product, and it stands

when you go about business with great passion and love for what

alone against what’s currently in the market. I think from a Toyota

you do.

perspective it’s going to be absolutely phenomenal because we’ve been busy designing the vehicles and they will look a million dollars – these brand new Hino models will be completely new, and

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bookings@sleepinnhoteltz.com 24 | Endeavour Magazine

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Endeavour Magazine | 25

PEPSI JAMAICA BOTTLING COMPANY LTD WWW.CBC.CO // 001 876 757 3839

BRINGING THE SWEET PEPSI TASTE TO THE ISLAND As one of the largest, oldest and most prestigious beverages brands in the world, PepsiCo is a company that needs no introduction. It is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, with annual sales above US$65 billion and a portfolio of leading global brands such as Pepsi, Gatorade, 7up, Lipton, Frito Lay and Quaker.

WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

PEPSI JAMAICA BOTTLING COMPANY LTD

In terms of strength and brand recognition Pepsi is a

genuine global A-lister, standing shoulder-toshoulder with the likes of McDonalds, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, and Google. In terms of taste… well, it’s for good reason that Pepsi carbonated soft drinks are enjoyed by millions, if not billions of people in every corner of the world.

S

ince the Pepsi-Cola name first appeared on the shelves of stores and restaurants on August 28, 1898, the company has gone from strength to strength, providing consumers with

refreshing beverages for any occasion.

However, as industry global giants like PepsiCo have found, the matter of producing, bottling, and distributing its products in sufficient quantity to reach customers in 200 countries is a tall order. Bearing in mind that PepsiCo sells an estimated 1,000,000 cans and bottles of its signature drinks each day in the US alone – a number which must surely leap to the hundreds of millions globally – even a world-class company of their calibre cannot operate successfully using a centralised production and distribution model.

At best, it would be woefully inefficient, and at worst, a disaster.

To ensure that customer demand for Pepsi products is satisfied, responsibility for the bottling and distribution of the products falls to specialist regional bottling companies, whose commercial purpose is centred specifically around achieving the production and output needed to meet demand within its sphere of influence, and expand market share where possible – a franchise operation, in other words, that puts Pepsi out at the front, wherever they are in the world. Make no mistake about it – whatever the country and whatever the state of the marketplace, Pepsi’s regional bottling operators lead the field.

Take the Caribbean island of Jamaica, for example: here, Pepsi’s regional bottling subsidiary, Pepsi Jamaica, boasts a 61% share of

28 | Endeavour Magazine

Pérez y Cía Group More than 150 years in shipping

Perez y Cia extends heartiest Congratulations to Pepsi Jamaica Bottling Company Ltd., on your success. We look forward to our strengthened relationship as we continue to serve you in shipping Logistics and supply chain management.

Providing a full range of services from booking acceptance, shipping, clearance, delivery and solutions to meet every shipping need.

“ PEREZ Y CIA is the answer !”

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Endeavour Magazine | 29

PEPSI JAMAICA BOTTLING COMPANY LTD the country’s bottled soft drinks market. Following three years of

introduced 17 new products, including a flavoured water called

successive growth, it would be no exaggeration to say that Pepsi

Splash and a grape-flavoured Tropicana that is outperforming

Jamaica, owned by the Latin American beverages giant Continental

expectations. Since Splash’s market entry in 2012, the drink has

Beverage Corporation (CBC) of Guatemala, has hit a purple patch

scored 20% of the flavoured water market.

which shows no sign of fading.

With a surge of upstart new entrants into the market such as

It is no coincidence that the company’s recent growth spurt

iCool and CranWata, along with the threat posed by Pepsi’s long-

has come about following a period of heavy investment in its

time arch-rival, Coca-Cola, such ruthlessness has been a necessary

production facilities. In-line with the company’s intention to boost

measure taken with long-term self-preservation in mind. When

growth by a further 25% over the coming three to four years, Pepsi

you’ve been at the top as long as Pepsi Jamaica Bottling Company-

Bottling Company Jamaica has invested US$10 million on a new

CBC has, you learn how to stay there.

bottling line, alongside a further $1.5 million spend to increase

PepsiCo’s operations in Jamaica and Central America are

the number of Pepsi drink dispensers, soda fountains and coolers

representative of the company’s long and prestigious heritage in

deployed throughout shops, wholesalers and other retail outlets

the region. In 1942, PepsiCo issued CBC its first production and

and channels across the island.

commercialisation franchise for Guatemala, marking the beginning

The successful roll-out of an ambitious and aggressive growth

of a 70-year strategic alliance. It is telling that CBC are the oldest

strategy designed to consolidate Pepsi Jamaica’s positioning as

bottlers of PepsiCo outside the United States of America, and

the island’s market leader has quite literally borne fruit, following

this close relationship has continued to grow and evolve over

its acquisition of all grapefruit supplies in Jamaica and Belize – a

the years. Today, CBC is now the anchor bottler for nine markets

move that provided the company with the ingredients needed to

within Latin America and The Caribbean: Jamaica, Guatemala, El

drastically boost output and sales of Ting, and achieve a threefold

Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Ecuador and Peru –

growth in sales since 2013 as a result. Pepsi Jamaica has also

a list of countries that will continue to grow as the PepsiCo-CBC

30 | Endeavour Magazine

partnership expands into new territories. In recognition of CBC’s operative excellence, PepsiCo has named CBC and Pepsi Jamaica Bottling Company as “Latin American Bottler of the Year” several times and “Worldwide Bottler of the Year” in 2012 – an accolade that understandably generates much pride in the business.

Understandably, there is a lot of optimism at Pepsi Jamaica, and looking ahead, there is a huge amount for the company to be optimistic about. Following the signing of a strategic alliance between Pepsi Jamaica and global beer brand Red Stripe in 2013 – one of the world’s best-loved beer brands, now part of Diageo - the two companies have gone on to vastly improve their distribution infrastructure in unison and develop synergies that have allowed them to develop their product portfolio even further. Excitingly, it is rumoured by some that Pepsi Jamaica is set to enter into a second strategic alliance in the near future with another global giant, Red Bull – a brand which is almost as strong as that of Pepsi itself.

All in all, it is clear that Pepsi Jamaica Bottling Company is only going one way – up. Production capacity is up, as are sales, and with new partnerships on the horizon it is clear that the Jamaican sun will continue to shine on this exciting company for many years to come.

W T C

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“Haulage At Its Best” Endeavour Magazine | 31

AMAZING WORLD

NELSON MANDELA INTERNATIONAL DAY – OUR CALL TO ACTION WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

O

n July 18th 1918, Rolihlahla Mandela

away peacefully in 2013, after 67 years of

was born in Transkei, South Africa – a

public service and 27 years’ imprisonment,

‘region’ created specifically to home

it is telling that the entire world mourned.

black South Africans as a part of apartheid’s racial segregation. Today, we know him by a

#MANDELA DAY

name that he was given at primary school,

Today, Mandela Day is observed on

and it is a name that has now become

Nelson Mandela’s birthday every year,

synonymous with ideas of selflessness,

marking and celebrating his lifetime of

political resistance and a struggle for

service to others. The day was created

equality.

by the United Nations in 2009 through

Growing

up in this demonstration

a unanimous vote, inspired by his 90th

is

birthday celebrations in Hyde Park the year

famous today for his work as a politician,

before, where he said to the crowds: “It is

philanthropist

time for new hands to lift the burdens. It is

of

discrimination,

Nelson and

Mandela

anti-apartheid

revolutionary, having dedicated his life to

in your hands now.”

67 MINUTES A key part of the Mandela Day celebration is the 67 Minute initiative, an encouragement to everyone marking the day, from youth to world leaders, to dedicate just 67 minutes of their time to helping others – one minute for every year Mandela spent in public service.

In December 2015, the UN General Assembly decided to use Mandela Day to promote humane conditions for prisoners, in acknowledgement of the 27 years Mandela spent in prison during his campaigns for people’s rights. As he once said, “A nation should not be judged by how it treats its

combating both white and black dominance

These words inspired a movement that

in his pursuit for total equality. He was a

encourages just that. Mandela Day is a call to

champion for democracy and human rights,

remind us that every person, no matter who

not to mention decency, and after years of

they are, has the ability to change the world.

campaigning, commitment and suffering, he

Not only this, we also have the responsibility

was finally elected to lead as South Africa’s

to act on this power for the good of

first black head of state when he became

humanity. The Nelson Mandela Foundation

president in 1994 – year of the country’s

aims to inspire this change in South Africa,

first fully representative democratic election.

saying that “If each one of us heeds the call

to

A man of principle who inspired millions

to simply do something good every day, we

poverty. Until poverty has been ended, the

with his kindness and strength of will,

can live Nelson Mandela’s legacy and help

Foundation has said, Mandela’s dreams for

Nelson Mandela was unique – he was the

build the country of our dreams.”

equality will remain just that. This dream is

highest citizens, but its lowest ones.” This led to the General Assembly revising the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, and re-naming them ‘The Mandela Rules’.

#ACTIONAGAINSTPOVERTY This year, the Foundation have chosen dedicate

July

18th

to

combating

father of a new South Africa, and a leader of

“The baton of leadership has been

not just for South Africa - to date, Mandela

men, the likes of which only emerge once in

handed over to us. It is in our hands now to

Day is, celebrated in 149 countries around

a lifetime. When Rolihlala eventually passed

make a positive difference.”

the world. In keeping with his pursuit for

32 | Endeavour Magazine

Endeavour Magazine | 33

total equality, there are no limits on who can

make every day a Mandela Day” by building

Visit www.mandeladay.com to see how you

take part. #ActionAgainstPoverty calls us

towards sustainable change.

and others can get involved, July 18th 2017.

to spend 67 minutes on July 18th working

As Mandela said: “What counts in life is

to help combat poverty, either locally

not the mere fact that we have lived. It is

or globally.

what difference we have made to the lives

Better yet, it calls for us to keep the spirit of the day with us moving forwards and “to 34 | Endeavour Magazine

of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”

Endeavour Magazine | 35

ARCTIC GROUP INT WWW.ARCTIC-GROUP.COM // 007 712 303 4120

THE WELL OF FORTUNE It is no secret that market conditions have not been kind to the oil and gas industry in recent years, which in turn has fuelled the usual predictions of its imminent demise. This being said, unlike the doom-and-gloom expert predictions of the past, the increasing emergence of alternative energy as a viable energy source means that such a viewpoint is now plausible.

WRITTEN BY ALICE INSTONE-BREWER

ARCTIC GROUP INT

If the evidence coming from some of the world’s largest oil

and gas producers is to be believed, however, such pessimism should be taken with a pinch of salt. In many countries, oil and gas exploration and production is stubbornly starting to pick up again, and in the case of Kazakhstan it never stopped going strong in the first place. As new opportunities in the country bloom, Endeavour investigates Arctic Group International’s plans to blossom with them.

K

azakhstan’s rise to prominence as one of the world’s leading

and has developed a well-deserved reputation for excellence.

oil and gas producers, and the ever-increasing billions that

Quite simply, AGI is an oilfield services specialist with the

are being invested to tap into its huge reserves of oil and gas,

resources and capabilities to offer a vast umbrella of services to

is quite justifiably catching its fair share of marketplace attention.

the region’s industry operators – an important requirement indeed

Today, the country ranks amongst the global oil producing elite,

in a country where the oil and gas sector is so prominent. AGI’s

and upon taking a glance at the figures it is easy to see why. A

portfolio includes just about everything an oil and gas operation

little over 3% of the world’s total oil reserves can be found in

could need, such as rig moving, lifting, heavy haul logistics and

Kazakhstan – a figure which to the untrained eye may not sound

fluid hauling, equipment rental, pipeline construction, construction

like a lot, until you start to break it down; oil and gas fields cover

management, and, where they don’t cover something in-house,

62% of the country, and of its 172 known oil fields this includes,

the capability to procure project materials and services in-line with

more than 80% are in the process of being actively developed. Last

client requirements.

year alone, these operations produced a total of 78 million tons of

Within Kazakhstan, AGI operates from a secure position.

oil and condensate- an impressive figure in the global context, and

Their first contract was in 1998, with Tengizchevroil (TCO) - a

one which predicted to keep growing over the coming years.

joint venture between Chevron, ExxonMobil, KazMunayGas and

With Kazakhstan’s oil and gas potential in such ripe condition,

LukArco, formed in 1993 when the Kazakh government granted

this is a time of opportunity for companies competing locally in

exclusive 40-year rights to develop Kazakhstan’s Tengiz and

the sector to enter into this hydrocarbon gold rush and take their

Korolevskoye oil fields.

operations to the next level. For the industry giants who have

“Energy development has been critical in generating Kazakhstan’s

established control of the country’s oilfields, success seems assured,

growth and prosperity,” commented Tim Miller, Managing Director

but what of the independent companies working to support and

of Chevron’s Eurasia Business Unit. “At Chevron, we are very proud

supply these ventures? We spoke with Marc Vincent, CEO of Arctic

to play a supporting role in generating Kazakhstan’s success and its

Group Kazakhstan, about his company’s strategies for maximising

goal to become a nation of global prominence.”

their gain during this bountiful period, and securing sustainability for themselves as and when the tide changes.

Both oil fields are world-class reservoirs with staggering potential output. The numerous wells that tap into Tengiz access

Arctic Group International (AGI, or AGI CDCS JV when trading

an oil field with a surface area more than four times the size of

in Kazakhstan) have been operating in Kazakhstan since 1998,

Paris, and an oil column an incredible mile in thickness. Taking into

38 | Endeavour Magazine

ARCTIC GROUP INT account its considerable size and scale, it should come as little

years the two companies have worked in close partnership, during

surprise that Tengiz has been classed as the deepest producing

which they recently formed their formal JV. CDCS specialist crane

supergiant, and the largest single-trap producing reservoir, in the

and transportation rental services, through which they cooperate

world.

with world-leading brands like Liebherr, Tadano, Manitowoc,

Between them, the fields could produce enough oil to satisfy

Grove, Terex Demag, CAT, JCB, Mercedes, MAN, Volvo, Cometto,

demand for an entire nation. According to Chevron, their share of

Goldhofer, Faymonville, Hartung, Makinsan and many others. This

2016’s daily output from this venture averaged 263,000 barrels of

plays a key part in the total fleet of equipment AGI can call on or

crude oil, 375 million cubic feet of natural gas and 22,000 barrels

provide for rental – a fleet they are proud to say has equipment

of natural gas liquids – a figure that could yet increase with further

with an average age of less than two years.

development.

This work in Tengiz continues to be AGI’s focus, and will remain

After recognising the strength of the company’s partnership

so with no sign of slowing for at least two decades. “Chevron have

with TCO and its incredible growth potential, Marc Vincent bought

high standards,” Vincent tells us: “They control the field, but that’s a

AGI outright. In an industry which swings from boom to bust in

double-edged sword.” With the bar set high and Chevron’s control

approximate 10-year cycles, Marc’s acquisition of the company was

of the oilfield established, not many companies venture operations

strategically timely, allowing him to capitalise on a company with

into the area. The process of arranging contracts with the company

huge potential in need of leadership and direction. .

are lengthy and rigorous, so as to ensure quality, fortunately for

“I had worked in the same oil field and with this company as a

AGI, a relationship was built with the company early on, which has

consultant since 2002 and saw huge potential and opportunity,”

proved invaluable in keeping industry rivals at bay.

explained Vincent.

Another key relationship for AGI’s is, of course, their joint venture

“I recognised the opportunity with Arctic Group right away,

partner CDCS – Caspian Development Company Services. For many

and knew initiative and leadership could turn its fortunes around.

40 | Endeavour Magazine

It had great people, good clients and was in the right place, with

gas injection technology to increase daily crude oil production from

opportunities upcoming. The industry is experiencing low prices

Tengiz by approximately 260,000 barrels per day- an investment

globally, but the Tengiz Oil Field has been stable and steady. In our

which will prove to be vastly profitable for TCO, and Kazakhstan

niche market, we have no direct competitors in the local area.”

as a whole.

AGI’s old links with TCO are hard-earned, and are a key element

John Watson, CEO at Chevron Corporation, WORD: “It’s

in their ongoing success, but they cannot rest on history alone.

a continued drive for excellence that has paved the way for

With every renewed contract, the application process is just as

expansions, resulting in a dramatic increase in production at Tengiz.”

rigorous as the first, and Chevron assess their long-time suppliers

This injection of investment into the market means a wealth of

against their potential rivals, meaning AGI must constantly remain

work and, therefore, profit for AGI. To make the most of this, the

the best choice.

company has already purchased four hectares of land beside their

We ask Vincent his strategy for holding their position. “Be the

existing base, on which they plan to use for the expansion of their

best – always outperform client expectations.” A simple answer,

construction division. “Without a doubt, expansion at this time is

but not one that’s easy to achieve. AGI reach for this goal through a

a safe gamble,” states Vincent with confidence. TCO’s oilfields are

number of strategies: approaching their work with ethical integrity,

predicted to yield work for the next 20 years, defying the usual

investing in their staff, and re-investing their success back into the

ten-year peak and slump pattern. In terms of construction, Chevron

company; not content to feel safe in his niche, Vincent knows that

are currently only predicting work for the next five to eight years,

whilst the market is on the rise, AGI must keep growing as a service

but Vincent knows his industry well enough to know that more

to keep ahead of demand.

construction work always appears. Off the back of this confidence,

TCO understands this as well, which is why they are planning

he has ambitiously decided to re-invest 100% of the company’s

to invest heavily in the area through their Future Growth Project.

profits from construction back into the department. The company

This US$37 billion investment project will use state-of-the-art sour

also plan to grow their heavy haul and lifting division, expecting

Atyrau Office 2D Azzatyk Street - 1st Floor Atyrau, Kazakhstan, 060002 +7 712 276 6057 info@arctic-group.com

Tengiz Office R/V Tengiz, Atyrau Area Zhiloi Region, Kazakhstan +7 712 303 4123 info@arctic-group.com Endeavour Magazine | 41

ARCTIC GROUP INT a 10 – 20% year over year growth for the next five years. Re-

believe strongly in developing the workforce of the countries we

investing in the company may seem risky, but it is a sign of wisdom

operate in.”

in this profitable period, and shows a hunger to create something that outlives the current industry boom.

Of course, resources on the ground are only so useful if they’re

As well as looking after their own team, AGI also share their success by giving regularly to local charities. “Giving back to the local community only makes us stronger.”

not backed up by good practice, especially in a role that provides

Fortune favours the bold, as well as the wise. Profiting during

support to long-term clients: “Honesty, integrity and hard work. If

an industry boom may be good luck, but working to secure and hold

you treat people with respect and honesty it’s pretty hard to go

onto a niche within a sector is good business. By re-investing their

wrong.” Marc Vincent’s philosophy shows that he understands that

current success and expanding over the next five years, AGI are

you get the best out of people if you treat them well – this is true of

fighting to hold tight onto their advantage in Tengiz for the next 20.

the company’s attitude towards delivering reliable results to clients,

Ever working, and growing to meet exacting standards and rising

paying their suppliers on-time and treating these relationships

demand, they are in a strong position to reap the rewards that the

with respect, and also looking after their staff. A team 750 strong,

next two decades have to offer. To be sure, AGI will always adhere

employees are an essential resource for AGI:

to their policy of integrity and reliable support to their clients, even

“Ongoing training and personal development is a strong part of our company culture and we employ a full-time training department that provides in-house training, bringing in experts to lead specialised courses as well as funding training for employees that want to take courses on their own time. We are strong believers in promoting from within. We especially try to promote and develop our local staff to fill openings in our management team. We

42 | Endeavour Magazine

during the boom times. The power of partnership and loyalty is, and will always be at the heart of the business.

RED CREST FARMS ANCA FOODS WWW.ANCAFOODS.CO.ZA // 0027 43 683-1774

TASTE THE DIFFERENCE A premier poultry giant in the Eastern Cape region, Anca Foods has a history of making great strides in a bid to consistently set new standards for the industry and Endeavour Magazine spoke with Devin Isemonger, company Sales Manager, to find out how.

WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON

RED CREST FARMS ANCA FOODS

Anca Foods is a leading poultry farming, processing

and distribution operation based in the Eastern Cape, but don’t go thinking that there’s nothing else to know, as this is far from your average food production company.

W

ith a desire to be constantly reaching above and beyond

be regularly updated and communicated. In short, we support staff

recognised industry standards, Anca has sought to bolster

while still holding them accountable.”

itself with a team of dedicated professionals and Devin

So what are these goals? What is it that Anca is trying to

Isemonger, Sales Manager, is one of the most vital team players,

accomplish? And what has it managed in 25 years of operation? A

but how did he find himself in his coveted position?

key selling point is the continuation of healthy and humane farming

“I have been head of sales since Feb 2015. I began my career

techniques, which Anca feels is vital in terms of tastier chicken and

at Anca in 2013, as Quality Control Manager. When the previous

therefore, customer satisfaction. Animals are bred and nurtured

head of sales left us suddenly, I was moved into the position as

with the utmost care and farms are run in accordance with the

a short-term solution. This was a huge jump for me in terms of

strictest animal welfare standards, with regular inspections being

authority and responsibility and I have since become entrenched

welcomed. Add in spacious barns that are geared towards the

in this department and feel that it is in sales that I can make the

comfort and happiness of all animals and a regular supply of high-

greatest contribution to the company. I guess you could say I was

quality feed and you can see that this is no mere profit-making

dropped in at the deep end and very quickly learnt how to swim.”

endeavour, which is why a creative philosophy has been adopted

The really impressive aspect of this rise to leadership is that at

by Devin and his team,

no point did Anca give Devin anything other than full support and

“I consider myself, foremost, as a pragmatist. Practical

faith, which is why he is still in position and able to directly influence

application is, to me, the be all and end all of business. Rather

new and innovate sales directives. More than that, he has been

than designing large complex plans and strategies, I prefer to

able to impact on the style of leadership employed throughout the

implement small and simple plans. These I refine through practical

company, which, essentially, defines it as a whole,

applications, before allowing them to grow and evolve into large-

“Effective leadership requires one to empathise with one’s staff

scale strategies. I feel this approach suits unpredictable industries

and make them feel appreciated as members of a team. The key is

such as ours by minimising risk, but not to the expense of creativity

to achieve this without a breakdown of respect. This is a fine line to

and innovation.”

walk and a daily discipline. Once this balance has been struck, clear

Right there is the key to Anca’s success; innovation. This is a

goals must be set and a roadmap to success created. This must

crucial part of any high-flying operation, but it is even more critical

46 | Endeavour Magazine

EPOL AND RED CREST FARMS A PARTNERSHIP THAT WORKS At EPOL we strive to supply top quality, balanced feed and exceptional service in order to maximise farm profit. The needs of our clients come first, hence our commitment to research and development which ensures formulations are consistently developed with the perfect combination of nutrients in conjunction with our experienced sales team. We pride ourselves in the long-standing partnerships with many of our clients. One such client is ANCA Foods (aka Red Crest Farms) based at Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape.

[OUR CLIENTS ARE OUR PARTNERS AND WE SEE OUR RELATIONSHIP AS BEING ESSENTIAL TO GOOD BUSINESS, THEREFORE WE HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN THEIR SUCCESS.] EPOL’s association with Red Crest Farms spans over 25 years – when the business was first launched in 1992. From the outset EPOL strived to form a strategic partnership with Red Crest Farms with the aim to becoming their preferred supplier. Hard work and dedication paid off, and for the past three years we have been supplying all of the farm’s feed requirements.

Production system meets international standards Red Crest Farms uses an intensive production system. This means that their broilers are raised indoors in climate-controlled houses. Broiler production systems require high levels of responsiveness and availability of information.

To this end, Red Crest Farms’ chicken houses are equipped with mechanical systems to deliver feed and water to the birds. Nipple drinkers are used, thus reducing spillage and wastage. Their houses also have ventilation systems and heaters that operate when required. The floor of the house is covered with natural pine shavings to protect the birds and to keep them dry and warm.

Curtain-walled sides ensure the birds are exposed to sunshine, light and fresh air, but at the same time protected from predators.

fed the appropriate nutrition as is required by the breed. As environmental conditions are critical for successful broiler production, chicken houses are closely monitored by the managers to ensure that any changes in the environment are addressed immediately and to provide their broilers with the required low stress environment. Broilers are also appropriately vaccinated as recommended by their veterinarians.

[YOU CAN TASTE THE DIFFERENCE IN A WELL-FED, STRESS-FREE CHICKEN] EPOL – supplier of choice EPOL offers specialised ranges of feed to meet the needs of different farmers. These needs vary according to the levels of production and different climatic conditions. Our feeds are custom-formulated for Red Crest Farms based on their slaughter requirements, so we formulate feeds that maximise their on-farm profits by ensuring that their birds get the correct nutrients at the correct time.

Furthermore, each load received into our factory (raw materials) and dispatched (feeds) to our clients is tested by Near Infrared Spectroscopy to ensure only the highest quality. We also supply after-sales support and have technical specialists available 24/7 should our clients encounter any challenges.

Many of us will remember the Farmer Brown advertisement: “They taste so good ‘cos they eat [WHOLESOME CHICKENS RAISED so good!” – and we believe this rings true for Red IN THE BEST CONDITIONS] Crest Farms as well. Red Crest Farms remains one of our most valued clients and we are thankful for Great genetics equals success the trust that they have placed in us. We hope Many factors contribute to the consistent success that this partnership will grow even stronger in of Red Crest Farms. Firstly, they only invest in years to come. broilers with great genetics. Furthermore, they EPOL - Success is in the bag don’t compromise on feed and these broilers are

uppe marketing A16419/A

WITH EPOL I AM ABLE TO ACHIEVE THE PERFECT BALANCE. EPOL’S COMPREHENSIVE BROILER RANGE: With its range of specifically formulated broiler feeds to meet the needs of the broiler production system from start to finish, EPOL ensures a perfect balance between performance and profitability.

Epol Econo range: Broiler Starter, Broiler Grower, Broiler Finisher, Broiler Post Finisher.

Optigro 3 range: Broiler Starter, Broiler Finisher, Broiler Post Finisher.

Higro 5: Broiler Starter.

EPOL is proud of their 25 year relationship with Red Crest farms.

GETTING READY Before the chicks arrive on the farm everything must be ready.

Plan the amount of feed that you will need. The following tables are an indication.

Epol Econo Range - is ideal for the smaller producer who sells live broilers to the market, and is a cost-effective range with a moderate growth rate.

Econo Starter (0525)

Econo Grower (0515)

Econo Finisher (0535)

Econo Post Finisher (0545)

Day 0 - 15

Day 16 - 25

Day 26 - 36

36 - slaughter

Bags (40 kg)

Bags (40 kg)

Bags (40 kg)

Bags (40 kg)

100

2

3

3

1

200

4

6

6

2

300

6

9

9

3

400

8

12

12

4

500

10

15

15

5

600

12

18

18

6

700

14

21

21

7

800

16

24

24

8

900

18

27

27

9

1000

20

30

30

10

uppe marketing A16419/B

Number of chicks

Epol Optigro 3 Range - is ideal for the producer who sells live birds or who has to supply birds at a fixed age to an abattoir.

EPOL compliments our business very well, a true win-win relationship, which is profitable for us both.

Thank you EPOL! Greg White, Operations Director, ANCA and Thembekile Klass, Feedmill Manager, Epol Berlin Mill

Number of chicks

Optigro 3 Starter (0520)

Optigro 3 Finisher (0530)

Optigro 3 Post Finisher (0540)

Day 0 - 18

Day 19 - 36

5 Days before slaughter

(800 gram per bird)

(1.8 kg per bird)

(700 gram per bird)

kg required Bags (40 kg)

kg required

Bags (40 kg)

kg required

Bags (40 kg)

Total 3.3 kg per bird kg required Bags (40 kg)

100

80

2

180

5

70

2

330

9

200

160

4

360

9

140

4

660

17

300

240

6

540

14

210

5

990

25

400

320

8

720

18

280

7

1320

33

500

400

10

900

23

350

9

1650

42

600

480

12

1080

27

420

11

1980

50

700

560

14

1260

32

490

12

2310

58

800

640

16

1440

36

560

14

2640

66

900

720

18

1620

41

630

16

2970

74

1000

800

20

1800

45

700

18

3300

83

Epol Econo range: Broiler Starter (V15433), Broiler Grower (V22229), Broiler Finisher (V15527) Broiler Post Finisher (V15432).

Optigro 3 range: Broiler Starter (V672), Broiler Finisher (V15526), Broiler Post Finisher (V1201).

Higro 5: Broiler Starter (V8854).

All products are registered under Act 36 of 1947.

For more information about our specific feeds and services: RCL FOODS: www.rclfoods.com EPOL: +27(0)31 242-8600 | www.epol.co.za

RED CREST FARMS ANCA FOODS in the Eastern Cape poultry-farming industry, as the market is currently fraught with obstacles to overcome, “The Poultry industry in South Africa is currently in crisis, due

Despite a turbulent marketplace, Anca is celebrating an impressive 25 years of operation and more than that; there has even been growth, especially in terms of staffing numbers,

to the illegal dumping of cheap frozen cuts from the European

“Anca Foods currently employs upwards of 500 people in total.

Union in our market. European producers recoup their farming

We seek to employ from local communities and have found that to

costs from the breast and wing meat alone, leaving their drum and

promote from within is the best practice. Our corporate culture is

thigh portions as waste products. Unfortunately, the South African

one of high intensity, which some may find intimidating. This has

consumer prefers drum and thigh cuts while the EU will not allow

evolved as a result of the difficult market we operate in.“

South African farmers to export to their shores. This leaves South

Add to this the strong and steadfast relationships being enjoyed

African producers in an unsustainable position. 2016 was the most

with key suppliers, including Epol and Keystone, and Anca has

challenging year to date for the industry and saw the closing down

everything in place to not only continue enjoying fantastic success,

of several major abattoirs.”

but also explore new and exciting opportunities in the future. With

Setting itself apart and rising above the domestic industry

a history of brilliant developments being implemented, including a

troubles has become second nature to the ever-resilient Anca

new 270-ton cold storage facility and processing plant expansions,

Foods, which prefers to supply poultry to the fresh market,

it will come as no surprise that there are plans afoot for more

wherever possible. With 80% of production feeding this section of

innovations.

the industry, the unfortunate influx of frozen portions of meat from

Key to future successes is a total rebranding of Anca Foods,

the EU has had little impact on the success of Anca, whereas many

with new labels being showcased on consumer products, but Devin

rivals have fallen by the wayside.

also hinted that there is something even more exciting to come,

50 | Endeavour Magazine

“We are always expanding and will be increasing our output again in 2018. There is another major project in the pipeline for 2018 as well, but at this point that is confidential.”

Consider us very much intrigued and looking forward to finding out what this project is!

Regardless of future developments, what we will say is that Anca Foods has consistently impressed with its strong brand within a commodities industry. Despite poor market conditions that have lasted four years, through unrivalled quality, commitment and strength of identity, Anca has risen where so many others have fallen, without compromising on key areas such as price or production standards. If that doesn’t inspire you to maintain a steely gaze on the future of this incredible operation then we don’t know what will.

Endeavour Magazine | 51

SKA AFRICA WWW.SKA.AC.ZA // 0027 21 506 7300

UNLOCKING THE MYSTERIES OF THE UNIVERSE Space, it’s been famously said, is the final frontier. It represents the future for humanity, and, should the fears of many be realised, and we’re foolish enough to destroy our home planet in the years to come, our salvation. Why are we here? How are we here? The answers to the greatest questions surrounding our very existence can only be found through unlocking the mysteries of the night sky, and perhaps one day reaching out into it.

WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

SKA AFRICA

In its infinite kindness, the universe has left no small

number of clues for us to answer these questions, but finding them has been no easy feat. However, thanks to our growing mastery of advanced technologies and our subsequent ability to break down and understand the structures and sub-structures of the universe, finally, great strides forward are being made in space science which we hope will one day allow us to solve even the greatest mysteries in astronomy.

R

adio telescopes are an essential astronomical instrument,

completion it will trigger a huge leap forward in humanity’s space

in this regard, thanks to their ability to detect celestial

science capabilities.

objects that conventional telescopes cannot. Unlike optical

Once fully operational, the Square Kilometre Array will be

telescopes, which allow observers to see faraway objects and

made up of thousands of radio antennas co-located on vast sites in

galaxies that emit or reflect visible light waves, radio telescopes

the Karoo region of South Africa and the remote West Australian

allow astronomers to observe the night sky’s best kept secrets –

outback. With a total radio-detecting array in excess of 1km2, the

the objects and entities that don’t project light, or in other words,

Square Kilometre Array will be by far the world’s largest, most

are ordinarily undetectable.

powerful radio telescope – for context, SKA will have 50 times

Through the use of these telescopes, made up of a huge

the image resolution quality of the Hubble Space Telescope and

singular dish or fields of smaller dishes, we can study naturally

a far greater ability to image wider areas of sky, with one trillion

occurring radio light from stars, galaxies, black holes and other

times the processing power of the computers used to successfully

cosmic objects. Because naturally occurring radio waves are so

put man on the moon. What’s known as the core - the region with

weak - up to a billion times weaker than that of cell phone signal -

the highest concentration of receivers - will be stationed in the

the development and construction of great radio telescope arrays

Northern Cape Province of South Africa, 80 km from the town of

are an essential tool in our mission to map the stars and enhance

Carnarvon, which is incidentally the same site where the MeerKAT

our understanding of space.

– SKA’s Phase 1 precursor has been built.

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is an international project to

The MeerKAT array, currently taking shape in South Africa’s

build a radio telescope tens of times more sensitive and hundreds of

Karoo region, is a world-class radio telescope designed to do

times faster at mapping the sky than today’s best radio astronomy

ground-breaking science. It will be the largest and most sensitive

facilities. Simply put: it will be the world’s largest and best radio

radio telescope in the southern hemisphere until the Square

telescope. SKA is not a single telescope, but a collection of various

Kilometre Array (SKA) is completed around 2024. Via MeerKAT,

types of antennas, called an array, to be spread over long distances.

South Africa is playing a key role in design and technology

In terms of its scale and ambition, SKA is colossal, and upon its

developments for the SKA.

54 | Endeavour Magazine

For over 30 years GENERAL DYNAMICS has designed, manufactured and installed over fifty major optical and radio telescopes for the scientific community worldwide. We are proud to partner with Stratosat Datacom (Pty) Ltd. to supply 64 radio-telescope antennas, ancillary electronic components and support for South Africa’s MeerKAT radio telescope program. As an industry leader in the design and construction of precision-built telescopes and control systems worldwide, General Dynamics further developed technical knowledge in South Africa industry so the investment in this scientific program can be leveraged for years to come.

For more information please visit

GDMISSIONSYSTEMS.COM/MEERKAT 2017.06.Endvor-MeerKatAd-No-Bleed.pdf 1 6/12/2017 10:52:58 AM

Helping the World’s Scientific Community Unravel the Mysteries of the Universe for Over 30 years

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

www.gdmissionsystems.com/meerkat ©2017 General Dynamics. All Rights Reserved

Endeavour Magazine | 55

SKA AFRICA “South Africa has already demonstrated its excellent science and

creating great opportunity for a large group of young scientists

engineering skills by designing and starting to build the MeerKAT

and engineers with the necessary world-class expertise in such

telescope as a pathfinder to the SKA,” Dr Bernie Fanaroff, SKA’s

technologies. This will prove to be crucial in the development of

former Director, now key Strategic Advisor reveals. “The first seven

super-computing over the coming decades, which will have an

dishes, KAT-7, are complete and have already produced its first

impact on data transport, the creation of large sensory networks,

pictures. It has created a bit of a media storm and we’ve attracted

radio software and imaging algorithms.

great interest internationally.”

“MeerKAT will be the most sensitive radio telescope in the

Close to 100 young scientists and engineers are working on the

southern hemisphere until SKA comes online,” Bernie is quick to

MeerKAT project. Based at the engineering office in Cape Town,

point out, “It is by this credit that leading radio astronomy teams

and at universities and technology companies across South Africa

around the globe have already signed up to use the instrument as

and Africa, these researchers interact closely with SKA teams

soon as it is ready.” The concrete for MeerKAT’s maiden antenna

around the world. In collaboration with South African industry

foundation was poured on Wednesday 14 August 2013 at South

and universities, and collaborating with global institutions, the

Africa’s SKA site in the Karoo - the first of 64 similar foundations

South African team has developed technologies and systems for

that have been built since for this telescope, each foundation

the MeerKAT telescope, including innovative composite telescope

consisting of 78 m³ concrete and nine tons of steel.

dishes and cutting-edge signal processing hardware and algorithms.

“Designing a foundation for a high-tech telescope is complex

More than 500 international astronomers and 58 from

and challenging since it has to meet a set of stringent requirements,”

Africa have submitted proposals to do science with MeerKAT

Tracy Cheetham, General Manager for Infrastructure and Site

once it is complete. One of the reasons is that the technology

Operations at SKA South Africa explains.

being developed for MeerKAT is cutting-edge, and the project is

56 | Endeavour Magazine

“The foundations must ensure that each of the 19-m high

antennas with its 13.5 x 16 m main reflector will be exceptionally

the MeerKAT science case - just much more ambitious,” he explains.

stable and able to point accurately at distant celestial objects at

“Our researchers and students who participate in the MeerKAT

wind speeds gusting to 69km/h as well as survive wind speeds

surveys have a huge advantage. They are well placed to enter SKA

of up to 144 km/h. Another challenge for the design team was to

Phase 1. They have the opportunity to become science leaders in

ensure that each antenna was carefully earthed and would not be

future SKA projects.”

damaged in the event of a lightning strike.”

Great for the world, great for the Southern African region, and

Since it was founded in 2005, the African SKA Human Capital

great for the future of humanity, the SKA and its MeerKAT precursor

Development Programme has awarded hundreds of grants for

are magnificent projects to watch over the years to come. They are

studies in astronomy and engineering at undergraduate and

a reminder that, even in a world gone seemingly mad at times, in

post-doctoral level, while also investing in training programmes

the grand scheme of things we are all very, very small, and still only

for technicians. Astronomy courses are being taught as a result

beginning to learn how to understand the universe around us – but

of the SKA Africa project in Kenya, Mozambique, Madagascar

soon, will be that important step closer.

and Mauritius, with further courses to begin in other countries in due course.

Prof Justin Jonas, Associate Director of Science and Engineering at SKA South Africa, is very excited about the role that South Africa’s MeerKAT telescope will play in the future of the SKA. “The decision recognises MeerKAT as a key instrument that will make up one quarter of the SKA Phase 1 mid-frequency array, and the science planned for SKA Phase 1 is very similar to

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AMAZING WORLD

THE BRANDO

H

idden away at the heart of the Pacific Ocean, a body of water large enough to hold the landmass of every continent

and island combined, can be found one of the planet’s best kept, and most luxurious secrets.

Just north of Tahiti and the Windward Islands, part of the Society Island archipelago of French Polynesia, lies Teti’aroa – an exquisite island paradise as beautiful as it is remote. This tiny and idyllic atoll, made-up of 12 emerald islets framing a tranquil lagoon of perfect turquoise, has for many centuries held a special place in Polynesian history and culture. Certainly, it is easy to see how Tahtitian royalty, and more recently one of the greatest actors in Hollywood history, Marlon Brando, became so enamoured with Teti’aroa that he once said: “Teti’aroa is beautiful beyond my capacity to describe.

One could say that Teti’aroa is the tincture of the South Seas.”

The Brando, Teti’aroa’s world-famous luxury eco-resort, is a tribute to the great man himself, who for many decades retreated to Teti’aroa to escape the stress and excess of Hollywood fame. After arriving on the island while filming Mutiny on the Bounty, Marlon Brando immediately fell in love with Teti’aroa and its sun-kissed tranquility, and a few years later in 1967 he bought the island outright and set about transforming it into his own private paradise.

58 | Endeavour Magazine

The

Brando

Resort,

a

sumptuous

contemporary blend of 21st century modern

tropical retreat which combines luxury

chic

and

authentic Tahitian

character.

with environmental sustainability, is Marlon

Surrounded by coconut palms and blue

Brando’s legacy, and the realisation of his

skies, these secluded thatched villas are

vision to safeguard the future of Teti’aroa

subject only to the gaze of the stars above,

after his passing. Located on one of the

and the perfect place for the weary to relax

largest of the atoll’s twelve islets, Motu

in self-imposed splendid isolation.

Onetahi, the resort features 35 ultra-

In the years running up to his death,

luxurious beachside villas that incorporate a

Marlon Brando worked tirelessly to realise

his vision for Teti’aroa as a resort which

their stay. Guests can snorkel or dive with

former United States Presidents meet, as

offered guests a taste of the closest thing to

tropical fish, sail in the lagoon, paddle board

they come to escape the chaos and gaze

an earthly paradise that can be achieved by

to a neighbouring island, kayak gently above

of the modern world. Even if only once, be

the hands of man and nature. In this regard,

coral gardens, stroll the long stretches of

sure to add the Teti’aroa to your list of places

The Brando is a worthy legacy. Accessible

beach, enjoy a guided or unguided marine,

to visit one day. There truly are few other

only by private plane, the resort, with its

bird, cultural or other excursion, or simply

places in the world quite like it.

rich abundance of activities, fine Polynesian

spend a day in the spa and wellness centre.

cuisine, and breath-taking natural beauty

The Brando is an exclusive and wonderful

offers guests plenty to see and do during

hidden jewel – a place where royalty and

To find out more visit www.tahiti.com/hotels/the-brando-3455 Endeavour Magazine | 59

AIRPORTS AUTHORITY OF JAMAICA WWW.AIRPORTSAUTHORITYJAMAICA.AERO // 001 (876) 924-8452-6

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE It is no secret that the country is one of the world’s leading centres of tourism, with more than 3 million tourists entering into the country each year to sample Jamaica’s beautiful weather and rich culture – a fantastic blend of Jamaican, African, and European influence. To ensure that this thriving industry continues to grow from strength-to-strength, the Jamaican government has placed great emphasis on developing and modernising the country’s aviation sector and infrastructure – a role which has fallen to Airports Authority of Jamaica.

WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

AIRPORTS AUTHORITY OF JAMAICA

Since it was established in 1974 under the “Airports

Authority Act” as an independent statutory body, Airports Authority of Jamaica has worked tirelessly to build a world-class airport system fit to act as the gateway into the Caribbean.

A

s the organisation responsible for martialling Jamaica’s

as a wholly-owned subsidiary of AAJ, commenced operation of the

principle aviation assets, AAJ’s ownership and management

Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA).

of the country’s two international airports, Norman Manley

Airports Authority of Jamaica provides oversight and contract

International and Sangster International Airport, and the newly

administration for the concession agreement that is in place with

built Ian Fleming International Airport, requires professionalism and

each Airport Operator; MBJ Airports Limited and NMIA Airports

a level of service equal to the highest global standards. And that’s

Limited. As a part of its responsibility, AAJ continues with the

without factoring in AAJ’s additional responsibility for the island’s

operation and management of the four domestic aerodromes.

four domestic aerodromes. Air traffic is rising, even in spite of the

In addition, AAJ undertakes the long-term planning and

slow recovery of the regional economy, as are the expectations of

development of Jamaica’s airport system and continues to be at

a new breed of tourist – one which is discerning, and more than

the fore of the country’s air transportation policy development. The

ready to use social media to tell the world about their experience

broad airport development policies pursued and the organisational

in Jamaica.

changes implemented in recent years are aimed at expediting the

The country’s international airports, their staff, and their

expansion and modernisation of the nation’s principal international

facilities are the first things that tourists see as they enter the

gateways. The international airports are highly capital-intensive

country – they are de facto ambassadors for Jamaica, in other

businesses and are organised and managed as self-financing

words, and in an industry where perception is everything, there

commercial enterprises. Both airports are implementing large capital

is a huge amount of pressure to ensure the delivery of a superior

development programmes that are being financed by internally

customer experience.

generated funds, shareholder’s loans and equity contributions, as

Since its inception, AAJ has worked diligently to fulfil its

well as commercial debt.

principal mandate of developing and operating a safe and secure

The Government of Jamaica has taken the policy decision to

airport system for Jamaica. For several years now, AAJ has been

privatise the international airports, commencing with Sangster.

adjusting structurally in keeping with the Government’s airport

This is in keeping with international trends and the need to

privatisation policy. Over a decade ago, in April 2003, the company

attract private capital to finance the required levels of expansion

divested the operational responsibility for Sangster International

and development at the international airports, to cope with the

Airport (SIA) to MBJ Airports Limited, a private sector operator.

projected growth in aircraft and passenger traffic.

Later that year, NMIA Airports Limited, having been incorporated 62 | Endeavour Magazine

Under the agreement, the approved airport operator is

Endeavour Magazine | 63

AIRPORTS AUTHORITY OF JAMAICA responsible for the management of the day-to-day operations of

the expansion of its cargo operation and the growing demand for

the respective airport, in keeping with specific performance criteria

General Aviation Hangars.

and prescribed international standards. Regular performance

“The AAJ is undaunted by the challenges which face the global

reviews and other contract administration oversight functions are

and local aviation sector, and we are committed to positioning

conducted by AAJ, as specified under the concession agreement.

Jamaica’s airports as the gateway to the Caribbean and the

In addition, an Airport Forum is held biannually to provide

Americas. In keeping with National Outcome #9 of Vision 2030

stakeholders with the opportunity to provide progress reports and

Jamaica, we remain steadfast in the pursuit to ’Expand domestic

to address pertinent issues.

and international air transport infrastructure and services and

The benefits of this public-private sector partnership are clear – Jamaica’s international airports will benefit from increased private

Develop Jamaica as a regional hub with multimodal transport linkages’,” stated an AAJ spokesman in a recent report.

sector investment and efficiencies, whilst AAJ’s standing as the

AAJ is also poised to enter into a Sister Airport Agreement

body responsible for review and oversight means that the country’s

with the world’s busiest airport, the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta

aviation sector will continue to deliver the fantastic level of service

International Airport (ATL) in the US – a world-class partnership

and hospitability for which Jamaica is famed.

which, by association, truly showcases AAJ’s industry-leading

So, what next for AAJ? Well, suffice to say, with a strengthening

credentials. This deal is the culmination of a long-term working

regional and global economic outlook, further investment in

relationship between the city of Atlanta and Jamaica, which has

capital works is planned, including the implementation of Runway

formerly seen the authorisation of a Sister Airport Program in

End Safety Area (RESA) and Runway Extension projects at both

2015 and a Sister Cities Programme, linking Atlanta with Jamaica’s

international airports. Additionally, the construction of new Air

Montego Bay. These are heady times for this world-beating

Traffic Control Towers (ATC) by the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority

organisation – like the planes that je -off from its runways, AAJ is

(JCAA) and the development of NMIA’s east airfield to facilitate

set to fly over the years to come.

64 | Endeavour Magazine

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Endeavour Magazine | 65

HISSHO SUSHI WWW.HISSHOSUSHI.COM // 001 704 926 2205

CERTAIN VICTORY! In Endeavour Magazine we have often featured companies that have risen-up from the humblest of beginnings to become industry leaders in their fields, whether regionally or even internationally.

It can safely be said that few, if any, however, began life from beginnings quite as humble as that of Hissho Sushi’s inspiring CEO and Founder, Philip Maung.

WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

HISSHO SUSHI

Hissho Sushi is the culmination of a remarkable rags to

riches journey of a remarkable man. It is a real-life tale of passion and belief, hard work and eventual hardearned success; more than this, though, it is proof that the American Dream still exists for those willing and hungry enough to reach up and seize it. And boy has Philip reaped the rewards.

W

ith over 1,000 sushi and Pan-Asian hotbars and kiosks in

Pan-Asian hot bar kiosks in shops, supermarkets, airports, corporate

operation across having recently been named amongst

facilities and universities across the length and breadth of the US.

SmartCEO’s Charlotte Future 50 Awards, business at

As Philip explained, the logic behind this is simple: “Hissho

Hissho Sushi is booming. Endeavour Magazine had the pleasure of

Sushi is aimed at yuppies and young professionals who often don’t

catching-up with Philip to find out more.

have time to sit down in a restaurant and have a sit down meal.

If you haven’t heard the name of Hissho Sushi, or that of the

Our customers are time-short, so to cater to them we offer a ‘grab

company’s founder Philip Maung outside of the US just yet, you’d

and go’ system so that wherever they are, however much of a rush

be forgiven. Equally, however, you can be rest assured that both

they are in, they can pick up a Hissho Sushi on the move.” It is this

names are ones you will begin to hear a lot more of over the years

convenience which has proved to be a main ingredient for Hissho’s

to come.

rip-roaring rise from being a one man band to becoming one of the

The story of both man and company is one of determination,

sector’s industry leaders.

ambition, and tireless hard work, fit to suit the Hissho namesake – meaning ‘certain victory.’ After beginning life as a humble husband and wife set-up out of Philip’s family home in Charlotte, North Carolina, just 9 years after he arrived on US shores with a pocketful

THE KEY TO HISSHO’S ‘CERTAIN VICTORY’: RESTAURANT-GRADE QUALITY, AFFORDABILITY, AND CONVENIENCE

of dollars to his name, today, Hissho Sushi has been on the Hot

Since the company first opened for business in 1998, Hissho

500 list of fastest growing businesses in the US, and was recently

Sushi has steadily perfected the business of delivering restaurant-

named to the Inc 5000 list of the fastest growing privately owned

grade sushi to customers at affordable prices into a fine art. But

business in the US for the 6th time in 7 years.

more importantly than this, however, Hissho makes its high-

It is a food retail giant of sorts with over 1,000 outlets across

grade, affordable sushi easily accessible. Wherever customers are,

more than 42 states and rising, boasting an annual revenue in excess

whatever they’re doing, whether they are at work or at play or in a

of US$100 million. But rather than sell its menu of sushi snacks

rush, the chances are Hissho Sushi will be available. How could fine

from the branded restaurants that are usually the signature of a

snacking be more convenient?

major food retail brand, Hissho Sushi does things a little differently.

Hungry sushi lovers can pick-up a box from a Hissho Sushi

Hissho’s delicious Spicy Salmon, Tuna-Avocado, and California

kiosk at their local shop along while they buy milk and bread, or

rolls, along with its Chicken Gyoza, Nippon Favorite, Inari, and

while waiting for a connection at the airport; when at corporate

Nagano Special, instead, vie for space with a wide range of other

conferences with work, or on campus at university. It’s sushi

Pan-Asian bites in the display cases of Hissho’s fresh sushi bar and

made easy; really easy, and it’s made easy without compromising

68 | Endeavour Magazine

HISSHO SUSHI on freshness. Hissho Sushi is synonymous with quality, and the

dollar fortune only two decades after landing on US shores with

delivery of quality begins and ends with its dedicated, expert chefs

just $13 in his pocket, Hissho Sushi’s success can, to say the least,

who are trained the Hissho way at the company’s Charlotte, NC

be considered be a job very well done on the part of Philip Maung.

headquarters at Steele Creek Road.

The Hissho Sushi success story is an inspiring, true-life tale

On this, Andrea Lee, Head of Corporate Communications at

about just what can be achieved by somebody with little, but who

Hissho, explained: “Hissho recruits and trains chefs and supervisors

dreams big; somebody who has an insatiable hunger for a better

at our headquarters in Charlotte, NC. These same people are then

life, and who has the work ethic, belief, invention and dynamism to

sent back into the field to operate our sushi bars, or Pan-Asian hot

pursue it. As anybody who has looked up at the stars from a life of

bars, either as a franchisee or employee. Fresh sushi or hot bar

seemingly hopeless poverty knows, a dream of a better life is the

items are made fresh every day, using product shipped from Hissho

most powerful of drivers for success. What Philip lacked in money

Sushi HQ, and always purchasing their produce locally to ensure

or connections he more than made up for in endeavour, incredible

the freshest available.”

self-belief, his desire to achieve success and, no less importantly,

She continued: “CEO Philip Maung insists on the very best quality across the board for all of the ingredients that go

happiness. And make no mistake about it; the Hissho story is still in its early chapters.

into any of our products. Our items are made fresh every day

That the business has more than doubled in size over the past

and our customers can rest assured that they are getting the

three years alone speaks volumes; more so, when you take into

best of the best.”

account that this doubling has occurred in-line with Hissho Sushi’s somewhat conservative growth strategy, which is “in the manner

DREAMS OF A BETTER LIFE, SELF-BELIEF AND HARD WORK – THE FOUNDATIONS UPON WHICH SUCCESS IS BUILT

of a tortoise; slow and steady wins the race.” A particularly apt metaphor, since the tortoise has a very long lifespan.

Business is booming, as they say, but while Hissho Sushi’s

What is there to say? When you take into consideration for a

portfolio continues to expand, with new locations being added

moment that he has built a food retail empire and a multi-million

each month, that isn’t to say the company has had things entirely

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70 | Endeavour Magazine

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its own way. The food retail sector is a big money game, and as

No, the only real challenges that have stood in Hissho Sushi’s

one would expect the company faces fierce competition from rival

way have been internal in nature, related to the company’s, at

businesses, some of whom have been open for business much

times difficult 19-year journey from start-up to food retail giant.

longer than Hissho’s 18-years. Added to this, there is also the

The process of growing first from a small out-of-the-home-kitchen

additional threat posed by a number of ambitious, exciting new

start-up to a mid-sized local and regional player, and then finally a

start-ups that are emerging, all of who are hungry and ready to

cross-continental hegemon with a presence in more than 42 states

cut into Hissho’s formidable market share should the opportunity

doesn’t come without its difficulties. Such a transition will always

present itself. But as of yet, the company has proven resilient to the

lead a company to experience its fair share of growing pain, even

best efforts of the competition.

if the transition is a slow one. Maintaining a winning corporate

Not that Philip is overly concerned: “Our marketplace is

culture and attracting staff who are truly invested in a company’s

competitive, but that’s life. Whatever you do, in business or in life,

values in such instances is difficult. When, like Hissho Sushi, such a

there is competition everywhere. We’re aware of the competition

transition is made over a 10-year period of frenzied, rapid growth,

but we don’t focus on it. We focus inwards; on delivering quality

it can be near impossible to maintain the identity and values that

and building a culture in which our staff are happy and motivated,

first brought about your success in the first place.

and which is true to our values.”

HISSHO SUSHI: NOT JUST A COMPANY BUT A WAY OF LIFE The company which Philip has lovingly nurtured over the years is

THE IMPORTANCE OF HISSHO SUSHI’S 11 CORE VALUES, AND ITS WINNING TEAM OF STAFF

more than a company; it’s a way of life. The Hissho brand is instantly

Philip Maung found this out the hard way. After a first decade of

recognisable, chic, and much-loved by the hipsters, creatives and

incredible growth, during which Maung in his words “hired staff left

young professionals who make up much of its customer base. And,

and right,” he stepped back in the end for a breather, only to realise

besides, which of its competitors has such a charismatic, instantly

he presided over a divided business with a clear lack of identity,

recognisable personality at the helm?

and more than a few employees who hadn’t bought into his values,

Endeavour Magazine | 71

HISSHO SUSHI nor were as invested in Hissho’s success as they should have been.

gaining experience. The prefect example would be our Director

Finally, this led to Philip creating a ‘once voice, one culture’

of Logistics, Hsiao Wen. Wen started out with us 15-years ago as

ideal, and the creation of Hissho Sushi’s 11 Core Values – the

company sushi chef, and today she heads up our logistics team and

philosophy by which he and his employees live out each and

supervises its operations. Processing weekly orders from chefs and

every day; a philosophy which he regrets not implementing from

staff working out in the field, warehouse operations and shipping, is

the off. Maintaining a small company, family culture is central

a hugely challenging job with a lot of responsibility – only somebody

to Hissho Sushi. It acts as the anchor by which it preserves the

who understands the business from the ground up could do it.”

values and identities that have underpinned its success, and fosters

All in all, it is clear to see that Hissho Sushi is a progressive

togetherness and loyalty among its 340 or so staff – the men and

company that is on the up, and its journey to the top is far from

women without whom the company could never have achieved

over. In Philip’s view, the coming 5-years will see the company doing

what it has achieved.

what it does best, namely delivering great, accessible Asian cuisine.

On this, Andrea told us: “Each member of Hissho’s 340 or so

He said: “We will continue expanding steadily, but something we

staff is carefully vetted and trained specifically to not only be able

are aiming to do is to improve our product offerings beyond sushi.

to perform their job, but are cross-trained to improve efficiency.

Already we have a range of Pan-Asian products that are available,

Hissho’s benefit package is generous and includes a matched 401k, 90% of healthcare costs paid by the company, flex time, free activities like yoga and weight training with a personal instructor, an on-site library, exercise equipment, basketball, ping-pong, a communal patio with a fire pit, and numerous company-funded outside activities.”

She continues, “Hissho employees also have the opportunity to rise up through the ranks – we have added great talent to senior staff and management teams, who rose up through the ranks after

72 | Endeavour Magazine

but there is room for growth in this area. That will be our focus in the short to medium-term.”

NORTH STAR ALLIANCE WWW.NORTHSTAR-ALLIANCE.ORG // 0027 31 701 1258

FACILITATING GOOD HEALTH AND WELLNESS AMONGST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS In a region where virtually all movement of freight takes place via road, trucking companies and their frontline lorry drivers are all-but the literal spine of subSaharan Africa’s economy. Tens of thousands of trucks take to the region’s roads, day in, day out, transporting goods, products, and personnel from A to B, facilitating economic growth and prosperity.

WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

NORTH STAR ALLIANCE

For the often unseen and forgotten men and women

who spend long hours, days and even weeks traversing roads and national borders, however, life behind the wheel can be a lonely and stressful place where poor health is an accepted occupational hazard.

D

ue to a lack of access to healthy food and exercise whilst on the

Once the problem and its terrifying scale first came to light,

road, lorry drivers reportedly suffer from well above average

it quickly became apparent that action was urgently needed, as

rates of heart-disease and diabetes. On top of this, lack of

Paul Matthew, North Star’s Regional Director in Southern Africa,

sleep, combined with the stresses of facing traffic and adverse

remembers clearly:

driving conditions, has led to endemic rates of hypertension and

“The focus on healthcare for truck drivers really came to the

increased chances of being involved in fatal accidents on the

fore 20 years ago. I came from the road freight sector myself, and

region’s notoriously chaotic roads. Truck driving and healthy living

way back in the early days, around 1998 to 1999, we found that

are uncommon bedfellows in any country – in this regard, Southern

there was a large and sudden decline in truck drivers, and soon

and Eastern Africa are no exception. But while truck drivers are

after we realised that it was a problem directly related to HIV.

under no illusions that their job is one that comes at a price to their

There was a real crisis at the time. Drivers would refuse to

health and safety, a far deadlier silent killer lurks in the region – one

disclose their HIV status to management because they were scared

that has stalked drivers and their communities for over 20 years

they’d lose their jobs. That really got me thinking about how do

with heart-breaking ramifications.

we look after truck drivers, and how we can make them look at us

Historically speaking, mobile workers and groups have often

as a neutral party, rather than management? The idea to deliver

acted as inadvertent carriers of disease and infection, particularly

healthcare from the side of the road came to us shortly after, which

sexually transmitted infections. It was true of sailors and soldiers

in-turn led to a visit from the UN in 2001-2 to find out more about

travelling the open ocean in search of new worlds and treasure

our work and what we were doing in terms of healthcare for truck

centuries ago, and it is true today of roving long-haul truck drivers.

drivers. At the time, they were experiencing a similar problem with

The nomadic and isolated nature of their lifestyles can inevitably

their relief drivers. With their support and initial funding, North

mean that contact between truck drivers and sex workers is

Star Alliance was born.”

common. With rates of HIV infection amongst sex workers being

The success of North Star Alliance, an NGO committed to

so high, combined with a lack of education surrounding the disease,

providing quality healthcare services and education to mobile

an HIV/AIDS epidemic broke out at the turn of the century that

workers and the communities they interact with across Southern

threatened to engulf the sector. The outbreak was ruinous for truck

and Eastern Africa, is a powerful and innovative example of

drivers, and by extension their families, the wider community, and

how public-private sector partnerships can be utilised to solve

the transport companies who employ them.

the greatest challenges facing disadvantaged communities in

76 | Endeavour Magazine

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Endeavour Magazine | 77

NORTH STAR ALLIANCE developing countries. Since the organisation was established in

North Star has grown its clinic network to more than 40 – a number

2007, when its first clinic opened its doors in Malawi, North Star

which, in Paul’s words, is only the beginning.

Alliance has helped play a pioneering role in curbing the spread of

The strategic placement of North Star Alliance’s semi-mobile

HIV in even the most high-risk communities. From its network of

clinics in such locations is essential in the war against the spread

‘Blue Boxes’ - blue-painted former shipping containers that have

of HIV infection because, as Paul and his team soon found, offering

been converted into cutting-edge semi-mobile clinics, equipped

healthcare services to truck drivers alone wouldn’t be sufficient to

to WHO standards with equipment, staff, and medicines – Paul

get a handle on the crisis:

Matthew and his 200-strong team of professional nurses and

“We quickly realised that we needed to balance our work with

counsellors have been able to deliver a portfolio of high-quality

truck drivers with sex workers as well. Then, after working with

healthcare services in trucking ‘hotspots’ such as border posts,

the sex workers, we were led to work with wider communities,”

transit towns, and ports – areas where large numbers of truck

explained Paul. He continued: “Drivers create these hotspots along

drivers stop to rest and offload cargo, where sex work and informal

major transport corridors where they make up these informal rest

trade flourish.

areas where they will park off. Informal settlements tend to start up

From the roads and transport corridors connecting South Africa to Swaziland, Kenya to Tanzania, and then Uganda, Zambia,

around it because the truck drivers have the money to buy goods and services.”

Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Mozambique, North Star’s distinctive

North Star Alliance has sought to build relationships with the

Blue Boxes have become a familiar and reassuring sight to those

communities that they serve. It is telling that while truck drivers

who live their lives on the open road. Easy to produce, easy to

are still fearful of the repercussions for their livelihoods if they

set up in the communities that house them, and cheap to deploy,

are diagnosed with HIV, and that whilst the stigma surrounding

the number of mobile clinics that can now be found on roadsides,

the disease has diminished it is still ever-present, they trust

truck-stops and informal settlements has grown rapidly. Today,

North Star Alliance and its staff, as do sex workers and other

CONTAINER WORLD (PTY) LTD, based in South Africa, has been supplying new,

pre-owned and converted marine shipping containers throughout Africa since 1983. We strive to provide Instant Space Solutions, to the challenges posed by our clients, in a cost-effective and timely manner.

We are pleased to have had the opportunity to work with Northstar Alliance, providing the Converted Container Clinics situated at various border posts, transit towns and ports spread across Africa, assisting their efforts in curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS. This relationship has been beneficial to all involved and we look forward to it flourishing in the future.

78 | Endeavour Magazine

NORTH STAR ALLIANCE vulnerable community members. Through combining empathy

Paul elaborated on this, saying: “As a result of the global

and understanding with common sense and pragmatism, Paul’s

economic crisis, NGOs the world over are experiencing funding

mobile clinic model has been a resounding success. Over the past

problems, as donations have diminished substantially. In light of the

decade, close to quarter of a million truck drivers, sex workers,

global recession and increased corporatisation and competition,

and other vulnerable members of the community have flocked to

as well as reduced government funding, the non-profit sector in

North Star’s Roadside Wellness Clinics seeking primary healthcare,

Southern Africa currently faces many challenges.

HIV counselling, ART and PrEP testing and antiretroviral (ARV)

In the current climate, our main obstacle is that of securing

treatment, and blood and urine tests, in addition to screening for

funding. As our work is critical to a great many people across

malaria and tuberculosis, and health education and advice. On top

Africa, one of our dedicated goals going forward is to optimise our

of this, millions of condoms have been provided to those that need

funding base.”

them, and invaluable education to isolated communities where in some instances fear, denial, and misinformation still reign.

This being so, the organisation has gone to great lengths to gather further support and commitment to funding from the

Having matured into a multinational organisation with

business community, both at home and further afield. In a world

international capabilities and reach, North Star Alliance appears to

where protectionism and toxic nationalism has increasingly taken

be on the cusp of becoming household name in its field. With an array

root in the most surprising of places, you’d be forgiven for thinking

of international public and private sector partners, its unbending

that such support might be difficult to find, but this simply isn’t the

commitment to its core values (integrity, quality, entrepreneurial

case. As the wiser heads are all too aware, ongoing efforts to halt

spirit and its ‘People Matter’ outlook), and plans to further expand

the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS – a disease that since its emergence

its Blue Box network to assist mining sector workers, it might come

is believed to have killed more people than the two World Wars – is

as something of a surprise that storm clouds are looming which

one which each country must participate in if the global epidemic

could greatly hinder the organisation’s capabilities and ambition.

is to be overcome.

80 | Endeavour Magazine

Paul Matthew

Organisations like North Star Alliance are on the frontline of the gruelling fight against this horrific disease, and over the coming year Paul is quietly confident that, with continued support from public-private sector partners, he and his team will be able to expand on their achievements so far.

Concluding the interview on this point, Paul said: “With the aim to grow our organisation to the next level, we have developed three main strategic goals: increasing access to healthcare, guaranteeing the quality of our services, and strengthening our data management and learning. In addition, we set internal strategic goals to optimise our funding base, strengthen our governance, enhance our leadership, and maximise the engagement and overall alignment of our global team.

As we move through 2017, North Star Alliance is confident in our direction, and resolutely working towards realising our mission.

Together, as friends, colleagues, partners, and supporters, we can grow North Star to its full potential – bringing essential health services to the people who need it most.�

To find out more about the work of North Star Alliance and pledge your support, visit www.northstar-alliance.org

Endeavour Magazine | 81

AUTOMOTIVES VOLVO V40

V

olvo have always had a reputation for quality and a badge that guarantees class. Following the release of a batch

of fantastic new models in recent years, this reputation for quality has never been higher than it is today.

The V40, which looks more like a sporty premium hatchback, is Volvo’s small-tomidsized 5- family car. Make no mistake about it, as far as cars go it is a handsome motor. The V40 comes with a broad range of engines which you can choose based on your requirements for running costs, tax, and/or performance, all of which have an option of either manual or, like the model we tested, automatic transmission.

As you might expect from a vehicle that was designed to be a family car, everything about the V40 is smooth, easy, and simple.

It’s easy to drive, easy to handle, easy to park and it is easy on the eye. It handles very well but can step out of shape if pushed really hard - but then again, this isn’t really the type of car you should be pushing that hard anyway.

The V40 comes with electronically adjustable suspension from standard to sports. I like technology and gadgets, but I still felt this was a bit of overkill on this type of car. Set it in standard, as it is more than capable and so much better than the firmer, harsher ride in sports mode.

The cabin is a lovely place to be and, 82 | Endeavour Magazine

dare I say it, has the most comfortable

thick rear pillars and a small rear window.

seats in its class. Everything in the cabin

This is inconvenient, but it’s just how it is

is obvious and well-placed, and easy to

with this shape of vehicle, and besides, it is

operate and control. There are three themes

a problem solved by the V40’s rear parking

for the dials, which is fun and really changes

sensors and camera. With brushed metal,

the look of the dashboard. The visibility is

soft plastics and leather, the cabin looks chic

great front and side, but less so from the

and modern.

rear where my view was compromised by

It is generous in the cabin too, with

lots of storage space, and you get a good-

space. Alternatively, you can just pop your

leather and auto wipers. All cars come with

sized glovebox, cup holders and large door

shopping or valuables under the false floor,

a 3 year 60K warranty, plus road assistance

pockets. The rear is a little tighter for the

cover it up, and still have a clear boot for

thrown in.

6 footers amongst us, but you still get a

the dogs.

The V40 is a lovely, easy family car. It

few cubbyholes. The boot is not huge;

Even the entry level V40 is well equipped

looks great, and is beautiful to drive and

however, it is very, very clever, thanks to its

with climate control, remote locking, electric

spend time in: I like this one a lot, I can’t

variable height floor, which is hinged and

windows and alloy wheels. As you move up

recommend it enough.

can be folded out of the way for one big

to mid-range you will get parking sensors,

RRP starting at ÂŁ19,950 Endeavour Magazine | 83

MOTHEO CONSTRUCTION GROUP WWW.MOTHEOGROUP.CO.ZA // 0027 11 789 8440

A TRULY EMPOWERED, SOUTH AFRICAN COMPANY A country born out of struggle and an irrepressible determination to throw down barriers on account of race, South Africa is as progressive a country as they come in many respects. However, achieving success in so rough-and-tumble a sector as construction – a traditionally rugged maledominated industry in any country – can still be difficult here, as it sadly is in many countries.

WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

MOTHEO CONSTRUCTION GROUP

With this in mind, it is telling that Motheo

Construction has bucked the typical gender rules over the course of its 20-year history. Not that this company should be judged or singled out on this basis – it’s record of success as one of the country’s most prominent builders of social housing speaks for itself.

T

he word unique is one which is often overused in business as

successfully partnered newly qualified, generally black female

in life. Many, many companies claim to be different to industry

graduates with more experienced individuals. 20 years on we are

rivals and competitors, whether in terms of products and

proud that we can call ourselves “Truly Empowered.” The future

services or their commitment to corporate social responsibility –

is bright.”

that X Factor, if you will. In reality, however, a truly unique company

It would be unfair to measure the company purely on this

is a rare thing, but in the case of Motheo Construction use of this

basis, however. As impressive as its progressive credentials might

word is perhaps just.

be, Motheo Construction has preferred to let its capabilities and

Naturally, the fact that this highly regarded construction

achievements do the talking. Since the company was founded in

company is female-owned and predominantly female-run is, if not

1997, the company has achieved uninterrupted organic growth,

unique, certainly uncommon. Founded by Dr. Thandi Ndlovu - a

and is now recognised across the board as one of the country’s

former medical doctor and ANC activist of friendly yet formidable

premier mid-size construction and civil engineering operators.

character, and made-up of a top-tier leadership team comprised of

It is common knowledge that the construction sector is a

men and women from all backgrounds, Motheo Construction has

competitive one, and that even the best in the business are only as

shown over the course of its 20-year history of success that gender

good as their last job – in this respect, Motheo Construction and

stereotypes are there to be turned on their heads. Empowerment

its staff excel.

is at the heart of Motheo Construction’s entire ethos, in-line with

“We proudly employ around 150 full time salaried staff and

its mission ‘to bring true change, put roofs over heads and boots

around 2000 – 3000 waged staff at any given time. Very integral

on feet.’ And this extends not only to gender but also age, race,

to our success has been this idea of ‘twinning’ – where we partner

and ethnicity.

older more experienced staff with younger new comers – in order

On this, Dr. Thandi stated: “I sought to create a truly empowered

to assist and accelerate growth.”

company. A company that could be an example of the rainbow

The company can call upon its highly-experienced, multi-

nation South Africa that Nelson Mandela dreamed of. I sought

disciplinary workforce, and a dynamic, flexible management team

to create an ownership structure and mentorship networks that

equipped with the resources and know-how needed to provide

enabled new entrants (mainly young black females) to progress

theoretical and practical engineering solutions to a range of civil

at pace. A theoretical background is important, be it engineering,

contracting challenges.

finance and/or other related sources of endeavour, but to fully

The result of this is a portfolio of impressive variation and scale.

realise potential one needs experience on the job. Motheo has

Motheo Construction’s track record of successfully completed

86 | Endeavour Magazine

MOTHEO CONSTRUCTION GROUP projects includes civic structures including schools and healthcare

is this commitment to building homes on the part of Dr. Ndlovu

facilities, railway stations, and civic centres, alongside factories

that led Motheo Construction to open its doors for business in the

and bank refurbishments. Additionally, Motheo’s civil engineering

first place.

division has in its first year of operations been routinely contracted

Motheo Construction is a company with layers, combining

to take on a broad spectrum of infrastructure work, including

commercial success and construction excellence with a powerful

road construction and rehabilitation, mining infrastructure, water

commitment to the pursuit of social justice, the roots of which can

treatment and structural concrete projects other things. Delivery of

be traced back to Dr. Ndlovo’s lifelong struggle on behalf of her

a superior customer experience is key, and each completed project

countrymen and women. Her early childhood was a carefree one,

Motheo has been completed on-time and within budget, to the

spent at school studying and playing with her three sisters in the

least and last. It is no coincidence that through such guarantees

township of Soweto. It was a humble, happy life, in spite of the

of quality workmanship, professionalism, and value, the company

backdrop of growing tension in her community – a biproduct of the

has built enduring relationships with clients and subsequently

turmoil that would later engulf South Africa. In 1976, the eruption

generated much in the way of repeat business.

of violence in Soweto led to great tragedy that turned her life

And yet for all its success in these areas, Motheo Construction’s

upside down. This defining experience, along with the two decade-

bread-and-butter line of business remains the construction of low-

long struggle that followed, inspired Dr. Thandi’s to fight against

cost housing. With a completed projects value of R5.5 billion and

the inequality and injustice faced by many South Africans.

in excess of 80,000 homes built to date, the company is one of the

After actively participating in the battle against Apartheid,

country’s industry leaders in this field. The provision of affordable,

during which she actively participated on the frontlines for

homely spaces for ordinary less privileged South Africans is no

the ANC, she then moved to Orange Farm informal settlement

longer Motheo’s sole focus as it once was, and yet it is an activity

where she went about what in her own words was ‘her life’s

that accounts for still for 60% of its business activity. Indeed, it

work’ as the sole doctor to its more than 200,000 residents.

88 | Endeavour Magazine

Leading stockist and supplier of competitively priced quality electrical equipment through our extensive Southern and Sub-Saharan Africa distribution network

It was here that the Motheo story began.

Dr. Ndlovu learned a great deal about construction when she set-about building her own medical practice in the region, and, appalled by the shacks that Orange Farm’s residents were forced to live in, quickly set-about working with local health committees, the government, and builders to draw up plans to quickly begin house building en masse. Fast-forward two decades to today and the scale of Dr. Ndlovu’s commitment to housebuilding is clear to see – to date, the company has built more than 80,000 housing units, in which 400,000 South Africans live and sleep each night.

That’s 400,000 people who now live in comfortable, happy homes, fit for a 21st century South Africa on the rise.

These remarkable figures show just what can come from ‘blue-sky thinking,’ and an unerring commitment to pursuing your passions. Over the near to medium-term, Motheo Group will continue to grow and expand, putting roofs over heads and boots on feet. Through its ability to marry commercial success and profit with Dr. Ndlovu’s sense of social justice, Motheo Construction’s future looks bright indeed. Indeed, the company will continue to

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Endeavour Magazine | 89

MARIO’S PIZZERIA WWW.MYMARIOS.COM // 001 868 225 5464

WORLD-CLASS PIZZA WITH A TRINIDADIAN TWIST In a world populated by 7 billion people, made up of countless different cultures and ethnic groups, all with their own unique culinary heritage, eating habits and food preferences are as diverse and varied as we are.

However, make no mistake about it – if ever the world had a number one favourite national dish, it would be pizza.

WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

MARIO’S PIZZERIA

If you, like many, many others,§ approach food with a live

attitude as opposed to an eat than eat to live one, there is a strong chance that you not only eat pizza but love pizza. Doubly so if you live in the US – the modern-day spiritual home of this cheese and passata-based treat, where it is estimated a whopping 350 slices are eaten each second.

T

he US has long been a country which is packed with pizzerias by their thousands, but just across the seas in the Caribbean, countries like Trinidad & Tobago have only caught the pizza-

eating bug within recent decades. And it is no coincidence that the country’s love affair with the world’s best-loved food began when

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Richard ‘Slice’ Harford first opened the doors of Mario’s Pizzeria for business.

The Mario’s story began in the early 1970’s when upon his return to Trinidad after working in Canada, Richard Harford made the decision to realise his dream of becoming an entrepreneur. At this time, Trinidad & Tobago was on the up, and opportunity was everywhere. Eventually, Richard and a small group of his closest friends came up with the idea to open a restaurant at the Valpark Shopping Plaza, where a small shop unit had come available. Initially, Harford’s restaurant was a deli-style restaurant and sandwich bar which, thanks to the great food and friendly service, fast became a hit.

However, it was only a few months later when three of Harford’s friends, who returned from Canada after attending college there with a pizza oven to hand, succeeded in persuading him that true entrepreneurial a pizza parlour, not a deli was the key to achieving great things. The rest as they say is history – the five friends banded together to create Mario’s Pizzeria soon afterwards, and sowed the

92 | Endeavour Magazine

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Email: winstonwlc@gmail.com Endeavour Magazine | 93

MARIO’S PIZZERIA seeds for the success that followed after with the opening of their

great pizza that is unique to the islands. As an example of this,

first pizzeria in 1972.

Richard Harford understood from the beginning that Trinidadians

Over the course of the 45 years since, Mario’s Pizzeria has gone

have a weak spot for bold, hot flavours, and as a result Mario’s

from being a single restaurant business out of Valpark Shopping

continues to use different ingredients in its pizzas to what visitors

Plaza to a 21-restaurant retail chain with operations across the

might expect to find in other countries. As an example of this,

length and breadth of Trinidad and Guyana. Even in a marketplace

Mario’s pizzas don’t use mozzarella but mature cheddar cheeses

that hosts some of the biggest names in the business, including

instead as the main topping, while the passata sauce is made

Pizza Hut, Domino’s, and Papa John’s, it is telling that Mario’s

using a number of locally sourced herbs and spices, rather than

Pizzeria is the runaway market leader. This is for good reason –

traditional Italian seasonings. Unlike foreign competitors, who use

Mario’s is a Trinidadian company through-and-through, which

a uniform recipe for their global customer base, Mario’s Pizzeria are

offers the quality of any of the big American international pizza

lovingly crafted with their domestic audience in mind. The future

brands with a dash of Caribbean flair that caters to the tastes of

for the business looks bright, however this isn’t to say the company

the local tongue.

hasn’t faced its fair share of adversity. After an initial few years

“To stay ahead of the foreign competition, we’ve had to

of rip-roaring success, the country’s national economy collapsed

deliver to customers the pizzas that meet their satisfaction, and

and sent the restaurant into a tailspin. It was during this time that

continually upgrade our facilities to ensure that we keep offering

Richard took the incredibly bold decision to buy-out his childhood

a quality product, cost-effectively,” said Roger Harford, the CEO of

friends and go it alone. The two to three-year period that followed

Mario’s Pizzeria.

proved to be difficult for him, and it took all of Richard’s hard work

In the eyes of Trinidadians, Mario’s is a brand which shares their

and perseverance for which he is famed to ride out the economic

culture and heritage, and understands what it takes to make truly

storm. But as trying as this time was, Mario’s Pizzeria survived, and

94 | Endeavour Magazine

Founder Mr. Harford & Directors along with restaurant management & staff of Mario’s Diego Martin- our 20th store.

Endeavour Magazine | 95

MARIO’S PIZZERIA it was after this time that the business really took off and rose to

their experience with us. We’re active on all popular social media

the next level.

networks, and all of our restaurants offer free WiFi to visitors.”

For all its success, Mario’s Pizza remains a family-owned

Looking ahead to what the future holds, there is much for

business even to this day, and the company is run with one simple

the company to be optimistic about. Growing demand for the

aim in mind – to keep Mario’s ahead of the chasing through the

Mario’s brand, combined with its under-representation in Trinidad

provision of the best pizza to be found on Trinidad, and a superior

and absence in Tobago means that there is still huge scope for

level of customer service, which is hard to find in Trinidad & Tobago,

expansion – an opportunity which isn’t lost on Roger. And beyond

and through engaging and building relationships with customers

its home islands, the world beckons. All things being well, Mario’s

via digital platforms.

Pizza intends to spread its franchises across the length and breadth

Roger elaborated on this, stating: “Good customer service is something that can be hard to find on the islands, because we

of the English-speaking Caribbean, and perhaps one day even South or even North America.

haven’t honed them by having a tourism industry here. Trinidad

Through the quality of its sublime pizzas and unrivalled standard

& Tobago became wealthy through its oil and gas and financial

of service, Mario’s Pizzeria has not merely held its ground against

services, we didn’t need it. So what we’re trying to do is change this

the competition, which includes some of the biggest global brands

by training staff to offer a level of customer care that simply can’t

in the business, but risen to the top of its field. The successful fusion

be found anywhere else at the moment. We want smiley, happy

of local character and identity with international standards can be a

staff, and we’re encouraging this through an initiative we’re running

difficult thing to achieve, but as the Mario’s Pizzeria’s story shows,

at the moment.

the result can be fantastic when you get the ingredients right.

We’ve also honed our social media presence so that we can interact better with our customers, and find out more about

96 | Endeavour Magazine

Delivering Life Enriching Experiences Lot 7, Diamond Vale Industrial Estate, Diego Martin vemcott.com Endeavour Magazine | 97

THE NATIONAL WATER AND SEWAGE CORPORATION WWW.NWSC.CO.UG // 256-0313 315 100

PURE AND SIMPLE A model utility in the African region, National Water & Sewerage Corporation has continued to go from strength to strength, thanks to its incredible dedication to serving its consumers and an aspiration approach to long-term goals and development. Endeavour Magazine interviewed Dr. Eng Silver Mugisha, Managing Director, to find out more.

WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON

THE NATIONAL WATER AND SEWAGE CORPORATION

National Water & Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) is a

national utility that supplies the region of Uganda with the clean water and sewerage systems that is so desperately needs and is proactive in offering these services to as many areas as possible.

S

o much so in fact, that Dr. Mugisha revealed how an aggressive

regular water supply regimes. The Corporation faces challenges

period of expansion was undertaken to meet demand,

of inadequate infrastructure in the face of growing demand and

“Expansion of the geographical coverage has resulted in

environmental degradation, which is affecting both the availability

an increase in the number of NWSC service towns from 24 to 178

and quality of raw water and financing challenges, while maintaining

towns across the country in just a space of three years. This is a

a service delivery tariff. All these challenges are being faced head on

significant transformation in the business and service model of the

with practical engineering, financing and management solutions.”

Corporation and has redefined NWSC’s role in the Uganda Water Sector and service delivery industry.”

While you might not necessarily think that a national utility would face the same competitive issues as other commercial

The reason for this dramatic growth? An inherent understanding

operations, NWSC has taken it upon itself to actually create a

of the growing demand for water and sewerage services that has

global standard to live up to. As well as priding itself on exemplar

come about as a direct result of an increase in the number of

business stability and sustainability, NWSC is striving towards

towns that are springing up, which in turn, necessitates continued

long-term goals of becoming “the leading customer centred water

infrastructure development and improvement. The only problem

utility in the world”, reflecting both a desire to the very best within

is that environmental conditions have a tendency to make things

the industry, while always retaining a clear focus on the people that

more difficult,

matter most; consumers. Dr. Mugisha emphasised the point even

“The Corporation has taken bold measures to avert the

further,

intermittent water supply situation in the country, especially in

“Our mission statement – “To sustainably and equitably provide

the newly taken over towns, through implementation of the Water

cost effective, quality water and sewerage services to the delight of

Supply Stabilisation Programme (WSSP). The programme entails

all stakeholders, while conserving the environment”, is anchored on

implementation of quick win measures in the upstream to enhance

three pillars namely the proliferation and sustainability of services,

water production and supply reliability. The implementation of a

the focus on the customer, and lastly the contribution towards the

number of programmes has successfully improved water supply

conservation of the environment. In pursuing our vision and mission,

reliability and accessibility. Areas previously devoid of services now

our customer business stability and sustainability statement for the

have piped water services, while a number of dry zones (areas with

long-term is “Water for All, for a Delighted Customer by a Delighted

inadequate supply) have been converted into wet zones with more

Workforce”.

100 | Endeavour Magazine

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Endeavour Magazine | 101

THE NATIONAL WATER AND SEWAGE CORPORATION Speaking of workforces, the team in place at NWSC is substantial

being undertaken as well. One thing that is abundantly clear is that

at 3300-strong and makes no bones about the fact that it is at the

none of these undertakings are being taken lightly or for vanity

forefront the amazing service delivery that it is so renowned for.

purposes, however, as the customer-centric motives are always at

To that end, continuous motivation and empowerment of every

the core of every new plan,

individual employed by the company is a key focal point, which has

“We launched the Customer Relationship Model (CRM) where

resulted in extensive training and development opportunities, as

every customer is taken care of by a customer relationship officer.

well as comprehensive skill identification endeavours. Vocational

All this is aimed at ensuring customer delight. We are leveraging

skill strengthening and internal management development

new technology to better serve our customer. We are piloting

initiatives have been firmly put into place with a view to amplifying

packaged waste water treatment technology to ensure increase

the core strengths of every team member, from the top down, but

in our sewerage services, including replication to many other

it’s not just technical skills that are focused on,

operational towns. We have also completed plans to implement

“We also strengthen behavioural attitudes of staff, guided by a

an ambition plan codenamed 100 percent Service Coverage

set of values set by the Board, through various forms of coaching

Acceleration Project (SCAP100) aimed at extending water to an

and mentoring activities.”

additional 12,000 villages within our operational areas to reach

With an enviable reputation already garnered and a team

100% water service coverage by 2020.”

of highly motivated and committed staff in place, it comes as

Can you imagine the peace of mind that customers must enjoy,

no surprise that NWSC has been able to invest in exciting new

knowing that the NWSC has made a determined commitment to

developments, in a bid to remain at the very cutting edge of

always improving its services? This is truly a company that has

utility provision. A new water treatment plant, located to the east

sought to meet a need and do so with a personal touch and so

of Kampala, is one of the most intensive development projects

many global corporations could stand to take serious inspiration

currently being curated, but there are also serious IT innovations

from this approach. There’s no smoke and mirrors here, only clear

102 | Endeavour Magazine

and transparent operations with the consumer in mind, which is why the future looks set to be positive and more successful than ever,

FICHTNER WATER & TRANSPORTATION is an international consultant specialised in urban and rural infrastructure projects. One of the company’s major aims is to assist Uganda as a fast-growing country, in its efforts to improve drinking water supply and sanitation services.

“We are confident that in the next 3-5 years, we will have reached our target of 100% service coverage in all our areas of operation. Our current investment in infrastructure expansion, uplifting the profile and delivery of water and sewerage services, provision of subsidised services to the urban poor and enhanced collaboration with various stakeholders will give us tangible benefits in reliable, sustainable and efficient service delivery gains.

These gains will be best demonstrated by increased geographical coverage, water supply reliability, efficient operations, a strong and sustainable financial position, increased participation in environmental conservation.”

Inspiring, innovative and operating with the best interests of staff and customers at the core of every endeavour, NWSC is singlehandedly redefining the standards by which all corporations should be judged and we look forward to celebrating its future successes, which are all but guaranteed.

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FICHTNER recently completed the Lake Victoria Protection Project, which improves sanitation services for the city of Kampala through a new combined faecal sludge and sewage treatment plant in Lugibi, including sewer networks in Katanga and Makindyi. FICHTNER is currently involved in the technical implementation to improve water supply and sanitation infrastructure in the informal settlements of Kampala, as part of the donor-funded Kampala Water - Lake Victoria WATSAN Programme.

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Endeavour Magazine | 103

ALDERON IRON ORE CORP WWW.ALDERONIRONORE.COM // 001 604-681-8030

THE NEXT BIG THING IN CANADIAN MINING Iron ore undoubtedly is an indispensable metal in today’s modern world, much as it has been for over 3,500 years. Just look around you: iron and steel can be found everywhere, from the hulls of great ships to the frames of towering skyscrapers and bridges; it is used to manufacture the chassis of cars and lorries and to build heavy machinery.

WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

ALDERON IRON ORE CORP

Wherever you look, iron or steel won’t be far from

eyeshot. In fact, it is likely to be found in every street in every city, and likely in the kitchen, or any other room for that matter, of every home. Strong, inexpensive, and resistant to rust, our entire world is built using it, meaning that demand is, and always will remain high.

N

aturally, the rewards for mining operators with the ability to find and develop the few genuinely world-class iron ore deposits out there are great indeed. And make no mistake

about it, Alderon Iron Ore Corp., a Canadian mining junior focused on the development of one of the most promising iron ore deposits to be found in Canada in recent years, is set to reap them in the near-future.

There are a great many mining juniors out there, particularly in Canada – arguably the global hub of international mining - but few

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catch the attention of industry experts and investors in the way that Alderon Iron Ore has. In a manner of speaking, Alderon Iron Ore has hit the jackpot, following its 2010 acquisition of rights to the Kamistiatusset property, known as the Kami Project – a site of astonishing promise that has set the tongues of investors wagging.

The Labrador Trough geological belt, a resource-rich stretch of land on the Quebec border of southwest Labrador, is widely regarded to be Canada’s premier iron ore mining territory. To-date, Labrador Trough is the one of the only regions in the past half-century

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this respect - Alderon is sitting on a veritable gold mine.

106 | Endeavour Magazine

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ALDERON IRON ORE CORP Presently, Alderon is a development stage company, but after seven long years, work is set to begin on building the mine and

provide accommodation and amenities for the workers who will one day be needed to operate the Kami mine.

the adjoining facilities needed to breathe life into the project.

Once operational, the economic impact of what will be a truly

Upon completion of site development, the project will be ranked

world-class iron ore mine are going to be great for the region

amongst the top iron ore-producing mines in the world, in terms of

indeed, and will provide a much-needed shot in the arm for nearby

the size of its iron deposit and quality of the ore beneath its land.

Labrador City and Wabush. The towns are mining settlements

The numbers speak for themselves: mineral resource estimates

through-and-through, which have relied almost entirely on the

have revealed that the site is home to in excess of 1.2 billion tonnes

mineral riches from Labrador Trough since the days of the early

of ore inferred at 29.8% iron, and a further 522.6 million tonnes

1950’s, when prospectors and workers first came to the area

inferred at 29.5% iron.

seeking their fortune.

The underground riches of this resource-filled region have long

This industry truly is the lifeblood of these towns, which given

been known, and yet for all its promise, a lack of infrastructure in

the cyclical nature of mining, has meant its roaring booms and

the area prevented the discovery and development of the iron ore

terrible busts have left Labrador City and Wabush exposed to the

that lay beneath its earth for many years - but no longer. Less than

ebbs and flows of global economic headwinds. And yet, for all the

2.5km from the Kami Project, paved highway is in place to shuttle

busts, downturns, crashes and falls in fortunes this region has

workers, resources and equipment to site, as is a common carrier

endured over the years, even grizzled veterans with mining in their

railway with a 50-million-ton capacity only 14.5km away, granting

blood were shocked by the severity of the industry downturn just

access to a multi-user deep-water port with all-year-round access

gone: an event of grinding brutality that brought even the world’s

to the open ocean. Low-cost powerlines lie only 15.5km from site,

largest, most powerful mining operators to their knees.

and the neighbouring twin towns of Labrador City and Wabush

108 | Endeavour Magazine

The impact of what many in the mining sector consider to be

the industry’s great recession crushed numerous mining juniors and

billion in total incomes expected over the life of the project.

mid-tier operators, and saw countless mines mothballed as once-

“In Newfoundland and Labrador alone, we expect that Kami will

booming commodities prices crashed heavily following slowing

create approximately 32,000 direct and spinoff jobs, generate more

Chinese demand and a resource supply glut. Indeed, Alderon itself

than $2.2 billion in total incomes to workers and businesses and

barely survived this difficult period. Low iron ore prices meant that

contribute more than $1.8 billion in much needed revenue for the

development of the Kami Project during this troubling time was an

provincial treasury.”

impossibility, but despite a recent fall in value, iron ore prices have

It has been a difficult journey for the company but it would

risen to the point where development of the site is once more on

seem that Alderon Iron Ore is finally on the cusp of realising its vast

the agenda.

potential. These are exciting times for the company and the wider

Following the recent release of its Economic Impact Assessment (EIA), the financial boost that Alderon’s Kami Project will have on

industry, for that matter, with the Kami Project emerging as the site to watch.

the region once it enters operation is difficult to overestimate. In a statement, Alderon Iron Ore’s CEO Mark Morabito said: “The release of an independent economic impact assessment represents another significant milestone in our efforts to effectively re-boot the Kami Project and capitalise on improving iron ore market fundamentals. The EIA results provide clear validation that Kami will have a positive economic impact in Labrador and beyond, as demonstrated by the more than 100,000 per person years of employment that it is estimated to produce and an estimated $7.6

Endeavour Magazine | 109

CARIBBEAN ASSOCIATION OF BANKS INC WWW.CAB-INC.COM // 001 758 452 2877

MONEY TALKS The success and prosperity of any region and it’s inhabitants is a secure and reliable banking system and with that in mind, Endeavour Magazine set out to find out more about the Caribbean Association of Banks (CAB) and how it offers peace of mind and fiscal security to local residents.

WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON

CARIBBEAN ASSOCIATION OF BANKS INC

First brought into being as the Caribbean Association

of Indigenous Banks, back in 1974, the CAB has continued to go from strength to strength, driven by a clear and decisive objective to, “…be the collective voice that protects, promotes and strengthens the regional banking sector.”

T

his is certainly no small mantle to take on, but the CAB

institutions being able to see exactly what is being done and, more

recognised an intrinsic need for certain financial services,

importantly, why. So how does the CAB define itself?

assurances and risk management initiatives to be brought into

“The Caribbean Association of Banks is the representative body

place, in order to benefit the local economy. Most notably, there

and the recognised voice for banks and other financial institutions

was a very dire need for Caribbean member territories to remove

in the Caribbean. We seek to influence policies and legislation

certain risk factors from their fiscal dealings, including the reliance

which impact the sector by advocating on our members’ behalf

on external providers and shared ownership of pertinent financial

and participating in the global network of similar institutions.

services institutions. Though there is a focus on satisfying the needs

Additionally, we provide opportunities for discussion on issues

of local people, naturally, the CAB has always been determined to

impacting the financial services community, sharing of information,

stay in line with both regional and international regulatory standards

experiences and networking.”

and practices, which demonstrates an inherent morality that is key.

To call these specialist deliverables would be a significant

Speaking of morality, there is a stringent set of core values and

understatement, but when you consider how vital reliable, strong

an unwavering mission in place, both of which guide the day-to-day

and transparent banking is to every region in the world, it becomes

operations with real aplomb,

clear that the CAB would have always been needed, in one

“Our values are based on achieving and maintaining high training deliverables; excellent service; financial viability; productive and engaged association members, through integrity, accountability, commitment, confidentiality, cooperation and capacity building.”

form or another, but who could have predicted that such an allencompassing structure would be put into place?

“The Association is governed by the Board of Directors, which comprises the Chairman, Vice Chairman and six Board Members.

Using these values, the CAB wants to,

Two members each are elected from the North Western Caribbean,

“Proactively influence matters of interest to financial institutions

the Eastern Caribbean and the Southern Caribbean and there are

through advocacy and education.”

What’s really interesting to note here is that the CAB is something of an innovator, as none of these endeavours are being

three co-opted members. The Board of Directors serves for a period of two years and meet four times a year in regular sessions, and is currently supported by the four sub-committees.”

tackled behind closed doors or with an air of mystery about them.

Not only does the Board have to commit to a number of

In fact, there is a totally transparent culture of operations at CAB,

meetings amongst itself, but there is also an AGM and conference

with everyone from the man in the street to high-level financial

for all members of the CAB to attend, with a view to offering

112 | Endeavour Magazine

THE CHALLENGES OF THE CARICOM BANKING SECTOR IN TODAYS’ MODERN ECONOMY

S

omewhere in a parallel universe, the CARICOM citizen is taking a holiday and traveling through several CARICOM nations with only his travel gear and his ATM card of one the CARICOM banks.

In that universe, the CARICOM banks rely on a safe and efficient payment system that enables CARICOM banks to transfer money between each other in real time. In more sophisticated economies this is known as real-time gross settlement (RTGS). This enables the CARICOM native who travels through the jurisdiction to make any transaction he feels necessary as long as he has sufficient funds in his bank account back home.

Now back to reality. At the moment, the US dollar is the most important and basically the only accepted currency when CARICOM companies and citizens do business with each other. This means that citizens and business barely accept each other’s currencies. Therefore, this economic pact is in a stranglehold of the US dollar.

Economic and political instability and the lack of reciprocal trade makes it too big a risk to accept each other’s currency for payments while doing business.

Nevertheless, CARICOM nations should embrace the challenge to free themselves from the US dollar stranglehold when doing business with each other. They will enormously lower transaction costs for the simple fact that the buyer is paying transaction costs to convert his local currency to US dollar to pay for the transaction and the seller is paying at least some transaction cost to convert the US dollars to his local currency to pay for the local costs in his native country.

One of the challenges facing the CARICOM jurisdiction is to transform itself from a semi-finished product economy to a more finished products economy with a predominate use of its own natural resources. This will make the value added by the various CARICOM businesses more than just labor.

In the meantime, China has become an economic world force with a large presence in the region.

Although most CARICOM nations have a negative trade balance with China, the region has much to offer to this Asian counterpart. Working on balancing the trade balance with China and accepting the Chinese Yuan as a trade currency will help resolve the US dollar addiction of the region.

Although the challenges seem insurmountable, some of the more sophisticated economies, like for example the EU, have also been there in the past.

The Caribbean Association of Banks (CAB) has the responsibility to serve as catalyst for the economic goals of the region. The Surinaamse Postspaarbank (SPSB), one of Suriname’s oldest banks and one of the oldest banks in the region, is welcoming the challenge and is looking forward to work together with its regional counterparts.

CARIBBEAN ASSOCIATION OF BANKS INC easy information sharing, as well as a magazine to oversee. Let’s

of an educational scholarship, designed to breed the next generation

not forget that every member of the Board is also a high-ranking

of financial experts and banking sector giants, so innovative and

business professional, with their own interests to look after, as that

inclusive? It’s quite a sidestep from the usual preconceptions of

demonstrates the commitment that is necessary to fulfil a role at

financial boards and institutions, we have to say!

the CAB. This is no walk in the park or flighty hobby, which is why

So what does the future look like for the CAB and wider

Directors are selected for their outstanding commercial credentials

interested parties? Well, in recent months, a further scholarship for

and keen alignment to the core values of the CAB.

chartered banking has been announced, in association with Bangor

As well as offering peace of mind that a stable and secure

University, here in the UK and that’s not the only fantastic step

banking sector is accessible to all in eth Caribbean region, there is

forward. Lending support to the Harmonized Credit Reporting Bill,

a great deal of extracurricular CSR being undertaken by the CAB,

the CAB recognises that this is a significant step forward in the

most notably in the form of a dedicated scholarship programme,

facilitation of credit bureau services, which should be in place by

“As part of its strategic purpose to strengthen the Caribbean’s

September of this year.

financial services sector, the CAB launched its Banking Scholarship

Having overseen the regulation of the financial services and

Program to the employees of its members at its 39th AGM &

banking sector in the Caribbean region for over 40 years, there is

Conference in Jamaica, on 14th November 2012. The scholarship

no doubting that the CAB is ready to do so long into the future

entailed a UWI scholarship in BSc. Banking and Finance, valued at

and we think it’s going to be exciting to see how the residents and

US$10,000, to be undertaken at the UWI Open Campus.”

businesses in the area benefit from the continued stewardship. We

If you needed any proof that the CAB is not only looking at current market issues, but also thinking ahead to how the future could be more stable, this is it! Do you not find the implementation

114 | Endeavour Magazine

think that a few other regions might even sit up and take notice as well!

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A NATURAL TOUCH The health and beauty industry isn’t often connected to more natural concerns, but breaking through that misconception with aplomb is Hemani, a pioneering global brand that Endeavour Magazine wanted to know a lot more about, so we spoke with CEO Mustafa Hemani.

WRITTEN BY AMY BUXTON

HEMANI GROUP

The Hemani Group was founded in 1949, when the health

and beauty industry was really starting to come into its own, but far from simply following the crowd, Hemani has consistently strived to be an industry innovator. Thanks to a consistent programme of development and diversification, the group now offers an extensive range of natural health and beauty products, alongside certain edibles.

T

o say that the product catalogue is impressive would be a drastic understatement, but equally as impressive is the way the senior management team, lead by CEO Mustafa Hemani,

the son of the original company founder, defines what the company is all about, “Hemani is a manufacturer of natural, herbal and organic products that promote a naturally healthy lifestyle for all customers.”

Do you see what we do in this quote? It’s ALL about customers and helping them to gain access to exceptionally high quality, natural products at affordable prices in a bid to contribute to a healthier way of life. Of course, there is a bottom line to think about as well, but having kept a keen eye on consumer trends throughout the years, Hemani was able to distinguish when a shift in attitudes started impacting on generic product sales and that’s when the organic extravaganza could begin! Mustafa elaborated by commenting that, “We are fortunate to be in a growing industry, as more and more people are wanting to pursue a natural way of living, but we face obstacles, like any company does, such as competition from a lot of other operations, as well as consumer mindsets, in certain markets.”

118 | Endeavour Magazine

HEMANI GROUP It’s a tricky line to straddle; while there is a definite movement

health insurance, to stay with us. It’s a win-win for us, as our

towards more natural products, consumers can become despondent

appreciation leads to incredible productivity and job satisfaction.

about slower results, despite the benefit of no side-effects, but then

Also, we all lunch together on a daily basis and encourage daily

again, as more companies start to offer these safe alternatives, the

reporting and idea sharing.”

competition increases for Hemani,

This inclusive, supportive approach is clearly working, as Hemani

“Consumers in some markets simply don’t have the patience

is able to boast of a presence in over 60 countries. This figure

to trial natural products and can stay loyal, in the short-term., to

becomes even more enviable, when you realize which countries

chemical-based products, but there IS a growing awareness, which

are already recognizing the genius of this progressive company.

could lead to more companies entering and saturating the market.”

With a head office located in Dubai, a regional office in the USA

With such a realistic appraisal of the potential pitfalls ahead,

and countless agents representing Hemani globally, this is a serious

Hemani has been able to quickly adapt, in order to offer consumers

operation, but at no point are key relationships overlooked,

a unique and covetable experience that nobody else can, thus

“We seek to enjoy open and honest relationships with our

securing their continued custom and loyalty. A heady mix of high

customers, representative agents, suppliers and stakeholders as

quality products, positive purchasing experiences, competitive

this leads to increased trust and the continuation of our enviable

prices, appealing packaging and persuasive marketing campaigns

reputation.”

has set Hemani apart from its nearest competitors, but added to that is a unique take on staff appreciation,

Enviable reputation is right, as Hemani is a family-owned and run company, which has developed through numerous dedicated

“We treat all of our 500+ staff like family. Nobody leaves us,

generations, each of which has maintained a strong grasp on the

as we see out staff as the very backbone of all our successes and

right way to lead a committed and professional team. Mustafa

reward them accordingly. We offer regular training, opportunities

was keen to highlight what he thinks makes for an inspirational

for promotion, bonuses and incentives, such as comprehensive

company chieftain,

120 | Endeavour Magazine

“Leaders need to be motivational, dedicated and strong, while

set to secure Hemani’s place in commercial history. As customers

always leading from the front and by example, which is what

begin to shun chemical-based products in favour of more organic

we do at Hemani. We work to a philosophy of making the right

alternatives, Hemani will be on hand to offer the very best options

decisions at the right time, while being mindful of new and exciting

at affordable prices, which we see as a fantastic unique selling

opportunities.”

point.

Speaking of new opportunities, Hemani has some interesting

“Considering the fast and artificial modern era, Hemani has

developments to look forward to, as a programme of global

leveraged its expertise towards the production of natural products

penetration is being planned as we speak, alongside the

that can be formed a part of the daily routine to live a natural and

development of a new brand and existing range expansion. Don’t

healthy life. Currently Hemani has over 700 products in its portfolio

go thinking that a few extra agents are what we’re talking about

that has tea, oils, skin care, hair care and many other daily used

though, as plans are afoot for serious growth and progression,

product ranges.”

“We are looking to penetrate Pakistan, while at the same time,

Sincerely promising to never compromise on quality or

explore opportunities in many more countries in East and South

affordability, you can believe us when we say that Hemani’s word

Africa. We are also launching a brand new retail concept called WB

is its bond and we can’t wait to watch this innovative, intuitive and

by Hemani, expanding our organic range and branching out even

progressive company as it continues to redefine the natural and

more into the halal cosmetics arena. It’s important to remember

organic beauty industry.

that health and beauty can perfectly align with personal beliefs to create something truly special.”

Having such awareness of the way consumers are starting to spend their money has lead to an all-inclusive and very different approach to the health and beauty market, but one that looks

A Natural Touch

www.hemanitrading.ae info@hemanitrading.ae Endeavour Magazine | 121

NORTHLANDS BUSINESS PARK WWW.NORTHLANDS.CO.ZA // 0027 11 796 5080

EXCLUSIVITY AND BUSINESS EXCELLENCE Situated at the heart of Johannesburg’s prestigious north – an area renowned for its exclusivity and highly regarded as a commercial, industrial and retail hub, Northlands Business Park Ltd is a company that has carved out a reputation for excellence. Operating strictly out of Northriding and Muldersdrift, the company has become a leading player in the city’s highly competitive construction sector, and oversees of one of the most desirable business parks in the region – a park that was built brickby-brick by Northlands itself.

WRITTEN BY DJAMIL BENMEHIDI

NORTHLANDS BUSINESS PARK

Darin D’Oliveira, Northland Business Park’s Managing

Director and Founder, is a man with construction in his blood. From humble beginnings, D’Oliveira has worked tirelessly to develop a once near-barren patch of land into what it is today – a bustling hub of industry that has grown to become one of Johannesburg’s most affluent business parks.

To Darin and the Northlands Team, It has been a great pleasure working with you for all these years.

Best of luck with your future projects.

Andy, Keith and the Hollyberry Team

“I

entered into the construction sector in 1987 after completing my national service, first with LTA, and started Dolveira Developments with my brother, who was also a

civil engineer. I joined my dad in his consulting business prior to this, but it lacked the excitement of a big concrete power.

My brother and I did a lot of residential developments and contracts for Group Five, and it was later in 1999 that I was approached by Guerrino Cellini to join him in developing Northlands Business Park. We opened Northlands Business Park Ltd in 1999 and proceeded to develop the entire Northlands Precinct, consisting of Northlands Business Park, Deco Park, Production Park, Industrial Park and Commercial Park. In 2013, Cellini and I dissolved our partnership and I took over 100% of Northlands Business Park Ltd.” Over the course of his 18-years leading Northlands Business Park Ltd, Darin has overseen the design, development, and construction of 700,000m2 of premium business property, comprised of buildings ranging from steel framed warehouses and factories to smaller external-face brick and glass buildings. Every inch of our developments, has been built with a discerning clientele in mind, and a conscious effort has been made to create a lush and

124 | Endeavour Magazine

NORTHLANDS BUSINESS PARK visually striking business park which is environmentally sustainable,

Northlands Business Park’s excellent positioning, which makes the

fit for a Johannesburg on the rise:

precinct easily accessible by both the N1 and N4 Highways, and is

“Northlands prides itself by building with as much energy

within striking distance of O.R. Tambo International Airport. This

efficiency as possible. We encourage the use of double glazing

convenient location and the business park’s wide array of onsite

polystyrene under floors and between brick walls, and the use of

amenities easily positions Northlands Business Park as the equal to

solar power. Attention to detail is our main focus and to produce a

impressive business hubs in any global city.

quality product at the best price.”

With these great attributes in mind, it is easy to see why

Magnificent sweeping tree-lined roads and paved walkways,

competition for a spot in Northlands is so fierce, particularly in

framed by well-tended gardens, run adjacent to the cutting-edge

the Deco Park area of the precinct, which stands within touching

architecture of vast warehouses and factories, retail outlets and

distance of Johannesburg’s affluent northern suburbs. Darin

showrooms. Truly, Northlands has succeeded in combining chic

elaborated: “From Northlands Deco Park, the precinct’s dedicated

design with nature to create a tranquil environment in which

retail park, clients have access to an exclusive customer base. From

anyone would want to conduct business.

here, many furniture and furnishings businesses operate, as well as

More than beauty and clean energy, Northlands makes another

interior renovation and building supplies outlets – a lot of people

promise in its business park; safety. The development is highly

come here seeking quality materials for this reason. This, combined

securitised, boasting 24-hour onsite security, electric booms

with Northlands’ competitive pricing of R70 per m2, has seen our

offering controlled access, and extensive CCTV camera coverage

retail clients flourish.

which monitors both the perimeter and interior of the park. If this

Business is booming at Northlands, but Darin doesn’t only

weren’t enough to attract the crowds, there’s the powerful draw of

credit this success to his park and its facilities; his highly skilled

126 | Endeavour Magazine

and professional team are essential for ensuring that the site keeps

40 000 m² of industrial space for Northlands Group Holdings,

ticking along smoothly and providing the high standards promised

namely Northlands Retail Park. We have also won the tenders of a

by its impressive design. They are also paramount in helping to

few residential homes at the Avianto Estate. Considering the state

ensure the successful completion of further construction projects

of the nation currently, we are very lucky to have as much work as

the company is committed to. Darin told us:

we do. There is always plenty of competition so one is driven to

“What sets Northlands apart from the rivals is that it is a small

keep providing a better service, and at a more competitive price

highly-driven team that are young and energetic working under my

than anyone else. The biggest obstacle at present is the time it

leadership with 30 years of experience. Northlands Business Park

takes to get plan approvals and township establishments through

has 14 employees. Staff are encouraged to enrol in courses that

the council.”

develop their skills. Staff grow within the company however the

Through hard work and self-belief, the story of Darin and his

number of positions are limited. Key staff in managerial positions

company is testimony to what can be achieved if you pursue your

are incentivised with profit share.”

goals with determination and commitment. Beauty, efficiency, and

In terms of what lays ahead for Northlands, the future appears as bright as the present. It is no secret that the South African

quality; suffice to say, Northlands is a company we’ll be watching closely over the years to come.

economy has been struggling in recent years, and this has certainly had a dampening effect on business, and yet Darin is happy to report that, going into the second half of the year, his business diary is filled.

“Currently Northlands Business Park has a contract to develop

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