Enterprise Africa May 2022

AFRICA

THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR AFRICA’S INDUSTRY LEADERS

May 2022

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Championing Real Estate Franchise Ownership in South Africa Exclusive interview with Tony Clarke, Managing Director: Rawson Property Group

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

Grand Re / CSIR South Africa / Auria Senior Living / Pareto Property

Backed up by almost 100 years of experience, with a track record that defined and shaped our pedigree on the South African retail property landscape, comes a fresh and innovative asset and property management company – Mowana Properties.

We are committed to serving our customers by providing innovative and pro-active property solutions. Contact us and find out how we can ensure the continued growth of your business.

+27 (0) 11 073 6800 | info@mowanaproperties.co.za

mowanaproperties.co.za

EDITOR’S LETTER

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EDITOR Joe Forshaw  joe@enterprise-africa.net SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER Sam Hendricks  sam@enterprise-africa.net SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER James Davey  jamesd@enterprise-africa.net PROJECT MANAGER Chris Wright  chrisw@enterprise-africa.net PROJECT MANAGER Ekwa Bikaka  ekwa@enterprise-africa.net PROJECT MANAGER Christina Allcock  christina@enterprise-africa.net PROJECT MANAGER Eleanor Sarbutt-King  eleanor@enterprise-africa.net LEAD DESIGNER Aaron Protheroe  aaron@enterprise-africa.net FINANCE MANAGER Paige Atkins  paige@enterprise-africa.net CONTRIBUTOR CONTRIBUTOR CONTRIBUTOR CONTRIBUTOR

Manelesi Dumasi Timothy Reeder Benjamin Southwold William Denstone

Property is a thriving sector in South Africa right now. One thing a pandemic or economic slowdown cannot quash is a need for quality housing and accommodation.

With more companies than ever getting into the market, in both real estate and development, there is a buoyancy about the property industry. South Africans are hungry for new and improved homes, and across the country there is a lot of land that is suitable.

Auria Senior Living is making lifestyle villages for retirees at the top end of the market, eclipsing what has previously been made available by partnering with the very best contractors and designers.

Pareto Property, a leading REIT, is focussing on growth driven by sustainability. This business is building enterprise and social development programmes that include the entire community in which it operates to share wealth and transform the industry.

Rawson Property Group is franchising its real estate offering, bringing the very best in business practice to talented entrepreneurs who want to grow, helping the brand to extend its reach around the country.

We hear from all three about success in a marketplace which has always been lucrative, but seems to be opening up more opportunities than ever before. A key theme is partnering. Without quality partners and long-standing relationships that drive shared value, these companies would not operate as successfully as they do.

Tell us more about your company’s future plans, and how they rely on solid partnership foundations. We’re always online at LinkedIn.

Joe Forshaw EDITOR Published by Chris Bolderstone – General Manager E. chris@cmb-media.co.uk Fuel Studios, Kiln House, Pottergate, Norwich NR2 1DX +44 (0) 1603 855 161 E. info@cmb-media.co.uk www.cmb-media.co.uk CMB Media Group does not accept responsibility for omissions or errors. The points of view expressed in articles by attributing writers and/ or in advertisements included in this magazine do not necessarily represent those of the publisher.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within this magazine, no legal responsibility will be accepted by the publishers for loss arising from use of information published. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrievable system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher. © CMB Media Group Ltd 2022

GET IN TOUCH  +44 (0) 1603 855 161  joe@enterprise-africa.net www.enterprise-africa.net

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RAWSON PROPERTY GROUP Championing Real Estate Franchise Ownership in South Africa PARETO PROPERTY Pareto Pushes Prosperous Transformation Programmes AURIA SENIOR LIVING Gold-Standard Choice Over Compromise in Golden Years GRAND RE Balancing Risk Across the Continent

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CONTENTS

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GRAAFF FRUIT Growing and Thriving in Ceres Valley CSIR SOUTH AFRICA Changing Lives Through Leading Innovation CIPC Innovating and Improving to Support Enterprise and Growth

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CHAMPIONING REAL ESTATE FRANCHISE OWNERSHIP IN SOUTH AFRICA Franchising is a hugely popular business model in South Africa. It’s so successful, in fact, that it generates a whopping 14% of the total GDP. For entrepreneurs, franchises provide an invaluable short-cut to building lucrative operations. However, not all franchises have the same benefits, and exorbitant purchase costs, huge capital investment requirements and high franchise fees take franchise business ownership off the table for many. The Rawson Property Group - one of South Africa’s most successful real estate franchisors - believes that should not be the case.

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FOCUS ON: RAWSON PROPERTY GROUP

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WHY REAL ESTATE?

According to Tony Clarke, MD of the Rawson group, few industries can beat property for ease of access and earning potential. In every economic climate, in times of high interest rates and times of low interest rates, there will always be people wanting to sell, buy, rent, or let property. A recent example of this is the property industry’s Covid-pandemic record. “A lot of businesses suffered during Covid, and in 2020 in particular. The real estate industry, however, now finds itself on the back of two record-breaking years!” says Clarke.

Setup of a real estate business is also a lot simpler and less costly than most other industries. The stock is already out there for the taking, and most employees earn commissions only. This means low overheads and makes for a sustainable and easily scalable business. Craig Mott, Business Growth Manager for the Rawson group, is particularly positive about recent changes to education and certification requirements, reducing time- and cost constraints on agent qualifications. “This is great news for prospective real estate business owners, as it speeds up and simplifies their road to principalship. It also means that their new agents can hit the ground running, becoming productive, income-earning members of their team.”

WHY FRANCHISING?

You might still want to ask: “Why not go on my own?” The answer is simple, according to Tony Clarke. “Franchises gain the edge over most start-ups by eliminating the biggest setup challenges. No need to spend months and millions defining your brand and business model, or building market presence from scratch.”

With a franchise, you’re buying into an established brand where all the groundwork has been laid for you.

Clarke points out that it’s the franchisor’s responsibility to maintain the brand’s competitive edge, and good franchisors will always focus on helping franchisees reach their full potential. “In return for their franchise fees, franchisees should receive ongoing support from the franchisor. You can certainly tell a lot about a franchisor by talking to its franchisees!”

A LOT OF BUSINESSES SUFFERED DURING COVID, AND IN 2020 IN PARTICULAR. THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY, HOWEVER, NOW FINDS ITSELF ON THE BACK OF TWO RECORD-BREAKING YEARS!

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Tony Clarke - Managing Director

FOCUS ON: RAWSON PROPERTY GROUP

FRANCHISING THROUGH PARTNERSHIP

Owning a real estate franchise might start sounding like an exciting prospect, however not all real estate franchises are equal. In terms of real estate franchise options, the scope is wide when it comes to what you pay and what you get. Different brands have different offerings in terms of purchase costs and the percentage of income paid to the franchisor, as well as the value offered to the franchisee in exchange for his or her franchise fees.

“Weigh up the costs of the franchise against the level of support and training the franchisor provides, and make sure their goals align with your own,” says Craig Mott.

To decide which brand is the right fit for you, Mott recommends doing some in-depth investigation.

“You obviously want to look at the success of other franchises under the brand,” he says, “and talk to some existing franchisees about their experience, if possible. The most successful franchise operations are partnerships, not dictatorships. You want a franchisor that is ready to listen, collaborate and support.

This approach has certainly been key to our own exponential growth in Rawson franchise numbers.”

SETTING BUSINESS OWNERS UP FOR SUCCESS

Absolutely key to any great franchise business offering, is a tried and tested recipe for success supported by the right technology, tools, and training. As in many industries, the real estate landscape is one of constant shifts and changes. However, those brands that stay agile, innovative, and ahead of the curve are able to turn challenges into opportunities and offer even more value to franchisees and clients alike.

In the Rawson context, a dedicated and skilled Franchisor team has honed the ideal offering when it comes to tech, training and support - with the Rawson Training Academy offering group members free access to its full range of training courses, for life.

This includes comprehensive real estate proficiency courses, ongoing training on sales skills and legal updates, systems training, statutory qualifications, leadership- and motivational programmes, and more.

Throughout the brand’s impressive 40-year track record, the group’s aim has always been to give agents the freedom to focus on providing expert, hands-on advice and customer centric property services. “Our award-winning Rawson Engage tech ecosystem has been designed to give agents access to everything they need to deliver an exceptional property experience,” says Jeanne-Maré Oosthuizen, General Manager for the group. “The agility that comes with being tech-enabled has allowed us to capitalize on every opportunity to add more value than the competition.”

Whether it’s Rawson’s customer-centric attitude or tech-enabled and growth-positive environment, the

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OUR AWARD-WINNING RAWSON ENGAGE TECH ECOSYSTEM HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO GIVE AGENTS ACCESS TO EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO DELIVER AN EXCEPTIONAL PROPERTY EXPERIENCE

brand has certainly gone from strength to strength in recent years. Agent numbers have grown by 43% in the last three years, group sales revenue has increased by 44% since 2019, and rental units have increased by 27% in the same period. Today, with 228 Franchises and more than 2000 people flying the Rawson flag, the prospect of becoming the biggest real estate brand in South Africa is well within reach.

MAKING OWNERSHIP MORE ACCESSIBLE

Rawson Property Group is passionate about making real estate business ownership more accessible to entrepreneurs, as well as offering existing businesses the opportunity to scale and grow their operations exponentially.

“Our no-cost business conversion offering allows existing real estate business owners a chance to join the Rawson brand without paying a franchise purchase fee,” says Mott. “Of course, each business is assessed based on certain minimum requirements, but this offering essentially gives owners the opportunity to capitalize on the brand’s national brand presence, its award-winning systems and lead generating marketing campaigns, as well as additional opportunities to earn.”

Entrepreneurial new entrants to the industry looking to own a Rawson franchise are charged an extremely competitive franchise purchase cost, made up of an upfront deposit and the option for the business to pay for itself. This offering comes

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with a unique buy-back guarantee, where the franchisor undertakes to buy the business back from franchisees at the original entrance fee, should the business not find its feet within the first 24 months.

“This speaks to our confidence in ‘the Rawson way’ and our absolute belief that our leadership, our culture, our training and our support offering is a recipe for success,” says Tony Clarke. “As a franchisor, our ultimate objective has always been to create a space where people can be commercially active, earning a living and creating new value in the form of sustainable businesses. We really do go above and beyond to set franchisees up for success.”

Half of franchisees’ monthly franchise fee is invested straight back into building Rawson brand presence, running marketing and advertising campaigns, and generating business and recruitment leads for franchisees.

“Our marketing and lead generation campaigns have been recognised extensively, having achieved four consecutive wins in the ‘Best Real Estate Marketing South Africa’ category at the annual Global Brand Awards,” says Debbie Reabow, Brand Manager for the group. “We’re passionate about customers and about making it easier for franchisees and agents to add value when engaging with them. We take care of the hard yards in terms of bringing clients to the brand, so that our agents can focus on providing them with exceptional client service.”

THE OPINIONS THAT COUNT

The Rawson Property Group’s most meaningful award to date didn’t come from an international body, however. Instead – true to form – the Rawson Property Group’s proudest moment came from within. Where franchisee-franchisor relationships are often strained and even adversarial, it’s a completely different story in the Rawson brand.

“Last year, our franchisees got together and arranged, of their own accord, to award our team as Best Real Estate Franchisor,” says Tony Clarke. “It’s hard to convey just how proud we were in that moment.

It really was a testament to the culture of leadership, mentorship, and passion that we strive to cultivate throughout our Rawson Property Group family.”

FOCUS ON: RAWSON PROPERTY GROUP

RAWSON FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS SOUTH AFRICA

“It’s been incredibly rewarding to see individuals, teams and businesses grow and we are excited to give more people the opportunity to build and scale sustainable, successful operations.” says Clarke. “As mentioned earlier, few franchise industries can beat property when it comes to ease of access and earning potential. And we truly believe that few real estate franchisors can beat the Rawson offering: a 40-year track record; a low franchise purchase price; significant marketing reinvestment by the franchisor; award winning technology; free lifelong training; and a proven successrecipe. All backed by a unique buy-back guarantee.”

Clarke goes on to remind anyone who is interested in pursuing real estate franchise ownership, to spend some time on finding the right fit based on their own needs, skills, and finances. “At the end of the day, it’s in nobody’s interest when a new business fails. Whatever decision you make, make sure it’s weighted heavily on what you get for your franchise fees, and whether or not you will have the guidance and support you need, post-purchase.”

WE REALLY DO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND TO SET FRANCHISEES UP FOR SUCCESS “I am so proud of how much I have grown in the last 8 years,” says Funeka Fiki, Rawson agent since 2014 and new franchise owner since 2020. “The ongoing training and business development support available to us has enabled me to grow my own team and I am excited for what the future holds!”

Cape Town based franchisee Haroon Gaffoor was overwhelmed with the assistance he received during the set-up phase of his business in early 2021.

“Coming from an investment and banking background, starting my own real estate business was a bit out of my comfort zone. I approached three brands and Rawson’s approach set them apart totally. The guidance I received from the Rawson team was invaluable, and the availability of mentorship from management - all the way to the MD - is key in building my business.”

Dirk Joubert, Franchisee of one of the brand’s fastest growing new franchises, shares Fisher’s appreciation.

“Buying this franchise has been the best decision of my life, by far! I feel so blessed and can’t thank the Rawson franchisor team enough for their support.”

Both Joubert and Gaffoor go on to laud the Rawson Training Academy and marketing support offering, as they look forward to achieving their ambitious market share goals. “I have full confidence that with the backing of this spectacular brand and team, I’m going to be smashing my targets much sooner than I expected,” says Gaffoor.

If you would like to find out more about the Rawson Property Group’s franchise offering and the franchise opportunities available across the country - please get in touch with Business Growth Manager Craig Mott on craig.mott@rawsonproperties.com or 083 235 1278.

Content sponsored by Rawson Property Group

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WHY APPOINT MILTONS MATSEMELA INC TO ATTEND TO YOUR PROPERTY RELATED MATTERS IN THE WESTERN CAPE AND GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA? From its humble beginnings in Table View, Cape Town, in 1995, Miltons Matsemela Inc has grown to become one of the Western Cape’s leading law firms.

Our core services include Property Transfers; Developments; Sub-Divisions and Bond Registrations, Commercial Law, Notarial Services, Wills, Trusts and General Litigation.

We have 30 attorneys in our employ and over 140 staff members.

With offices based in Table View; Durbanville; Claremont; Hout Bay; Cape Town central; Paarl; Somerset West, Overberg, the Garden Route including George; and having recently formed an association to create Miltons Matsemela Oosthuizen in Mossel Bay, we are able to deliver services throughout Cape Town and the Southern Cape. We also have an office now in Johannesburg.

We value our clients and if need be, we are willing to either travel to see clients or appoint a correspondent attorney close to them.

We also serve on the mortgage bond registration panels of ABSA; FNB; NEDBANK; STD; SAHL and INVESTEC. Miltons Matsemela Inc is one of a select few firms that serve on some of the banks’ “Super Panels”, which allows us to deal with both the transfer and the bond. This means greater convenience to a buyer who now only needs to visit one firm to sign documents.

At Miltons Matsemela we believe in giving back to our community and we accordingly support the Peninsula School Feeding Association. For every transfer we receive, Miltons Matsemela, in collaboration with the PSFA, sponsor the feeding of one hungry child for 6 months. Since joining this feeding scheme, we have donated close to R3 000 000.

Our Lexis Tracker reporting system ensures agents, sellers and buyers receive weekly detailed progress reports keeping all parties up to date on the progress of a transfer. Clients also receive login details enabling them to log into the system at any time to check the progress of any of their matters. This offers a secure environment for us to provide our banking details and for clients to send us personal documentation. We are therefore as advanced as technology currently allows in this industry.

Download our FREE MM Connect App. from either Google Play, Apple App Store or direct from our website. The MM Connect App will enable you to quickly calculate the costs relating to transferring of a property and registration of a bond, calculation of bond repayments, and being kept informed about latest news in the property industry at your fingertips. The MM Connect App also enables you to liaise with the conveyancer and keep track of all your matters where Miltons Matsemela Inc is attending to the transfer of the property and/or the registration of the bond.

Please visit our website www.miltons.law.za to update yourself with recent newsflashes, letters etc. relating to the Property Industry.

Should you have any enquiries please send same to info@miltons.law.za

We look forward to being of service to you.

PARETO PROPERTY

Pareto Pushes Prosperous

Transformation Programmes PRODUCTION: James Davey

Pareto Property, a leading JSE-listed REIT, is encouraging enterprise and social upliftment through a range of programmes designed to inspire and encourage the communities and markets in which it operates. www.enterprise-africa.net / 15

INDUSTRY FOCUS: PROPERTY

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Stark facts still detract from successes in the South African economy. There are fantastic examples of world-leading organisations that realise monumental accomplishments that are not just financial, but the country is the most unequal in the world - the divide between rich and poor is bigger than anywhere else on the planet.

Since 1994 (almost three decades), inequality has actually increased. Is this a political messaging tool, being pushed by opposition? No – a report from the World Bank; researched facts. Black people still hold fewer senior management positions than white people, and black females are still largely under-represented.

Since the introduction of the BroadBased Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Act in 2003, there has been confusion, criticism, and scepticism around the concept and how it has been rolled out. Of course, there

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have been major success stories, and beneficiaries have prospered. But, the BBBEE Commission released figures showing that between 2015 and 2017, the number of black business owners decreased from 33.5% to 27.8%.

Part of BBBEE commitments surrounds ownership, management, skills development, enterprise development, and socio-economic development. Corporate Social Investment (CSI), or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is big business. Most small, medium, and large companies contribute on one level or another, but outcomes are not always measured and are sometimes fruitless vanity projects.

In 2018, Duma Gqubule, Director of the Centre for Economic Development and Transformation, told the Mail & Guardian that BBBEE was an “abject disaster”.

But, money continues to flow and good things continue to happen.

At the start of this month, Japanese automaker, Isuzu, said it would pump R580 million into BBBEE suppliers as part of an enterprise development and supply chain improvement scheme.

COUNTRY OF PROMISE For those that are truly committed to outcomes from successful BBBEE programmes, there is a major opportunity in this country of promise.

At Pareto Property – a JSE-listed Real Estate Investment Trust with an impressive portfolio – BBBEE, CSI, and enterprise development is priority number one. Owned by the Government Employee’s Pension Fund (GEPF), the promotion of black involvement in the mainstream economy, and the development of vehicles to accelerate that involvement, are core in the company’s strategy.

With an executive and non-executive team split equally between male and female, this is company achieving what

PARETO PROPERTY

others cannot. For a quarter century, this exciting and ambitious business has been driving true transformation.

Pareto Property owns prime sites across the country – assets that it calls: “the heart and soul of communities, beacons of local economy, and thoughtful spaces where individuals enjoy meaningful experiences that extend beyond traditional shopping and predictable hotel lay-overs. They provide first-class opportunities for the public to thrive and offer sensory ways to shop, play, earn and live, while generating diversified total returns for its shareholders.”

The company clarifies: “From prestigious hotels and diverse, premium shopping centres, to the most soughtafter conference spaces in the country, our passion for prime iconic properties, world-class experiences and people can be felt equally in our social investments, community upliftment projects and through the positive impact we make

in each of the lives we touch. Pareto is a proudly BEE compliant company.”

Currently, there are several projects underway around CSI, enterprise development, and BBBEE that are positioning this Level One contributor and its project recipients strongly for the future. In turn, the dedication to transformation shown

by Pareto has placed it favourably with investors in South Africa.

ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT Pareto’s Enterprise Development Programme is aimed at growing sustainable businesses within Pareto’s area of expertise – retail premises. The long-term impact will be local economic development and job creation.

Investment, support, facilitation, and fostering of new businesses.

Recently, 62 sustainable jobs were created across 58 new pop-up retail spaces within Pareto-owned space. More than R1.3 million has

been generated, and shoppers are able to see where their money ends up, often dealing with owner-managed businesses.

At Westgate Shopping Centre, there was a recent focus around the fashion industry, with the company looking to uncover local entrepreneurs and nurture their talent. The Westgate Fashion Designers Programme from Pareto helped participants with modern marketing, leadership competencies, operational strategy within a formal mall setting, and more. Since working on the scheme at Westgate, some of the exciting young entrepreneurs have had proposal requests from H&M and Mr Price.

13 Lifestyle Markets were opened across seven Pareto centres as the Covid-19 pandemic took hold. These often-outside markets provided shoppers with much-needed products and were a result of Pareto realising the impact on SMMEs in

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INDUSTRY FOCUS: PROPERTY

// BOTH PARETO AND MENLYN PARK ARE EXCITED TO SUPPORT THIS ECO-FRIENDLY SPACE // retail as restrictions squeezed. The Lifestyle Markets supported some 1392 entrepreneurs, exposing them to more than 60,000 shoppers.

At Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, arguably Pareto’s most iconic asset, the sunny rooftop has become home to a productive green garden where Andile Matukane has utilised an old parking lot as an urban farm. This is the first and soon-to-be the largest in Tshwane atop a shopping mall. Famers Choice grows leafy greens - including spinach, lettuce, basil and more – using a modern hydroponic system. The crops can be delivered quickly thanks to proximity to consumers – true healthy freshness. Matukane also runs two traditional farming operations, raising pigs, but found it difficult to

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expand with the challenges around land ownership. Partnering with Pareto has been beneficial for both and a great example of the company’s desire to assist entrepreneurs while maintaining its green credentials.

“Both Pareto and Menlyn Park are excited to support this ecofriendly space. The farm is low in maintenance, gives high and consistent production results per square meter, has a low input usage of water and electricity, and has low space requirements,” the company states.

Pareto’s position as a longterm partner to these enterprises demonstrates its commitment to ongoing development and shows it is not simply a kick-starter of small and growing businesses (SGB) but a catalyst for sustainability.

“In this ever-uncertain environment, it is difficult for any SGBs to commit to a long-term plan. By staying close to and prioritising SGBs, we can better respond to SME needs, and contribute to a greater survival rate for these vital businesses,” said Daniel Mosito, Head of Legal and Compliance at Pareto.

GREEN CREDENTIALS Beyond just CSI and BBBEE development programmes, Pareto is also keenly following an environmental strategy. Maryville University produced a report recently which highlighted the impact and importance of businesses pursuing green approaches. “An environmentally aware business considers more than just profits — it considers its impact on society and the environment. Such a business is sustainable because it contributes to the health of the structure within which it operates, thereby helping construct an environment in which the business can thrive,” the report stated. It also cited cost-saving, improved reputation, competitive advantage, and increased bottom line.

Across the Pareto portfolio, green initiatives have been installed to improve sustainability on site. From new architectural ideas, to modern technology and improved building materials, each project is considered alongside leading consultants and completed in partnership with suitable partners. At Menlyn Park, contracts

PARETO PROPERTY

Andile Matukane - Founder of Farmers Choice

// WE PRIDE OURSELVES IN BEING SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS AND ACTIVELY CHALLENGE OURSELVES DAILY TO CONTRIBUTE POSITIVELY TOWARDS SOCIETY // valued at R37 million were approved for infrastructure improvement, with 305 new jobs created in the supply chain.

Pareto’s head office in Sandton was awarded Green Star Rating in 2021 by the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). The company achieved a 5-Star Green Star SA Interiors v1 certification which demonstrates Leadership and commitment in the sustainability programme. According to the GBCSA, Pareto’s office at the Atrium is “a high-performance tenant space, is a healthy, productive place to work, less costly to operate and maintain, and has a reduced environmental footprint.”

Pareto’s inhouse architect,

Charslayn Thonga commented: “The project targeted an innovation point for including biophilia within the design, which encourages and recognises the inclusion of initiatives to bridge the divide between the natural and built environments. To reflect Pareto’s ethos, and to promote user health and wellness, the spaces were designed for restoration and relief from mental fatigue and stress.”

THE ETHICAL CHOICE Clearly, investments into BBBEE, enterprise development and CSI have had proven positive outcomes for Pareto Property. Improving skills and growing economic prosperity for previously disadvantaged sectors should not be questionable and should always be a part of modern strategy for any South African business.

Despite challenges, companies have a responsibility to make a difference.

The word Pareto comes from the Italian language and the work by economic and sociologist Vilfredo Pareto who wrote about the income distribution within a society. With much work to do in this regard (95% of the wealth in SA sits with less than 10% of the population), South Africa could learn

from Pareto’s commitment to its cause.

Through its many schemes, all of which are proving successful, this is a business where impact will be felt deep within the communities and markets in which it operates - genuinely living by its values.

“We pride ourselves in being socially responsible citizens and actively challenge ourselves daily to contribute positively towards society. Pareto’s Enterprise/Supplier and Socio-Economic Development programme focuses on investing in and uplifting communities through various interventions that help build efficiencies and capacity needed for both individual companies and communities,” says Group CEO Malose Kekana.

Where some fail to understand the need and significance of transformation within the economy, Pareto is taking a leading position and showing exactly what can be achieved with the right level of dedication. Far from a disaster, the prospects created at Pareto show clear and obvious opportunity.

WWW.PARETO.CO.ZA

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AURIA SENIOR LIVING

Gold-Standard Choice Over Compromise in Golden Years PRODUCTION: Christina Allcock

Auria Senior Living is a foremost developer, owner, and operator of senior living communities in South Africa offering a range of independent residential, assisted living, and care options. “At Auria Senior Living we believe that your later years should be defined by choice, and not by compromise,” the company opens, as it ensures that award-winning choice is in abundant supply. www.enterprise-africa.net / 21

INDUSTRY FOCUS: RESIDENTIAL

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“This is not retirement. This is living.” So goes the Auria Senior Living (Auria) mantra, on its mission to erase a deeplyetched line for South Africans seeking a comfortable, hassle-free lifestyle in their older years. “At Auria we refer to senior living and not retirement living, because we understand that this stage of life is not about retiring,” the company explains further, “it’s about a different set of needs and lifestyle choices defined by happiness, security, peace of mind and health.”

Auria operates continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), what it terms “the most modern and comprehensive lifestyle choice for older adults today,” combining residential accommodation with lifestyle amenities and health and wellness services, and a continuum of care model to allow residents to remain in the community and receive appropriate support should their needs change.

With people living substantially

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// THE AURIA WAY IS BUILT ON A FOUNDATION OF OPENNESS, HONEST, TRANSPARENCY AND RESPECT FOR PEOPLE // longer a well-planned and comfortable lifestyle becomes paramount, to enhance and enjoy an exceptional quality of life in those golden, senior years. Auria isolates a litany of advantages to seizing the opportunity early, not least the eradication of the expense of insurance, maintenance and repairs linked to owning a home which ensues with the move to a life rights community.

Residents suddenly also have access to a variety of healthcare providers on-site, including doctors and physiotherapists within each community, while moving early also ensures first choice of community, rather than any compromise. “One of the other important benefits is the fact that you can save a significant amount of money just by moving earlier,”

summarises Auria CEO Barry Kaganson.

“Another benefit of moving into a CCRC early on is that you can move in and live completely independently, just as you would anywhere else, knowing that care is on hand should you need it.”

AWARD-WINNING CARE CONTINUUM “The Auria Way is built on a foundation of openness, honest, transparency and respect for people,” the company details. “Our continuum of care is not merely a philosophy, it’s an experience that includes sound advice and support from a dedicated team of care professionals, medical experts, and community managers. You will never find a one size fits all approach at any of our Senior Living communities. We provide everything right here, and you can choose whether you would

AURIA SENIOR LIVING

prefer us to cater to your needs at our Care Centre or at your residence.”

Time and again the Auria Way is vindicated by the receipt of the most prestigious awards in the business, with Melrose Manor, located in Melrose North, Johannesburg selected from more than 90 entries to scoop first place in the international category in the ninth iteration of the annual Senior Housing News (SHN) Architecture & Design Awards. “SHNA’s showcase of best-in-class builds has yet again set a new precedent for senior

living facilities as the industry shifts and new demographics flood the market,” announced George Yedinak, founder of Senior Housing News.

The magnificently revamped gold-standard CCRC then received the most valuable of recognition from the Pretoria Institute of Architects (PIA) in its 2021 awards, for its inspiring large-scale

renovation of a dilapidated building into the setting for a thriving senior living community, now transformed into a veritable asset to the area. Melrose Manor’s overhaul was driven by Auria’s vision to raise the bar on senior living in South Africa, Kaganson revealed, its model of senior living facilitating an active, happy and meaningful

// AT AURIA SENIOR LIVING WE BELIEVE THAT YOUR LATER YEARS SHOULD BE DEFINED BY CHOICE, AND NOT BY COMPROMISE // www.enterprise-africa.net / 23

INDUSTRY FOCUS: RESIDENTIAL

lifestyle in a beautiful setting.

“Our vision from the outset has been to set a new standard for senior living and to provide older people with supportive, engaging and vibrant settings in which to live,” he effused.

“We strive to create the complete opposite of the uninspiring and institutional environments that are so often the norm and receiving an award such as this reaffirms that our drive to lead the market in the creation of sophisticated and modern senior living communities, in line with international best practice is well on track.

“These awards inspire our team to continue being innovative and to follow global best practices to provide our residents with extraordinary environments in which to live and be supported. This accolade is proof that a proudly South African business can stand head and shoulders amongst the best in the world.”

GOLD STANDARD ACROSS SA A total investment estimated at R1billion will now give rise to a senior living community of international

BUILDING THE FUTURE 011 234 2782

www.davidoff-pm.co.za

// AURIA’S INCREDIBLE REPUTATION AND QUALITY DELIVERY WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE GROWTH OF THE GREATER NORTH COAST FOOTPRINT //

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AURIA SENIOR LIVING

// WE AIM TO DISPEL THE OUTDATED NOTION THAT MOVING TO A SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY IS A COMPROMISE OR THE BEGINNING OF A DECLINE // standards at Zululami Luxury Coastal Estate, in Auria’s bid to spread its unbending focus on five-star living to more corners of the country. With retirement facilities on KZN North Coast limited its freestanding garden villas, maisonettes and apartments to suit both independent and assisted living have meant that interest from those who are planning to, or have retired on the South Coast, Upper Highway and Midlands area, has been extremely high.

“Given the growth on the North Coast over the past few years, the provision of lifestyle environments for senior citizens hasn’t been catered for fully, and Coral Cove is the first to comprehensively address this need,’’ underlined Kaganson. “Research shows that coastal living has many life-enhancing advantages and Coral Cove will be, to the very best of our research and knowledge, the only senior living community of its kind in the world with direct beach access to

the pristine north coast shoreline.

“Auria’s incredible reputation and quality delivery will contribute to the growth of the greater North Coast footprint,” furthered Director Murray Collins, on behalf of developers Collins Residential, on this landmark deal resulting in a first for both parties, the region and a significant coup for the province. “Investment potential within KZN will also be significantly enhanced, and this is certainly a positive indicator for future investment opportunities within South Africa.”

Construction has also commenced on Royal View, a new, upmarket senior living community set on a section of the Royal Johannesburg Golf Course in Sandringham comprising more than 120 apartments on a 2-hectare site, with entry prices starting at R1.5 million. “We believe that people are increasingly seeing communities such as Royal View as appealing lifestyle options, and we expect good uptake

in the market,” commented Kaganson.

“We aim to dispel the outdated notion that moving to a senior living community is a compromise or the beginning of a decline,” Kaganson finishes. “This is about making a choice that is absolutely a life-enhancement in every way. Modern senior living communities should be a first choice, rather than a default option - attractive places where older adults, retired or not, can scan enjoy their golden years free of hassles and supported in their wellness needs. The design of our communities encourages and facilitates the many important aspects that we now regard as part of overall wellness, all within an aesthetically pleasing, hospitality-style environment.”

WWW.AURIA.CO.ZA

www.enterprise-africa.net / 25

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GRAND RE

Balancing Risk Across the Continent PRODUCTION: Timothy Reeder

Established in 2005, Grand Reinsurance Company (Grand Re) provides sound reinsurance and financial services to Zimbabwe and, increasingly, the entire African insurance market. The company’s Managing Director (MD), Tatenda Katoma details how a rapid and sustained expansion across Africa is reaping rewards for all, allowing the company to tailor sorely-needed solutions while supporting skills development and premium retention for the entire continent.

INDUSTRY FOCUS: INSURANCE

Tatenda Katoma - Managing Director

//

Reinsurance is more commonly known as ‘insurance for insurance companies’.

A vital second layer of protection, it drastically reduces the risk for major insurers of suffering dangerously high losses as a consequence of payments for large claims. It is becoming an increasingly essential tool used by insurance companies to manage risks, and the amount of capital they must hold to support those risks.

Between 2011 and 2020, sub-

Saharan, national, regional and international reinsurers achieved an average annual growth in gross written premiums of 9.15%. Despite a challenging operating environment in 2020 marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, volatile oil prices, high inflation, and depreciation of local currencies, the growth potential of reinsurance in sub-Saharan Africa is widely acknowledged as being extremely strong.

Even in such a constraining

// THE COMPANY HAS MOVED FROM BEING A LOCALLY-OPERATING OUTFIT FOCUSING ON ZIMBABWE TO BECOME THE ORIGINAL PANAFRICAN PLAYER // 28 / www.enterprise-africa.net

context, the region is blessed with abundant natural resources and strongly growing economic indicators, alongside a young and dynamic population offering strong insurance growth potential and legislation which is always evolving apace. A rise in infrastructure investment in recent years has also been a sizeable contributing factor in the overall development of the local reinsurance market, a trend that is expected to continue as sustained economic growth and a general tightening of reinsurance rates supports further improvements as stability returns.

PAN-AFRICAN EXPERTISE Beginning life in 2005 as a local provider of reinsurance solutions

GRAND RE

// A PRESENCE IN MORE AND MORE TERRITORIES ENSURES THAT WE ARE ABLE TO GIVE ACCESS TO GOOD QUALITY INSURANCE PRODUCTS ACROSS THE AFRICAN REGION // to cover all short-term business in Zimbabwe, Grand Re now boasts expertise across agriculture, engineering, fire, liabilities, and motor, and even taking in such specialist fields as marine and aviation.

“The company has been fully operational now for close to 20 years, starting out with a singular focus on our local market of Zimbabwe,” he harks back to the very beginning. “Over the years, however, this focus changed and in 2014 Grand Re’s structure was overhauled entirely in our bid to become the preferred reinsurer in the sector. As a result, we were propelled from eighth in the market to first position and a key player in the space of just two years. We have always demonstrated the highest levels of service in the markets we serve,” Katoma sums up. “Our reassurance to

our clients is that we have the same commitment to excellence as they do and the resources to back it up.”

Grand Re’s success and growth has taken it way beyond its Zimbabwe origins, Katoma goes on to tell us, to establish a footprint well on its way to covering the entire African continent.

“Our original expansion into the rest of Africa was in the form of our Botswana office, for which we received our full license in 2020 and which is now fully operational and growing at a tremendous pace,” he proudly relays.

“Following this original expansion, more recently we opened a fully-fledged office in Tanzania, in September 2021, and then at the beginning of March this year the company started operations in Douala, Cameroon, which will focus on all of our Francophone business.” The official

confirmation came in February that Tanzania had been granted a newly registered reinsurance firm, making Grand Re the country’s second local reinsurance company joining Tanzania Reinsurance Company (TanRe).

With these initial forays outside of Zimbabwe successfully completed, Katoma is keen to convey that Grand Re now intends to take its portfolio across the whole continent, which brings significant mutual benefits.

“This is a very deliberate plan of ours,” he makes clear. “Given the ever-changing nature of the insurance landscape in Africa we see dynamic, new, and complex challenges and risks emerging every day. The intention therefore is to avoid concentrating our business in any one location to ensure that if anything were to happen in one territory, the relevant section of the business would be secure and stable enough to offer the required assistance to the affected area.

“Overall, from a strategic point of view the company has moved from being a locally-operating outfit focusing on Zimbabwe to become the

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INDUSTRY FOCUS: INSURANCE

// WE NOW WANT TO COMPETE WITH THE TOP TIER PLAYERS ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT AND ATTAIN A COMPETITIVE RATING TO PUT US AMONG ITS LEADERS // original Pan-African player,” Katoma condenses. “We have broadened our ambitions now to establish ourselves firmly on the African continent, targeting in particular the Southern East African side and working our way into the rest of Africa.”

VISIONS OF AFRICAN LEADERSHIP Grand Re’s steady march across Africa brings wholesale benefits to the market and its customers, while the increase in the number of reinsurance firms is a vital step in ensuring the risks are retained locally, Katoma adds. “A presence in more and more territories allows us to ensure that we are able to give access to good quality insurance products to more and more key clients across the African region,” he delineates. “Currently, there are a lot of classes of more specialist insurance where people are failing to find cover, and Grand Re intends to create tailor-made products for each region to ensure that our clients are able to secure the capacity that is much needed in these areas.”

“On a much wider scale, this will in turn assist the African continent in keeping hold of premiums that historically have always been placed into offshore markets, such as those in Europe and Asia. It is strategically beneficial to the company, of course, but also to these African countries if we are able to increase underwriting capacity locally, and

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thus assist the country to retain this much-needed forex that would otherwise be placed elsewhere.”

Capital raising and regulatory compliance, along with recruitment and training of the staff charged with manning all these new offices, is consuming a sizeable amount of Grand Re’s current drive and resources, according to Katoma; it is having a tremendous knockon effect for skills development in this important African sector he explains. “In terms of human capital, the sheer growth of the business has also highlighted something of a scarcity of skills on the continent.

We are really on a drive to grow our talent and develop these specialised, actuarial, and legal competences within our own respective offices.”

Amid the most stringent of operational challenges and volatile prevailing market conditions, Grand Re has withstood it all to be positioned more strongly than ever and with a clear path to further dominance, Katoma wraps up. “We are now fully focussed on our value proposition, really getting to the bottom of why it is we are here and differentiating ourselves from the competition via our offering to our clients and remaining relevant,” he states.

“Throughout the pandemic and a litany of economic challenges we have recorded more than doubledigit growth year in, year out, quite contrary to what we see happening around us,” Katoma explains, “and the robustness of our business model allows us to respond to the needs of

GRAND RE

// OUR REASSURANCE TO OUR CLIENTS IS THAT WE HAVE THE SAME COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AS THEY DO AND THE RESOURCES TO BACK IT UP //

our clients and attract every possible dollar to position us to fulfil our strategic objectives. We now want to achieve a balance sheet that allows us to compete with the top tier players on the African continent, and to attain a competitive rating to put us among its leaders. This is what Grand Re is pursuing: to be number one in the market in Africa and the go-to brand across every market that we serve.

“We look forward now to growing together with all of the new clientele that comes along with all these new

strategic developments and building ourselves up to be the reinsurer of choice across sub-Saharan Africa. Our personal performance far exceeds the global reinsurance industry, and at Grand Re we are refocusing, reinforcing, and revolving the risk transfer mechanisms to ensure that, time and again, we are the perfect reinsurance partner.”

WWW.GRANDRE.CO.ZW

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GRAAFF FRUIT

Growing and Thriving in Ceres Valley PRODUCTION: James Davey

By working hand-in-hand with nature, and operating a business that is set with traditional values but contemporary ideas, Graaff Fruit is farming some of the country’s finest fruits, delighting customers around the world with healthy, tasty, natural products.

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INDUSTRY FOCUS: AGRICULTURE

//

South Africa’s world-famous fruit farming industry is set to hit a boom period as good weather boosts harvests, and favourable trading conditions drive demand for the country’s tasty and lovingly nurtured products.

Currently, South Africa is a favoured partner for importers and retailers the world over. From west to east, there are few countries that don’t receive some form of sunshinekissed South African fruit and veg.

As one of the world’s leading fruit producing countries, South Africa grows a strong range, from apples and oranges to dragon fruit, passion fruit, nectarine, and cherries. A Mediterranean-style climate, with sun and wind, and shelter from mountain ranges, the ecosystem is suited to tropical fruits. More than 50% of agricultural exports are fruits – this provides a major contribution to the country’s GDP. Citrus is a big sector for the industry, but more challenging fruits also thrive at the southern tip of

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the continent – bananas, avocados, blueberries, watermelon all grow well.

Grapes are obviously a staple for the country, with a world-leading wine industry, as well as large table grape production. There’s no hiding from the fact that South Africa is a fertile and versatile land, and has the ability to feed the region beyond its borders.

Alongside the fantastic produce coming from the country’s innovative farmers, the industry also contributes heavily to opportunity creation, offering up jobs, invention, skills development, enterprise growth, and social upliftment.

FRUITFUL SEASON This year, the Western Cape – the country’s food basket – is expecting a bumper season for fruit exports.

According to Western Cape Minister of Agriculture Ivan Meyer, projections for an increase of 6% in apples, 12% in pears, 26% for nectarines, and 2% for peaches compared to the previous

// ONE OF OUR MAIN GOALS IS TO HAVE TRANSPARENCY AND KEY INSIGHTS INTO THE VALUE CHAIN TO BE AS EFFICIENT AS POSSIBLE // season show that the industry and the region is doing something right.

“Agriculture is pushing forward,” he said, answering questions about the challenges faced as a result of supply chain issues, commodity pricing, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and Covid-19 fallout.

In 2020, the Western Cape province exported around R80 billion worth of agriculture and agri-processing products.

Part of the growing push comes from Graaff Fruit, headquartered in Paarl and operating South African fruit farms for more than half a century. This

GRAAFF FRUIT

// WE ARE A FOURTHGENERATION FAMILY BUSINESS, VERTICALLY INTEGRATED IN THE VALUE CHAIN, FROM NEW VARIETY MANAGEMENT, NURSERY, PRODUCTION, PACKING, AND MARKETING THROUGH TO LOGISTICS //

premier South African producer started out in 1968 when the Graaff family purchased farmland at Lushof. Over the following years and decades, the company grew dramatically, starting out with pears before moving to other varietals. Eventually, a pack house was established and new sites were added.

Today, the company operates from sites at Romansrivier, Rietfontein, and Lushof, and produces and packs 25,000 tons of fruit each year, with exports heading to 35 countries around the world.

HISTORIC SUCCESS CEO Robert Graaff tells Enterprise Africa more about how the company has become one of the most efficient and effective farming operations in the country.

“We are a fourth-generation family business, vertically integrated

in the value chain, from new variety management, nursery, production, packing, and marketing through to logistics,” he says, citing the company’s involvement from seedling to farm to production, packing, marketing, shipping and beyond.

Currently, the Graaff range includes apricots, pluots (70% plum, 30% apricot), peaches, plums, apples, pears, nectarines, and onions.

Supplying the local market (including Shoprite, Woolworths, Jumbo, and more), the company also sends 60% of product to supermarkets in the UK, Canada, America, the Middle East, and the Far East.

“One of our main goals is to have transparency and key insights into the value chain to be as efficient as possible,” says Graaff.

Over many years, the company has

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INDUSTRY FOCUS: AGRICULTURE

// A GOOD NETWORK WITH ONE’S NEIGHBOURS, COMPETITION, NORTHERN HEMISPHERE COUNTER SEASONAL PARTNERS, KEY SUPERMARKETS AND WHOLESALERS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE BUSINESSES //

36 / www.enterprise-africa.net

established strong partnerships with local companies, building a thriving business community which sees money flow through a value chain to a wide group. Graaff Fruit itself employs a large workforce, many of whom support a wider family meaning the impact of the company’s operations goes far.

Partnerships have been developed with related organisations that provide mutual benefits. Companies including Delecta Fruit, Orange River Vineyard Investments (Namibia), Home Produce (Zimbabwe), Rosenhof Nursery, TopFruit, PSB (Spain), Welgemeen Farm, Romans Fruit, CapeNature, De Grendel, and The Pines – all fruit and agriculture related in various ways – have Graaff involvement.

“External partnerships are very important,” says Graaff. “A good network with one’s neighbours, competition, northern hemisphere counter seasonal

partners, key supermarkets and wholesalers is very important for long-term sustainable businesses.”

WORKING WITH NATURE Since 2020, markets have realised major disruption with just about every hurdle that could be imagines thrown up in front of businesses. Global pandemic, war, extreme weather, infrastructure failure, and more have forced companies to be innovative. Following a modern strategy where decision making is fast and effective, Graaff Fruit has managed to avoid major stress in production or in finances. Particularly helpful during the Covid-19 pandemic has been a renewed focus on holistic health and how people can eat better to build natural defences, adding to a healthy immune system. Citrus and stone fruits have been highlighted

GRAAFF FRUIT

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thanks to their high levels of Vitamin C – a key booster for human immunity.

Robert Graaff was happy with the improved demand, locally and overseas. “People eating healthy and at home drove strong demand for fresh fruit,” he says.

With South Africa sending 10% of its annual citrus export to Russia, an estimated $2 billion has been lost since sanctions were imposed following the invasion of Ukraine. But being nimble and changing directly quickly is second nature to a company operating within the agriculture space, despite some unavoidable problems, according to Graaff.

“Fortunately, working with nature, we are very used to adapting quickly, Covid certainly tested this, however the logistics challenges were unforeseen and caused many disruptions for perishable products like fresh fruit with a limited shelf life, which faced many issues and challenges,” he says.

Now, farmers are looking at alternative markets to fill the gap left by Russia. Graaff Fruit has strong relationships in Europe, and the UK especially where it supplies into

Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Lidl, Asda, and Marks and Spencer.

“We are driven by progressive innovation and have a well-defined company culture of providing our customers with the best possible fruit in every aspect,” adds Graaff.

WHAT IS RIGHT Like most in this industry, Graaff Fruit realised long ago that working alongside the natural environment, not against it, is the quick route to a sustainable business that can get more from its interaction with the planet. Robert Graaff is a champion of sustainability and ensures a culture of environmental consciousness is entrenched throughout the entire operation.

“We continue to focus on sustainability, not only what is good, but what is right, concentrating on our environment and our people’s well-being,” he says. “We have introduced many new initiatives which are very exciting such as outside gyms, a full-time nursing sister, laptops for high school children, two nature conservancies

including wetland management, and practices around water and energy efficiency, and carbon emissions.

“Our carbon footprint is well off-set by the number of trees we maintain and plant every year and we’re continuously working towards reducing it even further,” he adds.

This is a growing business that will further enhance South Africa’s reputation in the global marketplace.

In 2021, the company celebrated its first commercial cherry harvest and in 2020, the company was lauded by Delecta, taking home an award for Producer of the Year.

Deep in the Ceres Valley, Graaff Fruit thrives and grows by partnering with nature and driving sustainability.

Named after the Roman goddess of fertility, Ceres is a location that offers up some of the best conditions in the world, and Graaff Fruit is doing all it can to take up the opportunity.

WWW.GRAAFF-FRUIT.COM

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CSIR SOUTH AFRICA

Changing Lives Through

Leading Innovation PRODUCTION: Eleanor Sarbutt-King

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is South Africa’s foremost science and technology organisation charged with researching, developing, localising, and distributing technologies to accelerate prosperity in the country. Accounting for nearly 10% of the entire African R&D budget, its staff of 3,000 technical and scientific researchers span manufacturing, mining, food and everything in between. www.enterprise-africa.net / 39

INDUSTRY FOCUS: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Dr Thulani Dlamini - CEO

//

Established through an Act of Parliament in 1945, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) plays a key role in supporting public and private sectors through directed research, all aligned with the country’s priorities, the organisation’s mandate, and its science, engineering and technology competences.

“Our core values are EPIC and they are the driving force behind our ability to conduct cutting-edge research and technological innovation to improve the quality of life of South Africans,” the organisation defines.

“The CSIR pursues Excellence, celebrates People, personifies Integrity, and welcomes Collaboration.

“Impact is at the core of our business and the organisation’s work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state. One of the few constants in the over 75-year

40 / www.enterprise-africa.net

// OUR AIM IS TO ATTRACT THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS AND TO EDUCATE THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES TO BE EXPLORED IN THE FIELD OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY // history of the CSIR is the awareness of, and commitment to, the value that science and technology can deliver to the development of our country.”

CEO TENURE EXTENDED Previously, Enterprise Africa profiled the CSIR and its workings in 2018, when the recent appointment of a new CEO was causing much excitement.

Dr Thulani Dlamini had just stepped into the role vacated by the longserving Dr Sibusiso Sibisi, returning from a stint with Sasol and relishing the chance to “work alongside the

brilliant minds in the organisation.”

Even at that time Dlamini’s tenure to date had been successful and produced positive results, and this year the CSIR’s board unanimously agreed to extend the contract by a further five years, confirmed by Chairperson Prof Thokozani Majozi.

“We are pleased to announce that the CSIR Board has approved the renewal of the CEO’s contract for another five years, commencing on 1st February 2022,” he said of the renewal, adding that the CSIR has made significant strides under Dr Dlamini’s tutelage.

CSIR SOUTH AFRICA

// THE CSIR PURSUES EXCELLENCE, CELEBRATES PEOPLE, PERSONIFIES INTEGRITY, AND WELCOMES COLLABORATION // “Foremost among these is the repositioning of the organisation to align with the country’s industrial needs through the commercialisation of our technologies, transformation of the Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) base within the CSIR, as well as the accentuation of our visibility and accessibility.

“While there is still more work to be done, the CSIR now has demographic and gender representativity at the highest levels of the scientific ladder, which are Principal and Chief Researchers.”

At the outset of his time in the role Dlamini’s vision was to position the CSIR to make a meaningful impact

to industrial development in South Africa. Significant improvements have been recorded under his leadership in the senior levels of the science, engineering and technology base, in streamlining the CSIR’s research development and innovation capabilities to attain better integration and alignment, while significant strides have been made in fostering the allimportant relationship between the private and international sectors.

Improved profitability has been achieved in tandem with a retention of an exemplary track record of good corporate governance.

“I am honoured by the opportunity to continue leading the evolution of this

prestigious organisation for the next five years, and I look forward to building on the progress and momentum of the past five years,” Dlamini effused following this most rapturous of reviews. “The advent of Covid-19 has delayed the full implementation of our strategy, nonetheless the next five years will see the CSIR further unlocking the potential of its innovations to make a difference in collaboration with our partners in industry and government.”

TOP EMPLOYER Being certified in January by the Top Employers Institute categorically underlines the CSIR’s dedication to a better world of work, evinced by excellent HR policies and people practices. Declared a Top Employer 2022 in South Africa for the second consecutive year, such recognition speaks to the CSIR’s commitment to creating a workplace environment

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INDUSTRY FOCUS: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

conducive to staff continuously making strides in the National System of Innovation, summated CSIR Group Executive for Human Capital and Communication, Andile Mabindisa.

“The CSIR has implemented a number of interventions to build and strengthen its pipeline in order to ensure sustainability of the business that is in line with the organisational strategy. We have outreach programmes, bursaries, internships, and graduate-in-training programmes aimed at realising the potential of bright young minds by nurturing and developing their expertise in various STEM fields.

“Our aim is to attract the next generation of scientists and to educate the general public about opportunities to be explored in the

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field of science and technology.”

Established over 30 years ago, the programme has certified and recognised more than 1,857 Top Employers in 123 countries and regions across five continents for such categories as people strategy, work environment, learning and diversity and inclusion and more. “Reflecting on the demanding year that has, like the year before it, impacted organisations across the world, the CSIR has continued to show that it prioritises maintaining excellent people practices in the workplace,” reported Top Employers Institute CEO David Plink. “They continue to meet the challenges of the changing world of work while working tirelessly to make a positive impact on the lives of their workforce.”

At the heart of the CSIR vision

// THE CSIR PURSUES EXCELLENCE, CELEBRATES PEOPLE, PERSONIFIES INTEGRITY, AND WELCOMES COLLABORATION // is to furnish knowledge solutions, for the inclusive and sustainable advancement of industry and society, through leading innovation. In November last year it demonstrated this yet again in another first for Africa, assisting SMME Sawubona Mycelium to produce 800 litres of liquid cultivated mushrooms called Enokitake, for

CSIR SOUTH AFRICA

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bio-based cosmetic applications.

Alongside the CSIR Biomanufacturing Industrial Development Centre (BIDC) Sawubona Mycelium is bringing the global mushroom ingredients mega-trend to South Africa having joined the BIDC programme in 2019, availing of its world-class equipment and research and development expertise.

// THE NEXT FIVE YEARS WILL SEE THE CSIR FURTHER UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF ITS INNOVATIONS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE //

“The conventional method of growing mushrooms is usually in a bed of soil or other material found in agriculture or similar,” explained CSIR Principal Investigator, Dr Ghaneshree Moonsamy. “However, for this project, we decided to cultivate this organism in a liquid growth medium, which was not only a technology shift for South Africa, but it also allowed the SMME to derive more valuable and superior ingredients from Enokitake,” she added, with the researchers also producing enough biomass to convert it to a dried mushroom powder, useful in food products such as thickeners or in supplements in the form of immuno-boosters.

“We are now working on a purification method that will be suitable for the cosmeceutical industry,” Busi Moloi of Sawubona

Mycelium closed. “The incorporation of the mushroom-derived active ingredients into skincare products to produce clean, more effective and safe-to- use beauty products has become a global phenomenon.

“Therefore, as Sawubona Mycelium, we aim to continue to harness natural flora and botanical extracts, which also includes the use of mushrooms indigenous to southern Africa to produce fermented bio-based cosmetic products for the South African market.

WWW.CSIR.CO.ZA

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CIPC

Innovating and Improving

to Support Enterprise and Growth PRODUCTION: Oliver Skipper

Established by the Companies Act 2008, the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) is a vital agency of the Department of Trade and Industry in South Africa, coming into effect in May 2011. A dual office integral to the registration of companies, co-operatives, and intellectual property rights, CIPC seamlessly transitioned to not only maintain but improve standards and turnaround times as the pandemic took hold, with a policy of ceaseless innovation at the core of its efficacy. www.enterprise-africa.net / 45

INDUSTRY FOCUS: GOVERNMENT

//

While they may not necessarily even be aware of it, every individual who has registered a company name in South Africa has been dealing with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) right from the inception of the nascent business.

Created in May 2011 from the merger of Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (CIPRO) and the Office of Company and Intellectual Property Enforcement (OCIPE), since its formation CIPC has undergone a sustained and rapid

transformation in order to improve its service delivery, and to allow it to now contribute in a most meaningful fashion to South Africa’s overall developmental and economic needs.

A swift metamorphosis has been required, from its baseline as an administrative organisation with little or no regulatory focus, operating an almost exclusively manual, paperbased process at risk of errors and lost documents and reliant upon an outdated and unreliable ICT infrastructure and ICT governance.

CIPC’s great strides have

// WE HAVE USED DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES AND PARTNERSHIPS TO BECOME A MODERN, WORLD-CLASS REGULATOR OF BUSINESSES AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS //

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expedited the modernisation of the organisation to bring it in line with, and exceed, current standards.

Upgrading infrastructure and introducing new and improved online services has completely overhauled and remodelled the full scope of processes: from company registration, name reservations, annual returns and director and member changes to financial yearend changes, address changes, as well as trademark, patent, design, and copyright in film applications.

FAR-REACHING REMIT Commissioner Rory Voller informs Enterprise Africa of CIPC’s inception and primary functions, unpacking an institution comprising over 500 staff with an annual budget of around R700 million, as broad and multifaceted as it is complex and intricate. “We

CIPC

Commissioner Rory Voller

//I HAVE WORKED HARD TO INSTIL A CULTURE OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT WITHIN THE ORGANISATION // have a dual function of registering companies, and registering intellectual property rights,” he delineates firstly. “Beyond the registration of companies, however, I also deal with issues surrounding patents, copyright, trademarks and industrial designs.

“There are still some jurisdictions which have these two registries as separate offices, whereas in South Africa the decision was taken to

combine them, coming about as the result of a major amendment to the Companies Act just over a decade ago,” Voller explains. “In South Africa there was a wholesale overhaul of its company law, and which resulted in the implementation of various regulation agencies. One of these was the Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission, previously the Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office.

“Behind these major changes was a shift away from the office merely being one of an administrative nature, to become a regulator of various pieces of legislation under corporate law and international property law.

Beyond the scope of being the registrar of various domains and aspects of corporate law, we are also very much

involved and entrenched in the work of improving corporate governance in South Africa, as well as dealing with the effective enforcement of the legislation under our purview.”

CIPC plays a key role in ensuring the integrity of the country’s company registration system, underpinning a growing economy, but this is always expanding, Voller furthers. “Our regulatory role has evolved to the extent that we are now, too, very much responsible for looking closely at financial reporting standards in the country, by ensuring that we comply with international reporting levels, while reviewing and monitoring compliance with annual financial statements as lodged with us at CIPC.” Continues on page 50

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INDUSTRY FOCUS: GOVERNMENT

Continued from page 47 CIPC’s role’s being twofold gives it a scope far beyond company registration, Voller is at pains to transmit, across myriad aspects of regulation and enforcement. “We have a heavy involvement in the area of international property enforcement, and play the coordinating role when it comes to dealing with anti-piracy and anti-counterfeiti ng activities,” he says.

“We bring together enforcement and prosecuting agencies together with the rights holders whenever fake merchandise is being sold or advertised, and also have act in an educational capacity towards prosecuting authorities and the police and customs services.

We have established ourselves as a substantial, sizeable public entity within government.”

INNOVATION, AUTOMATION, DIGITISATION While the pandemic wreaked havoc for so many organisations, CIPC found itself ahead of the curve and extremely well-placed to continue in a fashion as close to normal as could be hoped; it even brought the chance to re-evaluate and institute a number of impactful changes, Voller unravels.

“Some of our most important work is in the space of massive education and awareness activities,” he describes firstly, “and one lasting ramification of the pandemic is that it pushed us into the realm of online webinars, allowing us to reach a far greater spread of people. This is something we now have no intention of deviating away from.

“When the move came towards telecommuting and working from home it was a very smooth adaptation for us, as this was a road down

// OUR SERVICE DELIVERY STANDARDS SURROUNDING THE PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS WERE UNAFFECTED THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC // which CIPC had been travelling for many years,” he explains. “We had the infrastructure already here which staff were accustomed to using every day, which facilitated the move offsite and enabled them to continue seamlessly to register companies and deal effectively with every one of our responsibilities.

Continues on page 52

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INDUSTRY FOCUS: GOVERNMENT

Continued from page 50 “Our enforcement activity took something of a hit during the period,” Voller concedes, “as so much of it is required to be meeting-based, or to bring parties together in mediation and arbitration when dealing with complaints.”

The strain on CIPC’s regulatory role that very much temporary, however, lasting only around six months as it very quickly adapted in typically innovative fashion. “Our service delivery standards surrounding the processing of applications were unaffected throughout,” he states. “We must register a company within one day, for example; we didn’t deviate once from this strict turnaround time.

“It really helped that the majority of our work has been done online

52 / www.enterprise-africa.net

for many years,” Voller stresses, “and CIPC is a highly automated environment exemplified by our range of e-services but arguably best by our flagship product BizPortal, one of our major success stories.”

Developed by CIPC, the platform is designed to offer company registration and related services in a simple, seamless, and digital way, in response to the quest to improve the ease of starting a business in South Africa.

“It exists to bring together a multitude of services and departments into a single portal so that the entrepreneur is able to start a company and access a gamut of services in a single location,” Voller outlines. “We have also brought in private sector partners, to enable people to apply for business banks accounts, for example, or to access the domain authority of

South Africa if starting a website.

“We are proud of the fact that BizPortal was developed entirely in-house,” he continues, “and such has been its success that it has featured on two occasions in state of the nation addresses by the President, in the context of having helped to further the growth and ease of doing business within South Africa, while reducing

// I HAVE WORKED HARD TO INSTIL A CULTURE OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT WITHIN THE ORGANISATION //

CIPC

// CIPC IS A HIGHLY AUTOMATED ENVIRONMENT, EXEMPLIFIED BY OUR FLAGSHIP PRODUCT BIZPORTAL // the bureaucracy and red tape by having everything in one place.” The turnaround time of starting a business now averages a startling 15 minutes.

“It has taken us a long time to reach this point, but the whole idea with BizPortal was that functionality would increase year-on-year and it would host an ever-greater breadth of services,” Voller rounds off, with Google SA is the latest to join and offer small business owners access to a range of its own services through the platform.

510,000 new businesses were registered in 2021, the most that has ever been recorded in a single year, so this ethos of innovating wherever every possible element will allow CIPC to deliver even greater efficiencies and service. “I have worked hard to instil a culture of continuous improvement within the organisation,” Voller enthuses, “so pandemic or not, we always look to innovate.”

“We have used digital technologies and partnerships to become a modern, world-class regulator of businesses and intellectual property rights, and through being agile, adaptive and high-performing we will seek to make an increasingly important strategic contribution towards South Africa’s enterprise, competitiveness and growth.”

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