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Trillion Cart Investments Municipal Focus Speaks to Dr Radebe
MUNICIPAL FOCUS SPEAKS TO DR RADEBE
THE MAN AT THE HELM OF TRILLION CART INVESTMENTS
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Trillion Cart Investments has not only seen exponential growth since inception in 2009, but has also weathered the Covid-19 Pandemic storm. The Company has grown from a single entity to over 18 subsidiaries in less than 15 years, piloted by the visionary Dr. Radebe. We talk to him about his philosophy, vision and plans for the future;
Can you tell us a little about your background and what got you into business?
Dr. Radebe: Business is the foundation of any economy, thus my involvement in business emanates from my innate need to contribute to the economy. Furthermore, I have inherited the spirit of entrepreneurship from my forefathers who too were formidable business people.
You have studied extensively, what are your credentials, and how does your academic track record, experience, and values play a role in the success of Trillion Cart Investments?
Dr. R: I am armed with a doctorate in Philosophy and Community Development, and a qualification in Property Development.
The success of Trillion Cart Investments is not through my academic achievements alone, but my life experiences and my experience in a leadership position has assisted greatly in how I conduct business. I have over the years studied human behaviour, our economic activities here in South Africa, and by extension Africa, and how our economy seems to marginalise those who do not have the requisite business background but want to become entrepreneurs.
Further, through my knowledge and experience I have championed the distributor’s model that makes an allowance for people who have the passion for business to start their own businesses by becoming distributors for our products.
A majority of our distributors know little or nothing about entrepreneurship, thus we have a duty to take them step-by-step on the running of a successful business. Additionally, we provide workshops and training for our distributors.
Most importantly my values in life revolve around sharing through empowering others, hence our distributor’s model includes building and sharing wealth together.
By this we mean, we always ensure that we split our profits with our distributors in a fair manner. Our prices remain competitive and our distributors are still able to make a sizeable profit.
To summarize, Trillion Cart Investments is built on the foundation of sharing and creating wealth. As an organisation we employ, empower and validate youth, men and women as worthy people and this warrants Trillion Cart Investments as a top of mind black empowering organisation in South Africa and by extension Africa.
This is strengthened by my philosophy of life, that the pursuit of excellence at all cost is integrated in all I do, hence my ability to identify a gap and a need. >
Trillion Cart Investments has grown from a single company in 2009 to over 18 subsidiary companies in less than 15 years, what has been your formula for success?
Dr. R: Focus, drive and passion. I am focused on empowering our nation of entrepreneurs. Geared towards being the driving force behind Africa’s economy, and passionate to put Africa on the world economic map. All this while maintaining the trust of the people I have employed.
You have stated an intent to grow the economy and empower South Africans, particularly entrepreneurs, how do you plan to achieve this?
Dr. R: Our distributor's model is very unique it is structured in such a way that our distributors make a sizeable profit from the products they sell. The profit margins vary from product to product. With some of our products, the margins are very competitive, and the split is almost at 50/50 percent.
How does Trillion Cart Investments assist or plan to assist entrepreneurs in this regard?
Dr. R: Our African Centre of Excellence was established to also train entrepreneurs and arm them with skills that will bring a positive impact in our economy.
Which one of your subsidiaries is best poised to have a positive impact on the lives, the economy and future of South Africans?
As an entrepreneur yourself, you know that being one is challenging, what added challenges are faced by South African entrepreneurs?
Dr. R: The current pandemic has shown us that the country is heavily reliant on imports. South Africa imports almost everything, from raw material to packaging. When the western world shuts down, we are forced to stand still.
Over the years, the growth of small and medium enterprises has been stunted and halted in the manufacturing sector.
The South African business landscape has for the longest time missed the trick of developing and nurturing small and medium enterprises and consequently missed the trick of harnessing the manufacturing industry conducive to SME’s.
Dr. R: Almost all of our subsidiaries, however, our Imvelo Pharmaceutical subsidiary which houses our novel herbal tonic Agrico Umhlonyane has positioned itself as one of the best respiratory tonics which has proven to be a go-to herbal tonic for our client base both locally and internationally. It is also hailed to be good for anxiety amongst other health benefits. Agrico Umhlonyane is indeed the pride and joy of our Trillion Cart Investments Company. The ability to merge a traditional medicinal herb with science makes our product rare.
Our Umhlonyane is grown from scientifically certified soil and scientists have commended our soil as having good minerals and nutrients; thereby producing a high quality product.
At the African Centre of Excellence you talk of changing the mindset of South Africans, what mindset exists that you feel requires fundamental change?
Dr. R: I have noticed over the years that we are still struggling as black people with our mindset. We seem to possess the spirit of entitlement. Our view of life is very limited, hence we possess a negative perception around anything black-owned. Black people tend to have more respect and work better when another race is in the forefront of the organisation and/or project.
What are the major challenges and obstacles to this change of mindset?
Dr. R: An ingrained resistance to change, upholding the status quo of poverty, and resignation of mindset.
Are there any plans to expand this Centre to reach the broader South African population?
Dr. R: Yes! Certainly. At all our branches both locally and abroad plans are afoot to do so.
Through the Centre for African Excellence, we offer a specialised mindset program with the aim to be the number one leading African indigenous educational hub in Africa.
Growing Trillion Cart Investments to the successful conglomerate it is today was also a long journey with ups and downs, can you give us a brief run-down of the course you have traversed as Group Chairman.
Dr. R: Starting anything from scratch is never easy. To have to convince people to buy into your vision and mission is draining and if you are not a person who is resilient and thrives under pressure, the roller coaster ride of building a successful business will demotivate you.
In addition, the onset of Covid-19 and the period thereafter, was one of the most challenging for the company, we had to devise innovative ways to make money in order to sustain the company and pay all salaries. When other companies were retrenching, we never did. My foresightedness has been and always is the cornerstone for Trillion Cart Holdings.
Most businesses were negatively affected by Covid-19, how did Trillion Cart Investments survive this storm, and is there any particular sector or industry that played a key role in surviving the pandemic?
Dr. R: An innovative mind, closely studying the markets and most importantly, catering to the needs of the people who are the driving force behind any organisation is a winning strategy at all times.
What do you think can be done differently to better prepare the South African economy and business for a challenge such as the pandemic?
Dr. R: It is very important to study the market trends, however as a business that caters to the African Market we need to understand the needs of our consumers. What works for foreign countries may not necessarily work for the market here.
Who would be the key stakeholders that are required for this role?
Dr. R: The various arms of government and leaders in the private sector.
How will Trillion Cart Investments support such an initiative?
Dr. R: By being hands-on and sharing knowledge that will benefit our economy.
Dr Radebe you are the vision behind Trillion Cart Investments. Who are the other people who have played a role in getting the company to where it is today - both inside and outside the company?
• Employees and Customers drive the
Trillion Cart Strategy • Entrepreneurs implement the Trillion
Cart Strategy • Distributors and Shareholders benefit from Trillion Cart Strategy • We believe that the right people are the most important asset.
Where do you see the company in the next 10 years?
Dr. R: Our vision is to continuously expand and diversify our business operations to become one of the leading multi-national conglomerates, providing world-class and competitive products and services that enhance stakeholder value, whilst empowering our communities, creating employment and creating wealth. We see ourselves having offices in major cities around the world.
CONTACT DETAILS
Address:
15 Salisbury Street Salisbury Claims, Marshalltown, Johannesburg, 2001 Tel: 010 030 4610
SANEDI’S ENERGY PERFORMANCE REGISTER FOR BUILDINGS BOOMS
Government’s efforts to boost South Africa’s energy efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions from buildings is producing multiple co-benefits- proving that sustainable development serves everyone.
Owners of buildings, in four categories, are required in terms of government regulations published in December 2020 to obtain and prominently display an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) by 7 December this year.
SANEDI General Manager for Energy Efficiency, Barry Bredenkamp says compliance with the EPC regulations will enable building owners to identify where they could introduce energy efficiency measures that would, in turn, save them money on electricity costs and possibly increase the value of their buildings.
“The more energy efficient buildings become, the more they will contribute to taking electricity demand off the national grid. This could help to ease loadshedding, and by reducing carbon emissions, building owners will be helping our country to meet its international obligations to combat climate change.”
The regulations make provision for a fine of R5 million or five years imprisonment or both for failure to comply. As building owners scramble to comply with the Department of Minerals and Energy (DMRE) EPC regulations by the deadline, thousands of new jobs and skills are also expected to enter the market. The data collection and assessment exercise at thousands of buildings across the country is a mammoth task which will require new labour and skills capacity.
This is why SANEDI led an initiative in which 50 qualified, and mostly unemployed, young electricians were trained to enable them to obtain the energy usage data required to issue the certification which gives buildings a rating based on the amount of energy consumed per square metre.
SANEDI undertook what is known as the EPC Practitioner Skills Programme in partnership with the Institute of Energy Professionals Africa (IEPA).
With buildings estimated to be responsible for between 30% and 40% of carbon emissions worldwide, the government has introduced the regulations primarily to encourage building owners to work towards making their buildings as energy efficient as possible. However, as
SANEDI manager for renewable energy Dr Karen Surridge explains, the regulations would deliver multiple benefits if correctly implemented.
“We have done a lot of energy usage assessments and have always been struck by how many building owners or operators there are who have very little idea of how much energy they use,” she explains. “The EPC process will help them to understand what they consume and will draw their attention to areas in which they could make improvements. By being more energy efficient, they will save money on electricity. Improving energy efficiency will also boost the value of a building.”
For more information on the EPC regulations, go to https://www.sanedi.org.za/Energy_ Performance_Certificates.html and Notice 700 of Gov Gazette 43972 of 8 December 2020 (1).pdf
About SANEDI:
The South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), established by the Government, directs, monitors, and conducts applied energy research to develop innovative,integrated solutions to catalyse growth and prosperity in the green economy. It drives scientific evidence-driven ventures that contribute to youth empowerment, gender equity, environmental sustainability, and the 4th Industrial Revolution, within the National Development Plan (NDP), through consultative, sustainable energy projects. For more information, go to
