eBizRadio.com Online Radio: Recent Episodes
eBizRadio.com Online Radio
The place to go if you want to know about the world of business and the business of the world - and everything in between.
‘I know that what I’ve learned in the past two years will help me for the rest of my life. My hope is that you will see yourself reflected in my own journey, and . . . consider who you will become in this new world of ours. Who we all might become.’
If you’re suffering from a crisis of meaning, you’re not alone. In this powerful new book, future strategist John Sanei shares how he found ways to cope with the uncertainty that has been all around us in the past two years. Lockdown meant his career came to a screeching halt, he was living with his parents and then had to battle loneliness until he reached the point of reassessing who he was and what he wanted from life.
Infused with empathy and personal anecdote, Who Do We Become? explores our individual responsibility to evolve into more decent, dynamic version of ourselves, our businesses and humanity as a whole, especially in times of crisis. Travel with John as he maps out our strange, new world and lays down a path to reframe our thinking, to recognise our discomfort, to survive and thrive. “I CAN FOCUS ON WHAT I HAVE, INSTEAD OF WHAT I DO NOT HAVE, OR WHAT I HAVE LOST, SIMPLY BECAUSE NOTHING COMES FROM CONSTANTLY GOING OVER WHAT IS LACKING” John Sanei
Due to the impact of the international COVID-19 pandemic, many industries have been negatively affected and South Africa’s radio currency has been no exception. To alleviate the pressure of no radio data being available, and to get a comprehensive update on the industry the BRC has commissioned research experts, Ask Afrika, to implement an interim radio data study.
As the pandemic hit and Level 5 lockdown ensued there was no doubt that radio stations in South Africa would see fluctuations in audience data. A huge disruptor being the changes to people’s daily routines and habits. Consumers were no longer commuting to and from work, working hours were altered by home schooling, family life, restrictions on movement, social interactions and the like.
“These shifts in routines and habits have led to massive changes in media consumption, mainly, increases in listening and viewing habits,” says Gary Whitaker, CEO at The Broadcast Research Council (BRC) of South Africa.
Another implication is that the radio research currency was negatively impacted. “As the makeup of the current underlying research methodology involves face-to-face interaction, namely, interviewing respondents for RAMS (Radio Audience Measurement), we were unable to provide data in Q2, Q3 and Q4 of 2020 to demonstrate these irregular times and differences in listenership audiences,” says Whitaker.
According to Sarina de Beer, Managing Director at Ask Afrika, Lockdown has changed consumer psyche and behaviour considerably, which naturally includes how we consume media. These changes did not find its onset during Lockdown however, but these restrictions have added its own layer of complexity to radio consumption.
“The focus of the interim measure will be to support the industry to gain a deeper understanding of just how radio consumption has changed over time. As an essential asset we need to leverage the opportunity as one of the most trusted media sources over time,” confirms de Beer. “I believe that a fresh and deep understanding will enable just that!”
The only RAMS data currently available to the industry is Q1 2020 data and the world has gone through immense changes since then. To supplement this data, two interim sets of radio data will be released at the end of March and May 2021. Surveying will take place through a combination of face to face and online interviews which will deliver insights at a Total Radio listenership level. The assessment of the approach was completed in collaboration with, among others, the AMF (The Advertising Media Forum), a collective of media agencies and individuals including media strategists, planners, buyers and consultants.
While these two radio data sets are exactly that – interim data - the Lockdown regulations have highlighted a clear need for the Listenership currency to be futureproofed. Face to face methods and manual seven-day diaries will soon be a thing of the past. “We are looking forward to revealing the way forward - how Listenership will be measured in South Africa following international best practices as soon as the second quarter of 2021,” concludes Whitaker.
Please visit the BRC’s website at: https://brcsa.org.za/
The Broadcast Research Council of South Africa DNA
The Broadcast Research Council of South Africa (BRC), established in 2015, chief role is to commission and oversee the delivery of radio and television audience measurement research for broadcasters and the advertising and marketing industry.
Vicinity Media drives support for local businesses this festive season
Following a tough trading year, support for local business is more crucial than ever. With the festive season in full swing, many consumers have already begun engaging in local online searches for gift ideas, holiday options, festive decor buys, food deals and more, but how can local businesses gain the most benefit from sales?
South African location-based Ad technology leader Vicinity Media has created a 'Near Me' microapp to assist in locating nearby products and services easily during this busy festive season. The app is integrated with an existing mobile site or app, serving as a mini local search engine. Showing confidence in the benefits of the Near Me microapp, prominent television news broadcaster eNCA has recently been added to Vicinity Media's growing list of Near Me publishers along with The Careers Portal, Slikouronlife, Jobs Portal, Maroela Media, Lockdown Bozza and The Skills Portal among others.
The Near Me microapp's integrated local search functionality on existing publisher sites or apps means that users never have to exit publisher platforms to access a dedicated "near me" search engine. Functionality also includes clickable shortcuts, each representing a product/service category such as 'restaurant', 'coffee shop' or 'fashion' or 'Zomato trending restaurants' for example, using globally recognisable icons. In addition to seamless search the microapp also offers localised weather down to suburb level.
When a site or app features Near Me, users are asked to share their location, allowing the tool to display category icons, each with the accurate, real time distance reference to the closest service provider. With a simple click on a Near Me icon, opted in users can see a short list of local store listings, each displaying a real time distance reference highlighting how close the store is. A click on a listing takes users to a landing page where they have further engagement options like navigate to store, call the store, share on social, and more.
"The Near Me microapp allows users to stay on a publisher's site or app and find a local product or service and their local weather, without ever opening a new browser tab to access a search engine," explains Neil Clarence from Vicinity Media. "And crucially the microapp will allow businesses within a certain geographic area to the user to highlight the exact service or products that person is looking for. There's no need to type in an area to bring up local search results, it happens automatically."
This new offering is hugely beneficial to brands, publishers and advertisers, allowing brands to tap into intent-based search where purchases are more likely and allows publishers to gain access to accurate first party location data for a unique understanding of users and facilitates the support of South African commerce by default.
For advertisers, the microapp allows brands to benefit from better audience targeting on publisher platforms featuring Near Me, meaning targeted users also benefit from relevant messaging.
To list a local business on Near Me or if you're a publisher wanting to integrate with Near Me, contact Vicinity Media at www.vicinity-media.comhttp://www.vicinity-media.com for details.
Contact Details: Neil Clarence Vicinity Media neil@vicinity-media.comneil@vicinity-media.com Tel: (011) 021 8346/7/8 www.vicinity-media.comhttp://www.vicinity-media.com
For this edition of eBizWires, we profile the company FuseForward. Premie Naicker joins us to discuss the business's genesis and it's growth up to now as well as achieving AWS (Amazon Web Service) status.
Leading technology solution provider FuseForward has achieved AWS Advanced Consulting status, making it one of a very select group of companies to have achieved this designation from Amazon Web Services (AWS) through the AWS Partner Network (APN) program. The AWS Advanced Consulting Partner certification is a highly-valued status awarded after meeting rigorous requirements, including extensive experience in deploying customer solutions on AWS, a high level of cloud expertise and a strong team of certified technical consultants.
“We have invested extensively into our AWS practice, and gaining Advanced Consulting status ensures that customers have the peace of mind that they can access the solutions they need, backed by FuseForward’s skills and expertise. This latest certification has been the result of a concentrated effort on the part of our team to create a centre for excellence that can offer the highest levels of service and proficiencies for our joint AWS customers This is a great achievement, and we are pleased to join a very select group of APN Partners with the Advanced Consulting status across the world,”
“The COVID-19 pandemic is driving increased adoption of cloud services across all industries as they support remote work and service delivery. In particular, organizations in energy and infrastructure, education and healthcare are busy transforming their businesses, with many choosing AWS as their cloud platform of choice. We have been assisting customers in these industries to modernize with AWS for more than five years, and the Advanced Consulting status provides additional recognition of our skills and experience in this regard.”
The new status will provide FuseForward with additional support and benefits from AWS, enabling even better resources to support customers migrating their workloads and IT resources to the AWS Cloud.
“The most forward-thinking businesses are now going beyond simply embracing the cloud. Working with partners, they are building a strategy to drive growth and productivity, and give them a competitive edge. We are proud to be that partner for our customers. Our mission is to help customers meet their evolving business and IT needs, and will continue to invest in improving our AWS expertise and services portfolio,”
For this recording, we chat with Wynand Smit, CEO of contact center solutions provider INOVO about their lockdown experiences as well as a profile on the business itself.
Founded in 2006 as technological solutions and optimizations reached a critical point, INOVO helps companies across the country to streamline their call centre operations, enabling happier consumers as well as savings to the business's bottom line.
Using Data and technology has enabled the company to service large companies such as Woolworths Financial Services whilst still being nimble enough to tailor a package of programmes to fit businesses of all sizes, we profile this and more in the podcast.
Enjoy.
www.inovo.co.za
What did it take to shoot a TV ad during South Africa’s lockdown? Over 75 hours of Zoom meetings, 48 Skype casting calls and four remote callbacks, six hours of online cast rehearsals, five virtual locations, over 1500 WhatsApp messages, 200 emails, hundreds of phone calls, and a very unusual kind of shoot day.
All this to bring the new A.Vogel Echinaforce TV commercial to screens in time for winter and generate much needed income for over 35 people, mostly freelance professionals whose earnings would be among those hardest hit by the lockdown.
Initially as commercial director Dani Hynes raced home from Dubai ahead of the 27 March lockdown date, she assumed her next production, the Echinaforce TV ad, would be cancelled. Agency A Country for Jane and their client, SA Natural Products, were thinking the same thing.
But as lockdown commenced, a story of determination and ingenuity started up in the lounges, kitchens and even bedrooms of the team tasked with making this advert.
Hynes explains: “We’d been looking forward to making the advert as the product has some great new clinical evidence to share and the creative concept was beautiful and very different to normal cold and flu adverts. When lockdown was announced it initially seemed impossible. But then, Echinaforce is an immune support product, and right now immune health is everyone’s priority, so getting this ad out became something of a personal challenge and mission for all of us.”
With the natural order of work severely disrupted, and Levels 5 and 4 lockdown regulations prohibiting TV shoots, a monumental behind-the-scenes effort to prepare for an uncertain shoot day got underway. What was normally due process, became constant improvisation.
Team members, used to working closely together, had to now consult over Zoom. Production, used to working with reliable suppliers, now found them unavailable. This necessitated a complete rethink around props, costumes and location reccies.
“The script called for a florist shop, where Shaleen Surtie-Richards personifies the Echinaforce brand with her warm and nurturing performance. She’s way more than your average florist, offering nature’s healing support to worried customers who need help,” says Ursula Mcdonald, A Country for Jane MD. “It’s there, as she arranges echinacea bouquets in that enchanting setting, that the benefits of Echinaforce come to life. And that’s where our challenges began. We needed just the right location to create that special shop. Yet we couldn’t even leave our homes to scout for potential locations.”
“The location reccies were unique,” explains Hynes. “We had to request photos and videos from possible locations or have the owners ‘walk us’ around the properties using FaceTime. Not being able to visit the sites, see how the light comes in or get a proper feel for the space was challenging. In the end we were only granted physical access to the location the day before the shoot.”
Hynes continues: “Another challenge was the fact that we needed a lot of Echinacea purpurea flowers. Knowing they wouldn’t be in bloom in autumn, we’d originally planned to create them from silk. Now our silk couldn’t be flown into the country and we were out of time. The only option left was to digitally create them in postproduction.”
The wardrobe team and cast had their ‘new normal’ work cut out for them too. Without access to online shopping just sourcing shoes and accessories for the cast was a logistical feat. Actors, normally used to interacting with each other in lively script reads, had to learn the art of auditioning and rehearsing over Skype or Zoom with only the director to interact with.
While permission was finally obtained to shoot towards the end of Level 4, only a limited number of crew, donning masks and adhering to regular temperature checks and hygiene protocols, could attend the physical shoot. This left the client and agency team behind computer screens approving the footage remotely.
Locked down in Durban, the Echinaforce marketing team had to watch the live action in Johannesburg over their computers. “Normally you’re at the shoot, you meet the cast and you can give immediate input and direction on your brand. Now we were trying to watch takes via a dodgy YouTube Live link, while liaising with the agency and director over WhatsApp,” says marketing director Estie Schreiber. “Not seeing the cast’s performances live or knowing what Dani was aiming for in the moment was difficult. Eventually we were approving takes via WhatsApp clips. How they pulled this off and delivered such a beautiful production is testimony to this whole team’s remarkable tenacity and professionalism.”
After seven weeks of fielding numerous logistical lockdown curve balls and the delayed shoot date leaving just three days for post-production and final approvals, the Echinaforce TVC material was ready and delivered to stations on deadline. And over WhatsApp, the teams celebrated a ‘new normal’ success story in very abnormal times!
Link to the ad: https://vimeo.com/430379378
Link to the making of and behind the scenes: https://vimeo.com/430379378
www.avogel.co.za/products/herbals/echinaforce/
Dion joins us for this most relevant topic of conversation, that of Gen Z......
The world's first full digital natives, if companies are struggling adapting to Millenial cultural trends, they are going to have more issues with the Gen Z'ers.
Dion illuminates on his love of the youth and how their collective ideas can and will affect our future, enjoy the chat.
Nick is recording at home at the moment, at the end of the recording are his dogs barking, we could have edited it out, but it actually add's to the conversation.
Bureau Veritas,a world leader in testing, inspection and certification (TIC) services, has developed a suite of solutions to support companies of all sizes as they restart business activity.
Didier Michaud-Daniel, Chief Executive Officer, commented:
“More than ever, our role as an expert, independent third party is crucial to creating the conditions for trust in this restart period. Bureau Veritas is committed to deploy all efforts worldwide to help its clients protect the health and safety of their employees and customers. Our geographical presence in 140 countries and unrivalled experience in certification processes are considerable assets as they enable us to provide companies, public authorities and society as a whole with our services and our in-depth knowledge of local specificities and regulations.”
“Restart Your Business with BV” has been developed in collaboration with a range of experts and stakeholders to support companies and government recommence operations with the legislated health protocols and sanitary conditions in place.
Bureau Veritas’ objectives are to:
- Ensure that health, safety, and hygiene procedures put in place for the resumption of activity meet local and international regulations, as well as recognized best practices
- Confirm that the procedures defined are relevant to the specific needs of the company’s area of business, and that they are effectively implemented
- Deliver a certification or conformity label representing its role as a trustworthy independent third party.
“Restart Your Business with BV” is a digital platform offering a suite of solutions enhanced by a digital ecosystem, designed to address the risks specific to all places where people live and work from construction sites and factories to offices, hospitality, restaurants, shops and public facilities. The ecosystem includes operational assistance tools for companies who want to reassure stakeholders of their compliance with regulations to ensure their health and safety are safeguarded. Leveraging on its expertise in certification processes and management of health, safety and hygiene risks, Bureau Veritas is committed to supporting economic recovery and robust business practices. A Certificate of Compliance and a Site Label Sticker complete with QR code and validity date, both valid for a six-month period, will be issued acknowledging regulatory compliance.
Sal Govender, Vice-President for Bureau Veritas Southern Africa commented:
“Increasingly, we are here to support our valued customers resume their business operations in a safe manner, with the health and safety protection of their employees and clients being our top priority. Using industry leading local and global expertise, we will conduct independent risk assessments and audits, putting the requisite health, safety, and hygiene steps in place to ensure their business is compliant with local and international regulations. We remain committed to the construction, mining and commodities, manufacturing, healthcare (pharmaceutical), buildings and infrastructure, agriculture, food, oil and gas, marine, power and utilities sectors. We can assure our stakeholders, the successful resumption of their business is of crucial importance to us as a trusted partner, working together to create a safer and more sustainable environment.”
The head office for Bureau Veritas Southern Africa is based in Johannesburg; with branches in Cape Town, Centurion, Durban, and Pretoria; and laboratories in Cape Town, Centurion, Durban, Johannesburg, and Richards Bay.
For more information on “Restart Your Business with BV”, please contact info.za@bureauveritas.com
Bureau Veritas,a world leader in testing, inspection and certification (TIC) services, has developed a suite of solutions to support companies of all sizes as they restart business activity.
Didier Michaud-Daniel, Chief Executive Officer, commented:
“More than ever, our role as an expert, independent third party is crucial to creating the conditions for trust in this restart period. Bureau Veritas is committed to deploy all efforts worldwide to help its clients protect the health and safety of their employees and customers. Our geographical presence in 140 countries and unrivalled experience in certification processes are considerable assets as they enable us to provide companies, public authorities and society as a whole with our services and our in-depth knowledge of local specificities and regulations.”
“Restart Your Business with BV” has been developed in collaboration with a range of experts and stakeholders to support companies and government recommence operations with the legislated health protocols and sanitary conditions in place.
Bureau Veritas’ objectives are to:
- Ensure that health, safety, and hygiene procedures put in place for the resumption of activity meet local and international regulations, as well as recognized best practices
- Confirm that the procedures defined are relevant to the specific needs of the company’s area of business, and that they are effectively implemented
- Deliver a certification or conformity label representing its role as a trustworthy independent third party.
“Restart Your Business with BV” is a digital platform offering a suite of solutions enhanced by a digital ecosystem, designed to address the risks specific to all places where people live and work from construction sites and factories to offices, hospitality, restaurants, shops and public facilities. The ecosystem includes operational assistance tools for companies who want to reassure stakeholders of their compliance with regulations to ensure their health and safety are safeguarded. Leveraging on its expertise in certification processes and management of health, safety and hygiene risks, Bureau Veritas is committed to supporting economic recovery and robust business practices. A Certificate of Compliance and a Site Label Sticker complete with QR code and validity date, both valid for a six-month period, will be issued acknowledging regulatory compliance.
Sal Govender, Vice-President for Bureau Veritas Southern Africa commented:
“Increasingly, we are here to support our valued customers resume their business operations in a safe manner, with the health and safety protection of their employees and clients being our top priority. Using industry leading local and global expertise, we will conduct independent risk assessments and audits, putting the requisite health, safety, and hygiene steps in place to ensure their business is compliant with local and international regulations. We remain committed to the construction, mining and commodities, manufacturing, healthcare (pharmaceutical), buildings and infrastructure, agriculture, food, oil and gas, marine, power and utilities sectors. We can assure our stakeholders, the successful resumption of their business is of crucial importance to us as a trusted partner, working together to create a safer and more sustainable environment.”
The head office for Bureau Veritas Southern Africa is based in Johannesburg; with branches in Cape Town, Centurion, Durban, and Pretoria; and laboratories in Cape Town, Centurion, Durban, Johannesburg, and Richards Bay.
For more information on “Restart Your Business with BV”, please contact info.za@bureauveritas.com
About Bureau Veritas
Bureau Veritas is a world-leading provider in testing, inspection and certification. Created in 1828, the Group has more than 78,000 employees located in more than 1,500 offices and laboratories around the globe. Bureau Veritas helps its clients to improve their performance by offering services and innovative solutions in order to ensure that their assets, products, infrastructure and processes meet standards and regulations in terms of quality, health and safety, environmental protection and social responsibility.
Bureau Veritas is listed on Euronext Paris and belongs to the Next 20 index.
Compartment A, ISIN code FR 0006174348, stock symbol: BVI.
For more information, visit www.bureauveritas.com, and follow us on Twitter (@bureauveritas) and LinkedIn.
The head office for Bureau Veritas Southern Africa is based in Johannesburg; with branches in Cape Town, Centurion, Durban, and Pretoria; and laboratories in Cape Town, Centurion, Durban, Johannesburg, and Richards Bay.
For more information, visit www.bureauveritas.co.za/
Operating for over a decade now, redPanda Software specializes in creating customized solutions for the retail industry. Starting small, the company has expanded and grown to employ over 120 people now, with a complete training programme for interns to boot as well. The company has even expanded into working in the UK market, something we discuss in the recording here.
Gareth Hawkey, the CEO joins us to discuss the history of the company, it's expansion over time and how they got noticed in the UK. We also illuminate how the current covid-19 crisis has affected both their business and industry as well as some of the trends Gareth sees emerging from the ongoing health crisis...
redPanda Software has a decade of experience in developing customized software for the retail and financial industries. Working with clients in South Africa, Africa and the UK, they have built a reputation for producing the highest quality solutions whilst also providing skills, development and jobs for South African youth.
www.redpandasoftware.com
Online payment gateway PayFast has seen a 226% year-on-year increase in new business account registrations in the food industry since COVID-19 led restrictions were put in place in mid-March. In order to continue trading during the lockdown, many businesses have pivoted their product offering to provide essential goods, resulting in a significant spike in this sector.
“Our payment data supports this spike, showing that grocery stores, supermarkets and bakeries are among the retailers who have benefited the most during the first two weeks of lockdown with a 357% increase in sales,” says PayFast Managing Director, Jonathan Smit.
The lockdown has spurred further growth in the online purchasing and home delivery of pet-care products and essential goods for babies. “We’ve seen a three-fold and six-fold increase in the number of accounts registered in each industry compared to 2019,” says Smit.
Overall, PayFast has seen an 83% year-on-year increase in new business account registrations since the lockdown began; “These figures provide insight into how local businesses are evolving and leveraging the ecommerce space, to ensure they aren’t put out of business by the economic impact of COVID-19,” says Smit.
“The increase is a combination of brick and mortar stores selling essential goods online and ecommerce stores, who are still processing purchases and payments for delivery after the lockdown ends,” says Smit. “The online arms of businesses are keeping revenue streams flowing during this period.”
To accommodate increased data use at home, consumers have increased their packages with internet service providers; “We’ve seen a 135% uptake in payments within this sector, since the lockdown began,” says Smit. “We’re expecting this to increase with the additional two-week extension and uncertainty on when schools and universities will return to physical campuses.”
More than ever, South Africans are giving back to their communities and supporting those in need. “We’ve seen a 47% increase in cause account registrations since the announcement of the lockdown on 15 March. Additionally, our payment data shows a 136% increase in fundraising for charitable and social services,” says Smit.
While amusement and entertainment facilities have seen an 83% decline since the beginning of the lockdown, many South Africans are still supporting their local restaurants by purchasing vouchers to be redeemed for future appointments on purpose-built platforms such as Voucher Plan, Fund It Forward and Rally for your Bar and Restaurant. “Through strong client relationships and brand reputation, they’ve found an innovative way to be able to support their staff while their doors are closed,” says Smit.
Smit says that verifying new accounts is a priority for PayFast at this time. Their designated integration hotline is available to assist new merchants set up online payments quickly on their ecommerce platform over the lockdown period. “We want to help our clients get back on their feet as quickly as possible.”
https://www.payfast.co.za/
Let's be honest.....between our own economic issues and the global issues of Corona, we could all use a lift in these difficult times.
Despite the current doom and gloom (which seems appropriate to be honest), South Africa is poised to take advantage of a new and rapidly growing industry both locally and internationally, that of the Marijuana economy.
Marijuana has been illegal in the country since before Apartheid, and the laws opinion on the plant was carried over post 94. However in a South African context, this made no sense in the 90's and even less in todays times....
As the medical advantages have stacked up, so has the combating of prejudice against marijuana users (whether the user was doing so for spiritual/medical or entertainment purposes), in September 2018 the ConCourt ruled that current legislation on Marijuana legality needed to change.
In light of all these developments, we invited Stephen Smith and David Anderson to join us for a conversation on how the legalization of Marijuana will effect our economy. Enjoy
Stephens Company: https://onelove.africa/
Africa’s economy will grow faster than any other continent’s over the next five years and flexible working is a huge part of that future
The African workforce is mushrooming, and by 2035, its numbers will have increased by more than the rest of the world’s regions combined.1 According to World Bank analysts, this expanded working-age population could lead to a growth in GDP of up to 15 per cent – equivalent to doubling the current rate of growth in the region.2
The World Economic Forum is bullish on the economic possibilities. “This could dramatically raise labour productivity and per capita incomes, diversify [the] economy, and become an engine for stable economic growth, high-skilled talent and job creation for decades to come,” says Richard Samans and Saadia Zahidi, authors of The Future of Jobs and Skills in Africa.3
But of course, it’s not quite that simple. Only recently the International Labour Organisation warned that both sub-Saharan Africa and Northern Africa are facing challenges in terms of job creation, quality and sustainability.
Despite the creation of 37 million new and stable wage-paying jobs over the past decade, only 28 per cent of Africa’s labour force hold such positions, according to a McKinsey Global Institute report. Instead, some 63 per cent engage in some form of self-employment or ‘vulnerable employment’, such as subsistence farming or urban street hawking.4
Add to this the logistical difficulties for the stable wage-paying workers in actually getting to Africa’s urban centres. Millions in the continent’s congested cities endure long, difficult commutes. Kenya, Algeria and Central African Republic are notorious for their long commute times, while tech start-up WhereIsMytransport estimates that poor transport could cost South Africa’s economy a huge $104bn a year.5
The result is stagnation and emigration. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest emigration rate globally (1.5 per cent, against a global average of around 1 per cent, according to UN population statistics), due to a lack of decent work opportunities.
On the cusp of change
Yet change is coming. According to the World Economic Forum, Africa stands to benefit in a big way from the Fourth Industrial Revolution. While the First Industrial Revolution used water and steam power to mechanise production, the Second used electric power to create mass production, and the Third used electronics and IT to automate production – the Fourth fuses technologies such as AI, robotics, the Internet of Things, biotechnology and quantum computing.
Africa has already seen significant technological investment in its major cities, including increased access to mobile broadband, fibre-optic cable connections to households, and power-supply expansion. This, combined with the rapid spread of low-cost smartphones and tablets, has enabled millions of Africans to connect for the first time.6
And as the Fourth Industrial Revolution unfolds, Africa is poised to develop new patterns of working. In the same way that mobile phones have allowed some regions to bypass landline development and personal computers altogether, Africa may be uniquely positioned to jump straight past the adopted working model in other countries to a more liberated future of remote and flexible working.
The trend towards flexible working is capturing the attention of the global markets. International flexible workspace provider, IWG plc - operating under the Regus brand in Africa - is currently franchising in 21 countries on the African continent and are looking at expanding into the rest of Africa through a unique franchising model. This is the first time that a proven national serviced office proposition has ever entered the African franchise market.
The IWG franchise model offers landlords, private equity firms, multi-bran
In 2015, Siphamandla Bilitane started Crispy Crop, where he farms butternuts, watermelons, and tomatoes. His farm is 20 hectares in size.
Siphamandla and his team start their planting season on the 1st of July every year. “Butternut, watermelon, and tomatoes are planted for the local Cape Town Market and for Tiger Brands, tomatoes are planted in the first week of October and harvested in January.”
“I became a farmer to improve my livelihood and that of my family, and to create jobs and contribute to the Gross Domestic Product.”
Siphamandla currently employs two staff members.
Farming is not only Bilitane’s passion, but also his lifestyle. “The most important aspect of farming is the contribution I make to food security and creating jobs and opportunities for others.”
Siphamandla has not come across any stereotypes about being a farmer, but many see him being successful one day due to him being a responsible and hard-working person.
Siphamandla is part of the 2019 SAB Urban Agriculture Programme, and hopes to improve his business skills. “I would like to gain access to larger markets to grow my business and essentially create more jobs.”
Now in its second year, the Urban Agriculture Programme invests in high potential farming businesses, by integrating technology solutions that will grow the businesses and create lasting employment.
The 15-month business development programme provides participants with technical and operational training, hydroponic infrastructure investment, industry-based mentorship, as well as market access.
Some info on SAB Kickstart
Powered by SAB’s flagship youth entrepreneurship programme, SAB KickStart, the Urban Agriculture programme, which aims to identify and invest hydroponic technology into high potential farming businesses, has announced nine finalists who will receive training and investment to grow their farming businesses.
With Stats SA in October revealing that unemployment was at its highest level in 11 years, the programme aims to help create jobs through youth owned farms. Black African women are the most vulnerable, facing an unemployment rate of 34.5%, compared to black men with an unemployment rate of 31.3%. “We are happy that five out of the nine finalists are young black women,” said Phumzile Chifunyise, Enterprise Development Manager, SAB and AB InBev Africa.
An Enterprise Development programme, SAB KickStart is aimed at youth entrepreneurs aged 18 and 35. The programme has been running since 1995 to develop, invest, and grow revenue generating youth businesses in order to create jobs. Now in its second year, the Urban Agriculture programme invests in high potential farming businesses, by advancing farming businesses with technology that will grow the businesses and create lasting employment.
“As an organisation that is imbedded in agriculture, our intention is to attract young people to the sector by alleviating the high barriers to entry such as technical and operational resources.”
https://www.sabentrepreneurship.co.za/
Welile Gumede started Azowel Projects in 2018, where she grows tomatoes and cabbages. The farm is eight hectares in size.
“We plant tomatoes in tunnels and cabbage on the open field. Our daily operations consist of weeding, irrigating, pruning, harvesting, packaging, and delivery of produce to Enterprise iLembe, which is currently our biggest market.”
Welile saw a neglected farming space and decided to make use of it by creating work for herself and others in the community. “I love market availability and food security.”
Due to Welile not having any farming experience, many people thought that she would not be able to revive a farm.
Welile is part of the 2019 SAB Urban Agriculture Programme, and hopes to become a better farmer and learn from other, more experienced farmers.
Now in its second year, the Urban Agriculture Programme invests in high potential farming businesses, by integrating technology solutions that will grow the businesses and create lasting employment and sustainable businesses.
The 15-month Business Development Programme provides participants with technical and operational training, hydroponic infrastructure investment, industry-based mentorship, as well as market access.
Some info on SAB Kickstart
Powered by SAB’s flagship youth entrepreneurship programme, SAB KickStart, the Urban Agriculture programme, which aims to identify and invest hydroponic technology into high potential farming businesses, has announced nine finalists who will receive training and investment to grow their farming businesses.
With Stats SA in October revealing that unemployment was at its highest level in 11 years, the programme aims to help create jobs through youth owned farms. Black African women are the most vulnerable, facing an unemployment rate of 34.5%, compared to black men with an unemployment rate of 31.3%. “We are happy that five out of the nine finalists are young black women,” said Phumzile Chifunyise, Enterprise Development Manager, SAB and AB InBev Africa.
An Enterprise Development programme, SAB KickStart is aimed at youth entrepreneurs aged 18 and 35. The programme has been running since 1995 to develop, invest, and grow revenue generating youth businesses in order to create jobs. Now in its second year, the Urban Agriculture programme invests in high potential farming businesses, by advancing farming businesses with technology that will grow the businesses and create lasting employment.
“As an organisation that is imbedded in agriculture, our intention is to attract young people to the sector by alleviating the high barriers to entry such as technical and operational resources.”
https://www.sabentrepreneurship.co.za/
In 2018, Amanda Mpabanga became part of Mabogo Dinku Agricultural Cooperative, an urban farm where she grows vegetables such as spinach, beetroot, spring onions, and green beans. Amanda’s farm is 37.2 hectares, but 26.9 hectares of that is arable land.
Mabogo Dinku Agricultural Cooperative currently has six tunnels with a size of 250 square meters each. “We supply spinach and spring onion to FoodLovers in Greenstone and only spring onion to Pick n Pay in Brits.”
Amanda believes in Sustainable Development. “I have always been a vegetable gardener, but in a very limited space. I then decided to become a farmer to supply my family and others with fresh vegetables and make a living out of it as well.”
Amanda currently employs seven people and hopes to employ more as the business grows.
“I love the process of growing food from seed to consumable product. The science of seed sprouting, germinating and becoming a product to be consumed is what excites me about urban farming.”
“People believe that I am rich, which is one of the stereotypes about being a farmer. This is not the case, as the business has expenses to be paid on a regular basis.” Also, people think that being a farmer means wearing overalls and gumboots. “I often get people asking me “You a farmer?” when I introduce myself because I look different to what they think farmers are supposed to look like.”
Amanda is part of the 2019 SAB Urban Agriculture Programme, where she hopes to learn how to be consistent in supplying good quality produce and to build a strong rapport with her customers.
Now in its second year, the Urban Agriculture programme invests in high potential farming businesses, by integrating technology solutions that will grow the businesses and create lasting employment.
The 15-month business development programme provides participants with technical and operational training, hydroponic infrastructure investment, industry-based mentorship, as well as market access.
Some info on SAB Kickstart
Powered by SAB’s flagship youth entrepreneurship programme, SAB KickStart, the Urban Agriculture programme, which aims to identify and invest hydroponic technology into high potential farming businesses, has announced nine finalists who will receive training and investment to grow their farming businesses.
With Stats SA in October revealing that unemployment was at its highest level in 11 years, the programme aims to help create jobs through youth owned farms. Black African women are the most vulnerable, facing an unemployment rate of 34.5%, compared to black men with an unemployment rate of 31.3%. “We are happy that five out of the nine finalists are young black women,” said Phumzile Chifunyise, Enterprise Development Manager, SAB and AB InBev Africa.
An Enterprise Development programme, SAB KickStart is aimed at youth entrepreneurs aged 18 and 35. The programme has been running since 1995 to develop, invest, and grow revenue generating youth businesses in order to create jobs. Now in its second year, the Urban Agriculture programme invests in high potential farming businesses, by advancing farming businesses with technology that will grow the businesses and create lasting employment.
“As an organisation that is imbedded in agriculture, our intention is to attract young people to the sector by alleviating the high barriers to entry such as technical and operational resources.”
https://www.sabentrepreneurship.co.za/
We've got them rolling out this week, all the SAB Agriculture Finalists. This is number 4 of 10 for this week, we are joined by Katlego Meso for this recording, enjoy!
Katlego Meso started Katlego Malesa Farming in 2009, where he grows red cabbages, celery, peppers, and broccoli. The farm is 24 hectares in size, with 18 hectares being arable land.
“We plant 20,000 seedlings every two weeks until the targeting area of land is covered. Crop care is important since we farm on an open field. We supply produce to the Johannesburg Market.”
Katlego currently has eight employees, four of whom are permanent.
Katlego became a farmer because he enjoys feeling like he has accomplished a noble deed. “I love the freedom of doing what I love. Farming can create jobs and alleviate poverty.”
Katlego is part of the 2019 SAB Urban Agriculture Programme, and hopes to gain better insight of the business, farming skills and market access.
Now in its second year, the Urban Agriculture Programme invests in high potential farming businesses, by integrating technology solutions that will grow the businesses and create lasting employment and sustainable businesses.
The 15-month Business Development Programme provides participants with technical and operational training, hydroponic infrastructure investment, industry-based mentorship, as well as market access.
Some info on SAB Kickstart
Powered by SAB’s flagship youth entrepreneurship programme, SAB KickStart, the Urban Agriculture programme, which aims to identify and invest hydroponic technology into high potential farming businesses, has announced nine finalists who will receive training and investment to grow their farming businesses.
With Stats SA in October revealing that unemployment was at its highest level in 11 years, the programme aims to help create jobs through youth owned farms. Black African women are the most vulnerable, facing an unemployment rate of 34.5%, compared to black men with an unemployment rate of 31.3%. “We are happy that five out of the nine finalists are young black women,” said Phumzile Chifunyise, Enterprise Development Manager, SAB and AB InBev Africa.
An Enterprise Development programme, SAB KickStart is aimed at youth entrepreneurs aged 18 and 35. The programme has been running since 1995 to develop, invest, and grow revenue generating youth businesses in order to create jobs. Now in its second year, the Urban Agriculture programme invests in high potential farming businesses, by advancing farming businesses with technology that will grow the businesses and create lasting employment.
“As an organisation that is imbedded in agriculture, our intention is to attract young people to the sector by alleviating the high barriers to entry such as technical and operational resources.”
https://www.sabentrepreneurship.co.za/
We are back for our 2nd series of Podcasts with years SAB Kickstart Finalists! In contrast to last year where the finalists were dispersed across many different industries, this year everyone is a farmer and we are delighted here at eBizRadio to be able to interview them all. Here is the 2nd interview with Khutso Njenga...Enjoy!
Khutso Njenga became part of TechFarma in 2018, where he produces cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes in greenhouse tunnels. His farm is 24 hectares in size.
Khutso cultivates his produce using the hydroponic system – a method used to grow vegetables in a water based, nutrient rich solution. “Each tunnel is 300 square meters and has approximately 700 plants.”
A daily task for Khutso is to check the water for pH levels and plants for insects. “We check our water daily to make sure that our electrical conductivity (EC) and pH (potential of Hydrogen) levels are correct.”
On Wednesdays, Khutso and his team harvest 3,750 cucumbers and delivers them to the Fresh Produce Market in Tshwane.
“I became a farmer to create jobs for others, and to make sure people have access to fresh, nutritious, and affordable vegetables. This is also what I love about farming as I get to wake up every day and know that I produced good food for others.”
Khutso currently employs four permanent and two part-time staff.
One stereotype Khutso has come across is that “people assume that farming or to be a farmer is easy”.
Khutso is part of the 2019 SAB Urban Agriculture Programme, and hopes to gain an understanding of how to access the corporate market.
Now in its second year, the Urban Agriculture Programme invests in high potential farming businesses, by integrating technology solutions that will grow the businesses and create lasting employment.
The 15-month business development programme provides participants with technical and operational training, hydroponic infrastructure investment, industry-based mentorship, as well as market access.
Some info on SAB Kickstart
Powered by SAB’s flagship youth entrepreneurship programme, SAB KickStart, the Urban Agriculture programme, which aims to identify and invest hydroponic technology into high potential farming businesses, has announced nine finalists who will receive training and investment to grow their farming businesses.
With Stats SA in October revealing that unemployment was at its highest level in 11 years, the programme aims to help create jobs through youth owned farms. Black African women are the most vulnerable, facing an unemployment rate of 34.5%, compared to black men with an unemployment rate of 31.3%. “We are happy that five out of the nine finalists are young black women,” said Phumzile Chifunyise, Enterprise Development Manager, SAB and AB InBev Africa.
An Enterprise Development programme, SAB KickStart is aimed at youth entrepreneurs aged 18 and 35. The programme has been running since 1995 to develop, invest, and grow revenue generating youth businesses in order to create jobs. Now in its second year, the Urban Agriculture programme invests in high potential farming businesses, by advancing farming businesses with technology that will grow the businesses and create lasting employment.
“As an organisation that is imbedded in agriculture, our intention is to attract young people to the sector by alleviating the high barriers to entry such as technical and operational resources.”
https://www.sabentrepreneurship.co.za/
You might think we are hurtling down the road into the silly season but, in fact, now is the time to get serious about talking jobs for next year and decades to come, says Andy Searle, CEO of BPESA, the industry body for the Global Business Services (GBS) sector in South Africa. BPESA is organising the GBS Investor Conference & Awards in Durban from 19 to 21 November.
The conference’s central theme is Re-Imagining 2030. It challenges participants to look creatively at the gaps in our economy where there is comfortable room for investment projects and for corporates and markets to grow.
South Africa is already one of the hottest beneficiaries of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Global Business Services (GBS). GBS facilitates international outsourcing, allowing companies to take their service departments offshore. They can, for example, retain their base on the other side of the world but still offer a local service to clients in countries such as South Africa.
“New thinking like this is what keeps us competitive,” says Searle. “It applies as much to our economy and its products as it does to our world-beating Springbok team.
“I have long been fascinated by how sport is a living, breathing example of the values of fast thinking and slow planning, disciplined training and the need to surprise the opposition,” he adds. “When you think about the strategic thinking and deep commitment to training and preparation that is required, you realise that sport is like a template that we can reapply in our business lives to guide our strategies creatively.”
That bold approach is what has made President Ramaphosa’s South Africa Investment Conferences so successful. There were those who said his SONA 2018 announcement of a target of R1.2 trillion in investment over five years was breathtakingly audacious.
But in October 2018, the first South Africa Investment Conference scooped pledges of R300 billion, helping FDI in South Africa to a five-year high that year. A United Nations Conference on Trade & Development (UNCTAD) report calculated that this was a massive 446 percent leap in FDI compared to 2017.
In its Realising The Vision report, PwC estimated that this would add R338 billion to South Africa’s GDP over the five years from 2019 to 2024. In the process, says PwC, this should create 165 000 direct and indirect jobs on average per year and a further R59 billion in revenue for the government.
Looking further ahead, to the 10 years from 2025 to 2035, this initial investment tranche would enable potential production worth about R468.8 billion, says PwC. This in turn would add about R505 billion to South Africa’s GDP, plus creating or sustaining about 116 000 direct and indirect jobs on average per year. Revenue of about R133 billion would accrue to government.
Now the second South Africa Investment Conference in November 2019 has topped the 2018 outcome with R363 billion in investment pledges, building on the successes of 2018.
Investment is vital to break the logjam of South Africa’s slow-growing economy and high unemployment, which hit 29 percent in the third quarter of this year. Of the 38.4 million people of working age in South Africa, Stats SA says that 6.7 million are jobless.
But there are positive indicators. We have already seen the GBS sector put on a further 53 000 jobs. This sector had the highest increase in employment numbers across the South African economy, according to Stats SA in June 2019. BPESA forecasts that South Africa has huge potential for GBS growth and could add 50 000 direct jobs over the next five years, plus another 150 000 indirect jobs. Of the above , 85 % of that were jobs for our youth ( 18 to 35 years)
GBS jobs are already being created in the Western Cape as well as KwaZulu-Natal, with Gauteng now following suit. These jobs are mostly in telecom
It has been a very busy October and November, both for eBizRadio and for Sylvia, but we are back for a new segment of eBizFinance!
Today Sylvia joins us to discuss how health and healthcare affect both a person's as well as a family's cash flow and overall stability.....
A sudden unexpected medical cost can be crippling in the 21st century, many people - especially in a African wide context- simply cannot afford full healthcare plans provided by private insurers, we discuss this and the options to circumnavigate this pitfall.
Additionally, people are living longer, chronic care for 2+ decades is not that uncommon anymore, this has dramatically changed the healthcare insurance landscape, something we dwell on as well!
Take a listen!