Current Edition >> Archive Section >> Special Features >> Dec / Jan 2003
The Premier's Award for Export Excellence was held on 22 November 2002 at the Floreat Hall in the Bram Fischer Building, Bloemfontein. The prestigious event was attended by 160 invited guests. Guest of honour and guest speaker was the national Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, while the Premier, Ms Winkie Direko, delivered the opening address. The Premier's Awards are presented annually in acknowledgement of the outstanding efforts by Free State exporters to promote and to contribute to this vital sector of the economy of South Africa.
This is the fourth year that this event has been arranged and exporters and potential exporters within the boundaries of the Free State were invited to take part. At the gala evening, participants also exhibited their products.
Five trophies were awarded to the overall winner and four category winners, while a number of other excellers received merit awards.
SA Truck Bodies is based in Bloemfontein and has become a significant player in the global transport industry. Manufacturing trailors, tankers, tippers and transport equipment, S A Truck Bodies has a national netwerk of services for repairs, rental and selling of trailers and tankers. Their exports have shown adaptability, awareness and exemplary focus on the development of foreign business.
Contact details : Mr. C. van Zyl (Export Manager)
Tel: 051 409 1748, Fax: 051 409 1737, Email: charl@satb.co.za
Denmar Estates (Pty) Ltd
Nature of business: Producer, manufacturer and exporter of fresh, frozen and processed agricultural products. Situated in Slabberts in the Eastern Free State.
Contact details:
Mr. D. Osler (Managing Director)
Tel: 058 303 2149, Fax: 058 303 6636, Email: russel@denbi.com, Website: www.denbi.com
EAC Tannery
Nature of business: Tanning of wet blue and wet white Bovine hides for the automotive industry. Based at Wolwehoek, Sasolburg.
Contact details:
Mrs. T. Terblanche (Managing Director) Tel: 016 972 1802, Fax: 016 972 2282, Email: wolfhide@mweb.co.za, Website: www.eac-group.co.za
SA Gems & Crafts is based in Welkom and is manufacturing tumble stones and ornaments out of semi-precious stones. They are exporting to the following countries: Europe, USA and Canada and have opened an office in the Czech Republic to improve their distribution functions.
Contact details:
Mr. JAJ. Bezuidenhout (Director/Owner),
Tel: 057 388 3773, Fax: 057 388 3773, Email: sagems@xsinet.co.za
Snell Africa Marketing (Pty) Ltd
Nature of business: Marketing, sales and after sales service of maize and wheat milling machines and equipment. Based at Kroonstad.
Contact details:
Ms. L. Modise (Sales Executive),
Tel: 056 212 2697, Fax: 056 212 2696, Email: sales@snell.co.za,
Website: www.snell.co.za
This project consists of 100 black farmers who previously had no work. They are producing apples, which are packed and then exported. Each farmer has his own allocated hectare of apples. The project last year received the National Peace Garden Award for the best development project for upcoming commercial farmers in the country.
Contact details:
Mr. H Pheko (Manager: Apple Project),
Tel: 058 303 0560, Fax: 058 303 0558, Email: apples@otk.co.za
Glasstudio Trust
Nature of business: Manufacturer of wire, glass and bead items for the
curio and dιcor markets. Based in Jagersfontein
Contact details:
Mrs. G. Vermaak (Trustee),
Tel: 051 724 0259, Fax: 051 724 0259, Email: gillian@shisas.comNew
Free State Distillers is producing top quality cream liqueur. They have done intensive research and discovered that there is a big potential market in the USA. Samples were tested and they received a positive response. Their export focus is to create and establish an international recognized brand that can compete in the international market. This company is based in Petrusburg.
Contact details:
Mr. L Smith (Owner),
Tel: 053 832 4030, Fax: 053 832 4030, Email: itrade@kingsley.co.za
Salem Ceramics
Nature of business: Manufacturer of pottery and ceramic products. Based in Steynsrus.
Contact details:
Mrs. S Wild (Owner),
Tel: 056 471 0078/9, Fax: 056 471 0401, Email: salem@gcs.co.za
During the past year, Khula's Equity Fund, whose aim is to ensure equitable access to risk capital by viable small and medium enterprises (SME's), has proved to be a highly versatile and successful tool. It is expected that in 2003 the success rate at the Khula Equity Fund would be stepped up considerably.
First of all, in line with its belief that SME's need not only be given finance and then left alone to fend for themselves, Khula offers pre-and post funding support and relevant technical assistance to investee companies. The type of investment vehicle differs from one business venture to another. Khula normally provides equity funding or a combination of equity and debt funding in the form of a shareholder's loan. In some instances, Khula may invest in pure equity in return for a shareholding or in a debt that can be converted into equity at the option of Khula. Other commonly used vehicles are preference shares, redeemable debentures, and equity investments with warrants attached. At the end of the investment term, which is between three to seven years, Khula would want to "exit " the investment made by way of the sale of its shares to the promoter or to any other party.
The Fund targets viable businesses run and managed by people from previously disadvantaged communities. Funding may be for a transfer of ownership of existing businesses or the expansion or acquisition of an existing one. The Fund also considers investments in joint ventures and new businesses that offer substantial job creation prospects and a fair return on capital investment.
Size of investment : The investment made by Khula in any company will range from R250 000 to R2,5 million.
Financial viability : Investment projects must exhibit, through realistic projections, capital growth and an exit plan for Khula, as well as the potential for achieving an attractive rate of return.
Innovation : The Fund will tend to favour investment in businesses that have an innovative product or service.
Patient capital : The Fund seeks longer-term (3-7 years) investments.
Ownership : Projects must be owned and managed by South African citizens.
Social benefits : Projects must generally result in ownership residing in or transferring to members of previously disadvantaged communities.
Industry diversification : The Fund investments will cover a broad range of businesses in a variety of industries. However, as a risk management tool, no more than 20% of the funds will be invested in any one industry.
Board representation : The Fund will always require participation on the board.
Equity stake : Investments typically result in the fund owning a 26% to 49% minority share position depending on the valuation of the company and the amount of capital sought.
Own contribution : The promoter is required to make a financial contribution to the project commensurate to its level of risk and his / her financial ability.
Realising the potential the tourism industry in the Free State holds to create jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities and thus assisting in raising the standard of living, the Free State Department of Tourism, Environmental and Economic Affairs is undertaking various initiatives in order to facilitate achievements in this respect. One of these initiatives is a fully-fledged program to train tourism trainers and tour guides.
With such training the Department seeks to improve capacity of young people in order for them to play a meaningful role in the economy of the country. The tourism industry has been selected for this training program because of its vibrancy and growth potential.
Selection and Criteria
The selection of candidates to be trained, was done according to the following criteria :
Geographic spread in the Free State
Young persons up to ±30 years
Mixed gender
Unemployed at the time
Intelligence, acumen and understanding of the industry
Entrepreneurial material
After a thorough selection process, 16 candidates eventually succesfully completed the course.
Training and Graduation
The training of the selected candidates was duly targeted and structured and conducted in terms of the National Qualifications Framework, Level 4. The actual provision of the training was done on behalf of the Department of Tourism, Environmental and Economic Affairs by a qualified and respected training academy, with the courses accredited with SAQA and the relevant Seta, THETA.
The purpose of graduation in this respect could be summed up as follows :
Due recognition for the successful candidates
Enabling to be taken up into public-private partnerships
To facilitate funding for entrepreneurship
Keep the persons concerned in the tourism industry
Graduation ceremony
At the graduation ceremony, held at Philip Sanders Resort near Bloemfontein on 29 November 2002, the Director of Tourism, Mr Tseko Liphokojoe, said :
"This is a proud moment in the history of the tourism industry of the Free State as it is evidence of the transformation of the tourism industry. Tourist guides are a critical fibre of the industry as they are the linkage between our products and those consumers that visit the Province. The challenge we face today in the Free State, and indeed the entire country is to ensure that the tourism growth that we are presently experiencing, is benefiting the broader spectrum of our people, especially the Previously Disadvantaged Communities (PDC's). In facing the challenges of ensuring that service levels in the industry are maintained and improved, the Department will not lose sight of the principles of Responsible Tourism".
To the graduates : Grab this opportunity and make a better life for yourselves ! Remember, that if you work as a unit the possibilities of reaping more from your efforts are even greater. Well done for the good job you have accomplished ! We can only anticipate more good things to come from all of you".
Public / Private partnership
Through a partnership development programme with the private sector, the Department is effecting after care programmes that will facilitate linkage between emerging entrepreneurs and established entrepreneurs. The Department therefore calls on the latter to utilize these graduates for any relevant service - their names and contact particulars are being given in this feature.
Next program and enquiries
The next training program to be presented by the Directorate of Tourism is to cover another field in tourism service and entrepreneurship early in 2003. Enquiries to Jack Ntsane at (051) 430 8206.
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