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Published by tasch, 2019-04-24 09:12:49

Made in SA April 2019

Keywords: SA,South Africa,South Africa Business,Business magazine,online magazine,Business,Home design,music,Sunday Times

MADE INSA BUMPER
CROP

CAN AGRICULTURE
DELIVER ANOTHER
RECORD YEAR?

APRIL 2019 MAKING IT
WORK SUCCESSES,

CHALLENGES AND
OPPORTUNITIES IN
SOUTH AFRICA TODAY

A front
row seat
for local
furniture

GETTING CONNECTED

What happened to the
national broadband plan?

LESSER-KNOWN

Tourist
spot s

Plus FROM HANDBAGS TO HIGH FASHION,
LEADING LOCAL LUXURY BRANDS TO TRY





Sappi – a leading VERVE
global provider of
sustainable woodfibre
products and solutions

VERVE – SAPPI’S DISSOLVING
WOOD PULP PRODUCT

A South African producer with a truly global impact.
Utilising Sappi’s extensive forestry in South Africa and
pulp production facilities at Umkomaas and Ngodwana,
the company produces a very special wood pulp, which for the
most part becomes fabric or textiles. As its name suggests,
this pulp is dissolved and regenerated into a fibre (viscose or
Lyocell) that is then spun out into a yarn. This yarn is then further
processed through the value chain into fabric and garments.

With a 16% global market share of dissolving wood pulp, Sappi
is one of the largest producers in the world and has a reputation
as a market leader in this sector. Not only is the company one
of the largest producers, it also carries strong sustainability
credentials. More than just from an environmental perspective: a
complete people, planet, prosperity sustainability approach with
a view to helping make tomorrow better than today. This sets the
company apart, not only from other fibre sources (non-wood),
but also amongst its competitors within the dissolving
wood pulp arena. A strong sustainability story,
coupled with an exceptional reputation within
a steadily growing market, assures the
company’s current and future success.

CCOONNTATACCTTDDEETATAILISLS

SaSpappipHi HeaedadOOffifcfiece
101808OOxfxofrodrdRoRaodadRoRsoesbeabnakn,k,
JoJhoahnannensebsubrugrg
TeTle+l 2+727(0()01) 11140470781811111

wwwwww.s.asappppi.ic.ocomm

PACKAGING SAPPI ULTRAFLUTE

At Ngodwana Mill in Nelspruit and Tugela Mill in Mandini,
Sappi Paper and Paper Packaging also produce a range of
containerboard products (virgin liner, semi-chemical fluting and
test liner) used in the manufacture of cardboard boxes. Farmers
and converters want to ensure that fresh produce is delivered
unscathed throughout the supply chain, but they also need
packaging that is versatile, value-for-money, environmentally-
friendly and sustainable. Sappi’s Ultraflute, for example, is used for
high-end, heavy-duty agricultural and industrial packaging.
Sappi’s paper packaging solution not only provides strength,
but also high humidity performance and convertibility. Attributes
required by the rigorous demands of the supply chain and,

particularly, citrus farming operations. From harvesting to
packaging, transportation, cold storage and final point-of-sale,

packaging needs to help ensure product freshness.
But strength and performance are not the only requirements
for sustainable, quality packaging. Manufacturing processes

aimed at protecting our planet are equally important.
To this end, the packaging raw material supplied by

Sappi is made from sustainable, renewable resources.
This means the fibre used in the company’s pulp and

paper production processes is derived solely from
sustainably-managed plantations; never from
indigenous or rain forests.



42

38

CONTENTS APRIL 2019

6 THE OPTIMISTIC VIEW 29 DRIVING INTO THE FUTURE 38
It's a crazy year in South Africa, so step back Is our car industry ready for
and think about some of the positive things electric vehicles? 24
going on 29
30 WHAT DO WE DRIVE?
8 BUYING LOCAL And more importantly, where is it made?
It’s tough to compete with cheap imports, but
these are the manufacturers who can 32 A RECORD YEAR
How agriculture is fighting the odds
13 SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES to improve exports
What’s the best way to ensure more local
entrepreneurs succeed? 34 IT’S WHISKY’S TURN
After craft beer and gin, what’s next?
19 TOP TAILORING
World-class designers with strong South 37 DELICIOUSLY DIVERSE
African roots As a multicultural nation, we have
many regional food specialities
20 TAKE A SEAT
Why isn’t the furniture industry thriving? 38 5 LITTLE LUXURIES
Homegrown must-haves
23 MEET THE INNOVATORS
The companies bringing the fourth industrial 42 SPREADING OUT
revolution home Places that are untapped
for tourism
24 GETTING CONNECTED
What’s next for high-speed broadband in SA? 47 TREADING THE BOARDS
Government wants to
37 build a national theatre.
Performers are not so sure

51 SPEAKING THE
LANGUAGE
Improving access to local
language books

MADE IN SA 5

FROM THE EDITOR

THE SAMADE IN

OPTIMISTIC PUBLISHED BY

VIEW A Tiso Blackstar Group Business
Picasso Headline
All over South Africa, there are
businesses and initiatives that 13th Floor, 2 Long Street, Cape Town, 8001
are focused on bringing people Tel: +27 21 469 2400 Fax: +27 86 682 2926
together and growing the
economy for the better, and www.businessmediamags.co.za
it’s good to take a break and remember that
many of them have been around for years, and EDITORIAL
will continue to grow and expand their work Editor: Adam Oxford
even in uncertain times. Content Manager: Raina Julies
Copy Editor: Brenda Bryden
In this annual supplement, Made in SA, we’ve looked for those examples of Senior Content Co-ordinator:
businesses, large and small, that are growing and generating employment and
opportunities, each contributing in their own way to building the nation. Nazley Anderson
Contributors: Nafisa Akabor, Katherine Graham,
What we’ve found is that there are untapped industries as disparate as recycling
(page 13), fashion (19), luxury goods (38) and manufacturing (8), for example, Dale Hes, Biénne Huisman, Mpho Lukoto,
and plenty of entrepreneurs are looking at the fourth industrial revolution to Masibulele Lunika, Anthony Sharpe,
start building those companies that will excel in emerging technologies (23).
Tiisetso Tlelima, Anna Trapido, Lisa Witepski
Farmers are making the most of the relatively weak rand and high perceptions
DESIGN
of South African produce to export more and more every year (32), bringing in Art Director: Janine Wait
Advert Designer: Bulelwa Sotashe
vital foreign currency. And while visitors to the Kruger Park over the winter period
Cover images:
might feel that things are getting a little cramped at tourist hotspots, more and Supplied

"THERE ARE more efforts are being made to raise the profile SALES
BUSINESSES AND of those places with big potential, which are – at Project Manager: Roderick Mulowa
INITIATIVES THAT the moment – just off the beaten track (42). [email protected] | Tel: +27 21 469 2504
ARE FOCUSED ON Sales: Khwezi Kondlo, Nangomso Swazi
BRINGING PEOPLE There are reasons to be optimistic, in other
TOGETHER AND words. But there’s also a lot of realism to PRODUCTION
GROWING THE go around. Plans for a new national theatre, Production Editor: Shamiela Brenner
ECONOMY FOR announced by the finance minister during this Advert Co-ordinator: Johan Labuschagne
THE BETTER." year’s budget, were received by the performing
arts community somewhat less enthusiastically Distribution: Shumiera Fredericks
than might be expected (47). Our auto industry, [email protected]
Tel +27 21 469 2400
which is of vital importance to the economy, is in danger of falling behind Printing: Paarl Media Gauteng

global demand for low-emission vehicles if changes to start investing in new MANAGEMENT
Senior Bookkeeper: Deidre Musha
technologies aren’t made now (29). Business Manager: Lodewyk van der Walt

There’s no denying that South Africa still has big problems and a lot to deal General Manager, Magazines:
with over the next few years. But it’s good to remember that no matter how Jocelyne Bayer
intractable some of those problems seem to be, there are always reasons to
celebrate the country in which we live. Copyright: Picasso Headline. No portion of this magazine
may be reproduced in any form without written consent
Adam Oxford
EDITOR of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for
unsolicited material. The opinions expressed are not
necessarily those of Picasso Headline. All advertisements/
advertorials have been paid for and therefore do not carry

an endorsement by the publisher.

6 MADE IN SA



M A N U FAC T U R I N G

SUPPORT
LOCAL,

BUY SOUTH AFRICAN

Dale Hes asks what companies need to do

to encourage more people to buy South

African and give local industries a boost

I t’s one thing to make things in South Africa, and quite another to sell But possibly the biggest
them. Local firms face a complex set of challenges getting goods to
market, not least around power distribution and corruption within problem is the continued, rising
the networks that should support them. And even when they do get
influx of cheap illegal imports

flooding the market.

into the shops and malls, there’s the overwhelming impact of cheap “Companies falsify import

imports to contend with. documents and land equivalent

In a highly competitive and oversaturated environment, the rate of failure goods for less than the real

for small South African businesses is high (see page 13). Proudly South price, flooding our market

African, the well-known organisation dedicated to promoting and endorsing with cheap products and

local companies, has found that the obstacles facing these companies are undercutting homemade

often too numerous to overcome. goods,” says Graham.

“Not all companies are focused on exporting, and so if there is no Proudly South African

local market for many of our goods and services, then companies simply currently boasts a membership

cannot survive,” explains Proudly South African public relations manager of more than 1 500 members,

Deryn Graham. “Without the government, local companies and consumers whose products or services Small business owner Esther Mello with her
bear the distinctive tick and proudly South African products.
purchasing local goods and services, how else can a manufacturer or small

producer even exist, let alone grow and sustain jobs.” South African flag logo. In

Graham says that one of the major problems for South African companies March, the Buy Local Summit highlighted many of the issues facing local

is the perception that products or companies, but also opened opportunities for small manufacturers to connect

services are either too expensive or “NOT ALL COMPANIES with government and large corporates.

of inferior quality. ARE FOCUSED ON Esther Mello is the owner of Memuka Plastic Mats, a small Mamelodi-based

“This is simply not the case. We EXPORTING, AND SO manufacturer of traditional mats, established in 2018. At the Buy Local

produce a wide range of products IF THERE IS NO LOCAL Summit, Mello entered into discussions with corporate supergiant AbInBev to

in all price brackets and although MARKET FOR MANY start supplying them with products.

some consumers don’t hesitate to OF OUR GOODS AND “Like many companies, we have struggled FAST FACT
spend thousands of rands for Gucci SERVICES, THEN to find our way into markets. The summit is so
clothing, they baulk at spending COMPANIES SIMPLY valuable as it provides huge opportunities to start There are 368 companies
R950 for high-quality jeans by CANNOT SURVIVE.” talking with big companies and get discussions currently listed on the JSE.
underway. It is very exciting,” Mello says.
Tshepo the Jeanmaker, for example.” – DERYN GRAHAM (Source: JSE)

8 MADE IN SA

Photo: Lasher Photo: Proudly South African

12

Photo: Proudly South African Photo: Proudly South African

Images: iStockphoto and Supplied 34 5

1. Ian Kendal, managing director of tool company Lasher. THE KEYS TO SUCCESS FOR SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESSES
2. The opening of the 2019 Proudly South African Buy Local Summit.
3. Proudly South African CEO Eustace Mashimbye. Itself the single biggest procurer of products and services in South Africa,
4. Small manufacturers have golden opportunities to find business with government and the government has long trumpeted the importance of supporting local
businesses. But, as Kendal explains, a conducive business environment for
large corporates at the Buy Local Summit. local companies is still a long way from being achieved.
5. The BMW X3, a South African manufactured car that has become a worldwide success.
“Government is trying, but corruption is definitely something that has
THE CHALLENGE TO STAY PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN to be dealt with. We need the government to do whatever it can to support
local industry and create jobs. Otherwise we will become like so many other
In a constrained economic environment, even South Africa’s countries – a nation of shopkeepers selling other countries’ products. You start
powerhouse companies are not immune from the challenges faced employing maybe 20 per cent of the staff you used to. Now how will that help
locally. A glance at the JSE’s performance in 2018 is a stark indication job creation and the economy?”
of this. The year was the worst in a decade for JSE stocks, with the
All-Share Index dropping by 11 per cent. Proudly South African’s Graham says that South African companies must
compete with the ever-expanding might of international brands by correctly
Lasher Tools – a privately-owned firm established in 1928 – is targeting their markets.
the largest domestic manufacturer and supplier of hand tools in the
agriculture, construction, mining, DIY and gardening sectors. Over the “They need above all to be competitive in their own sector/price bracket.
years, Lasher has seen many competing companies fall by the wayside, SA manufacturers make high-end expensive consumer goods as well as cheap,
says managing director Ian Kendal. “There used to be six or seven similar budget items so they must appeal and market themselves to the correct
companies in South Africa. But with the pressures that have come and target market audiences. They must provide good value for money and good
the world becoming smaller, doors to places like the Far East have been service. They must also demonstrate a willingness to purchase from other local
blown wide open. Everyone has been drawn into the commodity trap suppliers and in that way, others will buy from them.”
where everything is being sourced overseas cheap and, unfortunately, a
lot of businesses have had to close their doors,” says Kendal. GOVERNMENT’S ROLE IN BUYING LOCAL

Lasher’s roots are firmly based in South Africa, coinciding with As the country’s largest procurer of goods and services, the
the gold rush on the Witwatersrand. Since the 1930s, the company government is obligated to support local businesses.
has focused on sourcing everything it can locally, and its emphasis is
strongly on supplying the local market. The General Procurement Guidelines comprise five pillars, with
the fifth focused on supporting SMMEs.
“South Africa is where we started, so we have been intensely focused
here. Our success here has led us to expand into Africa and we have Government states that this pillar is “vital to public sector
established a separate export department. Fortunately, we come from procurement in South Africa” and that “no public procurement system
a strong base and have a reputation for quality. If it carries the Lasher should be operated if it is not founded on this pillar.”
brand, it has to be of quality, and our clients know that,” Kendal says.
The pillar’s aim is to (a) advance the development of SMMEs and
Kendal says that in addition to competing with cheap imports at historically disadvantaged individuals; (b) promote women and
home, local companies find it difficult to expand into overseas markets. physically handicapped people; (c) create new jobs; (d) promote local
enterprises in specific provinces, in a particular region, in a specific
“Our competitors overseas do not have to deal with huge increases in local authority, or in rural areas; and (e) support the local product. ■
electricity tariffs, or with the current massive difficulties with unstable
power supply. They also do not have to face hefty staff wage increases.”

MADE IN SA 9

CLASSIC VALUES



“Spog” in Afrikaans means “boast” and we at SPOG Africa are so proud of
our products and the incredible women who make them, that we can’t
help but boast about it.

As wholesale distributors of locally manufactured promotional and corporate gifts, and
proud social entrepreneurs, we at SPOG Africa understand the importance of being active and
ethical participants in our community. We have seen rst-hand the positive impact working
hand-in-hand with, and supporting our local arts and craft artists has on local industry, and
the pivotal role this support plays in empowering and uplifting previously disadvantaged
communities. Our wide array of exclusive, handmade gifts has a uniquely South African touch
and are proudly locally manufactured, making us the ideal choice when it comes to socially
conscious purchases.
Our bespoke and uniquely South African handmade products make SPOG a one stop shop
when it comes to sourcing local manufactured corporate and promotional gifts. Whether you’re
looking for conference bags, exclusive gifts, beaded products, home décor or linen, we have
something for you for every occasion. Our diverse range of gifts include carefully crafted and
exquisitely detailed ceramics, vibrant and colourful beaded bowls, placemats, keyrings,
handmade notebooks, Shweshwe and African design conference bags, to name but a few.
Social consciousness plays a big role with what makes SPOG unique, and we do our utmost to
contribute towards community and social upliftment. By ensuring that all our products are
locally manufactured, we’re giving numerous micro industries and small businesses across South
Africa, access to the market. Women empowerment is something that is extremely important
to us as proud proponents of women empowerment, we’re prioritising the upliftment of
previously disadvantaged women in our local communities. We believe in continuous social
investment by striving to give back to the community and ensuring that the women we work
with form an important and valued part of everything we do as a company.
We at SPOG see the value and importance of skills transfer and as such we also o er an NQF
level 1 certi cate training for women in sewing skills development. This is an exciting oppor-
tunity for corporate companies who want to uplift and economically empower women in
rural areas and within the communities they operate in.
Through SPOG Africa, corporate companies can nancially assist with the training of these
women as part of their Enterprise Development spend or can support us by purchasing our
products through their Supplier Development Channel.

Enquiries: [email protected]

Filly Leather is a BRAND that designs, manufactures and sells globally appealing, lifestyle
leather products at reasonable prices. While giving hope to the hopeless and by employing
the unemployed.

M A N U FAC T U R I N G

SUPPORTING
SMALL BUSINESSES
We know that growing the number of small
businesses is vital for creating jobs and
stimulating growth, says Adam Oxford,
but how do we do that, exactly?

As he prepares to open a new waste management site in Mthatha Riversands Incubation Hub.
in the Eastern Cape, Apple Green founder Langa Sangoni reflects
on what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur in South Africa Riversands is an unusual space: built by Century Property Developments as
today. Although his company is currently expanding rapidly, part of a development area that now includes a Makro, a farmers’ market and
and has operations in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the more, the area was untouched veldt land five years ago.

Eastern Cape, it’s not been an easy journey getting here. It cost Century half-a-billion rand to put in the infrastructure for the area
and build and staff the Incubation Hub, but today it’s home to 165 firms
“We started out in 2007,” Sangoni says. “So we’ve been in the sector for who all benefit from low rental workshops and office spaces, access to
facilities including boardrooms and an auditorium, and specialised business
12 years. But the original company failed, and we development services.

restarted it just six years ago.” Jenny Retief is the CEO of Riversands. She says that what the organisation
offers entrepreneurs has changed a lot in the few years since the hub opened.
Langa’s vision is of a “zero waste” world, and
Riversands focuses on businesses that are up and running, but haven’t
Apple Green provides separation at source and yet hit the stage where they are growing fast or are investment ready. It’s the
phase of an entrepreneur’s journey where there’s the least amount of support
recycling services that aim to reuse as much of the
>available, and where most end up quitting.
stuff we throw away as possible. His customers
The Apple Green Team.
reduce what they send to landfill because Langa will

compost or turn into fuel-stock for energy as much

of the waste that cannot be recycled as it can.

The firm also provides renewable energy

solutions, and is an internationally certified

carbon footprint analyst. LANGA SANGONI
“Sustainability is a big issue across the globe,”

Sangoni says. “We help clients to reduce their carbon footprint and provide

monthly reports on our impact for managing waste. With the carbon tax

coming in this year, it’s also a way to help reduce costs.”

In the last four years, Green Apple has grown from five employees to

107. It’s exactly the kind of innovative, forward-looking, small and growing

business that South Africa needs lots of if economic growth is going to get

Images: Supplied back on track.

Developing businesses such as these, however, takes time, effort and

investment. Langa was one of the first tenants, for example, at the Riversands

Incubation Hub, based just outside the Diepsloot township in Gauteng.

MADE IN SA 13

M A N U FAC T U R I N G

Helping Hands

According to figures from the Department of Small Business Development, Fast Fact

only 37 per cent of firms make it to their fourth year. although half of south africans believe they have the skills
to start a business, only 10.1 per cent have “entrepreneurial
The scale of Riversands’ work and the variety of businesses operating intentions”. that’s down from almost 30 per cent in 2010.
entrepreneurial activity is 2.5 times higher in the rest of africa.
there, provide an almost unique insight into how to support these
(source: Global entrepreneurship monitor, south africa Report 2016/2017)
businesses, and Retief says that what it offers has changed a lot since it

began its work.

“We started out with a classic incubation

model, a set journey through which a

business would go to build capacity,” Retief

says. “That didn’t work terribly well. We

found ourselves acting as compliance and

enforcement officers, chasing people to

take up opportunities on offer.”

Today, Riversands makes it clear upfront

the level of commitment it requires from

entrepreneurs. And, it is more selective

about the firms it supports: looking for those jenny retief big little business
that will be able to make the most use of
its services. It means that support is more “We’re alWays children should be taught business development and
individually tailored. looking for
constructive entrepreneurship from grade 8 and up, says letsosa matona,
“We’re always looking for constructive
ways to help steer an entrepreneur’s Ways to Help steer
journey,” Retief says. ”Our evolution has an entrepreneur’s
been to improve our ability to listen to
where businesses are and what they need.” journey. our
evolution Has
It might look as though a firm has been to improve
problems with cash flow or sales, for our ability to
example, but dig deeper and there can be listen to WHere
more structural issues, such as not issuing businesses are and
WHat tHey need.”

invoices in a timely manner, or being founder of debar ceramics in limpopo. six years ago, matona

wedded to a product or service that simply isn’t profitable. was working for an engineering firm as a Hr director when he

A key learning is that not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur, and spotted an opportunity for a new, black-owned firm based

that it’s important to focus support on those companies that are. outside of gauteng that could offer wear-resistant parts to the

“If we’re going to succeed, we have to drive standards hard,” Retief says. mining, metals and manufacturing sector.

“We rapidly withdraw our investment when we feel we aren’t being met half- today, debar turns over r22-million a year and employs

way. It’s a wake-up call to find out that just because something is free it isn’t 179 people. by the end of the financial year, matona says, the

an entitlement.” company is on course to grow to

It’s an intensive programme, Retief says, but worth it. The sense of more than 200 employees.
matona isn’t shy about crediting
community at Riversands is strong, despite the wide variety of different “i cHose to join
the speed of this success to the tHe programme
sectors represented there. involvement with the shandukar for better
black umbrellas programme. groWtH
Although Riversands represents a big investment, not all business prospects,
“i chose to join the programme procurement
development services (BDS) have to be structured in the same way. Sifiso for better growth prospects, opportunities
procurement opportunities and mentorsHip
Ndwandwe is the executive director of Catalyst for Growth, an organisation and mentorship opportunities,” opportunities.”
he explains. “Without it, debar
that conducts annual research about BDS in South Africa. probably could have still been – letsosa matona

“There’s no correlation between the cost of a programme and its

performance,” Ndwandwe says. The big challenge is that there’s not enough

evidence-based decision-making when it comes to setting up new BDS

programmes, or helping entrepreneurs select the

“tHere’s no one that’s right for them. employing its 18 initial employees
correlation “Things get even harder”, continues
betWeen tHe within the Wear lining division, and still making revenue of
Ndwandwe, “when looking at the kinds of
cost of a programmes that support entrepreneurs who about r7-million.”
programme are fairly established, but not yet hitting high
growth figures. The effect of BDS programmes debar also received funding support from other
and its are generally measured in terms of profits
performance.” programmes, but it was the mentorship and training provided

by shandukar that stood out, says matona. today, he offers his

own services as a mentor to others currently going through the

– sifiso ndWandWe or job creation, and it’s easier to show more same programme.

percentage points of growth when working with “entrepreneurs should first understand their business

businesses in their very early stages, or when they start to hit ‘scale’.” dynamics, industry compliance and statutory requirements,

“It’s important to understand that our learnings are specific to our then select programmes that provide holistic solutions Images: Supplied

niche,” says Retief. “And, we invest a lot into measuring what we are actually towards fulfilling these requirements apart from funding,”

achieving. It’s hard, but there’s no other way of growing our effectiveness matona says. n

and making sure entrepreneurs get what they need, faster.”

14 made in sa



PROUDLY SOUTH-AFRICAN OWNED
COMPANY ESTABLISHED IN 1974

INTRODUCTION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

FFS Refiners (Pty) Ltd is an energetic, vibrant and customer focused South Industrial Heating Fuels: The supply of Industrial Heating Fuels is FFS’
African company working hard to be “The Preferred Providers of Speciality core business and FFS is the largest supplier of Industrial heating fuels in
Energy Solutions”. We strive to continually improve by devising new and South Africa. We are experts in all things fuel oil related. FFS market a range
improving existing products and processes. FFS is the proud recipient of SA’s of industrial heating fuels for a wide variety of applications including glass
2018 Mining Oil & Gas and Vision 2030 Energy awards. making, brick making, steam raising in boilers, billet re-heating, baking,
road-mix heating, lime kilns, sand and stone drying.
THE BUSINESS FFS’ Industrial Heating Fuel range includes various grades of Heavy Fuel Oils
(HFO/FO150), Light Fuel Oils and Low Sulphur Oils. Our technical team can
FFS Refiners (Pty) Ltd was originally established in 1974 as“Fuel Firing Systems” assist customers in fuel oil selection, fuel oil system designs and installation as
by Tony and Diane Hurter in Durban, South Africa. The company has grown well as combustion troubleshooting. From recovered fuel oils to distillates, we
significantly since inception and currently employs over 500 people with have a product in our range that will meet your fuel oil requirements.
branches across South Africa. Our head office is situated in Durban and we
have five manufacturing plants and various strategically situated storage
depots throughout South Africa. All branches operate under stringent
environmental management systems and are ISO 14001 accredited. Internal
quality management systems are also in operation to ensure that all products
consistently comply with specifications.
Our plants store raw and final products to ensure reliable and sustainable
service to our customers and suppliers. Our raw materials is processed to
market specifications and are sourced from various industries including all
major oil refineries in South Africa.
FFS products and services are backed by the Best Customer Service and Support
available in the industry; we have customer service teams in each major area
that provide technical and commercial services to our customer base. Our
highly skilled and competent technology and engineering departments carry
out research and development, as well as new plant and equipment design
and construction. Most of the technology used in our oil refining processes has
been developed in-house by FFS.

ADVERTORIAL

Wood Preservative Creosote: FFS’ high residue Wood Preservative (WP1) is Tank Terminals: FFS currently provide specialised tank terminal services in
used to treat timber products such as utility poles and fencing. It is specially
formuWlaotoed fPorreAsefrivcaatnivceoCnrdeiotisoontse:aFnFdS’phriogvhidresidexuceeWptoiodnaPlrpesroertveacttiivoen(aWgPa1in) sist the port of Cape Town and at our Evander plant. The services include the safe
termusiteed, btoortereraatntdimfubnegr aplraotdtuactks. WsuPc1h iassduetlilviteyrepdolveisa aronaddfetannciknegr.tIot icsussptoecmiaellrys
throfourgmhuoluateSdofuotrhAefrnicaAnfrcicoanadnitdiocnosnafnodrmprsotvoidtehseeSxAceNpStional protection against andTacnokmTperlimanintasltso:rFaFgSecaunrrdehntalnydplrionvgidoef svpaercioiaulisseliqdutaidnkhytedrrmocinaarbl soenrsvicnecsluinding
616tesrtmanitdea, rbdo.rer and fungal attack. WP1 is delivered via road tanker to customers tbhietupmoretno, fcCoapl aenTdowpnetaronldeuatmoudreErivvaenddperopdlaunctt.sT. he services include the safe

throughout Southern Africa and conforms to the SANS and compliant storage and handling of various liquid hydrocarbons including
616 standard. bEiMtuPmOeWnE, cRoMaEl aNnTdApNeDtroClOeRumPOdReArTivEed& pSrOoCdIuAcLtsR. ESPONSIBILITY

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CLOTHING

TOP London, Paris, New York – Johannesburg?
South African designers are edging
their way onto the world’s ramps.
Lisa Witepski investigates

TAILORING

‘‘W e’re serving first-world THE FRONTRUNNERS
tastes with third-world
supplies. There’s no lack According to Hoosain, the enthusiasm for South African design has been
of creativity, but we face
ignited by two key designers: Thebe Magugu and Laduma Ngxkolo.

Magugu was the winner of the 2019 International Fashion Showcase,

challenges such as unskilled where 16 designers from around the world displayed their talent as part

labour, erratic electricity supply and obstacles, of London Fashion Week. He is also one of only 20 finalists in the LVMH

which make it difficult for business owners to Vogue Designer Competition, notes Booyzen.

build up their enterprises.” Ngxolo has attracted the

This may be one of the reasons why lovers of attention of a number of KUMARI GOVENDER

haute couture tend to think of South Africa as a international fashion brands

JJ SCHOEMAN shopping destination where international brands seeking to partner with him in
may be snapped up at a (relative) steal, rather
creating capsule collections.

than as a birthplace of luxury design, muses Quiteria Kekana of design duo For Kumari Govender, a blogger

Quiteria and George. But, he’s quick to add, the status quo may well change: at StyleSociety, Ngxolo’s

we’ve entered an age where platforms like Instagram are increasingly sought-after status is no

important to the consumer and people mystery. “His knitwear range

want to know who they’re buying from. is inspired by his traditional

This presents great opportunities Xhosa culture – a blend

for South Africa’s previously under- of heritage, tradition and “HIS [LADUMA NGXOLO]
authentic design,” she says. KNITWEAR RANGE IS INSPIRED
exposed market, especially at a time

when African craft and workmanship is

gaining prominence. BY HIS TRADITIONAL XHOSA

However, there’s one area where our CULTURE – A BLEND OF

industry falls short of the global mark, HERITAGE, TRADITION AND

and that’s sustainability. Granted, says AUTHENTIC DESIGN.”

Emma Longden of ethical label Sitting

Pretty, fashion is not an industry geared

towards sustainability, but in South Leon Haasbroek, a PR consultant

Africa, the lack of education around fast to the fashion industry, points out

fashion and the dearth of sustainable EMMA LONGDEN that Ngxolo’s designs are sold in
materials poses a particular problem.
Japan, Switzerland and Paris, having

garnered fans such as Swiss Beats,

THE ONES TO WATCH LEON HAASBROEK Alicia Keyes and Beyonce.
Craig Jacobs, the brains behind
A GLOBAL MINDSET Lucilla Booyzen, director of
SA Fashion Week (SAFW), says the sustainable Fundudzi label, is another of Govender’s favourites,
One of the key issues in South Africa’s that it is always exciting to keep
fashion future is to stop thinking about an eye on emerging designers. particularly because of the brand’s “slow fashion” ethos, its accent on
“us” and “them”. Fay Hoosain, founder This year, she’s looking
and CEO of Big Ticket Items says: “The forward to new collections at using locally-sourced materials and collaboration with local craftspeople.
fashion market is an international SAFW from Thebe Magugu,
and virtual one. We should adopt a Wanda Lapoto and Mmuso Haasbroek also gives a thumbs-up to Marc Bouwer, Albertus
global mindset to the way we approach Maxwell (in collaboration
marketing and sales.” with Woolworths Style by Swanepoel, Rich Mnisi and Henriette Botha.
SA Designers), while the
Her recent attendance at the finalists of the Mini Scouting But why have these designers succeeded in creating an
London, Paris and Milan Fashion Weeks Menswear competition are
confirms that the world is ready: Ben Noza and Sipho Mbuto, international presence where so many others fail? For most
“There’s an eagerness to tap into South Denzel Vilakasi, Dorcas Madi
Images: iStockphoto and Supplied African design and business.” and George Mkhoma, Richard consumers, it’s about the instant recognisability of international
Hoy, Shaylene Paige Morris and
Zandile Makombe. brands, surmises Ricci Shachar of Superbalist.com – especially when it

comes to the athleisure look, which is very much on trend at present.

But there are those making it on their own merits, she adds: the local

brands most in demand on Superbalist.com’s online retail platform

include its in-house label, Superbalist (designed by an in-house team

and produced almost entirely locally), Amanda Laird Cherry’s designer

wear and Sergeant Pepper’s menswear. ■

MADE IN SA 19

FURNITURE

TAKE We all need good quality household goods,
so why are furniture manufacturers
struggling, wonders Mpho Lukoto

A SEAT
F urniture in South Africa is big business. After
all, everyone needs a chair to sit on, a bed CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS
to sleep in, and a table to eat lunch on. But
while imported furniture remains popular, the One way to showcase local furniture is through
local industry has shed jobs over the past two
decades. In 1999, it employed more than 50 000 people. the DTI’s Furniture Design Competition. This
Today it is less than half the size.
year, the winner was a multifunctional bench
During an interview at the Proudly South African Buy Local
Summit in March, chairperson of the South African Furniture designed by Mpho Vackier, owner of The
Initiative Penwell Lunga painted a bleak picture of the industry
today. “It employs 20 000 workers, has three big manufacturers Urbanative, a Pretoria-based furniture and
and 2 200 small manufacturers across the country,” he said.
product design company.
Lunga said a major cause of its demise was that the local
furniture industry could not compete with imports. “We found “My challenges are being competitive in terms
ourselves completely uncompetitive in terms of value creation,
price and quality of product,” he said. “We’ve just not measured of pricing, which depends on manufacturing,
up to those goods.”
which depends on available competencies, skilled
Today the local furniture industry contributes only 1 per cent
to GDP and 1.1 per cent to manufacturing employment. This people, technology and access to that technology,” Vackier says.
has been attributed to a skills shortage, declining investment in
capital equipment and insufficient research and development. “I try to create conversations and connect people through design, one of
Yet it has the potential to contribute significantly to job creation
because of its labour intensiveness and the potential for the our main design elements is juxtaposition,” Vackier says. “Taking two or more
development of SMMEs.
seemingly unrelated ideas concepts and starting a conversation by using those
Efforts are underway to revive an industry well placed to
create jobs and accommodate new businesses, says South influences to design something new.”
African Furniture Initiative COO Bernadette Isaacs, who is
excited at the political will to revive the sector. The government Yet local buyers continue to seek out imports. According to Isaacs, South Africa
is leading the effort, having named the sector a priority focus in
its Industrial Policy Action Plan. “Finally there’s this seriousness imported R8bn worth of furniture in 2018. “How do we justify that?” she asks.
about the sector, which we’ve been waiting for,” Isaacs says.
Isaacs says it will take education to make people aware of their buying decisions.
The South African Furniture Initiative is a joint initiative of
industry, labour and government that was established in 2016 to “We need consumers to ask the question – how much of what you sell is locally
promote and grow the furniture industry. But, to prosper, there
needs to be a local market that knows what SA has to offer. sourced?” she says.

Retailers like the Furniture Spot, owned by Amsterdam-born couple Wouter

and Lizet van Botkel, are promoting the local industry. The Botkels started the

company in 2017 out of the sheer frustration of not finding what they were looking

for when they moved to SA – quality furniture at a good price.

The Furniture Spot works with several manufacturers, giving them a platform to

that quality furniture. “For us, it was about finding that balance of good furniture at

a good price,” says Wouter van Botkel.

He believes there is no shortage of skills – they just lack the online marketing

expertise, which the Furniture Spot has provided. After considerable effort – and

learning fees – they now have found the

manufacturers who can deliver the goods FAST FACT According to Images: Supplied
and are now seeing double-digit growth.
Stats SA, the “furniture and
So while it may be an uphill battle, the
other manufacturing” sector

future for proudly South African furniture grew 2.7 per cent in 2018.

is looking up. ■ (Source: StatsSA)

20 MADE IN SA





MEET THE TECHNOLOGY

INNOVATORS WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Nafisa Akabor chats to three companies that are bringing the
fourth industrial revolution to South Africa Three forward-looking firms that
won funding on Shark Tank SA

DISCOVERY BANK

Barry Hore, CEO of Discovery Bank, says the challenge of keeping up with the fourth industrial

revolution (4IR) is one of the reasons for the bank’s existence.

“The concept of behavioural banking behind Discovery Bank is a merger between

BARRY HORE technology, big data and the internet of things (IoT) with human behavioural science.
“Using aspects of the 4IR has helped us create a real-time, fully digitally integrated platform

for South Africans to take control of their finances in a way that is beneficial to them. It’s a fundamental shift away from AUGMENTORS
The world’s first AR blockchain
the traditional model of banking, which has incentivised loyalty and potentially corrosive financial behaviour,” says Hore. mobile game launched on Android
and iOS in the second half of 2018,
“With fast technology comes obvious security challenges, which we have mitigated against. Our state-of-the-art after appearing on the show in 2016.
It raised $1m through its in-game
biometric systems are one way, using clients’ unique physical facial construction and fingerprints for verification purposes. crypto tokens called Emeralds.

“This creates a vast amount of personal financial data, and we take data storage and handling very seriously,” he says. NATIVE DÉCOR
Appearing on the first episode,
“We have to manage data responsibly, and use it to help clients improve their financial health, with all of the Native Décor secured funding and
is now a successful online furniture
necessary consents and permissions.” store, creating products using
sustainable timber.
SQWIDNET RYONIC ROBOTICS
PLAN MY WEDDING
This less than three- Ryan Beech started Africa’s first industrial South Africa’s first online wedding
robotics company in 2014, exporting its planning app received funding
year-old company offers products to the US, Australia and Asia. Beech on Shark Tank and now makes
says the rand/dollar exchange rate is a huge money via its e-commerce platform
low-cost IoT solutions in opportunity for local manufacturers. through in-app upgrades from free
business listings. ■
South Africa – one of them “Just as it’s cheap for Americans to come on
holiday here, the same applies for them buying MADE IN SA 23
being a smart manhole our tech. We sold our RMIS Maxi industrial
robot for R1.5-million; a competing product in
anti-tampering solution. Canada cost R4-million. There are not that many
companies developing hardware in SA or Africa,
Sean Laval, executive of and thus, not a lot of competition,” he adds.

solutions and innovations Beech also acknowledges that there is a lack
of skills in South Africa, especially in robotics
at SqwidNet, says one of and other specialised technologies.

SEAN LAVAL the greatest challenges “We aggressively took on unskilled workers to
to the manhole project upskill them in robotics, but this is a hurdle you
can overcome, and something all companies
was convincing the industry there was a new and better should focus on as our country desperately
needs these skills.”
way of monitoring manhole infrastructure that was not
Ryonic Robotics was sold in June 2018; by
previously possible. then it was selling the RMIS Maxi and Mini.
Beech has since started Quantron Dynamics to
“Winning over key stakeholders is a crucial factor in the assist large companies to migrate to Industry
4.0 technologies.
journey of fully realising the fourth industrial revolution.

“THE OPPORTUNITY FOR Once there was sufficient
US WAS TO IMPROVE THE buy-in from the industry, the
CUSTOMER’S OPERATIONAL next challenge was to find the
right technology partners to

EFFICIENCIES, WHILE implement and support the

AT THE SAME TIME solution,” says Laval.

PROVING THE CAPABILITY “The opportunity for
AND REACH OF THE us was to improve the
customer’s operational
SQWIDNET NETWORK.” efficiencies, while at the

same time proving the capability and reach of the

SqwidNet network. Manhole monitoring is considered

one of the most difficult applications to plan for on the

network, as devices are fitted below the surface, often

behind large buildings. The deployment of the manhole

Images: Supplied monitoring solution lends confidence to the fact that our

network, can support even the harshest of applications

on a national level, all with the added benefit of an end-to-

end service level agreement on the network,” he says.

TECHNOLOGY

GETTING

CONNECTED

The national plan to connect the country to broadband
has been underwhelming, but new strategy brings hope
and analysts recommend a better way forward, reports
Masibulele Lunika

High-speed broadband is a pre-requisite for those who MORE NECESSARY THAN EVER
want to embrace the fourth industrial revolution and
the economic benefits of the internet. But a report last Given the push into rural areas by mobile
year from Research ICT Africa revealed that only
53 per cent of South Africans use the internet, with operators, many wonder if the project is
rural areas falling behind thanks to poor infrastructure.
still relevant today. Arthur Goldstuck, MD of
Hopes that we’d soon live in a modern, highly connected society
were high in 2013, with the publication of SA Connect. This was the analyst World Wide Worx, believes the project
government’s ambitious project to deliver broadband access at 5Mbps
or more to 90 per cent of the country’s population by 2020, and remains relevant, but only if it redefines what
100 per cent coverage at higher speeds by 2030. The plan calls for
government buildings, including hospitals and schools, in difficult-to- is meant by “connecting”.
reach areas to be connected, thereby allowing for modernisation of
public services and, once the infrastructure is in place, the network can “Having access points available is not the
be more easily extended to homes.
same as connecting people if they cannot
That was the vision. Six years on, there is much doubt about
government’s ability to deliver on this promise. Budgets have been slashed ARTHUR GOLDSTUCK afford that access. Operators expanding
and targets missed year after year. There’s been little to no progress. into rural areas does not equate to
“IT IS EQUIVALENT providing access to the rural population. It is
SHOULD WE EXPECT BETTER? TO PUTTING TV equivalent to putting, for example, TV sets in
SETS IN SHOP shop windows and claiming to have provided
Department of Telecommunications and Postal WINDOWS AND TV to everyone who passes those shops.”
Services (DTPS) Deputy Director-General CLAIMING TO HAVE
Tinyiko Ngobeni says he’s hopeful that the PROVIDED TV TO Goldstuck believes it is possible to
achieve the 2030 target, although the
SA Connect vision can be realised yet. A
new strategy has been drawn up by the EVERYONE WHO 2020 target is not feasible. “Even roll out of
State Information Technology Agency
(SITA) and Broadband Infraco (two PASSES BY.” connectivity to government offices in rural
state-owned enterprises (SOEs),
who are now mandated with the districts is painfully slow.”
implementation of the project.
“Initial challenges revolved around ICT veteran and programme consultant

finding a suitable implementation model,” says at the Institute of Information Technology
Ngobeni. “The department eventually resolved to use
SOEs within its portfolio (SITA and Broadband Infraco) Professionals SA, Adrian Schofield said the
to implement phase 1 of the project. The main challenge now is securing
the funding required for the roll out of the bigger phase two.” project is more necessary now than ever.
Ngobeni said the 2020 target is unlikely to be met; however, progress
will be made by then. Initial estimates projected that the final cost would “Mobile signals are not sufficient – there
be R60 – R80-billion, but feasibility studies will be conducted shortly to
ascertain and update the cost to implement the rest of the project. has to be fibre connections to all the

listed installations, or 4G minimum fixed

wireless, to provide connectivity for workers

on those sites and for the community

surrounding each site.”

Goldstuck added that the government ADRIAN SCHOFIELD
needs to focus on two areas: free community

access in severely disadvantaged

areas, especially rural,

and lower cost of ad Images: iStockphoto and Supplied

hoc data for mobile

access for all. ■

FAST FACT Estimates vary, but around 85 per cent of people in Kenya are internet users,

compared to 53.7 per cent in South Africa. Growth in internet usage in Kenya has been
dramatic, from around two-thirds in 2017. (Source: internetworldstats.com, others)

24 MADE IN SA

Textile Manufacturing | Corporate clothing & Uniform
|Custom Clothing & Workwear | Embroidery & Branding

Rise Uniforms is a Cape Town based company located in the Philippi area. The company is managed and
owned by Ntombekaya (Ntombie) Nonxuba, has operating since 2007 and was formally registered in 2010
trading as Rise Uniforms. The business is 100% black female owned and currently employs 46 people from
the township.

Vision

For the Rise Brand to be recognized as a Home Name Brand nationally and in the rest of Africa.

Mission

To be the brand of choice, be profitable and offer high quality products to its clients.

Key Clients:

Pick n Pay retails stores nationally
Boxer Supermarket stores
TEO (Trolley Engineering & Operations)
Ingomso Security Services

Contact Person: Ntombie [email protected]
084 298 4291 www.riseuniforms.co.za







CARS

ELECTRIC

AVENUE

Electric vehicle sales internationally are growing
in leaps and bounds. But what does this mean for
South Africa’s automotive manufacturing sector,
asks Anthony Sharpe

All over the world, country by country, city by city, vehicle by vehicle, the UYILO EMOBILITY
sounds of vroom-vroom are being replaced by whirr-whirr. No longer
untested technology, nor the domain of the uber-rich, electric vehicles The uYilo eMobility Technology Innovation Programme is an
have gone mainstream. Spurred by growing fears over the irreversible initiative by the Technology Innovation Agency aimed at
damage to our planet and health, goverments have drawn up plans to enabling and facilitating electric mobility in South Africa.
phase out or ban internal-combustion-engined vehicles because of their emissions. While the majority of the vehicle-charging infrastructure in
The market for electric vehicles is growing globally at 22.3 per cent a year, say South Africa has been built from international components,
analysts at Reportlinker, and this has implications for consumers, brands and the uYilo is supporting the development of locally-manufactured
factories that produce these vehicles – and for everyone in South Africa too. technology through its Kick Start Fund, which supplies grants
of up to R1-million for projects that advance e-mobility
The automotive industry is the largest manufacturing industry in South Africa, with in South Africa. uYilo also has Africa’s largest dedicated
seven original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) directly employing around 112 000 EV charging and technology facility at Nelson Mandela
Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth.

people (indirectly, it is estimated to be responsible for around 320 000 jobs).

The Department of Trade and Industry’s South African Automotive Masterplan,

which replaces the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP)

and outlines the government’s objectives for the industry from 2020 to 2035, aims

to double direct employment in the sector by that year.

Many of the vehicles produced are destined for export (see page 30), so it

seems clear that in order to grow, local factories need to adapt to changes in the

international market.

However, South Africa’s OEMs currently don’t produce any electric vehicles, a

problem acknowledged in the Masterplan. “South Africa is

likely to lag the development of EEV markets across major uYilo SmartGrid ecosystem for electric mobility.
developed economies,” it states, “But the economy will

absorb many [energy-efficient vehicles]

by 2035, and it is incumbent on the COUNTRIES ALL OVER PUTTING ICES ON ICE
industry and government to invest in THE WORLD HAVE DRAWN
the required infrastructure to ensure UP PLANS TO PHASE A number of countries around the
South Africa does not become a OUT OR BAN INTERNAL- world have announced plans to phase
laggard in the next evolutionary phase of COMBUSTION-ENGINED out internal-combustion-engined
the global automotive industry.” VEHICLES BECAUSE OF (ICE) vehicles, although none have yet
THEIR EMISSIONS. made it law.

India, Ireland, Israel, Germany and

France are saying no new ICEs by 2030.

Norway is aiming, perhaps optimistically,

Images: iStockphoto and Supplied HITEN PARMAR SLOW MOVING for 2025. The Netherlands wants all
vehicles to be emission free by 2030. The
Hiten Parmar is secretariat of the Electric Vehicle Industry Association, which UK is aiming for 2040, with a plan to reduce
aims to develop a favourable environment for electric vehicles in South Africa. national vehicle emissions to zero by 2050.
“The existing OEMs are heavily invested in the petrol and diesel value chain, Taiwan wants to phase out non-electric
based on government incentives around the APDP,” says Parmar. “If this two-wheeled vehicles by 2035 and
industry is a key one for South Africa and we’re supplying global markets that four-wheeled by 2040. Eight US states
are already closing on petrol and diesel technologies, where will our automotive have announced plans for zero vehicle
manufacturing sector end up supplying the vehicles that it’s currently emissions by 2050. China is working on
producing? Government needs to play a proactive role in terms of this.” a long-term plan, but no timeline has yet
been announced. ■
Without a clear roadmap for transformation of the automotive sector, South
Africa’s electric avenue may wind up more like a lost highway.

MADE IN SA 29

CARS

WHAT DO

WE DRIVE?

There are plenty of cars made in South Africa, says Adam Oxford,
but do they reflect the ones that are on the road?

ON THE ROAD BIG BRANDS

According to official statistics from the National Traffic Information System (eNatis), Over the last 10 years, there have been
many changes in the top five
at the end of February 2019, there were 11 314 182 vehicles on our roads, roughly selling brands of passenger
car. Toyota and VW have
AT THE END OF one for every five people in the country. always wrestled at the top,
FEBRUARY 2019, It won’t surprise you to learn that there are more but Hyundai has tussled for
third and fourth, as has Mercedes-
THERE WERE cars than other types of vehicles – 7 385 731 of them, Benz, Chevrolet and Renault over time.
compared to 2 572 158 light commercial vehicles.
11 314 182
What you might not know is that there are more

VEHICLES ON motorbikes than minibuses: some 346 457 compared
OUR ROADS to 332 252.

VEHICLES ON THE ROAD IN SOUTH AFRICA

OTHER
HEAVY
COMMERCIAL
LIGHT
COMMERCIAL
MOTORCYCLES,
QUAD BIKES,
TRICYCLES
BUSES

MINIBUSES

CARS

0 POPULAR WHEELS 72-73% COMMERCIAL DOMINANCE TOYOTA CLEANS
1 000 000 UP YEAR
2 000 000Lightstone Auto has been tracking car sales forOF ALL CARS SOLD When it comes to commercial vehicles,
3 000 000years and provides the industry with up-to-dateARE IMPORTS.however, it’s a different story. ToyotaAFTER YEAR,
4 000 000figures on what’s selling and what’s not. According toJUST UNDERabsolutely cleans up year after year, with
5 000 000Lightstone’s Heinrich Coetzee, just over 70 per cent ofaround 40 per cent of all sales consistently.40%WITH AROUND
6 000 000all cars sold in the last five years have been imported,70% OF ALL CARSNissan and Ford battle for second place,
7 000 000and the most popular locally manufactured car overMANUFACTUREDwhile Lightstone’s numbers show Isuzu isOF ALL SALES
Images: iStockphoto and Suppliedthe period 2014–2019 is the VW Polo Vivo, and theHERE ARE SOLDfalling away in third. ■
most popular imported one is the Toyota Etios.
OVERSEAS BEST SELLING COMMERCIAL VEHICLE BRANDS IN SA
While the Toyota Fortuner is a big seller, there’s no
other big SUV in the top five list. (Source: Lightstone) Toyota Nissan Ford Isuzu Chevrolet Opel VW

RANKING LOCAL IMPORT 50%

1 VW Polo Vivo Toyota Etios 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
2 VW Polo Data sources: eNatis, Lightstone Auto
3 Toyota Fortuner Ford Fiesta
4 Toyota Corolla Quest
5 Toyota Corolla Ford EcoSport

Ford Figo

Hyundai i20

30 MADE IN SA



AG R I C U LT U R E

A BUMPER YEAR

FOR EXPORTS

SA’s agricultural exports are on the up and FAST-GROWING MARKET FOR CITRUS
up. Katherine Graham wonders what’s
the secret Citrus exports last year increased in volume by

nine per cent compared to 2017, according to the

S outh Africa’s exports of agricultural products Citrus Growers Association. This is the second year
boomed last year, growing by seven per cent
year on year to $10bn, their highest level in in a row citrus exports have shown record growth.
17 years. This growth resulted from increased
Adolf Kieviet, joint MD of Freshworld, attributes

this to SA’s unique geographical position. “Our

location compared to other southern hemisphere

exports of oranges, grapes, wine, maize, competitors has made us the preferred supplier

apples, wool, lemons, ADOLF KIEVIET in our traditional markets such as Europe, the UK
and Russia,” says Kievet. “This, together with the
mandarins and pears.
different varieties of citrus that we produce, means that customers know and
Despite subdued
ask for our products.”
economic conditions at
He singles out Asia as the fastest-growing market because “we are counter-
home and abroad, the
seasonal in production compared to the northern hemisphere and South Africa
appetite for SA produce
has a short transit time to Asia.
continues to grow,
“OUR LOCATION COMPARED TO OTHER
particularly in new markets SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE COMPETITORS
HAS MADE US THE PREFERRED SUPPLIER.”
in Africa and Asia and with

firm support from Europe.

“Africa remains South WANDILE SIHLOBO “Given the new plantings of citrus acreage,
Africa’s largest market, as well as the increase in production of table
grapes and avocados, 2019 should in
accounting for 39 per cent “AFRICA REMAINS all probability exceed the volume of
of agricultural exports,” SOUTH AFRICA’S fruit shipped in 2018 from South
says Wandile Sihlobo, LARGEST MARKET, Africa,” comments Kieviet.
Agbiz’s head of research. ACCOUNTING FOR
“The leading products 39 PER CENT OF FAST FACT Africa and Europe are the biggest markets for South Africa’s
to these markets were AGRICULTURAL
beverages, fruit, vegetables, agricultural exports, accounting for 66 per cent of total exports in 2018.
wool, sugar and grains.” EXPORTS.”

32 MADE IN SA

SOUGHT-AFTER BEEF THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR WINE

Despite a high maize price, a debilitating drought and a stagnant While the weak rand may be part of the reason behind SA’s bumper
economy, beef also recorded a good year in 2017, with the
Middle East proving an attractive destination for meat exports. exports, there are other factors at play.

“South Africa is one of the five largest producers of halaal- “The wine industry exports about half its annual production already, but
certified meat worldwide,” says Roelie van Reenen, supply chain
executive at Beefmaster Group of Companies. “SA beef exports there is scope for further growth in large markets where we are under-
increased from 8 292 tons in 2001 to 31 888 tons in 2017, with
the UAE, Kuwait, Jordan and Qatar being the top Middle-Eastern represented, such as the US, China and Africa,” says Niël Groenewald,
destinations for beef exports.”
managing director of Nederburg vineyards. He believes producers should
For beef producers, an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease
in 2018 presented a major threat, use the declining rand to drop prices and increase volume sales, rather
but government intervention
helped to restore stability to than maximise returns per bottle. “People around the world recognise our
the industry.
wines for their bold originality.”
“Many countries
have re-opened their The drought also took its toll on wine exports last year, but although
borders to SA owing
to government’s volumes were affected, the value of sales improved, rising by four per cent
reinstatement
of veterinary to R9.06-billion.
certificates for
beef to these “The increase in value reflects the positive sentiment towards South
countries,” explains
Van Reenen. African wine in international markets,” says Groenewald. “South Africans

“SOUTH AFRICA IS ONE OF have always shown themselves to be adaptable and I think that’s very true
THE FIVE LARGEST PRODUCERS
OF HALAAL-CERTIFIED MEAT WORLDWIDE.” “THE WINE INDUSTRY of our wine industry.”
EXPORTS ABOUT HALF ITS He remains optimistic about the
ROELIE VAN REENEN ANNUAL PRODUCTION
ALREADY, BUT THERE future: “we have a proudly South
CHALLENGES FACING THE EXPORT MARKET IS SCOPE FOR FURTHER African and African story to tell.
GROWTH IN LARGE Consumers across the world enjoy
Freshworld’s Kieviet laments the high tariff and MARKETS WHERE WE ARE the idea of consuming African-origin
import duties of many priority export markets in the UNDER-REPRESENTED.” wines and we need to take advantage
southern hemisphere. of this,” he says. ■

“There is a lack of preferential or free-trade NIËL GROENEWALD
agreements, which our competitors such as Chile, Peru,
Images: (Main pic) Katherine Graham, iStockphoto and Supplied Brazil, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand have,” he says.
“This means that even though we produce good quality
products, the cost to the customer is higher.”

He also highlights the bottleneck posed by domestic
logistical challenges.

“Given the lack of investment in road, rail and port
capacity, we may not be able to efficiently export all the
products we currently produce,” he says.

MADE IN SA 33

FOOD AND DRINK

IT’S
WHISKY’S
TURN We’ve had craft beer and gin, Katherine
Graham wonders if whisky is the next spirit
to get attention from local distilleries?

W hen whisky was first made by James EXISTING BRANDS ARE EVOLVING
Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington
over 30 years ago, many questioned Despite the barriers to entry, a number of new
whether there would be an appetite whiskies are surfacing.
among consumers for local whisky.
“We’ve seen a new entrant over the past 18 months
“And who can blame them?” asks Andy Watts, master with Boplaas’ offering, and Draymans has been a staple
on our retail shelves for years,” says Pendlebury. But he
distiller of Three Ships Whisky and founder distiller of Bain’s believes local whisky’s full potential has not yet been
reached. “If successful gin producers, who already
Cape Mountain Whisky, both made by James Sedgwick. have most of the necessary equipment, don’t try their
hand at whisky, I think it will be a lost opportunity.”
“SA has always been known as wine and brandy country
Most of the innovation, Pendlebury says, is being
and it’s only in the last 10 years that South Africans have done by commercial whisky producers: “Bain’s has just
released their limited-edition 15-Year-Old Single-Grain
completely adapted to whisky drinking.” Whisky for duty-free shopping at OR Tambo and Cape
Town International and almost every year Three Ships
Local whisky has come a long way since then, achieving ANDY WATTS bring out their Master’s Collection.”
remarkable success in a short space of time. In 2013 and
CHANGING TASTEBUDS
2018, Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky was awarded the World’s Best
Despite the quality of local whisky, SA remains the
Grain Whisky at the World Whiskies Awards in London. ninth biggest importer of Scotch whisky by volume.
“The average whisky drinker doesn’t deviate much
“Being innovative and agile are some of our key strengths,” asserts from their favourite brand,” comments Pendlebury.
“Local products offer international quality with great
Watts. “We have learnt to adapt to our unique climate, which is much flavours and better value for money. It’s about slowly
breaking the stereotype and misconceptions that
warmer than some of the colder whisky-producing countries.” only Scotch, Irish or American whisky can be good.”

“WHISKY REQUIRES YEARS TO MAKE AND EVEN MORE YEARS TO PERFECT, BREAKING NEW GROUND Images: iStockphoto and Supplied
SO THE BARRIER TO ENTRY IS A LOT HIGHER, AND THE PRODUCER CANNOT
GUARANTEE DEMAND AMONG SA WHISKY LOVERS.” Twenty years ago, Scotland made the world’s most loved
whisky. These days its dominance has been challenged by
WHAT’S THE POTENTIAL FOR MASS PRODUCTION Asia – specifically, Japan and Taiwan. The first Japanese
AND QUALITY? whisky to attract attention was the Yamazaki 12-Year-
Old, which astounded everyone when it took gold at
Unlike craft gin and beer, whisky takes a long time to mature, MARC PENDLEBURY the International Spirits Challenge in 2003. Since then,
making it unattractive for those wanting a quick return on Taiwan has been at the forefront of whisky connoisseurs’
palates, with many saying Kavalan, known for its smooth,
investment. Marc Pendlebury, owner of WhiskyBrother Bar in Sandton, believes sweet notes, is the whisky to watch. ■

that a handful of whisky producers are likely to spring up in the coming years, but

no more than that.

“Whisky requires years to make and even more years to perfect, so the barrier
to entry is a lot higher, and the producer cannot guarantee demand among SA
whisky lovers,” he says.

“The investment required for making whisky is enormous,” Watts concurs.
Equipment is expensive and limits the number of players. “In SA, we follow the same
legislation as Scotland: a whisky can only be made from grains – wheat, barley and
maize – yeast and water, with no additives or flavourants. It must be matured for a

minimum of three years in wood before it can be called a whisky.”

34 MADE IN SA

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FOOD AND DRINK

DELICIOUSLY

DIVERSE

Anna Trapido takes us
on a tour of regional
taste treasures

Images: (Hertzoggies): Discott, iStockphoto and Supplied S outh Africans say “yum” SOWETO’S POTCHEFSTROOM SCONES
in 11 official languages. Our
landscapes, climatic conditions and cultural contexts are This kasi classic is flatter and denser than the English afternoon tea
many and varied. So, it is not surprising that what we eat is treat. They are generally sold in buckets and served at large gatherings
both regionally specific and deliciously diverse. such as weddings and especially at funerals. While variations exist
all over South Africa, the Soweto scone is sweeter and known as
DURBAN BUNNY CHOW “Potchefstrooms” – apparently because the Chris Hani/Baragwanath
hospital is on the Old Potch road and those who enter the hospital are
The essence of eThekwini is cooked assumed to be leaving in a coffin “ready for their scones”.
into every turmeric-laden, finger-
staining bite of a bunny chow. This KAROO LAMB
searing, red sauce curry packed into
“government issue” white bread is Foodie folklore has always argued that lamb and mutton from the Karoo
a mouthwatering monument to the region have terroir-specific distinctive and desirable herby flavours and
glories of Durban-Indian diaspora aromas. The good news is that this is true. A recent study of the sensory
cuisine. Those in the know add a slosh profiles of mutton from different regions of South Africa conducted by
of amasi on top and follow it all down the Agricultural Research Council found
the hatch with a slug of cane and that there were indeed discernible
Coke. As you sink your teeth into spice- differences in the flavour attributes of
laden perfection, consider the lemons into lemonade story of how Zulu dock mutton from the Karoo region.
workers who, prevented by colonial and later apartheid laws from entering
Indian-owned restaurants, created this portable Afro-Indian fusion food. For many urban South Africans, each
aromatic mouthful comes seasoned
CAPE TOWN’S TWEE GEVREETJIE HERTZOGGIES with a nostalgic longing for wide-open
spaces, big-hearted people and calm in
JBM Hertzog was prime minister of the Union a complicated world.
of South Africa from 1924 to 1939.
He is also an apricot jam REX UNION ORANGES FROM BOSCHFONTEIN
and coconut biscuit.
There are two distinct This thick-skinned South African citrus fruit is probably
forms of Hertzoggie. All the most regionally specific orange in the world.
over South Africa, white George Wellington Rex (III), who according to local
legend was the illegitimate son of British King
Afrikaners serve it unadorned George III, created the Rex Union Orange in the
and say that the coconut 1840s. However, recent genetic studies suggest
represents the politician’s beard. In that the regal angle is untrue. What is true is that
Cape Town, there is an icing-topped version with a less appetising he befriended President Paul Kruger who gave him
tale. Cass Abrahams, the doyenne of Cape Malay food, says the land at Boschfontein outside Rustenburg where Rex
biscuit “goes back to when Hertzog was running for election. He made
two promises. He said that he would give white women a vote and crossed a Seville orange with a pomelo grapefruit. He
make the Malay voters equal to the whites. When he came to power, he named the result after himself.
gave the vote to the white women, but his administration removed the It is no exaggeration to say that Rustenburg’s Rex Union
coloured franchise in 1936. The tarts show that only half the promise makes the best marmalade in the world. Until the mid-20th century, the Rex
was kept. Cape Malay-style Hertzoggies are covered with runny brown Union was enormously popular with marmalade makers both locally and
icing and pink icing and they call it a twee gevreetjie (hypocrite)”. internationally. As marmalade fell out of favour so too did our orange. There is
now only one Rex Union orchard left in the world. The last surviving trees (all
273 of them) are at Boschfontein where it all began. ■

MADE IN SA 37

LUXURIES

5 LITTLE
LUXURIES

A touch of luxury can transform an ordinary day
into a memorable experience. Lisa Witepski
finds five homegrown must-haves

MAKE MINE A BRANDY

South African brandy is celebrated the world over. According to KWV’s master

distiller Pieter de Bod, this is largely thanks to the strict laws of production that

govern our brandy distillers, giving rise to a product with a hallmark of

excellence. KWV’s Centenary Brandy is certainly exclusive:

“THE BRANDY HAS produced in celebration of the company’s centennial year, WOOD YOU BELIEVE IT?
A TASTE PROFILE there are only 100 bottles of the blend available, priced
THAT EMBODIES A at R100 000 each. Furniture-making duo Phillip Hollander and Stephen Wilson of
MOMENT IN TIME Houtlander epitomise today’s ethos of careful craftsmanship,
AND CAN NEVER BE Why the high price? “The blend includes the blending modern technologies with time-honoured techniques.
CAPTURED AGAIN.” rarest and best brandies throughout
the history of our company and The result? Furniture that brings a contemporary twist to
classic design – as is the case with Interdependence II,
– ANDREA KNOOP the country,” says KWV’s their interpretation of a Victorian loveseat, which earned
Houtlander the coveted award for The Most Beautiful Object
Andrea Knoop. These at this year’s Design Indaba.
Hollander says that the pair aim to create things that are
include the very first brandy made by “are as close to perfect as can be, and which are part of a
uniquely South African design aesthetic”. They were also
KWV in 1926, as well as brandy from named South African Designer of the Year (twice) at 100%
Design South Africa.
the only barrel rescued from a fire that

razed KWV’s cellars in 1942.

“The brandy has a taste profile

that embodies a moment in time

and can never be captured again,”

Knoop promises.

HEAVEN SCENT BAGS OF BEAUTY

The perfumes produced by Agata No two Matsidiso handbags are the same – and no bag
Karolina’s House of Gozdawa are best is comparable to anything that may be found elsewhere
described by a single word: intimate. in the world. That’s because each element of every bag
These are nothing like your granny’s can be customised to suit the wearer’s taste: add a semi-
eau de cologne, or the overpowering precious stone to the bag hanger if you wish, or augment
perfumes that announce your arrival it with feathers.
long before you enter a room. To create
an even more exclusive experience, “Our ability to make each bag in a bespoke way is hard
Karolina works with individuals, delving to find anywhere else. Each bag is really a love story,
into a journey (often lasting up to six because the amount of detail and thought that goes into
months) that helps her capture the each one is immense,” explains Matsidiso’s Jinae Heyns.
essence of their memories, feelings
and conversations, and then translates She adds that the company, which first became known
these into a customised scent. for its handmade shoes, launched a handbag range
because “what goes together better than handbags and
38 MADE IN SA shoes?” She located Jutta Wizman, her partner in the bag
range, through a serendipitous Instagram moment.

L’MAD ABOUT YOU Images: Supplied

As a curator of fine art, Lucy MacGarry noticed the
move towards making art more accessible and
combined it with the trend towards collaboration
across mediums. And so L’Mad (Lucy MacGarry
Art & Design) was born; a brand transforming
artworks by local and international artworks into
wearable treasure. Each piece is photographed
before being printed onto pure silk. With only 50
editions of each print produced, Lucy has created
a highly sought-after and unique accessory that
crosses the line between fashion and art. ■







TOURISM

SPREADING

OUT South Africa has far
more to offer tourists
than the popular
Kruger National Park,
Table Mountain and
the Garden Route.
Biénne Huisman
looks at efforts to grow
lesser-known spots

T he Kruger National Park, is one of Tintswalo Atlantic Lodge
the most famous national parks
in the world and South Africa’s
oldest and largest. Proclaimed in
1898 and opened to the public
in 1927, last year the 19 500 km2 Highveld DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH
park, which sprawls across the Limpopo and

Mpumalanga provinces, celebrated 120 years In the historical diamond-mining town of Kimberley, under unfurling cobalt skies, the Northern

of conservation. Cape Tourism Authority has worked around the clock to promote the province.

Kruger (as it is affectionately called) is “The Northern Cape is South Africa’s largest province, it’s just so vast, with so much diversity,”

visited by just under two million people says marketing general manager, Dianna Martin. “We have wonderful red dunes, amazing farm

every year, according to South African experiences, cultural tours and plants for medicinal purposes. My personal favourite is the local

National Parks figures. stories told around campfires and accompanied with local food.”

A million people summit AROUND SOUTH AFRICA, TOURISM For example, Martin goes on to speak of Ouma Katrina Esau,
Table Mountain and BOSSES ARE USING NATURE, CULTURE who is 86 years old, and one of the last living people who can speak
nearly two-thirds of all AND ADVENTURE AS DRAWING CARDS TO N|uu, a San language believed to be more than 25 000 years old.
European tourists head to LURE VISITORS LOCALLY AND ABROAD. Esau lives in the small township of Rosedale in Upington, where her

the Western Cape. So how home is abuzz with youngsters who gather for language lessons.

do other spectacular destinations, in areas In 2014, Esau received the Order of the Baobab from former president Jacob Zuma. At the

that really need an economic boost, work time, the presidency said in a statement: “This daughter of the soil has chosen to face up to the

to attract visitors to the country’s lesser- mammoth task of teaching a largely oral language and the unique traditions of the San people.

known corners? Esau’s passion is indefatigable.”

Around South Africa, tourism bosses The tourism authority uses social media and an active blogging portal to share anecdotes like

are using nature, culture and adventure as the one about Esau, plus news of upcoming events. These include the popular annual AfrikaBurn

drawing cards to lure visitors locally and bash, which sees thousands of revellers in outlandish costumes and camper vans head to the

abroad. Pointing out authentic places and town of Tankwa in the Karoo.

residents – who represent the heritage of a The province is also hoping for a boost from the partial lunar eclipse in Upington on 16 July.

region – are key selling points. For cycle enthusiasts, the Trans Augrabies Mountain Bike race takes place from 15 to 17 June,

covering 247 arid kilometres.

42 MADE IN SA

OUT EAST LESSER KNOWN TREASURES
IN THE WESTERN CAPE
On South Africa’s sugar-cane-cloaked east coast in Durban, Tourism KwaZulu-Natal is pushing
SANBONA WILDLIFE RESERVE
to drum up visitor numbers, too. Here, market research has revealed the different needs of https://sanbona.com

visitors, allowing the tourism authority to better package their offerings. Cradled within the Cape Fold Mountains,
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve sprawls across
Tourism KwaZulu-Natal’s general manager, marketing Thulisile Galalekile says its strategies 58 000 hectares, where the Big Five
roam, of Klein Karoo landscape. It is the
include advertising in key mediums, and holding roadshows both in South Africa and abroad. region’s largest privately-owned reserve;
just over three hours drive from Cape
“We are planning to really use insights into why people travel to the province to enhance our Town. Sanbona’s sales and marketing
manager, Astrid Skjelfjord, explains
communication and packaging of the province,” he says. “Globally, for instance, safari and that the reserve is reclaimed farmland
and has undergone an incredible
nature seem to be the leading reasons why people travel to South Africa. We will, therefore, be transformation. “Today, the reserve
bears little resemblance to the farms
showcasing our range of safari and nature offerings at international roadshows; KwaZulu-Natal that once enclosed this part of the Klein
Karoo. Since 2002, the transformation
has an abundance of breathtaking sceneries,” says Galalekile. “Then, domestically and in Africa, of the land has included the slow process
of recreating an ecosystem as close as
beach offerings still seem to be the leading attraction for people coming to the province. So we possible to the way it’s thought to have
been 300 years ago, giving visitors a
plan to take advantage of the activities that take place along our 600-kilometre shoreline.” vision of the Klein Karoo that its early San
inhabitants would recognise.”
Galalekile agrees that increasingly consumers are looking for “authentic experiences” –
DE HOOP NATURE RESERVE
aspects of history, anecdotes and stories not immediately observable. www.dehoopcollection.com

“There is now a longing for authenticity and this is what draws people to the province. In De Hoop Nature Reserve near Agulhas,
the southern-most tip of Africa, is
KwaZulu-Natal, we have a rich history of the Zulu and Indian cultures, INCREASINGLY swathed in silence and salty winds; with
which we build into our presentations, showcasing their way of living and CONSUMERS slight mountains, wetlands and dunes
highlighting their cuisine, which resonates with a lot of people. We also ARE LOOKING next to the sea. Accommodation in
have iconic sights that highlight the history of wars between the Zulus FOR “AUTHENTIC this marine protected area is in simple
and the English as well as the Boers and the English; this tends to resonate EXPERIENCES” whitewashed buildings; there are ample
with the older generation, especially in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, – ASPECTS birds, wild animals, and whale watching,
the province has historic footprints of world icons such as Mahatma OF HISTORY, hikes, and rolling acres of vast nothing.
Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, another drawcard,” says Galalekile. ANECDOTES AND “De Hoop offers the last remaining
STORIES NOT vulture colony in the Western Cape,
We keenly anticipate visitors’ feet pounding across South Africa’s IMMEDIATELY with in excess of 300 vultures,” says
far-flung landscapes; and if the tourism industry’s commitment is OBSERVABLE. William Stephens, owner of the De Hoop
anything to go by, this seems likely. Collection. “Visitors are led by a guide
to view them. If you are lucky, a few
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve hundred will take to flight around you.”

Images: Supplied SIMPLE MESSAGE TINTSWALO ATLANTIC LODGE
http://tintswalo.com/atlantic/
To better market the province, the Northern Cape Tourism Authority has identified
six different “routes” for different types of visitor. Tintswalo Atlantic Lodge sits at the foot
of Chapman’s Peak, alongside the Table
“We have six extensive routes that direct people throughout the area,” says Dianna Martin. Mountain National Park. Fynbos scents
“Some of the routes are better for summer, while others are better in winter.” permeate the five-star lodge, and its
long decks next to crashing waves offer
• The Cape to Namibia Route stretches along the N7 through the Northern Cape province, spectacular views of Hout Bay harbour
passing through Garies, Kamieskroon, Springbok, Okiep, Nababeep and Vioolsdrift, which and Sentinel Peak. Nowhere in Cape
offer spectacular flower vistas in spring. Town does nature feel nearer. Sadly, fires
gutted the lodge twice in the past two
• The Namaqua Coastal Route focuses specifically on the windswept flower region known years; the second incident was recent.
as Namaqualand. Repairs are currently being undertaken
and the lodge’s reopening is scheduled
• The Kokerboom Food and Wine Route highlights attractions along the life-giving for October. ■
Great Gariep River (Orange River) flanked by vineyards and towns including Upington,
Kanoneiland and Keimoes.

• The Richtersveld Route encompasses the mountainous desert in South Africa’s
northwest corner, with its diverse succulent plants and coastal mists.

• The Karoo Highlands Route traverses the rolling hinterland of the Great Karoo, passing
through Nieuwoudtville, Calvinia, and starry Sutherland.

• The Kalahari Red Dune Route includes the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, a sanctuary for
herds of gemsbok, springbok and blue wildebeest, lions, leopards and cheetahs.

MADE IN SA 43







ARTS

TREADING

THE BOARDS

There are big plans for the performing
arts, says Biénne Huisman, but what
do the artists want?

Images: Supplied I n February, at the end of his budget speech, finance minister Tito Mboweni MONEY SHORTAGES
dropped a bombshell on the country’s arts and culture sector. He noted the
possibility of government funding a new “national theatre,” jolting South Africa’s Local arts specialist Yusrah Bardien, director of the
art fraternity into a state of disbelief. Creative Fix Arts Consultancy, concurs that South African
“Finally, the global renown of South Africa’s art and culture is an expression of arts organisations are notoriously under-funded, adding
our soft power and our heritage,” said Mboweni in his speech. “Our public finance choices that instead of having a fixed building for a new national
should reflect an intention to preserve and add to our cultural canon. Officials from the theatre, a widely enforced “national agenda in the form
National Treasury and the Department of Arts and Culture will consider proposals for of social cohesion” would be useful.
the development of a new national theatre, a new national museum, and also consider
financial support for the national archives, a national orchestra and ballet troupe.” Arts professionals agree that there is no shortage of
diverse performing talent in South Africa. However, they
The news didn’t have quite the response Mboweni was aiming for, and the most say key to growing the country’s arts sector would be to
common response among professional performers was: “Do we need another theatre?” decentralise theatre infrastructure; taking stages and
arts schools to rural corners, essentially nurturing talent
As it stands, South Africa has five government-subsidised theatres – the Artscape and providing performing opportunities in South Africa’s
Theatre in Cape Town, Pacofs in Bloemfontein, the Playhouse Company in Durban, the poorer provinces.
Market Theatre in Johannesburg, and the State Theatre in Pretoria – with a combined
budget of R348-million. “Obviously we need cultural infrastructure,” says
Van Graan. “But we do not need more national cultural
Playwright Mike van Graan, president of the African Cultural Policy Network, remarks: infrastructure, which would just be more vanity projects
“It is the department’s sheer incompetence and negligence that has had many in the that serve the elite. There are regions and provinces
arts, culture and heritage sector groan at the mere suggestion that it may be the possible
custodian of a new national theatre and a new museum when so many institutions under >that don’t have any substantial infrastructure. If the
its watch are in a shambles.”
MADE IN SA 47

arts

state builds this national entity it will just end up in an urban centre again, which is already well

served. The poorest provinces in our country – Limpopo, the Eastern Cape, the Northern Cape,

Mpumalanga, North West – these places don’t have subsidised infrastructure and there is a

great need.”

Van Graan’s solution is multifunctional arts centres – which include venues capable of

hosting professional theatre productions – spread around the country.

“There needs to be a national circuit of not just necessarily theatres, but of multifunctional

art centres, with the capacity to stage

productions,” Van Graan says. “So that artists and “There needs To be A AnnA-MArT vAn der Merwe
theatre-makers can take their plays from, say, nATionAl circuiT of noT
Cape Town to North West to Limpopo. This way jusT necessArily TheATres, The creAM
more people around the country will have access buT of MulTifuncTionAl of souTh
to theatre. At the moment, most plays go to Cape ArT cenTres, wiTh AfricA’s
Town, Johannesburg, and maybe the National Arts The cApAciTy To sTAge TheATre
Festival, and that’s it. I mean I would love to be producTions. so ThAT
able to take my work all around the country, but ArTisTs And TheATre- The Fleur du
there’s just no infrastructure to be able to support MAKers cAn TAKe Their
that right now.” plAys froM, sAy, cApe Town Cap Awards
To norTh wesT To liMpopo.
Bardien adds: “When the Department of Arts This wAy More people celebrating the
and Culture was founded within the ANC, one of Around The counTry will
its principles was to build community arts centres hAve Access To TheATre.” best in theatre richArd sepTeMber
all around the country so that people could have in the Western
access to the arts on their doorsteps – but these

centres have not been offered adequate ongoing – MiKe vAn grAAn Cape was hosted at Cape Town’s Artscape

operational or programmatic support, and Opera House on 10 March 2019.

therefore stand empty or become a space to host weddings and funerals, rather than serving

their intended purpose.” These producTions scooped
Top honours
She stresses the importance of initiatives encouraging theatre-going from an early age:
MATildA The MusicAl
“Organisations like ASSITEJ [International Association of Theatre for Children and Young Bethany Dickson for Best Performance by
a Supporting Actress in a Musical or Music
People] are leading the charge on this front, but more often than not, ongoing operational and Theatre Show.
Ryan de Villiers for Best Performance by a Lead
programmatic funding is uncertain,” she said. Actor in a Musical or Music Theatre Show.
Rob Howell for Best Set Design.
Meanwhile, several arts and performance organisations approached for comment declined
endgAMe
to do so. Perhaps understandably, given the delicacy of their positions; their dependence on The Baxter Theatre for Best Production.
Sylvaine Strike for Best Director.
state grants. The role of the performing arts in telling South Africa’s stories and in reflecting the Andrew Buckland for Best Performance by a
Lead Actor in a Play.
country’s diversity is undeniable. South African actor and playwright John Kani said it well: “Art
swerfgoed
is there to educate people. It is an antidote to mass media, which often dwells on highlighting Richard September for Best Performance by a
Supporting Actor in a Play.
the negative. Personally, I like to tell stories that flicker with hope, stories that talk about the Nicole Holm for Best Performance by a
Supporting Actress in a Play.
indestructibility of the human spirit.” Anna-Mart van der Merwe for Best Performance
by a Lead Actress in a Play.
How to allocate public funding so as to optimally benefit South Africa’s precious cultural
Kudu
heritage? Minister Mboweni has brought an important debate to the fore, and while it may not Lwanda Sindaphi for Best New South African Script.
Lwanda Sindaphi Best New Director
end with a national theatre, it is centre stage with good reason. Best Performance by an Ensemble.

A cleAn house woMb of fire
Rehane Abrahams for Best Performance in a
Critics of the national theatre plan point out that the Department of Arts and Revue, Cabaret, or One-Person Show.
Culture’s existing entities are corruption-ridden, with several performing outfits Lukhanyiso Skosana for Best Sound Design,
having shut or facing closure due to insufficient funds. Original Music Composition or Original Score.

In January, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa released a statement TsoTsi The MusicAl
outlining recent forensic investigations initiated to “clean house” at his Msizi Njapha for Best Performance by a
department. The statement notes “areas of grave concern including Supporting Actor in a Musical or Music
maladministration and corrupt activities” at many of our most prestigious Theatre Show.
venues and the Robben Island Museum. Senior management officials were fired Janni Younge for Best Puppetry Design. n
and/or disciplined at the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), the Market
Theatre in Johannesburg, the South African Heritage Agency (SAHA) and the
National Arts Council (NAC), while an investigation at the Robben Island Museum
was still underway.

“It is important to note that when whistle-blowers and individuals report
worrisome matters to the Department of Arts and Culture, these are taken
seriously,” the statement said. “This is apparent in how swiftly Minister Nathi
Mthethwa and the department acted in the past months, relentlessly tackling all
issues of concern and without hesitation.”

48 made in sa


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