March 2015 - Volume 5 Edition 16
www.yourmoneyec.co.za
Editor: Lynn van Vuuran, Cell: 074 682 0819, Email: [email protected]
Entrepreneur
of the month
Le Gudlife
Hustlers and
Diva of the
Month
NMB Investor
seminar 2015
Read more on
Page 9
Read more on
Page 7
Read more on
Page 11
Building a house for R1500…
By Vuyile Citashe
Emerging subcontractors plays a pivotal role in today’s economy in terms of
employment as they tend to encourage
a self-sufficient state of mind as well as
developing their respective communities through securing tenders from main
contractors to build houses, fixing pipes
and electricity installations for public
schools to name a few.
not receiving the 30% wage that should
be allocated to them by the main contractors, instead they are given a mere
R1500 in total to build an entire house,
buy materials, pay the workers and buy
them lunches.
This leads to small contractors operating in a form of a survival enterprise
rather than as a SMME.
Thus said, there are a lot of challenges
that the subcontractors face on a daily
basis such as not being paid on time
from the prime contractor or they are
being paid less than the amount agreed
upon and or having to supply complex
documentations that puts a strain on
their small businesses.
The CIDB (Construction Industry
Development Board) deals with main
contractors and do not necessarily deal
directly with subcontractors. The CIDB
has the mandate to lead construction
industry stakeholders in it’s development and to facilitate regulation and
development of the industry. They
are required to establish a register of
contractors, - projects, - contractor’s
grades and categories contractors according to their capabilities to carry out
specific construction projects.
The development of a small scale
contractor is supposed to be a process
by which both the government and the
entrepreneur stand to benefit.
However, many subcontractors are still
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YOUR MONEY
Local Entrepreneur making it to the Top 100 Forbes list.
By Vuyile Citashe
Young and ambitious entrepreneurs who took it in their strides to ensure improved socio economic conditions also managed to create job opportunities in the process.
They have pushed the envelope, overcome steep odds all in the quest of restructuring and redefining South Africa’s economic future. Six South African entrepreneurs
were scouted by Forbes magazine, reviewed from ‘the 30 most promising young entrepreneurs in Africa’ list. They are some of the young Africans who are emerging at
a rapid pace to running fast growing companies, generating impressive revenue streams at the early stages of their lives and welcoming themselves in the new age of
innovative thinking.
1) Anda Maqanda (Founder, AM Group)
A 29 year old Port-Elizabeth native Anda Maqanda runs a
fast growing engineering company. The AM Group, which
he founded in 2008, is a multi-faceted provider of engineering solutions, focusing mainly engineering consulting, design and construction of Electrical Overhead Power Lines,
Renewable energy, Automation research and development.
2) Tom Manners (Founer of Clockwork Media)
This 26 year old entrepreneur from Jo’burg runs
Clockwork media, a Johannesburg-based integrated
communications agency, that has a Electronics, Sotheby
International Realty, Mimecast, Phillips and Tata. The
company has 11 employees and has expanded to London.
3) Nick Kaoma (Founder, Head Honcho)
A 29 year old Cape Town native, Nick Kaoma is the founder
and creative director of Head Honcho clothing, a lifestyle
brand that produces street wear for urban youth. Their
product line includes T-Shirts and caps to cardigans, varsity
jackets, hoodies, tank tops and female dresses.
4) Alex Fourie (Founder, iFix)
27, Fourie runs a company that employs 40 people and
services more than 400 clients a month. iFix repairs and
services all Apple products and Samsung smartphones.
Satisfied friends subsequently referred other Apple product
owners in search of repairs and Fourie’s business took off.
5) Duran De Villiers (Founder, SteadiDrone)
De Villiers, 30, is the founder of SteadiDrone, a company
that develops and manufactures advanced small unmanned
aerial multi-rotor systems for a wide range of applications
and industries. The company had 2014 revenues of more
than $1.2 million (when converted into dollars).
6) Adii Pienaar (Co-Founder, Woothemes)
Pienaar, 29, one of the three co-founders of Woothemes,
a company that designs and develops customizable
commercial themes and plug ins for Wordpress. Adii built
the business with a bootstrap budget and today they
generate over $3 million (when converted into dollars) in
annual revenues from the sale of tits themes.
Source: www.forbes.com/mweb.com
Content marketing increases your bottom line
Beverley Venter
As a business owner or manager, you may have seen the term content
marketing bandied about on the internet or in business publications, and
possibly you glazed over. Surely it only applies to web geeks? Isn’t that what
the IT guys put on websites? Well, yes, but there is more to it. Content
marketing is more and more becoming a marketing tool of choice for
organisations in the 21st century.
Content marketing is, in a nutshell, showcasing the technical knowledge that
your brand has about your product, industry or service or a related area. For
example, local appliance manufacturer, Defy, publishes a cookbook, has a
virtual kitchen on their website and gives helpful lifestyle hints on their
Facebook and Twitter pages.
In this information age, consumers are more informed than they ever have
been. They have information at their fingertips and are most likely researching
you, your brand and your product or service long before making a purchase.
You need to be one step ahead of them by demonstrating your excellence and
abilities (without directly pushing your product) through content marketing.
‘How will this increase my bottom line?’ I hear. Whilst it may take a bit longer to
generate the result that you want, buyers who experience your brand through
exposure to content are more likely to become loyal advocates, as content
engenders trust and increases credibility.
With continued efforts in this area and over time, you will build a devoted client
base as you will hopefully become
regarded as an expert in what it is that you do. Your clients will think of your
brand first, ahead of the competition, because you know what you are talking
about and they trust you.
A benefit of written content marketing is that producing it is very low cost.
Generating a article or other written material on your subject area, only costs
the time it takes to write the piece. With this tool, you can actively engage your
audience online and in the media. Think newsletters, blogs, Facebook,
Twitter, LinkedIn, Press releases; these together with the other marketing tools
you have chosen which provide constant opportunities for your audience to
contact you.
Some companies who are successfully utilising this marketing tool include
General Electric, L’Oreal, Red Bull and American Express, amongst others.
Time to start writing!
For more information:
Office: 0414501313 | Fax: 0415851463
Cell: 0723141108
Email: [email protected] | www.gt.co.za
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YOUR MONEY
Don’t be bullied - DEBT
Renée Marais
As a consumer there are several laws that protect your
rights. The most important of those laws are the Human Rights in our Constitution which gives the consumer
the right to freedom of choice and association but more
than that it protects you. For an example no one may
try to take your property away without following the right
procedures. A sheriff is the only person who may issue
you with a court order to relinquish your property (car or
house) and they must be able to identify themselves with
the prescribed documentation and they must be able to
provide you with the judgment granted in court.
Business Terms
Middle Class - Social class usually comprising of
white collar (non-manual) workers, lower-level managers, and small business owners, often constituting
about one-third of the employed population of the
country.
Fiscal - Of or relating to public revenues (taxation),
public spending, debt, and finance. In comparison,
the term monetary relates to money and how it is
supplied to, and circulates in, an economy.
Liability - .Finance: A claim against the assets, or
legal obligations of a person or organization, arising
out of past or current transactions or actions. Liabilities require mandatory transfer of assets, or provision of services, at specified dates or in determinable
future.
Monopoly - Market situation where one producer (or
a group of producers acting in concert) controls supply of a good or service, and where the entry of new
producers is prevented or highly restricted.
Patent - .Limited legal monopoly granted to an
individual or firm to make, use, and sell its invention,
and to exclude others from doing so. An invention is
patentable if it is novel, useful, and non-obvious. To
receive a patent, a patent application must disclose
all details of the invention so that others can use it to
further advance the technology with new inventions.
If a judgment has been granted;
then a debt counselor or lawyer
can investigate if the necessary
prescribed steps were indeed followed. If they were not followed
there are remedying actions that
may be taken on your behalf.
The Harassment Act as well as the
SHERRIF Act and code of conduct
also protect consumers from being
terrorized by people who phone
and threaten you on behalf of
creditors. The person who phones
or arrives at your work/ house
without invitation will first need to
identify themselves. If it is
someone phoning you they have
to tell you who they are, why they
are phoning, their contact details
and you are within your right to
demand them to provide written
documentation about the issue
they are phoning about. Creditors
or collection agents or any other
representative of creditors may not
threaten you. They may however
inform you that you are in arrears
and request from you a payment
date or arrangement but it is
always preferable to get everything in writing. The National
Credit Act 34 of 2005 (amendments which have been signed
into law and will be enacted soon)
gives clear guidelines as to what
documentation must be served on
a consumer and in what way. It
has to come via registered mail
for you to sign for and collect from
your local Post Office. It is how
ever your responsibility to ensure
that your FICA and RICA information is correct. Incorrect information is not an excuse.The Protection of Personal Information Act is
also a valuable tool for consumers.
No one is allowed to share your
personal information with anyone
without your written consent. A
debt counselor for an example
may not discuss your financial
situation with any other person
who represents a creditor without
your permission and/or a mandate
on official
documentation from the creditor
they say they represent. The PoPI
Act as well as the registration
conditions of debt counselors
prohibits this.
If you have any queries or
problems in this regard,
please feel free to email us
your questions and Rene will
answer it where applicable:
[email protected].
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YOUR MONEY
Eastern Cape Construction
Summit Speakers
Mr. Hennie Botes is the inventor and CEO of Moladi
plastic formwork construction technology founded
in 1986. He is well known for his low cost housing
plans, having built many low cost houses across the
world, “ I look forward to sharing the advanced and
progressive housing solution to your delegates on
the day.”
Jordan Mann is the executive director of Nu Way
Development and Nu-Hold Housing Group. Nu Way
Development boasts several successful projects,
including the Clearwater Office Park in Johannesburg. Mann will be speaking about the Coega Ridge
Developments in the Bay.
Prof John Smallwood is Professor and Head,
Department of Construction Management, and
Programme Director, MSc (Built Environment) Programme, and a member of Construction Research
Education and
Training Enterprises (CREATE), which consultancy
specialises in construction health and safety (H and
S), and quality. Notable latter related contributions in
clude the cidb H and S and quality status reports.
Prof. Smallwood will be speaking about Health &
Safety Issues in the industry.
Motse Mfuleni, Chairperson of the Mandela Bay
Development Agency (MBDA) board, CEO of the
Imbizo Group and owner of the Vodacom
franchise in Uitenhage.
EASTERN CAPE CONSTRUCTION SUMMIT
26 March 2015 – NELSON MANDELA BAY STADIUM
Our program will be conducted in the actual stadium, seats available for 2000 people.
07:00 – 08:00
08:00 – 08:15
08:20 – 09:00
09:05 – 09:35
09:40 – 10:10
10:15 – 10:40
10:45 - 11:05
11:10 – 11:40
11:45 – 12:15
12:20 – 12:45
12:50 – 13:05
13:10 – 14:10
14:15 – 14:40
14:45 – 15:10
15:15 – 15:25
15:25 18:30 for 19:00 – 23:00
Registration and Expo
Welcome - Mayor Benson Fihla
Overview - Premier Phumulo Masualle’s Representative
The Bigger Picture –Economic Development, Environmental Affairs & Tourism Representative.
CIDB CEO Mr. Mzwandile Sokupa
MBDA: Dr Pierre Voges
Coffee
Prof. John Smallwood - H&S
Nu Way: CEO Jordan Mann
Hennie Botes - Moladi
Seda Construction Incubation
LUNCH
Project Mtombo – Mr. Mandla Mdwara
Coega
Coffee
Group discussion with: CIDB, NHBRC, Black Contractors/Nafcoc, MBDA, Municipality Representatives.
Cocktail Networking
Contact Lynn van Vuuren: Cell: 0745820319 / Email: [email protected]
for sponsorship opportunities.
LEGUDLIFEMAG
MARCH 2015
Volume 5 Edition 6
DIGITAL MAGAZINE
E N T E R TA I N M E N T & L I F E S T Y L E
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YOUR MONEY
“We are here to turn big dreams into reality.
To empower the small business into big business.
To create jobs and grow a land of opportunity for all.
We are the power of positive change.
We are Shanduka Black Umbrellas.”
Shanduka Black Umbrellas are 100% funded by Transnet in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and Port Elizabeth’s Region is one of eight in South Africa.
Akhona Noganta, Regional Manager of Shanduka Black Umbrellas said she is working towards getting government, private companies and parastatals
to make Shanduka Black Umbrellas the first port to call when they are in need of 100% black owned, compliant companies to use as suppliers.
Collaboration is one of our core values at Shanduka Black Umbrellas as Henry Fort says, “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress,
and working together is success.”.
Makapela Project
Managers (Pty) Ltd ,
Malibongwe Makapela , Director
Empire Holdings,
Robert Wentzel, Director
Describe your company in a
nutshell
Empire Holding is an industrial clearing, waste and transport management,
property maintenance and construction
and project management. We are based
in the construction, industrial business,
with some business in the bakery industry.
How did you hear about Shanduka
and when did you join?
My partner and I met an incubator, and
he told us about Shanduka and the services they provide businesses with. We
then signed up at Shanduka in October
2014; we met Sinazo and felt straight at
home.
In what way did Shanduka change/
transform your company the most?
We have been exposed to over a 100
Describe your company in a nutshell
Makapela Project Managers is a consulting engineering and project management firm established in 2013. We have
procurement opportunities, our brand
been directly involved on 3No wind farm
awareness has significantly increased,
projects in the Eastern Cape consulting
we are now a well know business. We
for the principle contractor and a subhave received many calls from larger
contractor. These wind farms generate
companies asking for our services,
and supply electricity to Eskom. Our
Shanduka has been the answer to our
other specialty includes design and proprayers. What is your motto that you
live by/What inspires you? We are not ject management of bulk water, roads,
driven by money, but by the way we can housing and township development. We
also mentor construction SMME’s.
change people’s lives.
How did you hear about Shanduka
For more information
and when did you join?
contact:
I was looking for opportunities at
Transnet and the day I came was the
Cell: 084 368 7092
orientation at Shanduka Black Umbrelrobert@empirelas in December 2013. I joined them in
holdings.co.za
January 2014.
www.empire-holdings.co.za
The Do’s and Don’ts of being in
Construction
By Vuyile Citashe
Small contractors must familiarize
money), track record: (a letter of good
themselves with the fundamental
standing), construction management
channels which must be adhered to have
systems: (acquiring proper knowledge
their entities registered and be prepared
in regards of what you ultimately dealing
to operate. Subcontractors or small
with), compliance with legislative
contractors can be classified in three
requirements: (registering your enter-
categories namely:
prise, tax clearances etc and a BEE
-
status.) Subject to a small contractor
Specialist subcontractors:
undertake specialist services, especially
meeting these basic requirements, the
building/ engineering services such as
key criterion for subcontractor’s selection
electrical, plumbing and heating,
is their price or bid amount. However,
ventilating and air conditioning,
dissatisfaction of small contractors with
-
prime contractors does arise, as many
Generalist & specialist trade
subcontractors: they offer general trade
small scale contractors have claimed
such as painting and brickwork,
because of the late payments, under-
-
payment, sometimes the pressure that’s
Labour only contractors: skilled
tradesmen that provide labour only
been applied on them by prime
services, while main contractors provide
contractors to reduce their price (and
materials and supervision.
hence margins). While formal contracts
The key factors influencing a main
are generally used, contractual relations
contractor (prime contractor who makes
between the main contractor and the
an agreement with employer to build
subcontractor are often governed on a
something) to choose a small contractor/
ad hoc basis- in a nutshell, using less
subcontractor or the prerequisites of
sophisticated documentation and the
securing a tender would only require
failure to sign a formal contract is
financial capability: (whether your
generally viewed as being
enterprise has the potential to make
disadvantageous to the subcontractor.
In what way did Shanduka change/
transform your company the most?
I am a civil engineer by profession, so
my experience leans mostly to the technical side of things. Shanduka helped
me with the business management
skills, office space, and exposing my
company to opportunities.
What is your motto that you live by?
What inspires you?
Have honesty, Integrity and excellence
in all your dealings and success will find
you.
For more information
contact:
Cell: 072 390 5211
[email protected]
15,000 child refugees to benefit from
Vodafone Foundation ‘Instant Classroom’
The Vodafone Foundation today announced the Instant Classroom, a
digital ‘school in a box’ that can be
set up in a matter of minutes, helping give children and young adults in
some of the world’s largest and poorly
resourced refugee camps the opportunity to continue their education.
The Vodafone Foundation Instant
Classroom has been specifically designed for areas where electricity and
internet connectivity are unreliable or
non-existent and will be deployed in
partnership with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Innovation and Education units. The Instant
Classroom is shipped in a secure and
robust 52kg case which is equipped
with a laptop, 25 tablets pre-loaded
with educational software, a projector, a speaker and a hotspot modem
with 3G connectivity. The tablets can
connect to the laptop locally, enabling
teachers to deliver content and applications to students without the need to
access the internet.
For more information please see attached the Instant Classroom press
release as well as an infographic
and images of the Instant Classroom. You can also watch a video of
the “school in a box’ here –
http://youtu.be/cdmS8JVun3Y.
7
YOUR MONEY
DIVAOFTHEMONTH
Busisiwe Nzo- Director of Lakhanya Quantity Surveyors
Busisiwe Nzo is a steadily focused professional lady, highly intelligent and a technical minded entrepreneur.
Throughout her business practice, she had to be strong minded against the resistance to both her gender and race
especially in her field- think about it, a hands-on young black business woman in a dynamic and male dominated
environment - that means going on to site to balance the book with the physical product to keep the clients happy by
ensuring efficient services. She heads (owner and managing member) the BBBEE Level 1 rated ‘Lakhanya Quantity
Surveyors’, a quantity surveying company that also deals with project management, mentorship and construction. A top
40 under 40 Nelson Mandela Business Chamber young achiever, member of council (equivalent to board) to the National
Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) and Advisory Board Member to the Quantity Surveying department at
the NMMU. Having so much credentials, it was an absolute honour to crown her with the Le Gud Life Diva of the Month
throne...
being in positions of being the clients
university, and it sounded appealing. I
Give us a brief history of your
to our own businesses, we are able to
did my research on the course and
up bringing and education?
engage differently and understanding
discovered it was a similar career, but
I grew up in Peddie, where my parents just in a different field. If anyone knows as women in the construction industry.
There are numerous but well defined
what quantity surveying is all about,
still live, as the eldest child of three
they will agree with me. The other driv- and documented routes to being acgirls, so from a young age, I had to be
responsible for myself and my younger er in me making this decision was that credited as a professional, depending
on the background of your studies e.g.
there were few people doing it, more
siblings.I did my primary school up to
especially black and being female, and Diploma vs degree, however, the manGrade 7 (then Standard 5) in a local
to me that meant more challenges, and datory requirement is the experience to
school in Peddie, where my mother
have practiced in the field for a defined
more exciting opportunities. I had an
was a teacher and later the school
period of time, which at my time was
principal. This might sound like I could option of continuing with the BCom
degree, but perhaps focusing on other 33 months, working under the supervihave had it all good, but that made
major subjects, other than accounting, sion of another professional quantity
things even more difficult for me, as I
surveyor. Put in a more simpler and
had to ensure I was in my most proper but this did not drive me as I have always wanted to be something, and not usual terms, this process is similar to
conduct at all times. In pursuit of betother careers like law, accounting, etc
ter/best education, at the age of twelve a generalist in my life.
where you would have had to serve
years going into thirteen, I was sent
your articles before being admitted as
Tell us the importance of self
to a girls boarding school in Durban,
a fully-fledged attorney or accountant.
called Inanda Seminary where I did my employment and the visibility of
young black females in the quantity Upon having gained the well-docuStandard 6 to Standard 8. I left to do
surveying field and what does it take mented experience as required, then
my Standard 9 at All Saints
you have to go through certain tests
to accredited as a professional?
Senior College in Bhisho, but had to
and assessments to measure fitness
later repeat the class when I eventufor qualification, whereupon passing
Self-employment is not a walk in the
ally came to study in Port Elizabeth,
the tests, then you would be granted
and where I finished off my high school park, as sometimes people view it. It
the title of professional (Pr. QS). The
means being more responsible and
education, at Trinity High School.
always thinking and planning ahead. It South African Council of the Quantity
Surveying Profession is the regulatory
means you have to be on top-of-theYou wanted to pursue Accounting
body that administers this process and
game at all times. You have the
at Varsity but you went against the
all other matters related to the
grain and chose quantity surveying, responsibility of being the first man on
the team, as everything about the qual- profession, like conduct, etc.
tell us more about that decision.?
ity of work that your office produces
reflects on you. You become the brand Your definition of success?
Yes, my dream job as a child beyond
of the company you represent. You
the basic teacher/nurse period, which
Success is having accomplished what
all kids wanted to be, I wanted to be an have to ensure that there is enough
I had set myself to do and achieve
accountant. I started off my first year at work to sustain the business. The
industry is no longer the same as when at certain time-frames in my life. It is
varsity doing BCom (Accounting) but
about pushing myself to limits, where I
I started, as there are more black
after first year of studying, and having
can realise my true and maximum pofemales in the field now. Times have
failed the major subject dismally,
tential. It is about creating an impact by
become interesting, as you are able
I decided to explore other options. I
contributing positively to others through
discovered the Quantity Surveying field to share the same views with others
my knowledge,
in the industry. With some (women)
while I was doing my first year at
my work and my experience.
Your definition of Le Gud Life?
Living life fully, as best as I can provide
for myself without any regrets and doing it responsibly.
Words of encouragement to young
girls who aspire to follow your career path but still threatened by male
dominated environments?
Making that first step in the decision to
study quantity surveying is the first bold
move. It means one has the potential
to be what they aspire to be in life. This
career is no rocket science, but having
said that, it is neither child’s play,
however, anything anybody sets
themselves to do, they must do it
wholeheartedly and be ready to put
on the hard work required. Life in its
nature is a series of ups and downs.
Nobody who is successful in life, by
their own definition had it easy. For
the best results, you need to put in
the hardwork. The first step in making
it in the field is to stop seeing people
as male and female in the field but as
people, as otherwise means building a
wall around yourself before the actual
experience. With my experience, I have
found the men to be more respectful
and accommodating for as long as one
demonstrates having the knowledge
of what the career is about and being
open to learn from others, as life is just
that…….a journey of learning
HUSTLEROFTHEMONTH
Litha Nodada- GM of Fuelserve Petroleum
1. Who is the real Litha and how did
you come to be this prominent in the
(petroleum) industry. Did you study it
or simply through luck?
Being the first of four boys raised by a
stern dad and incredible mother, I am
fortunate to be grounded in the knowing
I am capable and the importance of
fulfilling my purpose on earth. My
family and relationship with God are first
and are the compass that guides my
decisions in business and in life. I enjoy
travelling and am an avid fan of anything SPORT.
I Work hard, I am committed and I
believe in what I do. Given the highly
competitive nature of the business
environment, I find that I have
compassion for the small guy/under
dog, I like to lift as I rise. I am seriously
driven by challenges, every triumph is a
huge victory in my books.
I am a stickler for detail, processes,
systems and control, my approach is
hands on from start to finish, these are
key pillars of running a successful
enterprise. The hands on approach
allows me to have control, be attune to
immediate needs and structural
necessities. Hence my title of General
manager, no task is to menial so from
site to the boardroom , I am fully in.
2. What does your company do?
Our core business is bulk distribution of
fuel, this encompasses diesel, petrol,
lubricants and other related petroleum
products. We have opted to position
Fuelserve as the petroleum solutions
provider, giving storage facilities , fuel
pumps, installations and maintenance;
so a holistic approach to each customer’s needs, and differentiate our service
offering to meet all needs in this sphere.
Customer retention is then possible
given our ability to provide a comprehensive energy solution.
3. What is a normal weekday like for
you?
Emails , phone calls and some more
emails, opportunities are abound at all
hours of the day so we are constantly
at work. The main priorities in a day are
maintenance of existing customers, seeing to their provisions. Sales calls , as
this is an extremely sales
intensive industry. Price competion
being a key driver , this necessitates
constant research, consultation and negotiation to ensure we stay competitive
and are the preferred supplier to both
small and large customers.
4. What do you like and dislike most
about a person’s personality/
character?
I think the inability to see things through.
Why start something with no intention to
finish well?
5. If you could be anyone for a year
who would it be and why?
Roman Ambromavich, the owner of the
greatest football club in the world,
Chelsea Football Club. Apart from the
obvious novelty of being football royalty, I admire his brazenness and bold
nature. His ability to make all his wishes
and
ambitions come true. I would love to live
out all my ambitions in such a grand
manner, leaving a legacy for generations to come.
www.yourmoneyec.co.za
6. If you had R5million and had to
spend it in a day what would you do
with it?
Ok, that’s not a fair question. My first
thought is I must be allowed to purchase
something that will generate income in
perpetuity.I would invest in Education,
R1m to the Thabo Mbeki African
Leadership Institute. Then get crazy ,
and buy a ticket for two for an around
the world adventure, taking in all the
sites, going to the greatest sporting
competitions, eating at amazing
restaurants . So an all -expenses paid
trip for everything.
7. Lastly, words of encouragement to
other hustlers who aspire to follow
your career path?
Persist, commit, find a niche market
and differentiate yourself from the rest,
sincerely believe in your brand and live
it everyday ..
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YOUR MONEY
Your Money Entrepreneur of the month – Heather and
Jullian Britz, Owners of Houdini Locksmiths and Security.
From eating Marmite and Toast during their start-up years to being celebrated as the Eastern Cape’s top locksmith and security
company today; we are proud to share our March Your Money Entrepreneur of the Month’s success story with you.
Congratulations to the Britz family on your phenomenal success story; may you continue to grow each year.
Q1: Who are Heather and Jullian Britz and what are
your backgrounds?
Heather: I came from Hibberdene on the South Coast
of Natal and met my late husband Jimmy in Durban.
We came to Port Elizabeth in 1970 after our marriage,
as he had secured a contract in Port Elizabeth, with a
well known Safe company.
Jullian: I am the oldest son of Jimmy and Heather Britz
and joined my Mom in running the business when my
Dad passed away in 1997. I brought with me a business background and applied those business & marketing principles to the everyday workings of Houdini.
Q2: Heather, what made you decide to enter a
mainly male dominated work environment with
your late husband, Jimmy and how did it affect
your business and on a personal manner?
When my late husband Jimmy, decided to open his
own business, Houdini Locksmiths, in November 1975,
we started with a secured overdraft of R1500.00 and I
was roped in to do bookwork and look after the shop,
while he went out to do the work. At that stage our
three children Mandy, Jullian and Sue-Lynette came to
work with us every day as we could not afford childcare.
Q3: Did you ever feel like giving up in the beginning and if so, how did you overcome it?
Our first day in business we made 35c – sharpening 7 knives at 5c per knife! Jimmy and I ate toasted
Marmite sandwiches, making sure that the children
had meat and veg every day. To this day I do not eat
Marmite. There was never a question of giving up.
Jimmy was one of the most proficient locksmiths in
South Africa and I always knew we would make it.
Q4: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Heather: My parents owned and ran a hotel on the
Lower South Coast and worked incredibly hard and
in doing so gave my siblings and myself good work
ethics.
Jullian: My inspiration stems from wanting to be the
best and always doing our best. I believe in constant
improvement of oneself as well as in business. I believe we can always be better and do better.
Q5: Jullian, what is your daily routine like?
Hectic. We have 36 staff members and 18 vehicles
on the road. My job is firstly operational, to see that
the technicians get to the most important sites early in
the morning – we do not like to leave today’s work for
tomorrow. I also laisse with my various managers on
general business matters but my job is all encompassing – I do the marketing, advertising, HR, working with
the clients at the counter and answering telephone
calls. All of us on the management side of Houdini
wear many hats – this is how it is in a family run company.
Q6: How long are you in operation for and how
much have you grown over the years, awards,
etc.? Can you for example say how much you started
out with and how much your company is worth now?
Jullian: Houdini has been going since 1975, marking
this as our 40th year in business in Port Elizabeth. As
my Mom said earlier, they started with a guaranteed
overdraft of R1500.00 and today the business is certainly worth many millions and is fortunate to no longer
be in need of an overdraft. When I started in 1997 we
had 5 staff members &3 vehicles. The company was at
a bit of a low point after my dad’s passing. It took many
years of hard work to get us to where we are now. We
have subsequently enlisted the services of my brother
Jamie Britz as well as my sister Mandy Britz. They
have made a big difference to our team. Our industry
does not issue awards as such but we are rewarded
with the many e-mails of thanks we receive from our
customers on an almost daily basis.
Q7: What are the highs and lows of your business?
Jullian: Highs would be providing all round security for
our clients as well as employment for 36 people. We
love interacting with clients and do our best to always
provide service excellence. We like to look after our
staff and provide a pleasant work environment for
them. Because of this we have a very low staff turnover.
Lows – with the sheer volume of work that we do the
work environment can be stressful.
Q8: What are your long term plans for the future?
Jullian: We are at present opening up our franchise
Did you know we offer 24 hour service, 7 days a
week, 365 days a year? For all your security needs
call us today on 0413657565.
concept store in Walmer called Houdini Express.
This model will be duplicated throughout the Eastern
Cape, South Africa and eventually Africa. We are very
confident that we have an exceptionally strong brand,
a business model and a price point that will guarantee
success in the franchise industry.
Q9: Describe your company in a nutshell and how
did you come up with the name?
Well, Houdini is the greatest escape artist in the world
and seeing that we live in the “EastCape” it was a play
on words and the name Houdini fitted our business
perfectly. We provide a complete security solution
encompassing all aspects of security from keys, locks,
safes etc. to high end inter-grated cctv, electric fence
& biometric systems. Our retail outlet in Newton Park
employs 15 staff that offers excellent over the counter
sales and service. When we started the company,
Q10: Something few people know about the two of
you?
Heather: Although my role was largely on the paperwork side, because of starting with just Jimmy and
myself, I was at one stage the only lady key cutter in
the Eastern Cape and am registered as a key cutter
with Psira. I was also registered as a member of the
Security Association of South Africa.
Jullian: I excelled in Rugby at school level and was
the Captain of the EP Craven Week under 19 side and
also represented SA Schools.
Q11: What are your words of advice to fellow Entrepreneurs?
Heather: Honesty, integrity and hard work always pays
off.
Jullian: Staff management and dealing honestly
with the customer is of crucial importance. We are in
business to succeed but success is not measured by
money alone. From my perspective service excellence
and customer satisfaction are great measures of success.
10
YOUR MONEY
ACROSS
1. Absent Without Leave
5. Seaweed
10. A Freudian stage
14. Opera star
15. Equipment
16. Soft drink
17. Matchless
19. Two-toed sloth
20. Many millennia
21. Compacted
22. Refereed
23. Futile
25. Cite
27. Big wine holder
28. Scientific agriculture
31. Caps
34. Assumed name
35. Enemy
36. Decorative case
37. Throats (archaic)
38. Falafel bread
39. Indian bread
40. Cars
41. Not earlier
42. Large venomous ray
44. Bird call
45. French for "Sister"
46. Masculine
50. A Musketeer
52. Australian "bear"
54. Born as
55. Marsh plant
56. Likeness
58. Nobleman
59. Take by force
60. By mouth
61. Backside
62. Fruity-smelling compound
63. Writing implements
State of Province
Address 2015 by
Premier Phumulo
Masualle.
DOWN
1. French farewell
2. Drunkards
3. Sheeplike
4. Flee
5. Certify
6. Advances (money)
7. Lots
8. Anagram of "Galleries"
9. East southeast
10. Insight
11. Not commercially motivated
12. Wings
13. Praise
18. Notions
22. Flying saucers
24. 57 in Roman numerals
26. Historical periods
28. A mixture of metals
29. Bit of dust
30. 365 days
31. Knows
32. French for "State"
33. They inflict penalties
34. Policies of national self-sufficiency
37. Mentor
38. Chess piece
40. How old we are
41. Hawaiian veranda
43. Noggin
44. Some who phones
46. Corn
47. Accustom
48. 4-door car
49. Scoundrels
50. District
51. Rip
53. Leave out
56. South southeast
57. Not bottom
digital marketing and product quality for
tourism based SMME’S.
The following job creation targets have
been set for the Eastern Cape for the
2015/2016 financial year. Eastern Cape
Development Corporation 7000, Coega
8797, East London 5500. The Premier
went on to say that “In the coming year,
jobs will be created in manufacturing,
logistics, alternative energy, agro-processing and services”.
The premier ended of his address by
quoting William Ernest Henley’s poem
“Invictus”, “It matters not how strait the
gate, How charged with punishments
the scroll, I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul. We too in
the Eastern Cape are captains of our
souls. We too in the Eastern Cape are
masters of our fate.”
By Anelisa Klaas
With the whole province waiting to hear
what the Premier of the Eastern Cape,
Phumulo Masualle has planned for the
Eastern Cape this financial year, some
positive news for the youth came afore.
The youth are at the top of his list this
year with 134 new schools planned for
the medium-term expenditure framework, with 20 schools being planned for
2015 with nutritional programs, feeding over 1746477 learners across the
Eastern Cape.
Various hospitals across the Eastern
Cape will be revamped, with forty consulting rooms constructed to existing
clinics and more than 189 million will
be spent on training 2344 healthcare
professionals in the Eastern Cape.
The economy is set to boost from rural
development through its agriculture
and agri-based industry. The Coega
Industrial Development Zone has an
R86 million agro-processing multi-user
facility, which will enable Small, Micro
and Medium Enterprises to expand
Premier of Eastern Cape: Phumulo
their value added activities in the East- Masualle
ern Cape and also provide training on
the matters of financial management,
Budget Speech –
Some Good News for
Small Businesses.
By Anelisa Klaas
During this year’s first Budget speech,
Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene gave a
bleak outlook for the South African Consumers, but some good news for small
businesses too.
With Eskom having power shortage’s
many items were about to increase,
starting off with personal income tax
increasing by 1% for all those who earn
more than R181 900 a year. Electricity levies increased from 3.5 cents per
kilowatt per hour to 5.5 cents per kilowatt
per hour, but this is just a temporary
pricing to help the load of Eskom. The
growth rate for 2015 has decreased with
electricity constraints affecting the manufacturing and mining sector.
Petrol will be going up by 85cents with
the increase being spread over two
periods; motorists will be paying 35cents
extra by April. Sin tax will also be going
up. A quart of beer will cost you 15.5
cents more, a bottle of wine will increase
by 15cents, a bottle of whisky goes up
by R3.37 and a box of cigarettes will cost
82cents more.
Unemployment is still considered one of
the biggest challenges in South Africa,
the increase of the social grant will help
the elderly and children. The disability
grant is set to increase by R60 to R1410.
Child support grant will now be R330,
and foster care grants will increase by
R30 to R860.
Over 640 million will be allocated to
basic education; this amount will be
spread over three years. With Higher
Education being a top priority seeing that
many matriculates cannot afford tertiary
fees with issues over NSFAS and its lack
of funds for the amount of students that
apply for a loan. Infrastructure backlog
programs will be implemented to fix over
500 unsafe schools and provide them
with water and electricity, an estimated
R7 billion has been allocated.
Businesses with a turnover less
than R1 million will soon be paying less, while Small, Micro, Medium
Enterprises(SMME’S) that make a turnover of less than R350 000 a year will
pay no tax. The maximum tax rate has
been reduced from 6% to 3% making it
a very encouraging year for businesses.
The government will also be increasing
the energy –efficiency saving incentive
from 45cents per kilowatt to 95cents
per kilowatt, proven on their energy efficiency savings a business can claim a
tax rebate.
President of South Africa: Jacob Zuma
11
YOUR MONEY
the 2014 NZ Speaker of the Year and
one of just 25 people globally to be
awarded the speaking designation CSP
Global, he has written thirteen books
on business and personal development
including best sellers and an Amazon #3
and he has been mentioned by President Bill Clinton for his philanthropic
work and is a seeker of ancient wisdom
who can be found climbing through
dusty pyramids or researching the secrets of the past diligently.
Novice Entrepreneur 2015 Competition:
17 June 2015-ICC Boardwalk
Calling Aspiring Entrepreneurs under 30- years of age with a new business idea!
We are looking for passionate, determined and innovative young Entrepreneurs
in the Eastern Cape to take part in our 1-day workshop on 17 June and stand the
chance to be ABSA Your Money Novice Entrepreneur 2015!
Fill in the application form, scan and email it back to us. You can also email us the
questions asked on the application form: Email: [email protected]/ Cell:
0745820319, Web: www.yourmoneyec.co.za or download our App:
Your Money on Playstore to enter!
Entry Form:
ABSA Your Money Novice Entrepreneur 2015
Fill in the entry form, scan and email to: [email protected].
You can also sms us the details to: 074 5820 319.
Closing Date: 10 June 2015
Applicant’s Full Names: .................................................................................
Identification no:...............................................................................................
Cell Phone:.......................................................................................................
Email Address:..................................................................................................
Proposed Company Name:...............................................................................
Description of Proposed Business: ………………………………………….........
…………………………………………………………………………………………
RULES AND REGULATION:
- Be between under 30-years of age.
- Have a new business idea.
- Be willing to be featured in Your Money Publishing.
- Be promoted on our FB Page: Your Money Publishing and Events and twitter.
- Be willing to be interviewed on KQ FM.
- Be willing to be interviewed on Bay TV.
- Complete the full day workshop on 28 May.
- Top 15 entrants to pitch their idea in front of the “Dragon’s Den”.
Signature:………………………..........................................................
Date:............................................................................................................
Outline of Competition:
In line with the call from government to create 20million jobs by 2020, Your Money
would like to do its part by encouraging the youth to take the opportunities there are
of being an Entrepreneur in the Eastern Cape. We know our region is unique from
other areas and instead of trying to change it, we would like to embrace and make it
work in our favour.
“Weathering the storm. Getting your business through
tough economic times”
Started by a collaboration between Edge
Financial Services and Michelle Campbell Publicity- now into its 3rd year, the
Nelson Mandela Bay Investor Seminar
certainly is gaining traction and interest.
This year will see the popular business
expo area with over 40 exhibits and an
expected 2000 feet through the door as
well as the ABSA Novice Entrepreneur
Competition who will see four lucky
finalists walk away with a R2000 cash
prize and a mentorship from their own
“Dragon”.
In the main auditorium guests can expect talks from the likes of KPMG, Coca
Cola, Investec, Edge Financial and
MBDA- who will be giving an extensive
talk on inner-city property and development as well as on the waterfront and
Tramways building. Other partners
include the Hope Factory who will be
hosting a couch Q&A session aimed at
SMME’s and emerging entrepreneurs.
Coca Cola Sabco will also use the seminar to promote their 5by20 which is The
Coca-Cola Company’s global commitment to enable the economic empowerment of 5 million women entrepreneurs
across the company’s value chain by
2020. Specifically, that means the small
businesses the company works with in
over 200 countries around the world.
From fruit farmers to artisans, this initiative aims to help women overcome the
barriers they face to business success.
5by20 and The Coca-Cola Company
are proud to be giving millions of women
opportunities to build their businesses,
support their families and build their
communities, while inspiring more to do
the same.
The main auditorium will enjoy talks
from top representatives in their fieldsas well as a special talk from Mr Phil
Gutsche on the history of Coca Cola
Sabco as they celebrate 75 years in
existence this year- how their stood the
test of time. Coca Cola memorabilia will
also be on display in the business expo
area, for a nostalgic trip down memory
lane…
The mastermind behind this event, Ed
Gutsche will also be addressing our delegates about investment opportunities
in Africa – with a live feed to their new
Edge Financial Group office in Kenya.
Chairman of Sabco, Mr. Phil Gutsche
addressing the delegates last year.
There are still two opens available for
platinum sponsors to align themselves with this prestigious event
as well as space in the Business
Expo area. Call Michelle Campbell on
0729973123 or Lynn Van Vuuren on
0745820319 for any further information. Tickets to the public are R200
and will be available through Computicket. This will include coffee and
light refreshments. Follow the seminar on Facbook at The NMB Investor
Seminar.
MBDA CEO, Prof. Pierre Voges
adressing the delegates.
The event date is set at Wednesday 17
June June 2015 at the Boardwalk International Convention Centre and will begin at 7:30 for 8:00, likely to end around
5pm whereby guests will be invited to a
“miss the traffic” networking sundowner
session next to the pool.
A wonderful addition this year as well, is
a talk which will be given by the one and
only Mike Handcock. Mike Handcock is
the Chairman & Founder of Rock Your
Life. Getting to know about Mike Handcock you will find: Mike is an international award winning speaker who has
worked in over 30 cities and 20 countries in the past 3 years alone,
Mastermind, Mr. Ed Gutsche, CEO of
Edge Financial Services Group at their
Expo stall last year.
12
YOUR MONEY
Price of Petrol Rising Rising Rising…
Reef
Petrol
Coast
Unleaded
93
04 March 2015
1105
Diesel
Reef
95
LRP
Unleaded
93
93
1127
1105
LRP
95
1081
95
1086
Coast
New
0.05%
04 March 2015
1086
0.01%
1000
1005
New
0.05%
0.01%
974
970
Comparison: Isuzu KB vs GWM Steed 5E
By David Taylor, February 24th, 2015
Posted in Car reviews, Home Featured/ Gwm / Steed
The bakkie market is one of the most
competitive in Southern Africa. I can understand
why, bakkies tick most of the boxes in terms of
workhorse capability, offroad ability and there’s
a nice lifestyle outdoors
element thrown in. The market has been
dominated by the likes of the Toyota Hilux, Ford
Ranger, Nissan Navara, Volkswagen Amarok
and Isuzu KB series. All of these bakkies are
good in their own way and there’s a good
chance that regardless of what you buy, you will
be satisfied with your purchase. Powering the
Isuzu is a powerful 3.0 turbo diesel motor with
130 kW and 380 Nm, while the GWM Steed 5E
gets by with 2.0-litre turbo diesel motor with 105
kW and 305 Nm. While there’s one litre difference in capacity between the two, both engines
feel a little similar although the true test would
be evaluating performance with the load bay full
of cargo.
Isuzu claims 7.9L/100km as a fuel consumption
average, while GWM claims a
surprising 8.3L/100km figure. Advantage to the Isuzu
then.
While it’s much of a muchness between the two bakkies, the GWM simply blows the Isuzu KB out the water
when it comes to price. This particular Isuzu in the
photos is the 4×4 version, and that retails for almost
R500 000. The GWM Steed 5E 4×2 with automatic rear
differential lock sells for R284 900, making it superb
value for money for those budget-conscious buyers!
So now the question to be asked is, do you go for
one of the tried-and-trusted models which are loved,
admired and respected in South Africa, or do you go for
the relatively unproven newcomer which is substantially cheaper than its competition? After sale service and
resale will likely count in favour of the Isuzu, but GWM
is arguably the best of the Chinese manufacturers and
has a lot going for it. It’s a victory for the GWM Steed
5E in my opinion, as the bakkie is on par with its Isuzu
rival, but it’s an awful lot cheaper.
Price
Engine
Power
Torque
Isuzu KB 300D-Teq D/C LX
GWM Steed5E2.0VGT D/C
R439 100
3.0-Litre turbodiesel
130 kW
380 Nm
R284 900
2.0-Litre turbodiesel
105 kW
305 Nm
16 years
4 - 6 March 2015 | Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium | Port Elizabeth
Working World Exhibition
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