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Dekra IOL has expanded its Community Development Facilitator skills programme, which is focused on empowering community leaders and transforming lives, to feature an insightful substance abuse counselling component. The result is that the programme very effectively integrates substance abuse education and counselling into the broader context of community development. Community upliftment One of the primary …
As the world faces escalating environmental challenges and growing inequalities, the demand for ethical markets has never been more urgent. Fairtrade Africa’s Change Day hosted on Wednesday, 28 August 2024, themed ‘Navigating a Fairer Future: Harnessing Global Market Dynamics for Ethical and Sustainable Growth’, addressed this pressing need head-on. This landmark event held at The …
The T-Cross is the smallest member of Volkswagen’s all-important “T” family of SUVs and the best-selling SUV for the brand in South Africa. Sharing its MQB A0 platform with the sixth-generation Polo hatchback, T-Cross has also been the best selling imported model for Volkswagen in South Africa with over 36 000 units sold. The new …
Verdant (www.Verdant-Cap.com) has raised ZAR 40 million for Us Plus Limited (“UsPlus”) as a senior unsecured note through UsPlus' JSE-listed social bond. The investment comes from an Africa-focused fund headquartered in Europe and was matched by an equal investment through local funding on the JSE making ZAR 80 million in total through the bond issuance. Furthermore, in parallel UsPlus drew down ZAR 60 million for a bilateral facility previously arranged by Verdant, making a total of ZAR 140 million of new funding this quarter (approx. USD 7 million). This substantial funding injection increases the total capital raised for the business by Verdant to USD 22 million in just over 2 years. It underscores market confidence in UsPlus' mission to drive economic growth and social impact in South Africa.
UsPlus, known for its innovative financial solutions tailored for SMEs, is dedicated to enhancing competitiveness and access to finance for small and medium enterprises. This strategic partnership reinforces UsPlus' commitment to fostering sustainable development and economic inclusion in South Africa.
The fresh capital will empower UsPlus to expand its support, particularly to black-owned, women-owned, and youth-owned MSMEs, particularly in underserved provinces. By focusing on sectors such as food security, waste management, and manufacturing, UsPlus aims to create lasting positive changes in local communities by contributing to employment creation, food security and sustainable production.
This collaboration highlights the vital role of social bonds in mobilising capital for impactful projects, and it reinforces UsPlus' position as a catalyst for financial inclusion and economic empowerment in South Africa. The commitment from this latest funding partner and the continued support from local funders are a testament to the crucial work being done by UsPlus to promote sustainable growth and support the nation's SME sector.
This is the fourth investment into UsPlus arranged by Verdant from international development finance institutions and impact investors.
The transaction further solidifies Verdant as a leading advisor and manager for inclusive financial institutions in Africa.
Terms for the transaction were not disclosed.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Verdant Capital.
Media enquiries:
Orient Mahonisi
orient.mahonisi@verdant-cap.com
About Verdant IMAP:
Verdant IMAP is a leading investment bank operating on a pan-African focus, specialising in M&A and in private capital markets. Verdant IMAP is the IMAP partner firm for its region. IMAP with partner firms in nearly 50 countries, with over 600 M&A professionals, completing over 200 M&A transactions per year, reinforces Verdant IMAP's capability to deliver innovative financial solutions to clients across Africa and around the World. www.Verdant-Cap.com
Source: US Plus Limited, Verdant
The Bellville Business Expo is back for its second annual run, and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Originally set for August, the event has been rescheduled to 17 and 18 October 2024, offering local businesses and working professionals an extended opportunity to explore growth avenues and expand their networks. …
By Chantal Marx, Head of Investment Research, FNB Wealth and Investments: The introduction of the two-pot system, together with possible interest rate cuts, decent momentum in wages, and lower inflation could boost consumer confidence and drive an increase in spending in the months ahead. This is expected to be positive for domestic retailers, particularly discretionary …
JLR South Africa is proud to announce the appointment of two new brand managers to lead the British marque’s luxury brands in South Africa and Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA), including the evolution of Jaguar into an all-electric brand from 2025. Irene Kakooza, currently Communications Manager at JLR South Africa and Sub-Sahara Africa, will assume a more …
Africa's tourism sector is poised for an exciting ascent, and it has the potential to soar if it is propelled by visionary strategies and robust investments that harness the continent's unparalleled tourist allure.
Amid the unprecedented changes of recent years, Africa's tourist appeal is greater than ever. With the right steps, it can offer more top destinations for today's tourists. The API Hospitality & Residences Forum is a pivotal platform for Africa's hospitality industry that is legendary for its dealmaking, networking, and unique insights. It takes place on 19 September 2024 at the Westin Hotel in Cape Town on the first day of the highly anticipated two-day API Summit.
This year's API Summit is themed “Impact”, and industry leaders speaking at the API Hospitality and Residences Forum highlight the key to unlocking the full potential of Africa's tourism sector to foster sustainable growth and enhance the continent's appeal to both travellers and investors includes focused investments, strategic partnerships and robust public sector involvement. The API Hospitality & Residence Forum sets the stage to catalyse and nurture these outcomes.
Bani Haddad, Founder and Managing Director of Aleph Hospitality, the largest independent hotel management company in the Middle East and Africa, will be among the distinguished speakers. "The pandemic had several profound effects on the tourism sector," Haddad reflects. "One of the most noticeable impacts has been the increased desire among travellers for domestic or regional trips, as well as nature-based or less crowded destinations. Africa is uniquely positioned to benefit from these trends.”
Citing the latest Chain Development Pipeline report by W Hospitality, Haddad notes a 20% growth in the number of hotel rooms in Africa since 2020, reaching a total of 92,134 rooms. “This growth indicates that the supply is expanding across the continent to meet the rising demand. We are also witnessing an increase in the quality and branded hotel supply in resort destinations such as Zanzibar and national parks like Serengeti and Mara. The global demand for nature and experiential experiences presents a significant opportunity for Africa, which has much to offer in this regard."
Haddad continues, "Investing in and fostering partnerships within the tourism sector is not just beneficial but essential for unlocking its full potential in Africa.”
Such efforts can lead to comprehensive economic development, job creation, and the promotion of sustainable and inclusive growth. He emphasises that governments, private sector players, and international organisations all have crucial roles in facilitating these investments and partnerships to ensure the tourism sector thrives and significantly contributes to the continent's development.
Echoing this sentiment, Daniel Trappler, Senior Director – Development Sub-Sahara Africa at Radisson Hotel Group (RHG), who will also speak at the event, outlines RHG's strategic plans in the post-COVID landscape. "RHG plans to capitalise on growth opportunities in key value nodes such as Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Zanzibar, and leisure offerings in the coastal and safari segments across Southern and Eastern Africa. Within these nodes lies the opportunity to increase RHG branded supply to meet the obvious growing demand.”
Trappler highlights RHG's eagerness to expand its footprint in Cape Town's 5-star and luxury segments, which have consistently performed above the market average despite higher rates. In Victoria Falls, RHG aims to replicate the success of its Zambezi River's Zambia side, planning to introduce the upscale Radisson brand to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
"We are actively seeking partners to bring our Radisson, Radisson Blu, or Radisson Collection brands to Zanzibar, given RHG's significant presence in Eastern Europe, the largest source market for Zanzibar," Trappler adds.
Since opening its new Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit, RHG has set its sights on replicating the same model within Southern and Eastern Africa, capturing both the foreign market and the regional market, which prefers short travel distances for tourism needs.
“The group is developing resort offerings in various safari and coastal locations, including Masai Mara, Serengeti, the Kenyan coast, Seychelles, Mauritius and the wildlife territories in Namibia and Botswana."
Trappler underscores the critical role of investment and public sector involvement. "The contribution of tourism to GDP is evident across the region. National and local governments need to increase their awareness of the sector's potential contribution to GDP. In South Africa, where RHG aims to double its portfolio, we need to see more active interest and contributions from the public sector towards developing hotels and hospitality infrastructure."
He stresses the need for public sector initiatives driving growth in this sector, particularly in South Africa, where the sector is strong but could be a much larger contributor to GDP and employment creation.
The API Hospitality & Residences Forum is a unique pan-African event that brings hospitality-focused leaders and investors together with Africa's leading real estate community. Sponsored by industry giants like Radisson Hotel Group, Marriott Hotels, HTI Consulting, JLL, and Tui Blu, the forum offers an unparalleled platform for doing business in African hospitality.
With over 500 leaders expected to attend the summit, including more than 250 hospitality delegates, in excess of 75 hotel brands, operators and owners, and 35 speakers, the API Hospitality & Residences Forum is the premier gathering of Africa's leading hospitality professions and consultants.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of API Events.
For any media enquiries or interviews, kindly contact:
Anne Lovell
anne@dmix.com
083 651 7777
Distributed for API Events by Dmix:
API Events
Murray Anderson-Ogle
Email:Murray@apievents.com
Contact: +27 71 890 77 39
Website: www.APIEvents.com
Social Media:
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4dF2L3l
Instagram: @ APIsummit
LinkedIn: API Events
The latest 2024 FNB Retirement Insights Survey unveiled the startling reality that almost 50% of the respondents don’t have a retirement plan in place. This lack of preparation for retirement isn’t just a personal financial risk, it’s also a potential crisis that could send shockwaves through their families and negatively impact future generations. That’s because, …
Embodying resilience, evolution, and a sustained connection with families, Discovery commemorates its 35th anniversary this year. This milestone reflects the brand’s ability to adapt to changing market demands and showcases a commitment to innovation and distinctive design solutions for evolving consumer needs. Over three and a half decades, Discovery has consistently delivered quality and reliability. …
Standards development has significant benefits according to Amanuel Gebremeskel, CEO of The Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC), which is the custodian of steel industry development and knowledge across Africa. “The ultimate reason that the SAISC exists is to develop and write standards, bringing the South African steel industry to the forefront of development …
Whether breakouts are leaving you dotted with scars, scatters of dark patches or brown spots are appearing by themselves, or you’re finding whole areas of your body darkening, unwanted pigmentation can be frustrating or even distressing. While experiencing hyperpigmentation is normal, and common, it’s ok to want it gone. Local skincare brand SKIN functional, today …
Op-Ed by Toni Anderson, Head of Standard Bank Home Services The South African residential property market has faced significant headwinds through the course of the year with a further slump in home loan applications. As interest rates climbed to cool off inflation, the home loans sector experienced a sharp decline, echoing the cautious sentiment of …
Since its market introduction in 2010, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo has been South Africa’s top selling passenger model with over 425 000 units sold across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. Volkswagen has refreshed the Polo Vivo with the new front-end design, new infotainment, new seat trim design and enhanced safety features to continue its success …
The Be the Difference Foundation has received a R123 000 boost from GrandWest which will provide much needed sports apparel and training equipment. The Foundation’s CEO Granthem Abrahams says, “By being the proactive difference within our communities, our hope is that we will enable positive change.” Abrahams explains that the aim of the programme is …
Johannesburg, South Africa – 21 August 2024 – InterSystems, a leading provider of advanced data technology, will exhibit its healthcare solutions at the Hospital Association of South Africa (HASA) Conference on September 2-3, 2024, at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. The HASA conference brings together healthcare experts from across South Africa and around the …
The Football Foundation for Africa (FFA) (https://FootballFoundation.Africa/) is proud to announce South African Airways (SAA) as the (official) airline partner for the Africa Football Business Summit 2024, taking place in Nairobi on 24-25 October 2024.
The summit will bring together key stakeholders, industry leaders, and football enthusiasts from across the globe to explore the intersection of football, business, and social impact.
Through SAA's codeshare agreement with Kenyan Airways, participants in the Business Summit are expected to have access to discounted international, regional and domestic airfares when travelling to and from Nairobi.
SAA Regional Manager, East Africa and Middle East, Dr Austin Nyawara, said, “Sustainable and cost-effective air travel is a crucial ingredient in the growth of the sports economy across Africa. As we bring together stakeholders from all corners of the continent for the Summit in Nairobi, we are thrilled to offer delegates up to a 15 per cent discount on SAA's already competitive prices. This partnership underscores our shared commitment to connecting and uniting Africa—an endeavour that SAA has championed through its tagline, “Connecting Africa One Flight at a Time.”
As the proud flag carrier of South Africa, SAA has just celebrated a significant milestone—90 years of service—solidifying its status as one of the oldest and most resilient airlines in the world.
Football, much like air travel, has the power to unite people and communities across Africa. This partnership with SAA aligns perfectly with the broader FFA agenda of fostering connections and driving socio-economic development through football.
SAA's rich history of investing in sports, including its past sponsorship of South Africa's Springboks and its recent partnership with the South African Football Association as the official carrier of the national football teams, makes it an ideal partner for the Africa Football Business Summit.
“We look forward to working closely with SAA not only during the Summit but also in the future as we strive to create a sustainable and thriving sports economy across Africa,” concluded Brian Wesaala, founder and CEO of The Football Foundation for Africa.
Book your flight to the Africa Football Business Summit here. https://apo-opa.co/3YSWfS1
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Football Foundation for Africa.
Note to Editors:
The Africa Football Business Summit 2024 will be held at the Weston Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. It will bring together key stakeholders in football, sports business, and social innovation from across Africa and beyond.
For more information, please contact:
Brian Wesaala
Founder & CEO
afbs@footballfoundation.africa
https://AFBS.FootballFoundation.Africa
About South African Airways (SAA):
South African Airways is the national airline of South Africa, with a rich history of 90 years in aviation. SAA is committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences and connecting Africa to the world with safety, reliability, and excellence.
About The Football Foundation for Africa (FFA):
The Football Foundation for Africa is dedicated to unlocking Africa's youth potential through the power of football. Through initiatives like the Africa Football Business Summit, FFA seeks to drive social innovation, economic development, and unity across the continent.
On 20 August 2024, Mahindra South Africa today celebrated a major milestone with a special ceremony at its vehicle assembly facility in Durban. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries from South Africa and India, the leadership and management team of Mahindra South Africa as well as staff from the group’s South African head office and from …
Stellantis announces the expansion of its multifranchise dealer network with the introduction of FIAT and Jeep® brands at the Westvaal Nelspruit facility in Mpumalanga. This expansion strengthens our commitment to making these iconic brands more accessible to customers, offering a seamless and convenient experience. Westvaal Nelspruit, already home to Opel, Peugeot, and Citroën, continues to …
Despite the recent decline in South African households’ net wealth shown by the latest South African Reserve Bank Bulletin, Standard Bank’s data reveals that there is a subset of high-income consumers who continue to save and invest. These clients – generally earning over R1 million annually – have been cushioned by their prior savings and …
Hot dip galvanized steel is elegant, low-maintenance, durable, sustainable – and is becoming increasingly popular in contemporary architecture – according to Executive Director of the Hot Dip Galvanizers Association of South Africa (HDGASA), Robin Clarke. Because galvanized steel has the unique ability to marry functionality with aesthetics, it has not only become an architectural feature …
Messe Frankfurt South Africa has announced that three major industry events will be co-located with Futuroad Expo 2024, which takes place from 19-21 November at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg. Regional Logistics and Transport Conference This three-day conference, hosted by the South African and Zimbabwe Branches of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, …
Johannesburg, South Africa – The Festival of Motoring powered by WesBank is bringing a grand celebration of car culture from 30 August 30 to 1 September 2024, to the iconic Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit. The circuit is set to transform into a hub for motoring enthusiasts, promising a thrilling fusion of speed, innovation, and automotive …
RS PRO (https://Africa.RSdelivers.com), the own brand of RS, offers a comprehensive selection of over 80 000 products spanning all industries and technologies. Renowned for its quality and extensive range, RS PRO is the Smart Choice for businesses and working environments.
Planned maintenance is a crucial element of every production cycle, and manufacturing companies regularly schedule downtime for this purpose. To support these maintenance activities, RS PRO is excited to announce the expansion of its Planned Maintenance range. This expansion adds over 850 new products across more than 24 categories to our portfolio, providing all the components and materials needed to optimise this essential process.
Building on a broad existing range of over 55 000 products, this expansion aims to offer our customers an ever-expanding and comprehensive choice at a competitive price.
The new range stands out as the go-to solution for minimising downtime and increasing productivity while reducing costs – from monitoring equipment to assess machine performance to having the right parts available when needed. Test & Measurement, Automation Components, Lighting, Cable Accessories, Batteries, Fasteners & Fixings, Lubricants & Greases, Tools, PPE, Site Safety, and Cleaning solutions. RS PRO offers a comprehensive one-brand solution for diverse maintenance needs.
The Planned Maintenance expansion caters to a broad spectrum of sectors, including discrete and process manufacturing, energy & utilities, facilities & intralogistics. With a new range expansion covering 100% of our 80 000-product selection, RS PRO ensures that its unique offering addresses the specific needs of each customer.
In the ever-changing industrial landscape, RS PRO remains steadfast in its commitment to quality and choice, providing customers with a comprehensive range that meets design and compliance specifications at all stages of the product lifecycle.
For more information about RS South Africa's products and services for the Sub-Saharan market, visit their website (https://Africa.RSdelivers.com/) and follow them on LinkedIn (http://apo-opa.co/3YPXcKR) for regular updates on innovative solutions.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of RS South Africa.
PR Contact Person -
RS South Africa:
Princess Tlou
Communications & Content Specialist
RS South Africa
Princess.Tlou@rsgroup.com
+27 11 691 9366
Media Contact Person –
NGAGE:
Thobile Ndlovu
PR Account Executive
thobile@ngage.co.za
+27 11 867 7763
Further information is available via these links:
Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/3yKqaRJ
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/3YPXcKR
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/3yKqboL
RS South Africa: www.za.RS-online.com
RS Africa Exports: http://apo-opa.co/3ADBrDT
DesignSpark: http://apo-opa.co/3yKqcZR
RS Group plc: http://apo-opa.co/4cChpai
RS:
RS is a trading brand of RS Group plc, providing product and service solutions that help our customers design, build, maintain, repair, and operate industrial equipment and operations, safely and sustainably. We stock more than 750,000 industrial and electronic products, sourced from over 2,500 leading suppliers, and provide a wide range of product and service solutions to 1.1 million customers.
We support customers across the product lifecycle, whether via innovation and technical support at the design phase, improving time to market and productivity at the build phase, or reducing purchasing costs and optimising inventory in the maintenance, repair, and operation phase. We offer our customers tailored product and service propositions that are essential for the successful operation of their businesses and help them save time and money.
RS Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange with stock ticker RS1 and in the year ended 31 March 2023 reported revenue of £2,982 million.
