December 2019

As we enter a time of year when celebrations are the norm, unfortunately there is not much to be happy about in the South African business sphere. The government continues to push for improved FDI and renewed positivity, but the reality is that SA Airways is in business rescue, PRASA is in administration, SABC is technically insolvent, Transnet senior management is like a merry go round, and Eskom is the laughable demonstration of how not to run a business. State-owned entities are in disarray. What is encouraging foreign entities and funds to look to South Africa when the country’s state-owned companies look like this? And don’t forget the private organisations. Steinhoff, KPMG, Edcon, Group Five – all humiliated.

Fortunately, there are some businesses that continue to post positive results, invest in the country, act ethically, and achieve significant success while others fall away blaming the economic sloth that has, ironically, been fuelled by their negligence.

For Nomad Africa and Travelstart, times are tough but relentless focus on carefully crafted strategies have left both growing. For Heunis Steel and Broll, the same is true. These have not had special treatment, yet they thrive. “You have to be positive or you might as well pack up and go home; that is certainly not what we are doing,” says Travelstart MD, Jerome Touze.

The message here is that, clearly, there are opportunities and 2020 should be a year for excitement and not one to be feared.

Enterprise Africa explores the stories of businesses that are, instead of shying away and consolidating, investing in growth and laying building blocks for a stronger market in the future.

Enjoy Christmas and please contact us in the New Year to tell us why you are positive about prospects for 2020. We won’t be offline, find us on Twitter @EnterpriseAfri1 or LinkedIn.