July 2021

The third wave has pushed most back into the working from home environment. The Covid crisis is here to stay. It’s a predicament but one which presents opportunities – this is the message from entrepreneurs, forward thinkers, and breeders of success.

“You can’t let a crisis go to waste,” one industry leader tells us. “Significant growth is only found through adversity,” says another.

Perhaps now is a time that will be looked back on for innovation, originality and ingenuity in business – surely some positivity has to shine through?

For Donovan Chimhandamba, CEO of Nyanza Light Metals, 2020 and 2021 will be looked back on fondly as the time when his exciting titanium dioxide manufacturing plant began growing out of the ground at the Richards Bay IDZ.

At Fisher Dugmore Financial, 2021 will be remembered as the year the company launched its own branded unit trust products, quite the achievement for a year of turmoil in markets.

Portland Group, in the Western Cape, opened a new ready-mix plant as well as a quarry in Worcester. Even when all workers were sent home, this brave business was busy investing in a fleet of new cement mixing trucks.

Steve Easton of Sanji Electronics tells us that this has been a ‘fantastic’ period for the business, with new contracts signed with major international auto brands.

Proudly South African brand Aranda is searching for export opportunities that will see its famous products sold in Europe and North America (yes, they make the blankets used in the Black Panther movie).

These companies are doing no more than searching out opportunities and making the most of them. If you’re not willing to do that, and happy to just tick over, then perhaps time is up.

Tell us how your business is changing, and the opportunities you’ve found. We’re online, as always, through LinkedIn.