Page 15 - KZN Top Busines Portfolio 2020/21
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BUSINESS LEADERSHIP SHAPING
THE FUTURE
CEO:
Grant Adlam
www.topbusiness.com
BUSINESS GOING FORWARD owing to the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown
restrictions since the end of March 2020.”
The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has been Significantly each business sector has had diverse
declared a global crisis and is one of the biggest
challenges facing countries in modern times. challenges to face and consequently the responses
have differed in each industry.
In South Africa, while the initial Covid-19 lockdown
regulations were targeted at mitigating health Following conversations with several chief executive
officers and other leading business leaders, both
risks, these measures have impacted heavily on the
country’s economy. formally and informally, several themes became
evident in both how the pandemic has impacted
According to Stats SA findings (September 2020), business models and in how businesses have
“South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) responded.
decreased by 51,0% in the second quarter of 2020
One of the key business issues has been a focus
on sustainability. While some companies have not
STATS SA KEY FINDINGS WERE
THAT THE: been impacted and have continued to thrive and to
grow, others have not. Many business leaders have
Manufacturing industry contracted by 74,9% questioned, “How will the business survive and remain
in the second quarter relevant going forward?”
Trade, catering and accommodation industry In an attempt to answer this question, KZN Top Bus-
decreased by 67,6%. Decreased economic iness; Roshan Moran, chairman of Morar Incorporated;
activity was reported in wholesale trade, and David White, CEO of DRG Outsourcing, recently
retail trade, motor trade, catering and hosted a webinar entitled, “Business leadership
accommodation
shaping the future”, with the core theme being, “How
Transport, storage, and communication can business leaders create and sustain long term
industry decreased by 67,9% business success?”.
Mining and quarrying industry decreased The following panellists contributed their insights to
by 73,1% the topic:
Finance, real estate, and business services Rowan De Klerk, CEO, The FD Centre
industry decreased by 28,9% Mahomed Zubeir Moosa, CEO, Willowton Group
Construction sector was the biggest loser.
Already in bad shape before the pandemic, Merrill King, CEO, Capitol Caterers
the industry experienced its eighth Ashok Sewnarain, CEO, IBV International Vaults
consecutive quarter of economic decline, Elias Masilela, Non-executive Chairman, DNA
slumping further by 76,6% Economics
The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector Pearl Bengu, CEO, Ithala Development Finance
was a positive contributor to GDP growth, Corporation
with an increase of 15,1% and a contribution Trevor Mvundura, Chief Financial Officer at
of 0,3% to GDP growth. The increase was THINK: TB and HIV Investigative Network
mainly due to increased production of field Dr Cassius Lubisi, former Director-General in
crops, and horticultural and animal products. the South African Presidency
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