Page 18 - KZN Top Busines Portfolio 2020/21

THINK team
these cost control measures to its clients, which was at the community around us and where we could
to mutual advantage, including building relationships provide assistance, such as soap and oil, we did.” The
and ensuring the longevity of contracts. Willowton Group also linked up with a lot of charitable
organisations to assist the needy.
Capitol Caterers strategy was supported by David
White who said, “Being business minded is central to As they were essential services providers, Capitol
any organisation’s success and sutainability.” Caterers employees worked during all lockdown
levels and had to be assured that management
People First was right behind them. “We ensured that we were
As Covid-19 allowed a chance to pause and reflect, acknowledging our employees for their input and
the importance of assessing the needs of all the what they were doing for the business,” said King.
people that the business impacted on was stressed She added that the company treats their staff in line
by many of the panellists. with the Capitol Caterers company motto which is
Sewnarain emphasised that business is about “Welcome to the Family”.
relationships and the ecosystem in which you De Klerk said, “I learnt that what was really important
operate, which includes all stakeholders: family, was my people. It was about reaching out to them
staff, suppliers, partners, customers, and community and spending time with them. They are the face of
including the underprivileged. It was necessary, our business and the ones working with clients.” He
he said, to engage with each one of these groups. added that it was important to assess how Covid-19
Significantly, family are often your business mentors was impacting on them. He commented further, “We
directly and indirectly and their importance should should work with our people and those around us to
not be underestimated. work out win-win solutions and not think selfishly just
Moosa reported that at the start of lockdown, about our own businesses at this time.”
“My family members, shareholders and directors Of the effective function of The FD Centre, De Klerk
sat down and prioritised certain things. The most commented, “I feel that our clients stuck with us
important thing was the health and welfare of all our because we focused on relationships and we were
team members in the organisation. We took proper a safe pair of hands to help guide our clients during
measures to ensure that each one of them was this journey.”
safeguarded from the impact of Covid.”
This view of clients was upheld by Bengu who
He also supported the need for companies to have said that the relationships with Ithala’s clients was
a wide focus. “Secondly,” said Moosa, “We looked fundamental to the entity. She said, “You should
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