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OPPORTUNITY AND THE COLLABORATIVE ECONOMY
Prasheen Maharaj, order that we begin to explore and sub-systems that constitutes demand for maritime security given to other companies
CEO, Southern the concept and possibilities of an HSV. Bringing together and naval vessels. within the physical shipyard
African Shipyards the collaborative economy or a team of experts in their cluster, creating even
sometimes called the sharing respective fields managed to To capture some of this further opportunities for
economy. convert a complex project into current and future demand, it is BEE SMMEs. Shipbuilding
here very manageable task. critical that shipyards become and ship repair companies,
is an The collaborative economy internationally competitive. The in their role of primary
TAfrican encompasses the sharing and This approach has resulted in traditional models employed systems integrators, should
saying that “if optimal use of resources to the completion of the project to by local shipyards and the develop core competencies
you want to deliver goods and service in deliver nine tugs to the Transnet government has clearly not in project management and
go fast, go an efficient manner and at National Ports Authorities. Not worked. By comparison, the engineering, ships design
alone. If competitive prices. We know only did this project result in South Korean shipbuilding including 3D modelling, project
you want to that spare capacity is a dead the achievement of an R800 industry and the South African and production planning,
go far, go weight loss to society, which million Supplier Development shipbuilding industry was the
together.” drives up costs and causes Programme but we won the same size in the early to mid- procurement, quality control,
This saying could not be more industries and economies to be KZN Top Business Partnership 1970s. Today, South Korea is assurance and, research and
relevant today in South Africa. uncompetitive. Award in 2017. These the number one shipbuilding development.
achievements demonstrate once and ship repair country in The evolution of shipbuilding
As we enter a “New Dawn” Southern African Shipyards again that the co-operative and the world. The trick for South
we continue to be besieged by has made major leaps and collaborative approach is critical Africa should not be to copy and ship repair companies
the perpetual triple challenges bounds towards employing the to successfully deliver large the South Korean or Chinese from a low-tech fabricator to
of poverty, unemployment and concept of the collaborative projects. models but create a model that a high-tech primary systems
inequality and to add, South economy in the execution suits our unique circumstances. integrator is a critical factor
Africa remains one of the most of its Shipbuilding and Ship The Global Maritime In South Africa, shipbuilding in driving the growth and
unequal societies in the world. Repair Projects. The recently Industry has, in line with the and ship repair companies competitiveness of the industry.
awarded contract to build a worldwide recession, seen a should become primary systems This will allow the industry to
We continue to look at and Hydrographic Survey Vessel steep decline since 2008. This co-operate with countries that
replicate economic models (HSV) for the South African decline was further exacerbated integrators and the shipyard have their own ambitions to
should be a physical cluster of
that worked elsewhere in the Navy represents one of the by depressed oil, gas and build and repair ships in their
world without considering our most complex projects to be commodity prices in general. suppliers and sub-contractors. own countries. South Africa
unique circumstances. We thus undertaken in the African However, within this sea of This model will allow for can then position itself as the
continue to fail dismally as a continent in recent years. despair, we find islands of many more small and medium provider of intellectual property
nation, perplexed as to how opportunity. We are fortunate to size BEE companies to be and technology to Africa as
to slay these monsters called The shipyard, in its role of be in Africa, the last economic involved in shipbuilding and opposed to just a manufacturer.
poverty, unemployment and prime contractor or a primary frontier. As the infrastructure ship repair projects. Whereas Once again, a collaborative
inequality. Clearly economic systems integrator, as I would and economies of Africa grows, now, shipbuilding companies and co-operative approach can
disruption is called for as we like to call it, partnered on shipping and the demand for are primarily fabricators and drive success at an intra-Africa
cannot continue do the old a turnkey risk sharing basis the building and maintenance mechanical integrators, the level. n
things and expect new results. with several South African and of ships shall grow. Add to this emphasis should be more
international companies who the global security and defence on steel block assembly and
Going back to our African Tel: +27(0) 31 274 1800
roots, is perhaps opportune in are specialists in the areas that threats, it is unavoidable that we mechanical integration. PrasheenM@sa-shipyards.co.za
make up the complex systems will begin to see an increase in Fabrication work should be www.sa-shipyards.co.za
SUPPORT FOR CHARITIES GIVES DURBAN ICC A HUMAN FACE
hen it is not bagging community projects and especially demonstrating its commitment to Day 2017, the Durban ICC needs of children and schools
global awards for those which invest in the lives of the development of South Africa. hosted an event in association in Durban. In November 2017,
Wits excellence as a young people. with Stop Hunger Now SA. A the Durban ICC supported the
conference venue, the Durban Lindiwe Rakharebe, the CEO, Durban ICC team entered a Trust by sponsoring the venue
ICC helps pack meals for hungry The Durban ICC, which is said, “In addition to the important team to pack meals for their for their annual fundraising
children, helps pupils access free gearing up to celebrate 21 years role which the Durban ICC plays 67 minutes of service. dinner.
physics and chemistry classes and since its doors were opened on in generating economic impact
supports HIV/AIDS campaigns. Friday 8 August 1997 by former for the city, province, country ■ 14 August 2017 marked the ■ In preparation for the 2017
President Nelson Mandela, and continent, the company also beginning of The Unlimited year-end festivities, the Durban
For the past two decades, the ensures that its values and embraces its own responsibility Child’s partnership with the ICC threw its weight behind the
Inkosi Albert Luthuli International culture are portrayed through to participate in corporate social Durban ICC. Six early Santa Shoebox Appeal project
Convention Centre complex has the myriad social responsibility investment projects which make a childhood development centres that collects and distributes
played an active role in supporting programmes it hosts as a means of direct positive impact in its local in the Umlazi district are being gifts to over 100 000 under-
communities. Between July 2017 supported with quality privileged children in
and March 2018, the Durban ICC educational programming orphanages, children’s homes
support in terms of venue hire, and toy resources through this and care centres.
food, gifts and finance support for partnership funding received ■ On 1 December 2017, the
various charities totalled R650 000. from the Durban ICC. Durban ICC commemorated
■ In October 2017, Durban ICC World AIDS Day in partnership
The company’s CSI focus is
aligned to the UN Global Goals for joined forces with the Geness with the Hillcrest AIDS
Sustainable Development which Foundation to offer Grade 12 Centre Trust. The Durban ICC
include, among other initiatives, public school learners free purchased stationery items and
the elimination of poverty and physics and chemistry revision staff packed 200 stationery bags
hunger, the promotion of good classes in preparation for their for schoolchildren.
health and well-being, quality year-end matric exams. A total Rakharebe concluded: “CSI gives
education, gender equality and of 135 Grade 12 learners our business a human face. The
affordable and clean energy.” attended the classes hosted at responsibility of our country’s
the Durban ICC. future depends on our collective
Inspiring Hope: KZN Regional Manager of the National Empowerment Fund, Some recent CSI initiatives are as ■ The Zodwa Blose Educational efforts as a nation and we are
Mr Phakamile Madonsela and Durban ICC CEO, Lindiwe Rakharebe with the follows: Trust was established to committed to uplifting the lives of
fifty learners selected to participate in the Take a Girl Child to Work initiative
at the Durban ICC ■ In honour of Nelson Mandela support the educational those less fortunate around us.” n
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