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David White (CEO DRG Outsourcing and Chairman BusinessFit) and Daisy White Natalie Davis, Beverly Power, Dawn Denton receiving their awards from Akhona Mahlati in the Best Micro
(Magic Moments Trust Executive Director) and Nomatemba Tambo, South African Business category.
High Commissioner London
INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCE

avid White and Charles Hilb at the University of St. Gallen,
Henzi of DRG have held which incorporates the Research
Dsenior HR roles in global Institute for International We salute all of those entrepreneurs
corporates and subsequently have Management. Professor Hilb
become independent leadership holds the position of president of
process facilitators. Both recently its supervisory board, in addition who have turned an idea into a going
visited London and Switzerland. to several senior roles within
similarly prestigious institutions.
Switzerland As chairman of the board concern, to the benefit of society.
Firstly, we participated in an foundation and its International
informal workshop on effective Centre for Corporate Governance,
leadership styles with seasoned he has developed a key interest
facilitators. The central theme in the South African King employee engagement. Or, in and courage. In addition, the accelerate the number of viable
for discussion was enabling Commission and its emphasis on simple terms, effective leadership judges looked for evidence of a consumers of goods and services.
purposeful work as a fundamental enterprise sustainability through is a fundamental element of good business that is sustainable, shows This realisation coupled with
responsibility for business stakeholder focus. corporate governance. competent managerial leadership, a genuine desire to make a
leaders. This discussion provided We confirmed with him is an ethical employer, delivers difference in enhancing the
encouragement of our thinking our notion that an effective London value to customers and has the standard of living of fellow
around the ‘Leading for Purpose’ leadership style plays a vital Our subsequent visit to London, potential for future growth. The citizens, reinforced the need for
theme as the focus of the DRG role in sustainability; in terms where, during our previous visit award was duly presented to establishing organisations such
leadership development process. (November 2017) we introduced the winning candidates Nyasha as BusinessFit. As such he noted
of our model which emphasises the BusinessFit model to Gwatidzo and Dawn Denton by that, in the modern era, it is
Our second engagement was a the enablement of Purposeful influential people, including BusinessFit CEO, Akhona Mahlati. small, entrepreneurially-driven
meeting with Professor Martin work which, in turn, promotes
Michael Miller, director of Cherry Armstrong, executive businesses, who were the most
the South African Chamber director of Celebrate Life, South prolific job creators. He touched
of Commerce UK and South Africa; was presented with the on some of the details of the
African business owner in the Sapro.co.uk/Magic Moments unique BusinessFit methodology
UK. This interaction prompted (see below) Award recognising which comprise aspects such as:
an invitation to attending its an individual who has made ■ Discover, assess and nominate
annual Business and Community a significant contribution to beneficiaries for sponsorship
Awards event, a gala dinner the community through their
Maintain a keen interest in
featuring the 12 course Tastes dedication and personal effort. ■ their progress
of South Africa menu, which
took place on 16 May 2018 in the Mahlati then delivered an ■ Play an active role as mentors
Conservatory at the prestigious inspiring address to the two ■ Blend them into their supply
Millennium Gloucester Hotel in hundred South African business chain
Kensington, London. BusinessFit leaders at the awards ceremony on ■ Promote them within their
was further invited to sponsor BusinessFit objectives, endeavours circle of influence
and present the Micro Business – and desired outcomes. He started He went on to describe how BEE
South African Abroad Award. by describing the legacy of South
Africa’s past, namely, the very legislation provided a framework
The Micro Business Award is limited inclusion of black citizens for established business to make
awarded to an individual who in the mainstream economy, a material contribution to the
owns, runs or has a significant the high rate of unemployment transformation process and, in
influence on a micro business or and resultant state of poverty so doing, providing a means
activity in the United Kingdom and deprivation. He noted of establishing competitive
that is South African led or serves that BusinessFit was founded advantage. He mentioned that
the South African community by a group of business owners government sponsorship of
in the United Kingdom or South who had grown to understand entrepreneurial development
Africa. The judges were looking that this state of being had the initiatives of various forms had
for a candidate who differentiated potential to undermine the been made accessible in leveraging
from competitors through sustainability of the economy private sector investment in
products and/or services, showed and therefore the future viability transformation initiatives. In
leadership and innovation, has of their businesses. Also, that closing he commented, “We
focused on a specific customer increasing the number of salute all of those entrepreneurs
need as well as showing ingenuity
Njabulo Madlala – Singer and entertainer from Inanda KwaZulu-Natal. people in employment would who have turned an idea into a

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