Page 8 - KZN Business Sense - Vol.6 No.1

A BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2019

apitol Caterers has been the success of this home-grown for being the backbone of the
acknowledged for their operation, but also for their vision business. At a recent address
Ccontribution to the encouraging all South Africans to clients, Merrill shared her
KwaZulu-Natal economy. to move towards successful co- sentiments. “In the hospitality
operative business ventures that industry we rely firmly on the
Hot on the heels of receiving the work ethos of our staff and I
Standard Bank KZN Top Business build greater inclusivity. Russell am continually gratified and
Award in the Business Services Nzimande and Merrill King, you humbled by the dedication and
are truly inspirational.”
Sector in 2019, Capitol Caterers perseverance they display. Many
once again scooped the Business Capitol Caterers contributes women need to leave home before
of the Year in the Services their business success to a moral 4am, catch two taxis, walk to
Sector at this year’s Nedbank compass encompassing staff work from their transport drop off
Pietermaritzburg and Midlands wellness, inclusivity and employee point, then spend the day cooking,
Chamber of Business (PMCB) empowerment through the serving and smiling at (often very
awards held in November. Capitol Workers Trust and various grumpy!) clients; only arriving
other initiatives.
A rigorous independent home after 7pm to start dinner
assessment of the company’s The Capitol Workers Trust was and commence with their house
good governance and ethics, initiated in 2002 by company chores for their family.
transformation programmes, founder, Giles King; with a Every compliment we receive
commitment to staff development vision of empowering loyal about our staff or the food
and significantly, the company’s staff for their long service and they have produced is proudly
contribution to the local economy commitment to the company. acknowledged and revered
were evaluated. With their head An initial 21% of the company’s because we see the enormous
office based in Pietermaritzburg, ownership was transferred to effort that has gone into doing Merrill King and Russell Nzimande receive the coveted Nedbank PMCB
52% of their catering contracts the Capitol Workers Trust, at their job,” added Merrill. Business of The Year Award
are held in the flagship region of no cost to the beneficiaries. At
KwaZulu-Natal. present, the Capitol Workers “The Capitol Workers Trust been awarded the Mediclinic service excellence. “This is the first
Trust holds 49% of the overall is just one small way that we Pietermaritzburg catering services private hospital in our Healthcare
Capitol Caterers procurement company shareholding, with can give back to the people who account with effect 1 December
disbursement to local suppliers make our business happen. 2019. As a company based in stable, and certainly not our last,”
provides a significant economic the remaining 51% held by We Are Because of Others,” Pietermaritzburg, this has concluded Merrill. 
executive management.
injection into the KwaZulu-Natal says Russell Nzimande, joint facilitated further employment of
economy. Approximately R130 Since inception of the Capitol Managing Director. The local community members and Melanie Wester, Group Marketing and
million is disbursed annually to Workers Trust, beneficiaries formation of The Capitol additional contribution to the Sales Manager
T: +27 33 394 0310
suppliers within KwaZulu-Natal. have received R10,1 million in Workers Trust was undertaken local economy. E:melanie.wester@capitolcaterers.co.za
dividends. There are currently 653 voluntarily, prior to B-BBEE W: www.capitolcaterers.co.za
Melanie Veness, CEO of PMCB, “We are humbled by the
when presenting the Business beneficiaries; 410 (62.7%) of which requirements being legislated. consistent growth of our client
Capitol Caterers is a B-BBEE
are based in KwaZulu-Natal and
of the Year award to Capitol base and importantly, our client
Caterers, had this to say: “It is comprising 75% black females. Level 1 accredited company. retention. Being awarded the
an honour to be able to recognise Managing Director Merrill Capitol Caterers ended the Mediclinic account is affirmation
Capitol Caterers, not only for King salutes these black women year on a high note, having of our unwavering commitment to

ONLINE LEARNING – THE ENTREPRENEUR’S SECRET WEAPON

Jacqueline Raw understand what the course/ norm, so don’t feel like you’re
workshop offers is up to you – asking for too much. This way,
f you own your own take the time to understand the you’re able to get relevant insights
business, staying ahead of the modules/topics that will be covered and feedback on issues facing YOU
Icompetition by keeping your and what the tangible skills are that in your business or career – now
skills sharp and current goes you’ll be walking away with – then that’s real value.
without saying. “The only problem make the call. 4. Do the work
is that our time is often limited 2. Unless the recipe is proven,
and wading through modules of don’t buy it You could find the perfect course
irrelevant theory just isn’t high on developed by a highly successful
our priority list,” says Jacqueline There’s a saying that goes ‘Those entrepreneur that offers dedicated
Raw, Owner and Founder of who can’t do – teach’, and although 1-on-1 coaching, but if you don’t do
Ycagel. I cannot disagree with this more, the work of learning and applying,
it does help me illustrate a vital you’re wasting time and money,
According to Jacqui, online point in selecting the right course. and you’re just fooling yourself.
learning is every entrepreneurs Make sure that the entrepreneur Cultivating a student mentality
silver bullet. “It’s self-paced, self- promoting the course has and keeping the notebook and
driven and because it’s online, is leveraged what they’re teaching pen handy as you go is so crucial
accessible anytime and at any place. you themselves and has proven in ensuring you create success for
It’s so important to stay current results. A purely academic course or yourself over time.
and keep your skills relevant, workshop is not going to change the
and frankly, with online learning game for you – look for courses by “Finally, honing your skills and
creating accessibility for everyone, people who have the success to back growing yourself to grow your
we have no excuse not to be taking their methods and then duplicate business takes commitment and
the time to invest in ourselves.” the strategies that worked for them some focussed planning – ‘if you
fail to plan, you plan to fail’ right?
She offers 4 key points to consider in your own business. There is no time like the present to
when selecting the online course or 3. Find real value grow big – or go home!” concludes
workshop: Jacqui.
The reality is that for most of
1. Make sure it’s relevant us, we face unique challenges in In Jacqui’s online short-course,
Often we’re tricked into investing our businesses which can’t be ‘Planning to WIN in 2020’, she
in an online course or workshop addressed in a generic course. shares strategies that entrepreneurs
because of great sales ads and Seek out courses and workshops need to win. 
impressive titles – then once we’re that allow you access to the course
engaging with the content, we’re developers or mentors – this is For more info, email
Jacqueline Raw disappointed. Ensuring that you becoming more and more the Jacqui y.cagel@live.co.za

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