Page 7 - KZN Chambers Business Sense - Vol4 No5

CONNECTING AFRICA

n Saturday, 10 November, MEC Sihle Zikalala said that
Mozambican President the new bridge will boost the
OFilipe Nyusi and countries’ economies as it will
KwaZulu-Natal Economic enhance trade opportunities,
Development, Environmental which will make it easier for
Affairs and Tourism MEC Sihle exports and imports between
Zikalala officially opened the new the two countries. Zikalala
Maputo-Catembe Bridge that added that more trade between
connects Maputo and KwaZulu-
Natal’s east coast border. the two countries would create
more jobs.
The new bridge has overtaken the
Matadi Bridge in the Democratic The Maputo-Catembe Bridge
Republic of Congo as the longest was one of the things that
suspension bridge in Africa. The the signing of the African
three-kilometre-long suspension Continental Free Trade Area
bridge extends 680 metres over (AFCTFA) agreement aimed to
Maputo Bay. achieve. The AFCTFA is aimed
at facilitating a single market
The brand-new structure for goods and services on the
connects Maputo on the
northern bank of an inlet of continent.
the Indian Ocean that was Photo credit Alexandre Nhampossa The easier access will also
previously only possible to boost tourism between the
cross by boat, to Katembe on “With the completion of this plans for an improved Corporation at a cost of over two countries. In addition,
the southern bank. It straddles bridge, the connection of southern transportation network, which US$700m. the bridge is not only Africa’s
the Indian Ocean inlet of the Africa to the north over land and included the proposal of a longest suspension bridge, but
Espirito Santo estuary, 60 metres across our country is guaranteed,” bridge, as part of Maputo’s The Maputo-Catembe Bridge is a great tourist attraction for
above the waters below. The said President Filipe Nyusi. urbanisation policy, were will reduce the travel time Mozambique.
bridge is also part of a project between Maputo to Kosi Bay,
that connects Maputo directly to The project was a vision of endorsed by the World Bank. KwaZulu-Natal’s East coast Crossing the bridge will
the South African border by road former Mozambican President The project was constructed border post, from six hours to cost South Africans
for the first time. Samora Machel. In 1989, by China Road and Bridge 90 minutes. approximately R40. n

LEADERS IN PROFESSIONAL AND

QUALITY CUSTOMER INTERACTION

bono Communications young people opportunities for her determination to make a
is a 100% female growth and development through difference are the strengths that
Mblack-owned South employment. she brings to her company.
African company with its base in She says, “I would like to Ajanaku’s background includes
the Eastern Cape. The company become a catalyst for change a BA in Political Sciences and
provides contact centre services through my company’s Public Administration and
and is able to undertake any service offerings and staffing a BA Honours in Sociology.
type of inbound and outbound requirements. As a graduate She is currently completing
campaign across all sectors. myself, I am aware of the her master’s degree in
Managing director and business plight that many of our young Conflict Transformation and
founder, Nalinda Ajanaku, is people feel when faced with the Management. Due to her
strongly driven by the desire to task of seeking employment academic background and public
contribute to the growth of South and therefore I would like to sector experience, Ajanaku has a
Africa’s economy. She intends contribute to the solution.” strong understanding of how the
to achieve this goal by giving She also believes that government sector works. This Nalinda Ajanaku
young, educated, skilled, creative entrepreneurial spirit and knowledge she is now bringing
to the corporate sector, which The company prides itself
will provide a good foundation Mbono Communications on its quality assurance
to her business as a young black is able to deliver results at a processes, which allow the
empowered entity. fraction of the cost of running
such campaigns inhouse. “We team to execute successful and
It is not surprising then that take care of unforeseen overhead compliant campaigns. The
although Mbono Communications costs, staff management issues advanced systems in place and
is less than six months old, the and operational frustrations accompanying technology ensure
company is already making itself so that you can focus on what a high level of data security.
known. “Mbono Communications really matters.” Ajanuka is excited about the
is a full contact centre and we are potential for her company’s growth
leaders in professional and quality Due to its expertise within in the call centre industry. In the
customer interaction providing a communications, Mbono future, Mbono Communications
tailored service.” Communications are able to assist would like to double the number
in customer retention and grow
Ajanaku is delighted to be their clients’ customer bases. of staff and grow their client base
recently contracted by Lexis Nexis substantially. n
to manage certain parts of their “We offer a high level of client
customer touch points. service, which complements Tel: (Direct): +27 (0)41 582 1339
Mobile: +27 (0)79 750 0743
She says, “As we currently our enthusiasm for people and E: Nalinda.Ajanaku@mbono.co.za
are a small company, we technology,” explains Ajanaku. W: www.mbono.co.za
view our unique approach
to implementing campaigns
as a ‘boutique’ service. We
provide a professional service,
which is tailored to the client’s
needs complete with all related
administration services.”

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