Page 3 - KZN Business Sense - Vol6 No4 eBook

DIRECTING COLLABORATION AND

COOPERATION

r Mthobisi Clyde Zondi is SanDock Austral Aerospace
the Executive Chairman The group’s aerospace
Dof the SanDock Austral capabilities cover an electronic
Group, which is the holding warfare jamming pod, electronic
company for SanDock Austral countermeasures, maritime
Aerospace, SanDock Austral surveillance aircraft and aircraft
Shipyards, SanDock Austral maintenance. Airport security
Defence Engineering Systems and is another capability offered,
Torpedo South Africa.
including personnel recruitment
With a history spanning and training, airline and airport
almost 50 years, the group is security audits, and airport
the largest 100% black owned security planning, design,
defence entity in South Africa, and upgrades.
both in terms of revenue and “On the aerospace side we
facilities owned. SanDock are currently in advanced talks
Austral has an exceptional with several entities that have
reputation for developing and maintenance, repair and overhaul
delivering integrated solutions (MRO) facilities which we believe
for commercial and defence can benefit from a consolidation
engineering/mechanical projects.
and rationalisation of their
Dr Zondi’s more than 20 years expertise so that we can get work
of industry and public sector from South African and regional
experience has well prepared him aviation operators. If government
to be at the helm of the group. comes on board this could be a
He started his career as a Junior breakthrough in the technical
Mechanical Engineer for a nylon support side of the aviation
spinning company in Cape direct the group according to programmes such as demining. of small to mid-range steel and business,” explained Dr Zondi.
Town. A stint as an Engineering its vision, which well resonates Our technologies are very aluminium vessels and marine
Manager at a pharmaceutical The greater good
company in Epping Industrial, with him. He says, “We want to advanced given the heritage of structures, repairs to all sizes of “SanDock Austral is very
vessels and marine structures and
technology development in South
build the most valuable group
Cape Town then followed. community and socially
in the African continent. One Africa,” explains Dr Zondi. construction and maintenance
After completing two masters’ of the important aspects is the services to the offshore oil and gas orientated – we always say
that we are in business for
“We are therefore continuously
degrees, he spent four years alignment of shareholder vision engaging defence companies industry. the greater good.” One of
with Transnet in various in terms of how we intend to take and organisations of all SanDock Austral Shipyards has the group subsidiaries has a
positions, including Chief the group forward. What makes 30% shareholding by military
Operations Manager in Richards us unique in the space that we sizes, locally and globally, on made major leaps and bounds veterans. “We saw it prudent
potential cooperation and/or
towards employing the concept of
Bay Terminals, and National operate in, is that we are looking collaboration. The partnership the collaborative economy in the to bring them in as people
Capacity Planning Manager in at collaboration and cooperation model involves co-investment in execution of its shipbuilding and who understand the defence
the Transnet Port Operations with several role players.” and security environment as
container business. Dr Zondi The SanDock Austral Group the region, technology transfer, ship repair projects. The recently shareholders and directors at
localised product support and
awarded multi-billion rand
then worked as an Executive seeks to provide a platform indigenisation of customised contract to build a Hydrographic a subsidiary level. On a social
Manager for PetroSA, responsible where South African companies product systems.” Survey Vessel (HSV) for the level we deliver wheelchairs to
for offshore support logistics military veterans if required.”
operations. can showcase their combined South African Navy represents
complementary capabilities SanDock Austral Defence one of the most complex projects SanDock Austral is also
This position was followed by through packaging integrated Engineering Systems to be undertaken in the African involved in community-oriented
12 years working as senior official defence solutions that appeal to SanDock Austral’s defence continent in recent years. programme such as building
in the National Department of international markets. capabilities cover remote control SanDock Austral Shipyards schools and libraries.
Defence in South Africa. He “One of the challenges in the weapons stations, low-cost active was judged the worthy winner The group has a large in-service
joined the Department of Defence protection systems, missiles, of the world-class and sought- training and apprenticeship
as Head of Defence Supply defence and security industry is systems engineering, assembly and after tender, which will further programme. This allows new
that the local budget has declined
Chain Integration, responsible in the last five years. The survival maintenance of torpedoes, radars establish the company as a graduates and artisans to gain
for supply chain process design, of defence and security companies and subsystems and radar testing. shipbuilder of note. work experience that enables
logistics repositioning and Broad engineering and fabrication them to have their qualifications
Dr Zondi added, “A very
material governance within does not lie in local spending. solutions are also offered. SanDock exciting project that we are recognised. “We make sure that
If you are going to compete in
the Department. He was later exports you need to make sure Austral manufactures precision we do not turn anyone who
appointed chief defence material that you can put competitive mechanical components for looking at currently is in how requires in-service training away.”
responsible for armaments weapon systems at a factory in we can increase sea-based trade
acquisition, industry support, products out there. We are Springs, east of Johannesburg. on the African continent. There “We really believe that with
introducing a business model to
research and development, South African companies wherein The group also has partnerships is poor port infrastucture in partnerships and collaborations
technology management and they can collaborate in order to with numerous local companies in several African coastal countries this country has immense
oversight of the procurement the fields of radar and electronic but there are inland waterways potential and we are here to make
agency. provide integrated products that warfare, amongst others. that are quite expansive. There sure that it is realised,” concluded
can compete in the international
space.” are also huge rivers going Dr Zondi. 
Dr Zondi commented that one SanDock Austral Shipyards through several countries that
of the highlights of his career “We are able to put together a are landlocked, which is an
has been in policy development, package to provide an integrated On the marine side, shipbuilding opportunity for continental trade. www.sda.co.za
which once implemented has solution by plugging in various and repair capabilities are offered We are looking at designing
impacted an entire industry. companies’ products and services through SanDock Austral and manufacturing barges that
can be used in these rivers and
that can be marketed for export. Shipyards, formerly Southern waterways, to move a range of
Developing Strategy In our business we cover all African Shipyards (SAS). This is cargo between these countries
the largest shipyard in southern
Currently, Dr Zondi’s primary three phases of war – prevention, Africa and has built both naval and to make sure that there
role is to develop strategy for equitable engagement and we and commercial vessels. The is connectivity between both
the SanDock Austral Group and look at post war rehabilitation group offers the construction coastal and locked countries.”

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