Page 16 - KZN Business Sense 7.3 Hameed Noormahomed-EBOOK

SACC – DEVELOPING TRADE ROUTES

David White, CEO, Africa, in an attempt to facilitate bookkeeping services to United these circumstances we assist The SACC has close ties with
DRG Outsourcing the development of business Kingdom companies these business leaders with the British Chamber, and the
opportunities. ■ An organisation teaching sustainability discussions, two organisations are able to
outh DRG and BusinessFit joined painting skills in rural areas in ensuring that matters such as cold work together to support trade
Africa the SACC in 2017 as Platinum South Africa to various outlets chain management, timeliness between South Africa and the
Sand the members. This created the in the United Kingdom to sell in shipping goods from South United Kingdom. Members of
United Kingdom their completed painted items Africa, governance, reporting and the SACC therefore have a huge
enjoy a unique opportunity for David and his that have been converted into standards, payment term norms, advantage in being able to access
and effective colleagues to meet and interact bags, table runners, cushion etc., are well considered and information, tap into existing
trade relationship directly with SACC Exco and covers, etc. included into business models networks, receive support and
that has been board members, to be involved in ■ A South African chocolate and cash flow projections. encouragement, and gain insights
developed SACC functions, and to sponsor manufacturer seeking new into possible new opportunities.
over many events such as the SACC Best markets in the United Kingdom The South Africa Chapter Leader Deciding if your business is going
hundreds of Entrepreneur Award. In David’s ■ A successful South African function includes providing trade to be successful and sustainable in
years. The words, “As Platinum members we farming company using rural support for companies moving trading internationally starts with
relationship is were given red carpet treatment, farmers to grow crops (or considering moving) from the discovering your organisation’s
advantageous and were introduced personally to appropriate for United Kingdom United Kingdom to South Africa. specific target market and
to both the likes of Nomatemba Tambo, markets Setting up business operations in working through the value chain
countries, and especially now in Lord Peter Hain, Dennis Zietsman, ■ A South African scientist a new country is as everyone can to ensure there is advantage
the post Brexit circumstances. and to share our passions and who created a portable pyrolysis imagine, enormously complex, and to potential customers and
collaborations with CEO Sharon requires suitable support partners consumers. This is the work of
South Africans may consider Constancon. Mike Miller, the machine that converts plastic in banking, human resources, the SACC and their networks.
the Rand-Pound exchange rate past founder and CEO of the into biofuel, and many more legal, accounting, B-BBEE, market
advantageous for trade, and it SACC, literally took us under interesting initiatives. intelligence, mobility and other. To support the achievement of
is, but there is so much more to his wing and showed us what is The aim is always to keep the These South African support these goals, the SACC has chapter
ensure successful international possible in creating opportunities process as simple as possible, partners are affiliated to the leaders in many specific locations,
trade than relying merely on the for South African business leaders helping entrepreneurs and SACC and provide confidence to each chamber leader defining their
favourable exchange rate. to learn about, understand, pioneering business leaders international companies enquiring portfolio around specific local
Rightly noted, if South Africa interact with, and successfully to better understand local and engaging assistance to member needs, but all are focused
on encouraging effective trade
did not have a favourable foreign trade with organisations in the market conditions in the United ensure their in-country operation into and out of South Africa and
exchange rate there would be little United Kingdom. Kingdom, and being introduced is compliant and following the United Kingdom. The chapter
hope of South Africa having any David as CEO of DRG and into networks and to industry governance and best practice leaders include: John Mulder –
trade advantage at all. However, chairman of BusinessFit has led specialists. expectation within South Africa. Emerald Isle; Natalie Finlayson
this is not enough on its own, the relationship development and One of the first questions we The SACC is largely made up of and Maree Wilms – Professional
and hence the recognition and trade conduit initiative from South ask business leaders, says David, South African people, who are well Women; Tania Verdonk – East of
use of networks and experienced Africa, and in recent months has is, “Have you been successfully known for not only their ability England; Ferial Puren – Scotland;
business professionals being taken on the role of South African trading in South Africa, as if you to ‘make things happen’, but also June Whiteman – Isle of Man; and
essential in setting up and Chapter Leader for the SACC. have not yet been successful in for their supporting, kind, and David White – South Africa. 
securing profitable and sustainable This role is exclusively focused South Africa, then what makes engaging manner. The SACC
international trade routes. on supporting trade facilitation you consider that your products takes an interest in everyone, and For anyone wishing to know more
David White and his teams at between South Africa and the will sell successfully in the United according to the membership about how the SACC can support their
desire to help their business thrive in
DRG and BusinessFit have since United Kingdom, and vice versa. Kingdom.” A second question… category the organisation has an international market, specifically the
2017 been travelling back and forth David says this role is critical “Are you aware of the sophisticated chosen, so too is effort and support United Kingdom, we look forward to
to the United Kingdom to identify in bridging the gap in ensuring United Kingdom market, and have shared. As an example, an SME speaking and sharing our passion with
you.
these essential networks, and to successful trade for new market you considered the reasons your member will receive newsletter You will do well to visit our organisation
meet and establish relationships entrants between South Africa and products will be able to compete and website exposure, invention website www.southafricanchamber.co.uk
with other business professionals the United Kingdom. within the global economy.” The opportunities, introductions, contacting David White, or any of the
to help open the doors to ‘simple David says that setting up a process encourages entrepreneurs and an ability to contribute specific area SACC chapter leaders.
trade’ between South Africa and simple trade conduit has been and business leaders to recognise to the community awards
the United Kingdom. his primary focus since 2017. The that the United Kingdom has trade evening. A Platinum member
partners from across the world,
The focus of these trips has been help and guidance from members and that as the United Kingdom will receive these same benefits
plus specifically tailored projects
centred around the South African of the SACC Exco and a business is a large consumer of goods and designed to meet member’s needs,
Chamber of Commerce in London assessment process, developed by services, only best quality and engagements and introductions,
(SACC). The SACC is an umbrella himself and Mike Miller, has aided well-priced products and services round table meetings, webinars SCAN
organisation and conduit for trade, the process incredibly well. will be attractive to consumers, specific to the company’s service/
community, and investment into Successes to date have included industry, and government. product, seminars, speaking QR CODE
and out of South Africa. The introducing: at events, tailored face to face TO SEE
SACC aims to bring under one In discussions with South African VIDEO
concerted effort, a forum and ■ A South African accounting entrepreneurs and business leaders, functions, and more. There are
individual membership categories,
meeting point for businesses firm to a United Kingdom we often find that there is a limited
who have an interest in both organisation to learn about awareness of international business as well as the Silver, Gold and (Open the camera on your phone and
Strategic categories.
the United Kingdom and South providing back-end practices and expectations. In hover steadily for 2-3 seconds over the
QR Code to see the video.)

Left to Right: Bruce Lennon, Jess Lennon, Deborah Lennon, Charles Henzi, Emilios Eracleous, Grant Adlam, Akhona Mahlati and David White (2019)

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