Page 13 - KZN Business Sense 10.6

CELEBRATING A YEAR

OF ACHIEVEMENT AT

TWIMS

Prof. Theuns Pelser, and sustainability practices in Looking to 2025, we are
TWIMS Executive leading industries. excited about the rollout of a
Director refreshed MBA curriculum, the
Our executive education
portfolio expanded launch of new scholarships, and
s 2024 significantly, hosting the development of innovative
draws impactful short courses and programmes, including a
Ato a masterclasses that attracted manufacturing-focused
close, we professionals from diverse advanced diploma. Plans are
at TWIMS sectors. With topics ranging also underway to expand
reflect proudly from Lean Operations to Green global immersion modules to
on a year filled Manufacturing, participants developing economies, offering
with milestones, growth, and rated these programmes highly, diverse benchmarks for our
impactful initiatives. This year, reinforcing TWIMS as a hub students.
we continued to build on our for excellence in manufacturing As we close the year, we
vision of shaping responsible thought leadership. A key extend our gratitude to our
leaders to drive the future of milestone was introducing students, faculty, partners,
manufacturing in South Africa the “Advanced Marketing and stakeholders for their
and beyond.
Strategies for Manufacturing support. Together, we move
Among our standout Leaders” course, showcasing into 2025 with renewed energy
achievements was the our commitment to addressing and purpose to transform
graduation of 24 MBA students, contemporary challenges in the manufacturing education and
with many earning top sector. leadership. 
accolades, including subject Beyond the classroom, our
distinctions and awards for vibrant community events, W: www.twimsafrica.com
mini-dissertations.
including industry seminars
Our postgraduate programs and alumni gatherings,
flourished, with high fostered dialogue on critical
satisfaction scores across the manufacturing issues.
PGDip and MBA courses. The Notable events included
global immersion module in discussions on regional
the UK, a highlight of the MBA trade, gender transformation
programme, provided students in manufacturing, and the
with invaluable insights into transformative power of digital
cutting-edge technologies technology.

BILLION RAND INVESTMENT IN KWAZULU-NATAL

n a strong demonstration of made by Sappi, notably the R7.7 development, and community
its ongoing commitment to billion Saiccor Mill upgrade and initiatives. We recognise that a
Isupporting investment in expansion project in 2018, among strong foundation in education and
KwaZulu- Natal, Sappi Southern others in subsequent years. community well-being is essential
Africa has pledged to invest R10.8 Additionally, Sappi is one of for building a well-rounded,
billion in the province over the next the largest users of the Durban resilient business environment that
five years. This significant pledge enhances KwaZulu-Natal’s appeal
was announced by SappiSA CEO Port, moving approximately as a sustainable destination for
Alex Thiel at the KZN Investment 120 containers per day to export trade and investment.
Conference, held at the Inkosi its dissolving pulp, primarily “We saw this as an ideal
to India, Europe, China, and
Albert Luthuli ICC in Durban on other Asian countries. We opportunity to pledge our
11 and 12 November 2024. support, demonstrating our
continue to grow the forest
Overall, companies pledged a sector value chain empowering confidence in the future prosperity
total of R76 billion investments local communities through our of the province as a premier
for the province, with Sappi’s comprehensive Enterprise and destination for investment. This
substantial commitment being the Supplier Development initiatives, conference also served as a vital
second largest. by supporting more than 4,000 networking platform to express
timber growers through our our appreciation for the work done
As a company with operations to date in addressing some of the
deeply rooted in the province, Sappi Khulisa Enterprise Supplier logistical challenges we face,” said
programme. Another 102 SME
Sappi recognises its role as a suppliers in the region benefit from Alex Thiel. “While significant
significant contributor to the progress has been made, we
economic and social fabric of more than R250 million spent on were also able to discuss ongoing
KwaZulu-Natal. With three their development, in addition to concerns, such as the delayed
having the opportunity to become
operational mills in Umkomaas, suppliers, along with our many rebuilding of the South Coast
Stanger, and Mandeni, as well other suppliers in the province who Railway Line and the availability
as 165,000 hectares of forest of railway equipment, which we
plantations, Sappi creates support our operations through believe may hinder companies
employment opportunities for their products and services. operating in KZN from reaching
thousands of people, both directly Sappi’s Social Impact Programme their full potential,” he said. 
and indirectly. This pledge extends beyond enterprise support
follows previous commitments to include education, skills www.sappi.com

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