Page 13 - KZN Business Sense 7.1

BUSINESS LEADERSHIP FOR THE FUTURE

he coronavirus Incorporated; David White, The second “Business leadership shaping the future” webinar
(Covid-19) pandemic has CEO of DRG Outsourcing; and
Tbeen declared a global Grant Adlam, CEO of KZN
crisis and is one of the biggest Top Business have been hosting
challenges facing countries in a webinar series entitled,
modern times. “Business leadership shaping
the future”, with the core theme
In South Africa, while the
initial Covid-19 lockdown being, “How can business Roshan Morar, Managing Director, Grant Adlam, CEO,
KZN Top Business
Morar Incorporated
regulations were targeted at leaders create and sustain long
mitigating health risks, these term business success?”.
measures have impacted heavily The panellists on the first
on the country’s economy. webinar were:

Each business sector has had ■ Rowan De Klerk, CEO,
diverse challenges to face and The FD Centre David White, CEO, Jonathan Naidoo, CEO, Frikkie Brooks, CEO of Nomfundo Mcoyi, CEO,
consequently the responses ■ Mahomed Zubeir Moosa, DRG Outsourcing SmartXchange Brooks Facilitation Services Icebolethu Group
have differed in each industry. CEO, Willowton Group
According to Stats SA findings ■ Merrill King, CEO, Capitol
(September 2020), “South Caterers
Africa’s gross domestic product ■ Ashok Sewnarain, CEO,
(GDP) decreased by 51,0% in the IBV International Vaults
second quarter of 2020 owing ■ Elias Masilela, Non-executive Andre Wessels, CEO, Clinton Govender, CEO, Rajen Reddy, Executive Chairman, www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_jleTn8Yr0
Watch the webinar here:
Brand Partners
Asone Limited
RR Group of Companies
to the impact of the Covid-19 Chairman, DNA Economics
lockdown restrictions since the
end of March 2020.” ■ Pearl Bengu, CEO, Ithala Key Insights and appropriate actions to keep Significantly, the importance
Development Finance moving forward. of collaboration with both
Following conversations with Corporation All panellists gave much internal and external
several chief executive officers ■ Trevor Mvundura, Chief insight into the importance of While Covid-19 has stakeholders including family,
and other leading business Financial Officer at THINK: effective leadership in adapting highlighted strengths in employees, clients, service
leaders, both formally and TB and HIV Investigative to current challenges in the businesses, the impact of the providers and the wider
informally, several themes Network business environment. pandemic has showed up flaws community that the busines
became evident in both how the ■ Dr Cassius Lubisi, former Each panellist agreed that as well as weaknesses in existing operates in was mentioned as
pandemic has impacted business Director-General in the changes, both in business enterprises. One of the key key to sustainability in many
models and in how businesses South African Presidency operations and business outcomes of Covid-19 is that of the businesses represented.
have responded. culture, have occurred, which business leaders have had the Business collaboration, with
The panellists on the second are likely to remain evident opportunity to evaluate their
One of the key business business models, including an increased focused on
issues has been a focus on webinar were: in the foreseeable future. their products or services, doing business locally, is also
sustainability. While some ■ Jonathan Naidoo, CEO, Many businesses have had to and to question whether their highly relevant in growing the
companies have not been SmartXchange cope with many challenges models are sustainable. The economy of KwaZulu-Natal
impacted and have continued ■ Frikkie Brooks, CEO, including the extended periods importance of making use of and improving the overall
to thrive and to grow, others Brooks Facilitation Services of lockdown and the need to this opportunity to stay relevant quality of life of the people
have not. Many business ■ Nomfundo Mcoyi, CEO, shut down operations as well was shared by many of the of the province through
leaders have questioned, “How Icebolethu Group as manage employees working webinar panel members. job creation and social
will the business survive and ■ Andre Wessels, CEO, Asone remotely. They have had to To be sustainable, many responsibility projects.
find new ways of working,
remain relevant going forward, Limited and in some cases have had to businesses are reviewing Another key message was the
especially in an environment of ■ Clinton Govender, CEO, work at re-establishing their their environment, social and importance of digitalisation to
uncertainty?” Brand Partners businesses on reopening. The governance (ESG) objectives promote connectivity and to
In an attempt to answer ■ Rajen Reddy, Executive responsibility for navigating using the United Nations ensure effective communication
this question, Roshan Morar, Chairman, RR Group of the ‘new normal’ depends on Sustainable Development Goals among all stakeholders. Along
Managing Director of Morar Companies each business leader’s timeous as a guide. with digitalisation the need
to embrace technologies that
However, in paying attention ensure the effective use of
in how to remain relevant and operating systems within the
The first “Business leadership shaping the future” webinar sustainable, business must business must be realised

be agile and adaptable. But where appropriate. We need
in restructuring a business to translate much of the
to make it more effective innovation that is taking
and to increase one’s bottom place in the technology space
line, proper planning, being into action.
cost effective and managing
Roshan Morar, Managing Director, David White, CEO, Grant Adlam, CEO, Rowan De Klerk, CEO, In conclusion, the panellists
Morar Incorporated DRG Outsourcing KZN Top Business The FD Centre finances diligently is
imperative. This includes full highlighted that it is people
compliance with all business that make a difference and with
governance and reporting the right leader and approach
requirements. to one’s business, anything is
possible. Each leader needs to
As Covid-19 allowed a take responsibility for creating
Mahomed Zubeir Moosa, CEO, Merrill King, CEO, Ashok Sewnarain, CEO, Trevor Mvundura, CFO, chance to pause and reflect, a collective vision for their
Willowton Group Capitol Caterers IBV International Vaults THINK: TB and HIV Investigative Network
the importance of assessing business and motivate their
the needs of all the people team to achieve this goal.
that the business impacted on
was stressed by many of the One must get out there and
panellists. In this regard, the do it! 
need to continue upskill and
Elias Masilela, Non-executive Chairman, Pearl Bengu, CEO, Dr Cassius Lubisi, former DG, Watch the webinar here: retrain employees as we go into
DNA Economics Ithala Development Finance Corporation South African Presidency www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1VMzxJfBRc For more information contact
the future must be considered. tracy@topbusiness.co.za

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