South Africans have an uncanny ability to come together in a time of need. It is one of our greatest traits – harnessing the power of community when it matters the most. The past year has tested many in perhaps the most extreme way, but despite unthinkable circumstances we have seen people reaching out to help others.
The same has happened in the business world. Many companies have been helping each other to survive. This is a true spirit of South Africans. It is not a spirit of race or creed but simply a spirit of being a South African and a determination to help and survive.
We have all been through tough times but those that have listened, processed, and responded in the business world are doing well and exceeding expectations.
For nine years I have been writing our monthly newsletter and built a great base of esteemed clients and friends. It has been fantastic seeing clients that were non-compliant complaining about B-BBEE now level 2 and reaping the rewards.
I received this note that epitomizes where many business owners find themselves. –
"As a white male owned business owner, operating within the road transport industry, with my majority client base being the mining sector (governed by the mining charter), in order to survive and remain profitable, I had no choice, but to become B-BBEE compliant, and very quickly too with a level 1 or 2 certification.
Taking on a B-BBEE business “partner”, with absolutely no financial nor intellectual capital contribution to the business was never an option.
It was all “doom and gloom” and the end of my business and legacy which I had worked so hard to build over the past 8 years, or so I thought, until one Jacaranda City summer’s morning over a delicious cappuccino and a hearty English breakfast, I attentively listened to the sound advice and guidance of an old friend, and that is where it all started.
Then came Covid and the process was temporarily retarded, but I hung in there, focusing on the future... not only that of my family and I, but also the possible beneficiaries of the “black educational trust” (legally, my new B-BBEE partner/s) that I was in the process of creating.
As soon as my “trust” was registered, October 2020, I started the onerous processes of applying for vendor status at 6 different blue chip mining companies, 2 applications are work in progress, 4 mines have awarded my vendor number and in time I have secured transport contracts with 2 mines.... The doors are opening again after being firmly shut in my face.
How can I NOW not “give back to the community’?
In conclusion, especially those of you that are business owners, I can positively attest to the fact that you can have your business declared legally B-BBEE compliant without “giving” your business away, restructuring or loosing hard earned control.
Hilton, with the greatest respect and admiration, thank you for all you have done for my company, my family and me. I can only hope and pray that God will continue to Bless me and give me the daily strength to run my business successfully, and in so doing, assist young, deserving, less privileged youngsters to obtain the best academic training that they can get at arguably one of the finest schools in the country.
Sincerely Peter R”
To all our clients that have become trusting partners thank you for your support and may you and your business continue to grow.
To those of you that are struggling let us meet and see if we can help you, all it will cost you is one hour of your time and a cup of coffee, you might be pleasantly surprised.
I look forward to the opportunity of hopefully meeting with you like Peter did.
Take care, be safe!
Sincerely
Hilton Johnson
CEO – Compliance Hub
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