17 Dec 2009: Nine saibl Clients Feature in Latest ZimTrade Bulletin
ZimTrade featured nine saibl clients in their latest trade Bulletin, as a means of accessing the Zimbabwean market. The featured clients are: Fullimput t/a ALE, Lechoba Medicals, Shine-On Polish cc, Zhauns Group, Vawdas Promotions, Reba Agencies, Phenduka Networks, Global Bags, U & G Fabrics. saibl approached ZimTrade for insertion of clients' profiles in their bulletin which is widely circulated in the country, outside the country and available on their website.
17 Dec 2009: Stellar Winery Receives High Marks in Organic Wine Awards
Various wines of saibl client Stellar Organic Winery received high marks in the inaugural Nedbank Green Wine Awards. Stellar Winery’s Woolworths Organic Feeding Duck Chardonnay 2009 was awarded two stars out of a possible four, its Woolworths Organic Swooping Swallow Sauvignon Blanc 2009 was awarded three stars, and its Heaven on Earth Organic Sweet Wine 2009 was awarded three and a half stars. Stellar Organic's Chenin Blanc 2009 was also awarded three and a half stars and selected as a value pick by the editor as a “real bang for your buck” and its “guava and tropical fruit aromas.” The panel received 51 entries from 19 different producers of organic wines from throughout South Africa. The blind tastings were collected and the results audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers.
17 Dec 2009: Spice Mecca Airs Commercial on National TV and YouTube
Between December 10th and 23rd, saibl client Spice Mecca will begin airing a 30 second commercial on national television in South Africa. Spice Mecca launched a sneak preview of the festive commercial on YouTube, a technique being more frequently used by South African SMEs. The use of YouTube and other Web2.0 strategies are being integrated into existing marketing strategies. Spice Mecca has shown interest in the US market and has begun preparations to exhibit at the New York Fancy Food trade show in 2010.
4 Dec 2009: saibl Client African Allsorts Featured on Investment Banking Company's Website
saibl client African Allsorts is currently featured on the website front page of Regiment Capital. The Cape Town-based giftware company completed a large corporate order for the South African investment banking company, supplying 100 customized handmade bead and wire art buffalo figurines in the Wild Art Collection. Regiments Capital was very pleased with the order – replicas of the company’s buffalo sculpture which greets guests in their entrance hall - and will procure additional items for events in 2010.
4 Dec 2009: Eat Smart Organic Highlighted in Newsletter to All South African Retailers
saibl client Eat Smart Organic was featured under the Brand New sector of the FMCG FILES Newsletter published by Fastmoving.co.za, a trade communication portal showcasing products to the South African retail industry. The blurb announced that Eat Smart Organics' Ecocert certified organic juices and nectars were on shelves at all major South African retailers from November 2009. FMCG FILES Newsletter provides the local and international industry with information about products, trends and services. The newsletter reaches more than 17,500 subscribers every week and has become a trusted, immediately recognized source of information in the consumer packaged goods industry. Eat Smart Organics has shown interest in the US market and has begun preparations to exhibit at the Fancy Food tradeshow in the US in 2010.
3 dec 2009: Global Entrepreneurship Week: US agency helps create 18 000 SME jobs
During the week of November 16 to 22, millions of people in 85 countries participated in over 25 000 events in support of Global Entrepreneurship Week, a time especially set aside to encourage people worldwide to celebrate the power of individuals with ideas to drive sustainable economic growth. Through the South African International Business Linkages (SAIBL) programme, USAid provides technical assistance to enhance the competitiveness of historically disadvantaged small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing, services and agricultural sectors ... Read the complete article in Engineering News
3 dec 2009: Shine-On Polish Shines in Namibia
Shine On Polish cc, a saibl client that manufactures shoe polish, participated in the saibl Trade Mission to Namibia from 19-24 October 2009. The company's first trade mission afforded the opportunity to get first-hand information from both retail outlets and distributors about competition and price advantages. Several distributors were interested in representing Shine-On and following some screening, Shine-On Polish appointed PSS Wholesaler as an exclusive distributor covering the whole of Namibia. Renowned retail chains like Woermans were impressed by the product and indicated that they would consider stocking the product in stores countrywide. Orders will start in the New Year.
3 Dec 2009: Vawdas Promotions Lands First Export Order to Namibia
Following their participation in the saibl Trade Mission to Namibia (19-24 October 2009), saibl client Vawdas Promotions cc has landed their first export order. Vawdas will be supplying Sinlam IT Solutions (Pty) Ltd, a Namibian company, with branded corporate clothing and folders. Vawdas Ptomotions cc is a promotional products company based in Westbrook, Durban and this was their first trade mission participation with saibl. Vawdas is also working on two other quotes sent recently and pursuing other leads identified during the trade mission.
2 Dec 2009: saibl Client Attains ISO Accreditation
Sulawest, a registered saibl client based in Durban which specialises in the transport of containerised cargo and break-bulk throughout South Africa, was recently awarded its SABS ISO 9001:2008 accreditation with the assistance of a saibl-registered Business Service Provider, Growth Path International. The company was established from humble beginnings in 2001 as a one-man operation. Today, Sulawest is a little giant in the thriving South African transport industry with contracts worth millions of Rands and an impressive fleet of 75 horse and 110 trailers. Founder and CEO Pops Baijnath has no doubt that achieving ISO 9001 accreditation was beneficial to the company and says that it underpins their commitment to service excellence. According to him, the accreditation also assisted the company to align and focus their business.
25 nov 2009: Stellar Organic Winery Featured in WINE Magazine
saibl wine client Stellar Organic Winery, was featured the December issue of South Africa’s WINE magazine, which highlighted best organic wines and best organic practices as a result of increased popularity and consumer interest in this category. The magazine featured a four-page article on Stellar Winery’s commitment to Fairtrade, workers’ empowerment and education, and the environment. The feature, entitled “A Quacking Good Idea”, noted that Stellar was the first organic winery in the world to gain FairTrade accreditation with premiums on FairTrade wine sales being reinvested in fencing for all the farm workers’ houses, laptop computers for employees, and an adult basic education and IT training facility at the cellar. Focused funding have also created an organic vegetable garden and a sports field with change rooms, a canteen, and a spectator stand for the Trawal community.
20 nov 2009: SAIBL Presents Foundation Training in Cape Town
This week SAIBL trained a group of 10 consultants in Foundation Training (six Business Service Providers and four Business Linkage Specialists) in Cape Town. The training was split into two sessions: Training on Picking Sound Companies ( which was attended by all 10 consultants) and Complete Foundation Training (which incorporated the training on Company Diagnostics and was attended only by the BSPs). The newly-trained BSPs will now proceed to practical training on Company Diagnostics (23 November to 4 December), where after they will be listed as SAIBL Service Providers.20 nov 2009: sAIBL and OVK Develop Cooperation Agreement Workplan
On 10 November 2009, SAIBL visited Oranje Vrystaat Koöperasie (OVK) to developed a work plan under the SAIBL/OVK Cooperation Agreement that was signed in October. The agreement seeks to facilitate enterprise development, procurement and increase the number and depth of business linkages between OVK and 20 black farmers in the Free State Province. SAIBL is working closely with OVK to assist farmers to register as legal entities with a strong emphasis on commercial grain production. Under the agreement, OVK will provide technical as well and market opportunities for grain producers. The work plan provides for screening and evaluating of farmers by SAIBL for the purpose of linking them to OVK. SAIBL will also conduct site visits to various farmers in December 2009 as part of the evaluation process.
SAIBL also met with the Free State Department of Agriculture to explore possible areas of cooperation and to identify areas of collaboration where SMEs could benefit from the SAIBL programme.
13 nov 2009: Chemicals Industry Trade Mission to Botswana
The SAIBL trade component facilitated a trade mission to Gaborone from 2-5 November for SAIBL clients Palmed Medicals and Xchem Chemicals. The aim of the mission was to link with potential distributors of their products in Botswana. Palmed met with four potential partners who are already supplying government and private hospitals and clinics. One company requested Palmed to quote on various items for a government tender they are working on. Xchem also met with potential partners and identified a company that they will now work with on an agent basis. Both clients expressed appreciation for the quality of appointments that SAIBL organised and were satisfied with the outcome of their trade mission.
13 nov 2009: Tanzanian Organics Buyers Trade Mission to South Africa
Mr J Gama and Mr J Sinare from the Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement visited SAIBL clients from 28 October to 1 November to explore business opportunities regarding packaging material and packaging equipment. They met with SAIBL clients Technotape and Fairpak, and also potential SAIBL clients such as Sub-Saharan Africa Machinery, Mykas and Weightron. The Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement 35 companies in agriculture in Tanzania and the trade mission was organised by the SAIBL representative in Tanzania, Ruta Mutakyahwa. The visitors were satisfied with the companies they met and will now follow up on business opportunities.
13 nov 2009: Stellar Winery Farm Worker Wins National Award
Maria Malan of Stellar Winery received an award as the Sanlam National Farm Worker of the Year. The purpose of the competition is to acknowledge farm workers for their specialized knowledge and excellent work. Maria is responsible for 200 workers at SAIBL client Stellar, the country's largest organic winery, and she also chairs Stellar's Fair Trade Committee. The award plays an important role in empowering farm communities.
6 Nov 2009: Saibl Supported South African Supplier Diversity Council Featured at NMSDC Convention in New Orleans
Following the signing of the partnership agreement between the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) and the NBI last week, the saibl-supported South African Supplier Diversity Council (SASDC) was featured at the NMSDC Convention in New Orleans. The SASDC is to be set up as a non-profit corporate-led organisation promoting and facilitating black supplier development and contracting in South Africa based on the successful NMSDC model. NMSDC boasts a corporate membership of 3500 across America and a database of over 15000 black suppliers doing over $100 billion dollars worth of business between them.
The South African delegation was led by John James, Chief of Party, saibl and Gary Joseph, Director, SASDC. The delegation included Savvas Pouroullis from SASOL, Paul Jackson (NBI) and Kennia Somerville (CCA). John James made a presentation at the International Programs Advisory Committee Meeting, alongside the NMSDC affiliates from Australia, Canada, China and the United Kingdom. The SASDC also attended the Presidents Council Meeting and the NMSDC's Board Meeting as part of its induction. The convention attracted over 5600 delegates representing corporations and minority black enterprises, and over 650 companies and suppliers exhibited at the business opportunity fair. The delegation also participated in the 24 workshops and plenaries on supplier diversity development.
This was a unique and productive networking occasion and the saibl SASDC delegation received tremendous encouragement, support and offers of help from NMSDC Regional Councils and corporations with operations in South Africa. We were introduced to VPs and Chief Procurement Officers of corporations such as BP, Chevron Texaco, IBM, Coca Cola, Cummins, among others. This begins a new and exciting chapter in the work of saibl in South Africa, as it lays the foundation for a sustainable organisation to carry on the work into the future. It will leave a lasting legacy from the American people.
29 Oct 09: Saibl Agri Planning Visit to Limpopo
Saibl visited the Limpopo Department of Agriculture (Agri Planning Development) with a view to finding common areas of collaboration in order to assist black fruit, fresh and broiler producers to become formalised so that they are able to integrate throughout the value chain and fully participate in the main stream agricultural economy. A follow-up visit to the Agricultural Management Committee is being planned to identify areas of collaboration and consider the possible formalization of a cooperation agreement.
28 Oct 09: Agreement Between saibl and Foskor
Saibl and Foskor have agreed to develop a minimum of 10 qualifying black suppliers of FOSKOR in Phalaborwa to the level where they will be eligible and suitable for contracting by FOSKOR over the 12 month agreement period. SAIBL will be supporting a Foskor led initiative to promote supplier diversity development in Foskor by growing the pool of competitive black suppliers in its value chain on a sustainable basis.
22 Oct 09: Stellar Winery Now Tweeting
In the November issue of Wine Enthusiast, Stellar Winery’s Shiraz varietal received the BEST BUYS of 2009. This announcement was posted on Twitter by Stellar Winery’s importer, Triton Exports. The Twitter posting represents an innovative marketing opportunity that the saibl program and Stellar are working into the company’s existing branding and marketing approach. The use of Twitter is part of a digital media strategy for Stellar currently being developed with the Center for Social Impact Communication at Georgetown University.
22 Oct 09: Saibl to Assist in the Training of Contractors in the Construction Industry
The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and saibl signed a cooperation agreement for the training of contractors in the construction industry. In terms of the agreement, the two parties will work together on supplier development to increase the number of competitive black enterprises capable of subcontracting to large contractors, private and public corporations. The objective is to identify, screen and select up to fifteen eligible and suitable black-owned contractors in the General Building sector (at grades 5 to 7) and Civil and Mechanical Engineering sectors (at grades 2 to 7) for development and support to improve their competitiveness for larger contracts. The parties agreed that this contract be treated as a pilot project involving enterprises in the Gauteng region until 30 September 2010, after which they may decide to renew the agreement.
20 Oct 09: Direct Channel Holdings Bidding for World Bank Projects
As a result of attending the 2009 US-Africa Business Summit in Washington DC, saibl client Direct Channel Holdings (DCH) was able to learn about possible sources of funding for DCH’s African expansion. DCH registered for the World Bank tender process and will be bidding on a back office RFP with its Kenyan partner Simba Technology Ltd.
16 Oct 09: Co-construction meeting with KPL Die Casting
On 13 October a co-construction meeting was held in Johannesburg with saibl client KPL Die Casting. Feedback on the findings of the company diagnostic that was conducted on KPL was given to Sally Marengo, the owner of the company. Leslie Marbury from USAID took the opportunity to visit a longstanding and successful saibl client. She attended the meeting as an observer and to see a piece of SAIBL work in action.