Impact Partner Content / Absa

As the fourth largest contributor to gross domestic product, manufacturing is a key sector to the country’s recovery plan and achieving our future growth by creating jobs and lessening the country’s reliance on imported products.

Absa is proud to be the Platinum Sponsor of the Manufacturing Indaba, which will take place on 21 and 22 June 2022 at the Sandton Convention Centre.

It cannot be ignored that the marketing sector, which is of vital importance, has been through a tumultuous time over the past two years. The most notable constraint recently, has been the impact of global lockdowns, COVID-19, strikes, riots and the current Russian invasion of Ukraine, on the supply chain disruptions and rising input costs.

However, manufacturers are once again proving their resilience with improvements in confidence and activity levels. Not only this, but we are also seeing manufacturers reinvesting in their own businesses to improve production and reduce costs by purchasing more efficient machinery and equipment.

An ongoing concern for the manufacturing sector, is the unreliable supply of energy, along with the rising electricity tariffs. With 2022 expected to be the worst year of load shedding that we’ve experienced, manufacturers are taking their energy journey into their own hands by installing solar and adding batteries to further future-proof their businesses.

As structural changes remain a key consideration for South Africa to not only recover, but to grow in the future, it is vital for all stakeholders in this sector to engage and share insights. Therefore, Absa is proud to be the Platinum Sponsor of the Manufacturing Indaba, which will take place on 21 and 22 June 2022 at the Sandton Convention Centre.

Absa  remains a committed supporter to the makers of Africa – the manufacturers that contribute to livelihoods, produce our food and beverages, manufacture automotive vehicles, clothe our nation and create the key components that support our infrastructure. It is for this reason that Absa designs tailor-made solutions to meet the unique needs of this sector to help unlock the potential in the manufacturing value chain of South Africa.

The aim of the annual Manufacturing Indaba is to empower members of sub-Saharan Africa’s promising manufacturing community to identify global trends, keep abreast with global competition, embrace digital transformation, cultivate a skilled workforce, enable black industrialist collaboration, and gain insights on available incentives to better empower their businesses in the new era impacted by COVID-19. Bringing together business owners, industry leaders, government officials, capital providers and professional experts, these discussions will pave the way for a more equitable, competitive and successful manufacturing industry and economy.

The event consists of free-to-attend seminars on the exhibition floor with content focused on knowledge sharing and trade opportunities, as well as a paid conference consisting of four plenary sessions and 12 specialised breakaway streams, covering a range of topics. Download the conference agenda: https://www.manufacturingindaba.co.za/programme2022/

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet with us, network with industry leaders and gain insights. Register as a conference delegate: https://manufacturingindaba.co.za/register-conference-jhb/ or register to attend the FREE exhibition: https://manufacturingindaba.co.za/visit-exhibition/.

Absa  does more for the manufacturing sector to thrive. That’s Africanacity.

Absa is an Authorized Financial Services Provider and a Registered Credit Provider NCRCP7

by Ashika Pillay

The topic of purpose and meaning is often an uncomfortable one. One that feels heavy and sometimes feels undone. Do you know your purpose in life? Do I know mine? It’s sounds lofty and unattainable. We look at those who look like they have found theirs’ with envy and sometimes sadness. When will this bolt of enlightenment strike me too?

What if we change the conversation and change the words that we use? From purpose to how to we find meaning? Meaning in our work, in our families and in life itself? What if we change the conversation to know that there is not just one answer, to the question of “what’s my purpose?”

Somehow this reframing feels lighter for me. Feels attainable, and almost a relief. What if we also change the conversation to allow purpose and meaning to evolve, so that we can be flexible with it as we evolve and as our life shifts with age. A mom who finds meaning in taking care of her little kids and has chosen that, can look at other ways to find meaning when her work kids are older. Successful executives and entrepreneurs can evolve purpose as their businesses and careers matures in time. A fixed grasping on purpose that is unchanging can certainly be unhealthy and stress inducing.

Simon Sinek in his book “Start with the Why” says that “Achievement happens when we pursue and attain what we want. Success comes when we are in clear pursuit of why we want it. The why and the meaning behind our actions can be the nucleus of our wellbeing. We can know the deeper perspective from even what may appear to be the most mundane tasks. You can take a dull task (to me at least) like admin, or invoices and infuse meaning into that. This can also be the antidote to that “p” word – procrastination. Looking at the bigger picture!

There’s even the “why” to know your “why”. Studies have shown that purpose and meaning are associated with higher scores for memory, executive functioning, and overall wellbeing. Additionally, there was a cardiovascular health impact in cardiovascular health, lower depression and anxiety levels and greater happiness. A sense of coherence, that manifests in the body with less stress in the system, better sleep, lower levels of inflammation in the body. These people were also more productive, had better connections and relationships. It was also found that there could be monetary value of a purposeful life as a sense of purpose predicts greater income and net worth.

So here are a few practical questions to help you activate your meaning in the work that you do? First look at the bigger picture. What is the reason that your work is important? For example, how and why is accurate invoicing important? What impact does your work have on yourself, and on others? What is the impact on your family, the community, and future generations? You could also speak to a coach and explore this in a more in-depth way.

To start the exploration of your bigger purpose, it’s important to first see this as a journey. Really an exploration. Hold this question with ease and lightness rather than an exam question where the answer must be found and must be right. Below are a few reflective questions to start this journey.

• What matters most to me i.e., what are my values?

• What am I good at (my strengths)?

• To explore, where can I volunteer to see how I feel in that particular environment?

• Imagine your best self. What are you doing?

• Cultivate positive emotions like awe and gratitude

• Look at the people you admire. What about them do you admire most?

• When am I in flow (when time stops), what am I doing?

• What difference do I want to make?

• What will my legacy be? How will my (grand)children describe me?

Meaning and purpose can be the center of performance, of achieving close to if not beyond our potential, of believing in the work that we do and making a positive impact in the world. It does not have to be some lofty goal to change the world dramatically for millions. It can simply be the starting point to change your world, and to leave the world a fraction better than you found it. It requires time, reflection, and action. So, take the first step today, and ask the right questions?

Many farmers are specialists in their fields and Rudzani Sadiki, originally from Mokopane, Limpopo, was well on his way to becoming a poultry specialist when circumstances forced him into a completely different farming direction – farming oilseed crops. Not a man to allow change to put him off his stride, Rudzani adapted quickly and applied his mind to making a success of oilseed farming. He talks to Peter Mashala of African Farming about strategising and staying resilient.

Mokopane poultry farmer Rudzani Sadiki was happily supplying chickens to Mike’s Chickens in Polokwane as a contract grower, when the business collapsed, almost ruining Rudzani and many other contract growers who supplied the processor. The trouble for the poultry farmers began when the government bought Polokwane based Mike’s Chickens in a BEE deal that went badly wrong.

“Many of us saw it coming as we watched the new management begin to mismanage the business. We knew we had to make other plans,” says Rudzani. In 2016 he applied for, and was accepted as a grower for another farm. But the farm was at the other end of Limpopo, in Dwaalboom outside Thabazimbi, and it was a grain farm. Rudzani had to relocate and switch from commercial chicken production, producing 42 000 birds per cycle, to commercial grain production producing yellow maize, sorghum, wheat and sunflower on 1 000ha near Thabazimbi.

“It wasn’t an easy transition and I had to hit the ground running. But I think when you are a born farmer, nothing is impossible,” he says. Rudzani was born and raised in the Matshe village outside Makhado, previously Louis Trichardt, in Limpopo and started herding his grandmother’s cattle when he was a small child. By the time he was ten he had a few of his own cattle which his grandmother gave him. Although not conscious of it at the time, he was laying a foundation for his farming career.

“In high school, I wanted to be in the health industry to make my dad proud because he worked at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. I chose the mathematics and science stream to get into university so that I could study anything health related,” recalls Rudzani.

Then towards the end of his matric year he changed his mind and decided to study agriculture. “My dad was disappointed. His argument was that they had worked on farms in horrible conditions, and he didn’t believe a black person could be a successful farmer.”

Rudzani explains. Although Rudzani’s father did not approve of his son’s decision he continued to support him and in 2003 Rudzani registered for a National Diploma in Agricultural Management at Unisa. When he moved from Limpopo to Gauteng he sold his cattle as stock theft was rife in his area.

“My grandmother had passed away during my Grade 11 year and there was no one to look after the livestock,” he explains. When he was not studying, he attended as many agricultural workshops and seminars as possible. In 2006, while he was doing his experiential training at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), the organisation held an event attended by the minister of agriculture and land affairs at the time, Thoko Didiza, and a few MECs, including Limpopo MEC, Dikeledi Magadzi.

“I approached the minister to share my story and vision, and, on the spot, she called the Limpopo MEC over,” says Rudzani. “Ms Magadzi gave me her contact details and from time to time I would call her with an update on my progress,” he recalls.

GROWING POULTRY

Once he had completed his course, Rudzani moved back to Limpopo to start farming. His first opportunity came when a local farmer rented him a broiler house with the capacity for 7 000 birds. “At that time, there weren’t as many broiler producers as there are now and I did very well supplying the local informal market,” recalls Rudzani.

Then, through his conversations with the MEC, he got the chance to grow his business further. The department had spent a lot of money on a broiler project in Mokopane for a youth cooperative, which had collapsed. The MEC suggested to Rudzani that he take over the farm.

The takeover was facilitated and he was sent to Tzaneen for training. In October 2008 he moved to the fully automated, climate-controlled operation, running 42 000 chickens per cycle. The increased capacity meant he had to look for a contract.

“When I first approached Mike’s Chickens in Polokwane, they refused to give me a contract because of the bad experience they had with the previous management,” explains Rudzani. Unwilling to give up he went to see contract grower Ken Goelst.

“Ken agreed to act as my mentor, organised a meeting with Mike’s Chickens and convinced them to give me a chance,” he says. Rudzani delivered his first batch of chickens in January 2009.

MAKING THE CHANGE

When Mike’s Chickens, under new management, started experiencing problems, Rudzani knew he had to make another plan. He had already applied for a farm, but the department was no longer interested in funding another poultry farm. “I identified other farms in the area but they were either overpriced, or the deal fell flat due to delays, especially from the government’s side,” Rudzani says.

In 2016, he was finally approved for a farm of 1 285ha and he moved there in December of that year. The farm has 1 000ha of arable land; the remainder of the farm is used for grazing. Rudzani had 30 Nguni cattle when he moved and he took some of his poultry equipment as there were four small chicken houses each with a 500-bird capacity.

“I started producing broilers for the informal market in the nearby villages. It was challenging in the beginning but became easier as our clientele grew,” says Rudzani. The farm was geared for production and didn’t need much work before Rudzani could start farming. The only issue was a lack of fencing, which exposed his grain crops to wildlife.

“I had saved some money and got a contractor to plant my first crop on 500ha,” recalls Rudzani. He relied on neighbours for a few years to help with cultivation, planting and harvesting. And then his luck turned when he was approved for the recapitalisation grant in 2019. The Grain Farmer Development Association (GFADA), an initiative of the grain trusts, helped him draft a business plan that was approved and Rudzani was able to buy some equipment.

“I got two tractors, a six-row planter, a 1 000-litre boom sprayer, a 10t grain trailer, and a 1 000 litre diesel trailer. I put up a 300m2 shed and fenced the farm.” He had a problem with wildlife, especially kudu, eating his sunflower crop.

“I could lose up to 100ha to kudu,” he says. The recap funds covered 250ha of production and Rudzani funded the remaining hectares. There is currently 974ha planted to sunflower on the farm, which is supplied on contract. “We have grown only sunflowers for the past few seasons as it is currently a good time to be in sunflower production,” Rudzani says. Commodity prices influence his crop selection.

“When the prices are up, I hedge my sunflower price, and this season I have already committed 400t,” he explains. “But I am careful not to overcommit, because if something happens and I can’t produce the promised tonnage I have to buy in the difference from another farmer to meet my commitment.”

Rudzani says the Dwaalboom area is good for sunflower production. With an annual rainfall of 500mm, he gets dryland yields of 1.2t/ha. The predominantly heavy clay soil is fertile and farmers in the area don’t use fertiliser. “Applying fertiliser makes no difference to the yields,” he points out surprisingly. This is an economic advantage, especially now when fertiliser prices are going through the roof, says Rudzani. Planting starts in late November and continues until the end of February.

“You can push it to around the first week of March, but to be on the safe side planting should be done by 28 February.” Cultivation starts in October after the first rains. “We need at least 120mm before we start with land prep,” says Rudzani. He starts by tilling the land to kill all the weeds.

“We sometimes have to use round-up for persistent weeds before we plant,” he says. He uses Roundup Ready Pannar Seed cultivars, Pannar 7102 and 7160, which he says are the best performing cultivars for the area.

PRECISION AND DIVERSITY

He practices precision farming for optimum production. Although the equipment is not cheap, Rudzani says it is worth the investment over time. “I know exactly how much seed is planted, and the planting depth, which helps me farm smarter and conserve resources.”

His plant population is 25 000 plants/ha. Provinces with higher rainfall can plant at 40 000 plants/ha but overpopulating leads to poor yields, he warns. He uses six-row and eight-row planters. “The eight-row planter can cover about 5ha/hour. When we are planting there is no time to stop, not even for lunch. If you stop for an hour’s lunch, you’ve lost 5ha that day.”

He staggers the planting to allow time lags between lands to spread risk. “For example, the lands I planted in December did not produce very well while those I planted from the end of January to the beginning of February are looking much better,” he says.

During the six years he has been on the farm, Rudzani has grown his Nguni herd from 30 to 130 breeding cows. However, he is in the process of switching to Bonsmara cattle and has already sold 90 Ngunis and bought in pregnant Bonsmara cows. He has also introduced Dorper sheep to the operation.

“I started with a trial of 10 sheep about two years ago and it has gone very well,” he says. “I wanted to see how the sheep did in this environment. I believe it’s important to do trials before making any major changes or adding commodities to your operation,” he explains. “This gives you some insight into factors you may not have anticipated and allows you to adjust your approach before increasing the scale,” he adds. He currently has about 30 breeding ewes and a ram and he plans to increase those numbers.