Northern Cape Business 2018-19 edition
Officially supported and used by the Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Northern Cape Business is unique as a business and investment guide that focuses exclusively on the Northern Cape Province. In addition to comprehensive overviews of sectors of the economy, this publication has several special articles which focus on transformative projects, such as the solar and wind farms rapidly coming on line and the massive potential represented by the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope, a multi-billion rand international project already taking shape in the vast open plains of the Karoo. Updated information on Northern Cape is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at http://www.globalafricanetwork.com/subscribe/, in addition to our complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces as well as our flagship South African Business title.
Officially supported and used by the Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Northern Cape Business is unique as a business and investment guide that focuses exclusively on the Northern Cape Province. In addition to comprehensive overviews of sectors of the economy, this publication has several special articles which focus on transformative projects, such as the solar and wind farms rapidly coming on line and the massive potential represented by the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope, a multi-billion rand international project already taking shape in the vast open plains of the Karoo.
Updated information on Northern Cape is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at http://www.globalafricanetwork.com/subscribe/, in addition to our complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces as well as our flagship South African Business title.
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Advancing<br />
socio-economic<br />
transformation<br />
INTERVIEW<br />
Provincial Chairperson Dr Tshego Gopane outlines the<br />
priorities of the Black Management Forum <strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Cape</strong>.<br />
Dr Tshegofatso Gopane<br />
Please outline the main objectives of the Black Management Forum.<br />
The three strategic objectives are: the development of managerial leadership;<br />
advancing socio-economic transformation in Southern Africa and<br />
beyond; thought leadership through advocacy.<br />
What is your current focus?<br />
The Young Professionals Development Programme is targeted at entry-level<br />
professionals with supportive mentorship. The Duke Women in Leadership<br />
Programme aims to ensure women are accelerated in positions of leadership.<br />
A Transformation Masterplan was born to address challenges identified by a<br />
research project (Transformation Barometer). The Masterplan is still a work<br />
in progress.<br />
BIOGRAPHY<br />
Among Dr Tshegofatso Gopane’s<br />
qualifications are an<br />
MBChB (UKZN) and a postgraduate<br />
business diploma<br />
from UNISA SBL. She is currently<br />
pursuing a Master’s in<br />
Public Health. Through her<br />
company Tshela Bophelo<br />
Wellness Solutions, she has<br />
overseen large-scale social<br />
impact projects in health and<br />
education while maintaining<br />
her medical practice. She<br />
serves on various bodies involved<br />
in transformation and<br />
development, including the<br />
provincial Human Resource<br />
Council and the South African<br />
Medical and Dental Practitioners<br />
Association Council.<br />
What are the challenges facing business in the <strong>Northern</strong> <strong>Cape</strong>?<br />
They are different for big and small business. Mining declined sharply as commodity<br />
prices fell in late 2015 which saw the mining industry facing severe<br />
constraints. This, and policy uncertainty, has resulted in the reluctance of<br />
the mining industry to further invest. For small business there is a constant<br />
battle to access the value chain of the big industries (mining, agriculture and<br />
solar). They ought to be creating viable SMMEs as part of their backward<br />
linkages. There is a perceived limited effort by big business to ensure that<br />
small business develops. Lack of access to capital is a consistent challenge.<br />
Which sectors are looking up?<br />
The three sectors with growth potential remain agriculture, mining and solar.<br />
The building of secondary and tertiary industries locally remains a high<br />
possibility to increase economic activity and create sustainable small and<br />
medium business such as manufacturing of components used in machinery,<br />
safety equipment, tyres, workshops for the maintenance of heavy vehicles,<br />
and agri-processing.<br />
How is your relationship with other stakeholders?<br />
The BMF has a cordial relationship with all stakeholders, be they government,<br />
civil society and various business formations. The BMF is represented in<br />
NEDLAC. With government we have a mutually beneficial relationship. The<br />
BMF has been able to drive its transformation agenda and make significant<br />
contributions that have driven legislative changes.<br />
61 NORTHERN CAPE BUSINESS <strong>2018</strong>/<strong>19</strong>
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