Opportunity - Issue 94
Quarterly journal for business and industry in South Africa Business unusual It has been estimated that the economy will take two to three years to recover from Covid-19 and the subsequent economic collapse. From now to there, the journey will indeed be business as unusual. My pledge, as the new editor of Opportunity magazine, is to provide cutting-edge content that guides our readers on how to rise above the current business trajectory and to circumvent the consequences that are now laid before them. In this issue, Mike Townshend from Foord Asset Management writes, in ‘The evolving politics of oil’ (page 8), that oil has caused wars, assassinations, man-made disasters, coups and still affects every person in the world today. On page 10, Rebecca Major from leading global law firm, Herbert Smith Freehills, shares her insight on how to navigate African oil and M&A deals in these volatile times. Both of these writers will present more on these topics at Africa Oil Week. The transport services sector has been severely affected by the pandemic, but help is at hand. Digital transformation is set to disrupt the sector – technology has transformed the railway industry globally and implementing technological innovations could be a game-changer for rail transport in South Africa. Read more on page 17. Celebrating Women’s Month in August, Opportunity interviews the newly appointed CEO of Petroleum Agency South Africa, Dr Phindile Masangane (page 12), as well as founder and owner of Nemesis Accounting, Shani Naidoo (page 14). The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) has a pivotal role to play in guiding the business of its 22 000 members. The Chamber believes that businesses should actively engage in the strategic and recovery implementation processes towards inclusive growth – read more in the CEO’s message on page 4. Let’s work together in building a resilient, risk-savvy and formidable nation. Alexis Knipe, Editor
Quarterly journal for business and industry in South Africa
Business unusual
It has been estimated that the economy will take two to three years to recover from Covid-19 and the subsequent economic collapse. From now to there, the journey will indeed be business as unusual. My pledge, as the new editor of Opportunity magazine, is to provide cutting-edge content that guides our readers on how to rise above the current business trajectory and to circumvent the consequences that are now laid before them.
In this issue, Mike Townshend from Foord Asset Management writes, in ‘The evolving politics of oil’ (page 8), that oil has caused wars, assassinations, man-made disasters, coups and still affects every person in the world today. On page 10, Rebecca Major from leading global law firm, Herbert Smith Freehills, shares her insight on how to navigate African oil and M&A deals in these volatile times. Both of these writers will present more on these topics at Africa Oil Week.
The transport services sector has been severely affected by the pandemic, but help is at hand. Digital transformation is set to disrupt the sector – technology has transformed the railway industry globally and implementing technological innovations could be a game-changer for rail transport in South Africa. Read more on page 17.
Celebrating Women’s Month in August, Opportunity interviews the newly appointed CEO of Petroleum Agency South Africa, Dr Phindile Masangane (page 12), as well as founder and owner of Nemesis Accounting, Shani Naidoo (page 14).
The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) has a pivotal role to play in guiding the business of its 22 000 members. The Chamber believes that businesses should actively engage in the strategic and recovery implementation processes towards inclusive growth – read more in the CEO’s message on page 4.
Let’s work together in building a resilient, risk-savvy and formidable nation.
Alexis Knipe, Editor
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
TOGETHER<br />
WE CAN<br />
PROFILE<br />
Tshepo Kgare (Railway Safety Regulator: ACEO)<br />
shares her first-hand insight into what the RSR<br />
is doing to keep their teams, clients, suppliers<br />
and the public safe and on track for a brighter<br />
South African economic future, while making<br />
significant strides into empowering women<br />
and keeping them safe at work.<br />
South Africa is at a crossroad and need the intervention<br />
of industry roleplayers, including members of society.<br />
Since the lockdown, the rate of theft and vandalism of<br />
infrastructure has escalated exponentially. During the<br />
same time, there has also been a rise in gender-based<br />
violence where women cruelly lost their lives.<br />
While we lament the death of women who are often killed by<br />
people they know, we should be mindful that female workers,<br />
particularly female train drivers, are often victims of crime<br />
while executing their duties.<br />
The general corporate response to affirmative action in the<br />
railways has created a highly visible but often vulnerable<br />
female workforce. However, if we are to attract more female<br />
train drivers and bright young female engineers to the rail<br />
sector, we will have to ensure that they are not deterred by the<br />
prevailing external forces.<br />
“Let’s ensure<br />
we protect our<br />
rail workers.”
Change language