EDITOR'S NOTE usiness
EDITOR'S NOTE usiness 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 www.opportunityonline.co.za Editor: Alexis Knipe Publishing director: Chris Whales Managing director: Clive During Online editor: Christoff Scholtz Art director: Brent Meder Designer: Simon Lewis Production: Linda Tom Ad sales: Thaakirah Julies Tennyson Naidoo Tahlia Wyngaard Venesia Fowler Administration & accounts: Charlene Steynberg Kathy Wootton Printing: FA Print PUBLISHED BY Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd Company Registration No: 2004/004982/07 Directors: Clive During, Chris Whales Physical address: 28 Main Road, Rondebosch 7700 Postal address: PO Box 292, Newlands 7701 Tel: +27 21 657 6200 Fax: +27 21 674 6943 Email: info@gan.co.za Website: www.gan.co.za No portion of this book may be reproduced without written consent of the copyright owner. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Opportunity, nor the publisher, none of whom accept liability of any nature arising out of, or in connection with, the contents of this book. The publishers would like to express thanks to those who support this publication by their submission of articles and with their advertising. All rights reserved. C 2 | www.opportunityonline.co.za
ontents ISSUE 94 | AUGUST–OCTOBER 2020 04 06 08 10 12 14 17 20 22 24 26 28 30 SACCI FOREWORD The impact of Covid-19 so far NEWS & SNIPPETS What has been and what’s to come THE EVOLVING POLITICS OF OIL Uncovering the uncertain path of oil price recovery A PERFECT STORM Negotiating African oil and M&A deals EXPLORING SOUTH AFRICA’S MANY PROSPECTS Interview with Dr Phindile Masangane, CEO of PASA GAINING YOUR COMPETITIVE EDGE WITH NEMESIS Interview with Nemesis Accounting founder, Shani Naidoo TECHNOLOGY: TRANSFORMING RAILWAY TRANSPORT The implementation of wheels on rails is changing THE ROOT TO THE FUTURE OF AFRICAN MOBILITY A profile on rail infrastructure provider, Mathupha Capital TOGETHER WE CAN Tshepo Kgare, ACEO of Railway Safety Regulator, shares insights on railway safety ARE YOU MISSING OUT ON THE TRUE POTENTIAL OF AI? Understanding the impact of Artificial Intelligence BECOMING RISK-SAVVY Post-pandemic procurement A NEW ORDER OF MAGNITUDE Covid-19 tests supply chain resilience COVID-19 AND ITS IMPACT ON E-COMMERCE The pandemic has pushed e-commerce and supply chain issues to the top of the CEO agenda 08 12 22 28 30
