Members are invited to attend an upcoming BEE and Energy Finance Information Workshop sponsored by DGB and Vinpro. It will be a hybrid event, held on Tuesday, 23 May at Franschhoek Cellar. Speakers with practical insights in the wine industry will seek to future proof your business by sharing their experience in our sector.
BEE strategy, the DGB B-BBEE journey and SA Wine update
Wendy Petersen, South African Wine Industry Transformation Unit (SAWITU) Executive Director will start the day by providing a description of SA Wine’s planned development cluster, its service level agreement with Vinpro and the progress with the EU DCI Fund. Then BEE Charter Council Chairperson, Ms Margaret Mohape will offer a reflection of a 10-year journey in the charter council, along with a brief status check on the Agri-BEE Green Paper.
The focal point in the morning will be the DGB case study for attendees to discern how lessons can be drawn from DGB’s journey. Madeleine Adams from DGB and Hansie Fourie from Business Beyond Boundaries will share their thoughts on the DGB B-BBEE Journey and how DGB recently adopted a multi-element B-BBEE strategy. Presently the company has excellent examples to share about enterprise and supplier development, skills development, and socio-economic development. DGB also runs a YES for Youth programme.
Arlene Wilson-Max is a leading implementer of the YES for Youth programme and is employed by the BEE Chamber where she seeks out SED investment opportunities for members of the Chamber. Flowing from the DGB presentation, she’ll share how to gain two levels on your BEE scorecard by participating in a YES programme.
Johan Giliomee, Senior Consultant for Solve SA (and former Transformation and Development Manager of Vinpro), shares his practical and helpful manual for enterprises in the wine industry to utilise as a tool to enhance their BEE contributions.
How to finance renewable energy and utilise the services of black-owned energy suppliers.
Midday sessions will have a financial focus, with key themes including how to finance renewable energy in your cellar; how to utilise the services of black-owned energy suppliers to solve load-shedding costs in the wine cellar; how to attract black investors and close the deal; and how to gain two levels on your BEE scorecard by participating in a YES programme.
Mark Boshof, Head of Sustainability and Climate Resilience Strategy from Nedbank will discuss how to finance renewable energy in your cellar. Nedbank has a track record of financing renewable energy, and the bank has a keen interest in black-owned enterprises. Mark will explain the suite of models and services offered by the bank.
Abonga Nkwelo, Director of Sinani Energy, explains how to utilise the services of black-owned energy suppliers to solve load-shedding costs in the wine cellar. Sinani Energy has a set of Solar PV deals on offer. Some are on- balance sheet and others off-balance sheet opportunities. Deals are designed to optimise BEE recognition through vendor financing, lease agreements enterprise development, supplier development and socio-economic development.
Gary Conway from Transformation Solutions is a freelance fundraiser, and business matcher, and was formerly a senior manager at the Land Bank. He brings a wealth of opportunity attracting black entrepreneurs to partnership deals, the lessons of which he shall share with delegates.
As featured recently in the WineLand Magazine, support to people with disabilities is a highly weighted element on the BEE scorecard. Light Skill Chain is a company that has shown substantive results with skills development focused on this priority demographic. Rustim Ariefdien will share some experiences and opportunities in this respect.
Enterprise and supplier development and skills development panel discussions
After a light finger lunch two panel discussions will take place – the first will focus on funding solutions that are available to black-owned energy providers and equipping them to provide an affordable leasing solution to wine cellars while the second will look at skills development and the relevance of work-based skills plans.
Seats are limited, bookings are therefore essential. Book before 23 April. A virtual option is available to those who wish to participate online. Book your seat today at phil@vinpro.co.za, and indicate whether you wish to participate virtually, or at the venue.
