Elan foundation’s shift Africa Project

by | May 13, 2022 | April 2022, KwaZulu-Natal

Elan foundation’s shift Africa Project

The jobs and opportunities for entrepreneurs are as a result of the eLan Property Group’s R16bn Blythedale Coastal Estate Resort Development which is situated on the North Coast of KZN. 

WORDS: SUPPLIED :: PHOTOS: ELAN PROPERTY GROUP

Shift Africa represents a completely different way of how upliftment is seen in South Africa. It offers a way for small businesses to grow and thrive in a system centered on various business hubs. The Blythedale Coastal Estate Resort Development is an example of where one business can be the catalyst to help create and sustain SMME’s and informal sector businesses.
The Shift Africa Project has identified 8 pillars that emerge from each business hub and from each of these pillars a range of business activities emerge, each of which can become its own company. Shift Africa assists with setting up, it also provides training and support which drives these businesses to success in return for a share of the profit. Shift Africa is not an NGO. The concept is geared toward business and profit, for all the parties concerned. The model is very sustainable.

The business model is based on the concept of 8⁴, which equals 4096. This is where the ownership in each of these businesses is vested in a local community member. This thereby uplifts and empowers the community in and around the business hub. The number 4096 is an estimate of the businesses that can be created or upgraded via the Shift Africa model, per business hub. Shift Africa is therefore helping to formalise the informal sector. Once business hubs are identified that have significant business potential, Shift Africa then establishes business pillars and business pillar partners (BPP’s). The key to BPP’s being successful is the requirement that they source their own downstream business partners.

An example of business pillars:

  • Infrastructure and Construction
  • Education and Training
  • Tourism and Travel
  • Manufacturing
  • Services and Retail
  • Health and Wellness
  • Land, Agriculture and Environment
  • Safety and Security

To understand the concept even more. If one were to use the Blythedale Coastal Resort Development as an example this catalytic business would use Infrastructure and Construction as one of its business pillars. Business Pillar Partners would be contracted from various sectors including civils, builders, electricians, security etc. These contractors and companies in turn would need drivers, plant hire, surveyors and logistics just to name a few. They in turn would need fuel, mechanics, auto electricians, tyres, admin and so on. This creates a sustainable business sector. “My experience over the years is that most companies have mastered transformation in terms of skills or procurement. But where we are lacking as a country is in terms of ownership,’’ said Busisiwe Sithole, Group Head of Transformation at MMI. 

The eLan Property Group started the Shift Africa initiative because of what they discovered at Simbithi Eco Estate. This initiative is a combination of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and general business sense. The pilot project for this is Blythedale Coastal Estate on the KZN North Coast. This initiative will provide small business with opportunities, training and connections so as to become self-sustainable. The aim is for these small businesses to continue operating for a long time. This concept can be repeated with many other catalytic projects. Instead of temporary jobs being created, Shift Africa can create thousands of small businesses that can sustain themselves.

Shift Africa also helps with activation partners to assist the small businesses. Activation partners are people and corporates that can help grow small business by using resources and financial assistance. At Blythedale Coastal Estate there are already over 800 suppliers registered. The aim is for them to become activation partners in the near future so as to assist SMME’s. Shift Africa has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development (DSD). This will result in the implementation of development programmes to help young people that come from disadvantaged communities.

The KwaZulu-Natal government has also partnered with Shift Africa to help the youth and the unemployed with training and job opportunities. This was announced at a glittering media launch held in Ballito in March 2022. The future looks rosy for KwaZulu-Natal as over 100 000 jobs and employment opportunities will be created by Blythedale Coastal Estate and many more companies can be created with Shift Africa.

Get connected

Shift Africa

Telephone: 032 946 3244
www.shiftafrica.co.za
www.elan.co.za/blythedale-coast-resort