Novus Holdings is committed to making a sustainable difference within the communities in which we operate, through our Future Foundations initiative. The principle behind Future Foundations is the approach of giving ‘a hand up, not a hand out’. This is essentially how the Group approaches all social investment projects and is something that sets this programme aside from all others.
By contributing to the development of relevant small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), these enterprises will be able to grow sustainably – via a supportive hand-up rather than a dead-end hand-out approach – and will be poised to create much-needed employment opportunities for school-leavers and the unemployed.
While the Group has narrowed its funding objectives from a substantial list provided in the amended B-BBEE best practice codes, it has also identified two important forms of SMME development, which are defined below:
Enterprise Development.
In this form of development, SMMEs that are not part of the Novus Holdings supply chain are assisted with financial investment and other needs (i.e. equipment, skilled staff). In time, beneficiaries of ED may be asked to migrate across so as to become valuable members of the Group’s supply chain.
The Group’s ED beneficiaries include: Songo Africa, Drink Dispense Services (DDS), and Inyozi Empowerment.
Songo Africa.
Our Support
Novus Holdings has provided Songo Africa with an interest-free loan, for the purpose of assisting them in stabilising their cash flow with the ultimate goal of them expanding their business, which aid in creating further employment opportunities in their local communities.
About Songo Africa
Two passionate young entrepreneurs, Nomcebo Nhlabathi and Sanele Sibandze, had the idea of opening a clothing and promotional gifts company in their home province of KwaZulu-Natal and so Songo Africa was born in 2004. The name is derived from the Nguni word “Songo” which means “adding flavour”, and the company has a vision that includes producing time-relevant and impactful promotional elements that build a strong brand presence for their customers. The company’s product line includes promotional gifts, promotional support elements, print production and design, as well as consumer market research.
Drink Dispense Services (DDS).
Our Support
Novus Holdings provided DDS with an interest-free loan, which has helped them to buy their own vehicles rather than leasing them out, this allowed DDS to keep cash in-house and invests in assets that are vital to their service offering as a business.
About DDS
A leading provider of draught beverage and fountain services, DDS was founded in 1995 when a Johannesburg division of SAB took the decision to outsource its Draught Beer Servicing Unit. This owner-managed business has grown over the years servicing in excess of 20 000 pubs, restaurants and retail outlets throughout Africa. While DDS is still based in Johannesburg, additional full-service and satellite offices can be found around the country and its footprint on the continent extends to branches in Botswana, Mozambique, and Malawi. The company offers specialist dispensing services and products, refrigeration, installation, sanitation and maintenance of fridge and draught-related equipment for a broad customer base.
Inyozi Empowerment.
Our Support
Novus Holdings invested R3 million in Inyosi Empowerment, which in turn has helped the fund invest in a multitude of SMMEs.
By supporting Inyosi Empowerment, Novus Holdings is assured that these SMME’s receive access to capital and markets and the necessary skills to grow and develop their businesses.
About Inyosi Empowerment
Initially known as the Cadiz Enterprise Development Investment, Inyosi Empowerment was established following a rebrand and relaunch in 2016. It is a specialist fund that provides finance, in the form of loan capital at affordable interest rates, and ancillary support to black-owned businesses and beneficiaries which are required to have a minimum operational track record of between three and five years, be 51% black- owned and show an annual turnover of less than R50 million. Among Inyozi Empowerment’s other achievements is the fact that the fund has supported over 71 000 entrepreneurs since inception.
Supplier Development.
This approach involves a significant investment in business development, market opportunities, equipment/manpower and/or financing, where it is of direct benefit to the Group’s supply chain. SD is also more likely to directly affect the company’s overall profitability and to improve the total added value from the supplier.
The Group’s SD beneficiaries include: Van’s Bookbinders and Hand finishing suppliers such as TU Hand Finishing, Ecclesia Mail House, Rodco Finishing and Ivan’s Hand Finishing.
Vans Bookbinders.
Our Support
In 2017, the company was able to invest in a Kolbus hard-case bookbinding machine due to an interest-free loan from Novus Holdings. As a result of Novus Holdings investment, Van’s Bookbinders has seen an increased volume of work and can provide the following high-quality services: threadsewn books with soft covers, perfect binding, hardcase binding, luxury leather-bound books, the repair and restoration of old books, slipcases and boxes.
About Van Bookbinders
Based in Epping Industria, Van’s Bookbinders is a 100% black-owned bookbinding and print-finishing company that was originally established in 2001. Owner Ivan van Oudtshoorn, who was a Nasionale Pers (Naspers) employee in 1975, was given the opportunity to start his own hand-binding division at Paarl Print in 2000. Van’s Bookbinders, which completes all its binding jobs by hand, started purchasing second-hand machinery from other factories.
HAND FINISHING SUPPLIERS – OUR SUPPORT
Novus Holdings makes use of various ‘Finishing’ companies whose services include the completion of all handwork for magazines and commercial print jobs (from decollation, tearing, inserting, tip-ins, bagging and sample inserting) while providing a professional service that is managed by a dynamic team.
To support these businesses who are part of our supply chain, Novus Holdings allows them to make use of more than 1 000m² of rent free space which they occupy at the Group’s flagship plant, Novus Print: Montague Gardens. Giving them access to this space, allows these businesses to leverage off of Novus Holdings existing infrastructure including, IT network, security, furniture, telephone, electricity, generator capacity during load shedding, hearing protection and use of the canteen/cafeteria, which in turn allows them to maximise profits and create employment to a number of local community members.
TU Hand Finishing.
240m² rent-free space occupied.
TU Hand Finishing was established by Tommy Uren in 2000, when he was offered an opportunity by the late Retief brothers to start and manage his own hand finishing business. Tommy, who has worked for Novus Holdings since 1976, began his career as a driver and progressed through the ranks to dispatch supervisor, to bindery supervisor, and now is the successful owner of TU Hand Finishing. For the past 21 years, TU Hand Finishing has provided Novus Print with bagging, inserting, special packing and quality control.
Rodco Finishing.
300m² rent-free space occupied.
Established in July 2012, Rodco Finishing’s vision was and is still to become the preferred supplier of hand-finishing services to Novus Holdings, while simultaneously creating employment and empowering employees with development opportunities. Their scope of works includes the delivery of all handwork for magazines and commercial print jobs (from insertions to tip-ins) while providing a professional service that is managed by a dynamic team.
Ivan’s Hand Finishing CC.
190m² rent-free space occupied.
Ivan’s Hand Finishing was established in 2009 after Ivan Van Oudtshoorn the founder of Van’s Bookbinders, saw an opportunity to create jobs for the countless women in the area and generate an income to alleviate the poverty-stricken surrounding communities. The team, who consists of 7 permanent staff and 30 casual staff members, assists Novus Print with collating, cutting and trimming, scoring, die cutting, drilling and binding.
Ecclesia Mail House.
350m² rent-free space occupied.
Established in 2006, Ecclesia Mail House is the brainchild of Patrick Avontuur and Ernest Maasdorp, who wanted to become financially independent and to provide employment for those from previously disadvantaged communities in South Africa. Ecclesia Mail House core business includes the insertion and bagging of magazines, as well as the placement of specific paged inserts or samples.