From the MD’s Desk
by Sandy Kelly
At the foot of my diary (yes, I’m from the old school, BC and have a paper diary),
there are footnotes, quotes from famous people, many of which are apt for our
business and inspiring. The one by Franklin D Rooseveldt, “To reach a port, we must
sail - Sail, not tie at anchor - Sail, not drift”
This is so true for all of us in our lives, families, business and the countries we live in.
We at TIME Projects, have lived by that rule.
If the sea is becalmed, one has to seek wind. Sometimes one has to paddle hard
to find that wind. Tack, jibe and maybe even backtrack, but find the wind. Even a
headwind can be managed and overcome by tacking. Almost always, at some stage,
you will find a tailwind. When you do, put out the spinnaker and “run with the wind”,
always being on watch not crash onto the rocks which may well be on the course.
For some time, post 2008, the world has had its storms and calms. Here in
Botswana the last few years has seen us pretty much becalmed. In fact, drifting
almost rudderless without direction. And it doesn’t look like changing anytime soon.
We have to find the wind and paddle to get there. Surely the Powers that be
should be creating an environment where it is easier to do business and encourage
investment, i.e. facilitating the wind -work & residence permits and licensing are two
examples. There is more regulation instead of deregulation-surely if we’re serious
about SADC, these have to go?
We need to “Sail”!
2
Q2
2016
At TIME Projects, we continue to tack this way and that to find the wind. For some
time we have been testing the waters further afield and, as of July we will have a
full time office established in Zambia to support our ventures there. Heinrich Malan
with his wife Corlia and two children will move there. Much the same as when my
wife, Janet and I came to Botswana 28 years ago.We had some turbulent and stormy
If the sea is
becalmed, one
has to seek wind.
seas during that time, but with resolute and diligent
attention, we sailed through it all taking advantage
of the tailwinds of which there have been many. By
navigating carefully and skillfully, applying our skills
and skippership, we believe that we will not only
reach that port, but the one beyond that as well.
We have specific projects that we are busy with
which have been and are covered in About
TIME, namely shopping centres developments at
Kabwata in Lusaka, Solwezi and Chirundu, plus a
number of other prospects.
PrimeTime, which we manage, already has some
investments in Zambia and recently acquired the
PWC Office Park complex in Lusaka. It is also
navigating the waters for further prospects which
are looking promising.
We will, of course, continue to chart and sail the
troubled, becalmed seas here in Botswana keeping
a beady eye for the rocks lest we drift onto them.