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Mapping Financing Opportunities for Research , Development and Innovation in the Water Sector
Bosch Capital was appointed by the Water Research Commission ( WRC ) in January 2017 to map existing and potential financing opportunities for research , development and innovation ( RDI ) in the water sector . This project aims to deepen the understanding of the existing financing mechanisms , whilst potentially identifying new opportunities that could catalyse new and exciting interventions in the South African water sector .
The project team will be engaging with public sector and private sector organisations in order to ensure the understanding and optimisation of existing resourcing options for RDI , as well as identifying new opportunities . Existing mechanisms potentially include the Municipal Infrastructure Grant , or Equitable Share . Potential new funding schemes that could be co-conceptualised and / or accessed from private sector investors , includes the likes of venture capitalists and impact investors .
The project is expected to be completed by the end of November 2017 . The key output is a pragmatic funding plan that will enable further investment in water RDI over the next 8 years . The Water RD Roadmap has indicated a required R8 billion in this area to respond to the 17 % deficit that South Africa will experience by 2030 .
Rajiv Paladh - paladhr @ boschcapital . co . za
Transnet Pipelines Petroleum and Waste Recycling Programme
An ongoing partnership with Transnet Pipelines ( TPL ) has landed Bosch Ulwazi an Enterprise and Supplier Development contract to develop 5 businesses within the eThekwini Municipality area , who are involved in the Petroleum and Waste Management Sector .
According to Transnet Pipelines , the challenge that most small businesses in specialised sectors face , is the lack of compliance in Corporate Governance . We believe that Bosch Ulwazi ’ s Enterprise and Supplier Development Programme is comprehensive and will address this problem and assist in formalising these businesses by implementing Corporate Governance ; Skills Development ( Technical and Business Skills ); Access to Markets and Growth and Expansion programmes and Initiatives .
TPL has identified that the main reasons why most small businesses tendering in specialised sectors have failed are :
• The scope of work was too technical and highly specialised for them to understand or execute
• The specialised services in waste management required sufficient experience and thus they had no adequate resources to perform e . g .. environmental remediation , amongst other functions of their scope of work
• They lacked statutory compliance , including administrative and technical skills
In their effort to address these issues and close the gaps which are prevalent to these SMMEs , TPL has naturally partnered with Bosch Ulwazi to achieve the following milestones in Year 1 :
Environmental training , Business Management , HR systems , Admin systems , First Aid and Fire , Hazchem
• Receive marketing material and equipment funding such as : Waste Vacuums , Box Trucks , Waste Bins , Hygiene Equipment , 20 ton skips , lab testing equipment , oil processing , vehicles , forklifts , office equipment , PPE , business cards , banners and a company website
• Mentorship in Business Growth , Finance , HR and Compliance . Balan Govender - govenderb @ boschulwazi . co . za
• Ensure they meet relevant statutory compliance e . g . ISO 14001 , ISO 9001 , registration with South African Property Owners Association ( SAPOA ), South African Facilities Management Association ( SAFMA ), National Environmental Management Act ( NEMA ), Waste Disposal Licenses and Licences for Hazardous Substances
• Receive technical business skills training such as : Health and Safety Systems , Asbestos Training , Waste Management and
From left : Thandeka Ndlovu ( Total Serve Facility Management ), Thabsile Ntuli ( Bosch Ulwazi ), Itu Rangaka ( Dilex Purification ), Caroline Mahaye ( Khe Investments ), Sthembile Nikwe ( Bosch Ulwazi ), Sthembiso Dube ( Inkwa Trading ), Nobuhle Dlamini ( Vulela Development Enterprise )