Events and Exhibitions
Innovation
Day
showcase
area.
Amongst others he also highlights Johnson Controls’ work in
Hawaii, where it has guaranteed a 25% to 30% saving in utility
costs over the next 25 years. “Our assessment included airports,
highways, and harbours, and we are committed to delivering
results. What is important here is that we now have a customer
for life, as this is such a long-term project.”
FORMING PARTNERSHIPS
Makatini plans to bring this thinking to Africa by focusing
on Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) as the best vehicle to
12
RACA Journal I February 2020
leverage technology in infrastructure delivery. “What I am
pushing for here in South Africa is to move away from
tenders. As a solutions-driven company, we can generate
our own opportunities by listening to, and understanding,
our customers’ requirements. Our team here is committed
to delivering on that promise. We are also a strongly ethical
company, and always strive to conduct our business in the best
manner possible.”
While Makatini acknowledges the many challenges facing
local municipalities in particular, he is confident that the
PPP approach is ideal in unlocking value. “The problem with
delivery vehicles such as the tender process is that it does not
allow companies to take the initiative. We need a path of least
resistance to get our solutions out there, and to be able to
collaborate with government at all levels,” he stresses.
With its strong focus on design and manufacture, Makatini
reveals that local manufacture is on the cards. “We ensure
that the best technology solutions are affordable in Africa.
We realise that governments are struggling right now, and
that funding is a major issue. Therefore, instead of waiting for
tenders to be issued, we can bring in external investors so that
some of these critical projects can reach fruition.” RACA
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