Top 500 Best Managed Companies

We were honoured to present Verimark - Pty Ltd with their Top 500 Certificate, confirming their re-entry as a Top 5 Company in the Direct Response Marketing Sector and reaffirming their excellence and industry leadership after more than four decades in operations.👏

In addition to being pioneers in the DRTV space 📺, they have made incredible contributions to addressing unemployment and social development, with an emphasis on internal recruitment that saw a number of flexitime workers work their way up the company to become Key Account Managers in their own right.🤝 CEO, Michael J. Van Straaten and COO, Simone van Straaten accepted the Certificate on behalf of the entire Verimark organisation.

Well done to Verimark on this incredible achievement!🏆

“The IT Component Distributors Sector is highly competitive. Understanding that our customers are actually our partners, and doing what is best for their business needs, this is what sets us apart from our competition.” -Frans Smit, Category Head of Components at Rectron South Africa.

Our Top 500 team presented Rectron with their certificate - confirming them as the Number 1 Company in the IT Component Distributors Sector for a 2nd year in a row! 🥇

Established in 1995, they have grown exponentially as a key operator in the ICT sector that provides for resellers, system integrators, managed services providers, e-tailers and retailers across Southern Africa. Some of their notable achievements include Channelwise Best Components Distributor of The Year, Lenovo PCG Commercial Champion of The Year and Microsoft Commercial Distributor of The Year!

Well done to Rectron on this incredible achievement! 👏🏆

“Question the ordinary. Imagine the extraordinary. Create the enduring.” A phrase that echoes through the halls and that the people at WSP Africa live by. ✍️♻️

Entering the Top 500 publication as a Top 5 Company in the Consulting, Engineering, Mining & Infrastructure Sector, they are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms and are united across the globe by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities they serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion.

WSP’s efforts were recently celebrated at this year’s Environment Analyst's Sustainability Delivery Awards - where they took home four prestigious accolades. Managing Director, Paul Grota and Marketing & Communications Senior Manager, Zulfa Taibi accepted their Top 500 certificate on behalf of the organisation.

Well done to WSP Africa on this incredible achievement! 👏🏆

Super Group claims #1 in the Road Freight Sector for the second consecutive year!🥇

The Top 500 team recently travelled to Johannesburg to present Super Group with their Top 500 Certificate. We spoke with Investor Relations Executive, Michelle Nielson on what it means to the organisation,

“To be named the number one company in the Road Freight Sector for the 2nd year in a row is incredible, it lets us know we’re doing the right things for the business and our customers. In an industry where you constantly need to innovate, we use our technology and insights to inform our strategy and how to effectively centralise our customers in everything we do.”

A huge congratulations to Super Group on this incredible achievement! 👏🏆

From its early days as publishers of legal reading materials, LexisNexis South Africa has since expanded to a global leader in producing legal content and digital solutions that supports legal professionals and key organisations including universities, banks and various departments in government. More than 85 years later, they continue to enhance the potential of the African continent by advancing the rule of law. 🏆

In addition to being this year’s Cover Icon, Marketing Executive Samuke Khubeka accepted their Top 500 Certificate as a Top 5 Company in the Diversified Business Support Sector.

A huge congratulations to the entire LexisNexis organisation on this incredible achievement! 👏

The Top 500 team is thrilled to announce that we will be in Johannesburg from the 16th-19th July to present the latest inductees of Top 500: South Africa’s Managed Companies with their Top 500 Certificates, acknowledging their incredible efforts in the business landscape. 👏

Brought to you by Topco Media, our highly anticipated publication celebrates the nation's most outstanding businesses, acknowledging their exceptional performance across the key areas of:

💵 Turnover: Highlighting the powerhouses driving South Africa's economy.
✍️ Governance & Policies: Recognising businesses setting the bar for strong ethical and sustainable practices.
🤝 Diversity & Transformation: Showcasing organisations that are leading the charge in fostering inclusive leadership.

Stay tuned for the upcoming release!

Want to find out where you stand amongst the best of the best?

Connect with our National Project Manager, Emlyn Dunn to find out how you can represent your sector as well as all the incredible opportunities Top 500 has for you!

We are thrilled to announce LexisNexis South Africa as the Cover Icon for the next edition of Top 500: South Africa’s Best Managed Companies!

LexisNexis South Africa enters the Top 500 as a Top 5 Company in the Diversified Business Support sector. For over 85 years they have been at the forefront of legal content and technology with a commitment to the vision of ‘Enhancing the Potential of the African Continent by Advancing the Rule of Law’. With their strong community of legal professionals, they advance the practice of law. Through their corporate solutions, they advance compliance with the law. Finally, LexisNexis partners closely with the government to advance the upholding of the law.

Read the current edition here: https://hubs.la/Q02Dy69c0

We are thrilled to welcome Wytespace to the next edition of the Top 500: South Africa’s Best Managed Companies publication!

Wytespace helps corporate brands communicate their value attractively. They leverage their knowledge, creativity and network teams to create aesthetically pleasing designs while ensuring structure and usability for company-specific communications, resulting in value across all their areas of service. With expertise in Platform Web-AI & Digital Design, Thought Leadership Creative Writing, Videography and more, Wytespace brings their innovative touch to every project, proving that nothing is impossible.

Read the current edition here: https://hubs.la/Q02trKCv0

“I have witnessed the positive impact that well-implemented Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) initiatives can have. A carefully planned strategy can lead to the growth of a skilled workforce, enhancing employability, productivity, and a company's overall competitiveness. Unfortunately, when a company's sole focus is on finding an 'easy way to score points,' it can result in severe financial consequences for both the company and the country.” - Deirdre Michell, Managing Director at Honeycomb BEE Ratings.

Honeycomb is South Africa’s largest independent SANAS-accredited verification agency and a Top 5 Company in the BEE Verification Agencies Sector. In the latest edition, Deirdre shares her expertise on aligning skills development with industry needs, the dangers of working with unverified and opportunistic verification agencies, as well as best practices for long term skills development to the benefit of organisations and the economy. Read the full article here: https://hubs.la/Q02pLkqd0

#1 Company’s MD Says Common Passion is Key to Success.🥇

“Merchants has always been people-focused; in the last five years, however, this has been taken to a new level. Merchants as a business wanted to challenge ourselves and, in turn, the industry to be even better when it comes to our people, the communities we operate in, and the impact we can have on the whole of South Africa. Our initiatives around people, communities, impact, and diversity continue to be recognised and drive us internally to want to do more and be more effective.” - Zain Patel, Managing Director at Merchants Dimension Data SA.

In the latest edition of Top 500, we sit down with Zain to find out about Merchants’ product offerings, the evolution of the industry and what it means to be MD of the #1 Company in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Sector! Read the full interview here: https://hubs.la/Q02nVQG70

Link Africa Fibre - Designed To Grow With Your Business

With years of experience and a deep understanding of the connectivity industry, Link Africa has built a reputation for delivering exceptional solutions tailored to the unique needs of each client. Their extensive network infrastructure, agile processes and ability to deliver even in times of uncertainty (including loadshedding) has led them to being a pioneer in scalable connectivity and a Top 5 Company in the Telecommunications Solutions Sector!

Read the full article from the latest edition here:
https://hubs.la/Q02mQ9rt0

Imran Abbas

#1 Company Rand Water - Bringing A Sustainable Water Supply To Customers 💧👑

Access to clean water for every South African is a constitutional right. But for this right to be fully realised, there must be effective and comprehensive infrastructure development, with a focus on its upkeep. Unfortunately, the larger part of South Africa’s water infrastructure, which was built more than four decades ago, must be replaced to reduce the high rate of wastage through pipeline leaks. Fortunately, Rand Water has continued to focus on infrastructure maintenance as well as investing in new infrastructure like water purification plants, reservoirs, pump stations, pipelines, pump stations as well as automation and electrical equipment.

Read the full article on the number 1 Company in the Water Utilities sector here:
https://hubs.la/Q02mvr9x0

Protect the West Coast: Safeguarding Communities and Natural Spaces

Destructive single-use mining endangers a sustainable economic future. Protect The West Coast (PTWC) was formed in 2020 to urgently counter unchecked mining. Founded on pillars of transparency, activism and legal action – and committed to protect the coast and the rights of communities – PTWC was formed by an alliance of outdoor athletes, academics, journalists, activists and concerned citizens.

For more information on PTWC, their mandate and initiatives, read the full article here: https://hubs.la/Q02mlPNN0

“PTWC is not ‘anti-mining’. We recognise the important economic role that responsible mining has. However, it cannot come at the expense of communities and the land that provides their livelihood. We envision a future without desolate mine dumps but alternative industries working in unison with nature and her people.”

Air Liquide Southern Africa Makes A Meaningful Difference

Air Liquide (Pty) Ltd is working to create a more inclusive workplace for women, by providing training and support to help them develop their careers. These include events, learning & development offerings, mentoring, networks and communities for different interest groups such as women careers and disabled employees among others. As a Top 5 Company in the Gas sector, their CSI strategy entails using their resources and expertise to make a positive impact on the communities where they operate, mainly within these three areas:

🎓 Education and Training: Air Liquide is committed to supporting education and training programmes that help people develop the skills they need to succeed in the workforce.

🏥 Healthcare: They provide access to oxygen and healthcare in underserved communities.

🌱 Environment: They work to reduce their environmental impact and help their customers decarbonise their operations.

Read the full article by Laressa Tharvin, HR Director Southern Africa and Africa Services here: https://hubs.la/Q02mb32G0

Maersk's Exceptional Standing Among The Best Managed Companies 🏆

Appointed as the Maersk Area Managing Director for Southern Africa & Islands in April 2022, Lubabalo Mtya takes immense pride in the organisation’s achievement as one of the Top 5 best-managed companies in the transportation and logistics services industry. He considers this recognition as a testament to Maersk’s unwavering commitment to excellence within the industry.

Deeply interlinked with the company ethos, Lubabalo firmly believes that Maersk's competitive advantage can be attributed to a carefully constructed triad of their core pillars, “We strive to understand the unique needs of each customer and offer customised flexible solutions that add tangible value to their supply chain. Our agility in responding to the market changes and customer needs has significantly contributed to our success.” Read the full article from the latest edition of Top 500 here:
https://hubs.la/Q02lj_W20

“After almost 35 years in the fishing industry, I was considering doing something different and travelling the world. Then in early 2022 the Oceana Board asked me to take on the role of CEO. It was an offer I simply could not refuse as the company needed stability and someone to guide employees through troubled times. I stayed because I believe in this business, its people and its resilience to last another 100 years.” -Neville Brink, CEO at Oceana Group Limited

Neville believes that Oceana is only as good as its people. Through the embodiment of the Oceana values of “Respect, Courage, Teamwork, Trust and Accountability” as well as having a workforce driven by passion and commitment, the longstanding organisation continues to achieve great things, including being named a Top 5 Company in not one, but two sectors of the Top 500 and claiming #1 in the Fishing sector.

Read the interview with the Group’s CEO from the latest edition here: https://hubs.la/Q02kF6L60

Quantum Foods: Sustainably Investing In Agribusiness and Their People

Amongst the top 5 companies in the farming sector is Quantum Foods Holdings Limited, which provides high volumes of quality products that provide cost-effective solutions to important nutritional requirements for both livestock and human consumers. They focus on four strategic pillars: growing earnings through industry cycles, having a product and customer focus, achieving operational excellence and enhancing a performance culture to ensure sustainability and value creation for stakeholders.

The Group completed a second independent environmental, social and governance audit of operations in 2022 and performed exceptionally well, scoring over 90%. Other highlights included being awarded the best egg brand in South Africa for the 9th consecutive year and receiving the award for transformation at the 116th SAPA - South African Poultry Association Congress. Read the full article from the latest edition here:
https://hubs.la/Q02ktNDN0

We are elated to welcome Productivity Pit Stop to the next edition of the Top 500 Publication!

Founded by Gerrit Cloete, Productivity Pit Stop creates tailored productivity solutions that blend technology and methodology to fit your team’s unique needs. Their expertise in Microsoft Outlook and Teams, combined with innovative productivity strategies makes them the ideal partner in turning everyday challenges into opportunities for growth. From individual coaching to interactive workshops, Productivity Pit Stop’s approach is all about finding the right blend for you.

Read the current edition here:
https://hubs.la/Q02k8hTL0

#1 Cement Company’s New Blending Plant Ensures Security of Cement Supply 🔒

PPC Africa officially launched its new blending plant in the Highveld region in August last year, situated in the old Highveld Steel Industrial Park in Emalahleni Local Municipality. The new facility stands as one of the cornerstones in PPC's commitment to bring about enhanced efficiencies, improved turnaround times, outstanding customer service, and exceptional quality to all built environment stakeholders in the Highveld region.

It is this commitment to improved efficiencies and innovative solutions that led to PPC being named the number one company in the cement sector in the latest edition of Top 500: South Africa’s Best Managed Companies. "The opening of this Highveld plant allows us to optimise our logistics through localisation, which is imperative in reducing transport costs and minimising transport induced carbon emissions," said Bheki Mthembu, Head of PPC’s Inland Business Unit. For more information, read the full article from the latest edition here:
https://hubs.la/Q02k7PLv0

A Member Centric Approach, Strong Corporate Governance & Keeping Contributions Affordable - How To Become #1 👑

When asked what sets Bonitas Medical Fund apart from its competitors, Principal Officer Lee Callakoppen mentions a variety of factors, the first of these being maintaining an approach that keeps their members at the top of their mind when making decisions, “As the ‘Medical Aid for South Africa,’ we have a wide and diverse membership and strive to keep abreast of their healthcare needs through extensive research and data analytics. This includes all stakeholders but specifically members, employers and healthcare providers.”

In our latest edition, Top 500 gains perspective from Lee, as well as Chief Financial Officer Luke Woodhouse on the organisation’s values, benefit enhancements and overall core focus that led them to being crowned the number one company in the Medical Aid Scheme Sector. Read the full article here:
https://hubs.la/Q02jPvcv0

“In its inception, VEA Roads catered to a select group of clients; however, our unwavering dedication and exceptional performance quickly captured the attention of a broader clientele. Today, our team has experienced exponential growth and has successfully executed road maintenance contracts exceeding a value of R4-billion. This substantial progress not only attests to our achievements but also underscores our team’s ability to generate meaningful opportunities for a wider spectrum.”

Find out how Thoko Tshabalala-Shandu and VEA Road Maintenance and Civils are building a positive and long-lasting legacy in the latest edition of Top 500 here:
https://hubs.la/Q02jDb0C0

Travelling this weekend?

Be sure to pick up a copy of our Top 500 publication in the Slow Lounge right next to the Public Sector Leaders publication! ✈️

Building The Country From The Ground Up 👷🚧

According to the IMARC Services Private Limited Group, South Africa’s white cement market size is expected to reach 28,995.6 tonnes by 2028. Infrastructure projects such as highways, bridges, stadiums, and residential and commercial complexes all contribute to the growth of the cement sector.

Cement & Concrete South Africa (CCSA), a consolidated body taking the lead on all matters relating to cement and concrete in the country, stated that the cement industry has been under huge pressure due to different factors. “In addition to the general economic downturn the sector was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and is now confronted by construction mafias that have sprung up across the country, which has a direct impact on the cement and concrete sectors.” - CCSA.

For more info, read the full article from the latest edition here: https://hubs.la/Q02h00d90

We would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year from all of us at the Top 500: South Africa's Best Managed Companies publication! 🌟🎉 May 2024 be filled with prosperity, success, and positive advancements for all. Let's continue to work together towards a brighter future for our communities and beyond. Here's to a year of innovation, collaboration, and impactful leadership! 💫

#2024

As the year comes to a close, how has your organisation addressed and prevented the burnout of your employees?

One of the key findings from the State of Workplace Burnout Report 2022 is an alarming one: Burnout is increasing, while wellbeing is declining. How does one recognise the signs of burnout? And how can you deal with it? In the World Health Organisation’s 2019 International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), burnout was defined as, “a syndrome conceptualised as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”

There seems to be a strong correlation between burnout and a lack of support from the organisation one finds themselves in. The report further highlights that organisations with people-first policies have an edge in the jobs market. Similarly, the latest Work Trend Index Annual Report boldly states that, “Preventing burnout will be the most significant factor that determines if an organisation survives or thrives in the coming decade.” Read the full article and find out how you can address burnout within your organisation here:
https://hubs.la/Q02d2p5c0

Sector Overview: Is the Future of Accounting Rooted in Tech?

A new tech-focused accounting firm has been established in South Africa. This comes after RSM International, a leading provider of assurance, tax, and consulting services to middle-market businesses, announced a merger between RSM South Africa and renowned South African professional services firm Ngubane & Co. Johannesburg. The newly merged firm is expected to have approximately 400 staff and a turnover in excess of R300-million, and is now called RSM South Africa. The firm said in a statement that the deal would accelerate RSM South Africa’s transformation with a focus on tech-enabled client solutions and deep sector specialisations.

Digital CFO, a South African accounting firm, says the arrival of new technology tools is expected to influence the nature of demand and expectations for what an accountant is and does. “Business owners are taking control of their accounting with proactive alerts. After the emergence of accounting technologies, we are now at a stage where we no longer do strenuous manual data processing,” they said. SAIPA - South African Institute of Professional Accountants, a professional accounting organisation with a mission to serve and protect the public interest, says accountants should embrace technology for all its benefits. For the full sector overview, read the article from the latest edition here:
https://hubs.la/Q02cY9sB0

Sector Overview: SA Sees Rise In Construction Activity 👷

In his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in February this year, His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa said one of the greatest obstacles to infrastructure investment was the lack of technical skills and project management capacity. To fix this, he shared that Infrastructure South Africa has been allocated R600-million for project preparation, specifically in rural and under-resourced areas.

In addition to reviving the construction sector, a significant infrastructure push will support local manufacturing and other related sectors across the value chain. Hon. Sihle Zikhala, The Minister of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure welcomed the recent improvement in property investment, “As the Department, we welcome the post COVID-19 improvement in property investment in the country, which has improved from almost R2.8-trillion post-COVID-19 for the residential industry to R6.7-trillion." For the full sector overview, read the article from the latest edition here:
https://hubs.la/Q02cN12y0

Fast-Moving Consumer Goods: Interesting Shifts Are Shaping The Sector

Despite inflation and tough economic times that South Africans are facing, the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) retail sector has 13.4% growth, largely driven by higher prices versus consumption growth, according to NielsenIQ State of the Retail Nation analysis. NielsenIQ (NIQ), one of the country’s market research companies stated that interesting shifts are shaping the South African FMCG sector (including liquor and to***co) that is “now worth R593-billion in annual sales (at the end of March 2023)—a 13.4% increase from the previous 12 months.”

Read the full sector overview from the latest edition here:
https://hubs.la/Q02csVJs0

Growth-Enhancing Reforms Are Key To Improving Transport and Logistics 🚚

Delivering his budget speech in February this year, Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana, said the government is implementing growth-enhancing reforms in key sectors, including the transport sector, to boost growth and improve the efficiency of South Africa’s transport and logistics infrastructure.

This was welcomed by the relevant stakeholders within the sector, with the Managing Director of Ctrack Africa, Hein Jordt, stating that they are holding thumbs that the proposed reforms are put in place efficiently and effectively as they are “most certainly required for the ongoing survival of many of the sectors of the transport industry.” For more information, read the full article from the latest edition here:
https://hubs.la/Q02csLM40