This new entity is one of a handful of national empowerment property companies in the country with a black majority shareholding.
In this case the majority share of 55% is held by the original Zwelitsha directors, together with Patricia Kondile, and the balance by Trafalgar, which employs more than 2 500 people in the property services industry.
The new company was launched on the back of a R2 million annual cleaning contract for Old Mutual's headquarters in Pinelands. The contract is currently being shared with Trafalgar but will be handled exclusively by Zweli-tsha within a three-year handover period.
According to Zwelitsha CEO Lance Manala, this contract is typical of the size and scale of work the new company is aiming to attract.
"Sophisticated national infrastructure, expertise and buying power, enabled by our partnership with Trafalgar, are opening up doors for us," said Manala.
He added that in the next 12 to 24 months Zwelitsha would add facilities and utility management to its range of property services, which are currently focused on cleaning and security.
"The company is structured in such a way that it is able to empower other emerging contractors as the business grows and develops."
He believes that a strong technical background knowledge of construction and utilities, and how these operate in a property management environment, will provide the company with a further competitive edge.
Neville Schaefer, CEO of Trafalgar, said: "With the transfer of expertise and skills from Trafalgar to Zwelitsha, we are investing in the future of both our business and our country. The development of a newly-formed black empowerment company is exciting as we have the opportunity to contribute to the previously disadvantaged at grassroots level."
He said his group had confidence in the service and sustainability of Zwelitsha Property Services. - Cape Argus
Publisher: Cape Argus
Source: Cape Argus
