Capespan clinches BEE deal with Nozala

RAY SMUTS
IT’S TAKEN a good while to come up with the right answer, but the Capespan Group has finally settled on its preferred lead black economic empowerment consortium partner, Nozala Investments.
The 100% women-owned company, whose interests include Sasol/Excel, Afripak and Kumba Resources, will be tasked with forming a consortium that will take up equity in Capepan’s wholly-owned subsidiary Fresh Produce Terminals, owner and operator of portside fruit cooling facilities in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban and Maputo.
This latest initiative follows protracted and finally fruitless negotiations involving a strategic partnership with UK-based Mersey Docks and Harbour Company.
Capespan engaged in comprehensive discussions with a wide range of prospective interested parties before settling on Nozala. Comments Salukazi Dakile-Hlongwane, deputy chairperson and CEO of Nozala: “This has been a spectacular year for the 500 000 women who own stakes in Nozala Investments through community-based organisations.
“Within 12 months Nozala bought out its institutional investors and concluded four important deals, including this landmark agreement with one of the world’s biggest fresh fruit marketers.”