Latest News & Events of African Access Holdings

African Access, one of South Africa’s major business success stories has just announced that it will be the headline sponsor for one of the country’s most prestigious business events,
The National Business Awards.

African Access will be the headline sponsor for one of the country’s most prestigious business events, The National Business Awards

The African Access sponsorship will run into several million rand over the next three years. Now known as the African Access National Business Awards, this event acknowledges and rewards companies, individuals, industry and government for outstanding achievements in business. According to Shaun Battlemann, the Chief Executive Officer of African Access, backing these awards was a natural progression for a company that prides itself in its entrepreneurial spirit which embodies flexibility, thinking out of the box and practicing core values.

Mr. Battlemann said “African Access is proud to be associated with the 2010 African Access National Business Awards which salutes passion for business excellence. We are especially delighted to be a sponsor of the segment that represents South Africa’s Top Businessman of the Year, Top Business Woman of the Year and the African Access National Business of the Year”.

African Access Rescues Durban Beauty

Beautiful and vivacious Thandeka Mncwango the only KZN finalist in the Miss Teen World SA, had her dreams comes true when African Access sponsored her at the last minute to attend the finals in Pretoria.

Thandeka said she wished to thank African Access for stepping in with a generous sponsorship. Without it, there was little chance of her going to Pretoria despite being chosen as the provincial favourite. In addition to substantial travelling costs, she also needed to raise R1 500 in sponsorship to qualify for the finals.

“Because African Access has significant interests in education and is one of the country’s leading investment companies with a number of subsidiaries across a wide business spectrum including Earthworks, Agriculture, Travel, Event Management and Security, we are proud to be able to help Thandeka achieve her dream. As a company that focuses on giving something back to the communities in which we do business, this is a perfect fit as one of Thandeka’s ambitions is to be able to make meaningful contributions to charities and those in need,” said Shaun Battlemann, Chief Executive Officer of African Access Holdings. 

Thandeka is looking forward to a partnership with African Access Holding’s youth development programme. 

Welcome Aboard The First, Private Luxury Yacht Charter To The Historical Robben Island

Original Boats, a subsidiary of African Access has been awarded the licence to provide the only private cruise operation to Robben Island.

Inala Antares, the 7 star luxury motor yacht with its 6 berth capacity and opulent Italian styling, offers the finest in luxury living. This exceptional piece of engineering is 14.5m long and its beautiful teak flooring, cherry wood finishes and elegant leather upholstery puts it amongst one of the best boats cruising Cape Town’s waters.

The brainchild behind Inala Antares, Executive Director Thabane Zulu who was one of the youngest political prisoners on Robben Island, aims to offer a private ferry service to the world heritage site in unparalleled luxury  and without having to mix with tourists. It accommodates up to 12 guests and the crew provides for all needs ranging from special equipment or services on board to gourmet cuisine.

Legendry yachtsman and skipper of the boat, John Martin is one of the best sea hands in South Africa and comes with the highest levels of qualifications and expertise for Original Boats.
For more information [ Click Here ]

2009 Metropolitan Oliver Empowerment Award Winners for -Top Black Empowered Business - Top New and Innovative Empowered Company - Top Black Entrepreneur of the year

It is with great pleasure to announce that African Access Holdings took home three of the most prestigious awards in this years Metropolitan Oliver Empowerment Awards which took place at the Sandton Convention Centre, Gauteng.

Our Chairman, Mr Seth Phalatse accepted the “Top New and Innovative Empowered Company” award on behalf of the group. In the individual category, we are extremely proud to announce that our CEO, Mr Battlemann was awarded “Top Black Entrepreneur of the Year” . This award could not have gone out to a more deserving individual. Finally, African Access Holdings took the most prestigious title of the evening when we were awarded the “Top Black Empowered Business of the Year.”

Congratulations to the African Access Family. It is indeed overwhelming and may the Group continue to be leaders in meaningful transformation of the South African business world. Photos will be posted to the website shortly and the Business Report of The Star, Pretoria News, Cape Times and the Mercury will carry a special supplement of the awards on Wednesday 25 March 2009.

African Access Holding’s 67 minute community activity

In celebrating former president, Nelson Mandela’s selfless contribution to the global pursuit of peace and reconciliation, African Access Holdings, Durban, spent their 67 minute community activities in the Ocean-Drive In Informal Settlement on the North Coast whilst the JHB offices did their bit at the Lanseria Informal Settlement & Creche.

[ Click here ] to veiw our main gallery page, The Durban Initiative photos or the Johannesburg Initiative photos

African Access Acquires Stake in SA Earthworks

African Access Holdings is excited to bring S A Earthworks under their umbrella after acquiring a 26% stake in the company which specialises in bulk earthworks, roads, demolitions, quarrying and mining.

The strategic acquisition comes at a time when demand for construction services are high and skills are in short supply. African Access, who is already involved in property development, believes that not only will the investment assist SA in meeting the infrastructure challenges it faces but would also steer the group in its ventures in the United Arab Emirates where it has started operating.

SA Earthworks has achieved a growth rate of more than 400% a year in the past two years and also has a highly effective transport fleet.

African Access Acquires Majority Shareholding in Gestetner Midlands

The acquisition of Gestetner Midlands is another in a series of significant investments this year by African Access across South Africa. Earlier this year, African Access completed its acquisition of a majority shareholding in Gestetner Midlands, a leading provider of Total Document Solutions.

The acquisition reflects African Access’s strategy to grow its share of the South African Imaging Communication and Document Management Technologies. Gestetner Midlands is a leader in providing customers with document management solutions, services, supplies and consultancy to help them run more efficiently and productively. African Access looks forward to making Gestetner Midlands the Office Automation Partner of Choice in both the public and private sectors of KwaZulu Natal.

African Access Demonstrates Spirit of Humanity

Earlier this year, African Access expressed their solitude with the displaced and injured victims of the xenophobic violence which plagued the country.

In demonstrating the organization’s true spirit of humanity, African Access showed its support to the Gauteng Methodist Church in its drive to provide emergency relief to thousands of affected people.

The generous donation of R100 000 was used for food & blankets for the vicitims.

African Access with its deep responsibility as a black economic empowerment company to come together as South Africans during a sad time of desperation, encouraged all South African businesses to support the fight against Xenophobia and assist the scores of victims affected.

African access sponsors computer laboratary

African Access, in their commitment to empower schools through access of Information Technologies handed over computers worth R1million to Illovo Primary School on KwaZulu Natal’s South Coast.

Being a significant stakeholder in Education, African Access launched the fully installed computer laboratory consisting of 35 computers which was handed over to the MEC of Education, Ms Ina Cronje. In addition to this, the Group generously installed the teacher’s staff room and the Principal’s Office with a total of 15 computers.

The project is consistent with African Access’s philosophy to grow communities, deliver social responsibility to the disadvantaged and compliment government’s efforts in the area of education.

African Access Bids at Fund Raising Gala Dinner

African Access is proud to be a company with a social conscience. Their strategy to boost the economy of South Africa also embraces innovative initiatives that invests in our youth and education.
In September 2008, African Access pledged R100 000 to the Cornerstone Christian College, a multi racial evangelical college where a large part of students that it attracts are unable to finance their studies.
During a Fund Raising Gala Dinner held at the Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town, African Access made their generous donation towards the college, bidding R30 000 of the R100 000 donation on a frame of South Africa’s Rugby Jersey autographed by all the players of the SA Team.

African Access Is Proud To Announce the Opening of their New Cape Town Offices.

African Access launched their Regional Office in the Western Cape at Cape Town’s prestigious Mount Nelson Hotel.

The Speaker of the House of Assembly, in the South African Parliament, Ms. Gwen Mahlangu - Nkabinde was the guest of honor and key note address speaker. Other dignitaries included the Deputy Speaker in the National Council of Provinces, Ms. Peggy Hollander. The Western Cape Provincial Government was represented by Mr. Marius Fransman MEC for Transport and Premier Lynne Brown, former MEC for Finance.

The Speaker departed from her prepared speech and made an impassioned call on businesses to realize their joint responsibility to ensure the growth of a healthy business sector and to invest in people development. She congratulated African Access Chairman Seth Phalatse for his leadership in this regard.

Foreign Mission based in Cape Town was represented by the Dean of the Diplomatic Community. The business sector included members of the Cape Town Chamber of Commerce and the CEO of the Western Cape Economic Development Agency WESGRO, Mr. Angelo Manzoni.

African Access announced educational sponsorship to soprano singer Magdalene Letsoalo who rendered a few moving operatic arias. Also present was the talented, Daniel Petersen III, a six year old from the Cape Flats who regaled the audience with his skill as a drummer.

Both Magdalene and Daniel enjoy the patronage of the African Access Group.

Launch of the Progressive Women's Movement of South Africa

African Access was honoured to be one of the sponsors at a conference held in Bloemfontein to formally launch the Progressive Women’s Movement of South Africa.

At the mark of the 50th Anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March to Pretoria, the National Executive Council  of the ANC Women’s League decided it would formalise a Progressive Women’s Movement. It was an honour for African Access to be part of this historical event and was invited to do a presentation to dignitaries and delegates of the conference during a glittering Gala Dinner.

Attending were CEO of the group Mr Shaun Battlemann, Group Sales & Marketing Director Mr Thabo Mpama and Executive Director, Sebenzile Matsebula celebrated  with the Deputy President of South Africa, Her Excellency Phumzile Mlambo – Ngcuka, the Vice President of Zimbabwe, Her Excellency Mrs Joyce Majuru, The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs Nkosazane Zuma who is also the convenor  of the Progressive Women’s Movement of South Africa plus several other dignitaries.