IT systems, software, hardware and consulting services provider Datacentrix has again started debating how to strengthen its empowerment ownership.
The company has 10.39 points on the scorecard for its empowerment ownership, and aims to take this to 20, but has not set any targets. CEO Ahmed Mahomed says discussions recently started up again at board level as to how to strengthen its ownership, and what form this could take.
He explains that market volatility last year put any decision on hold, as share prices were skewed by market conditions, and this would mean any shares issued to partners would not be at their correct value.
So far, Datacentrix has not decided what form an empowerment deal may take, but is expecting to fund it, says Mahomed. He explains that empowerment partners often cannot raise the cash required to enter deals themselves.
Up the ladder
The company has moved its empowerment credentials to a level three contributor, which means that for every R100 purchased by its clients, these companies get back R100 in empowerment points.
According to the calculations undertaken by EmpowerDex as part of the certification process, Datacentrix has achieved 67% black representation at board level and 53% of the company's total staff of 808 people is black.
Mahomed says the company is committed to improving its empowerment status. It spent more than R15 million on skills development last year, with over R3 million used for black women within the business alone. “We believe that this demonstrates a serious commitment to providing regular training and development opportunities for employees,” he says.
“To strengthen our position to this level as an empowered local company is a real coup for Datacentrix and we plan to maintain this new, improved level of certification for many years to come,” Mahomed adds.
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