South Africa`s largest privately owned human capital development company, Learning Resources, announced today the retrospective sale to 1 March this year of 51% of its shareholding to two black empowerment companies.
Empowerment partners Epitome Investments (Pty) Ltd, founded by Mpho Makwana, and Solly Tshiki and Associates, will each hold 25.5% of the shares. Both parties will play an active role in the company`s activities, bringing relevant skills and experience to the partnership.
Makwana is CEO of the Marketing Federation of Southern Africa (MFSA) and a business strategist with a distinguished record in leadership and change management globally. He established the consulting firm Organisation for Inspirational Leadership, before joining Saatchi and Saatchi as CEO. He is currently a non-executive director on the boards of Eskom Holdings, Monitor Group SA, Nokusa Consulting and Educor.
Tshiki heads up an HR consulting company, Solly Tshiki & Associates, and is a director of Grand Parade Investments, the empowerment arm of Grand West. He has substantial experience in the field of human capital development, working previously as training manager for Engen.
Makwana has been appointed chairman of Learning Resources and Tshiki a director. Both will play a large role in the strategic direction and new business development of the company.
Learning Resources began operating seven years ago as a provider of video-based training resources. It had just six employees. The company now employs 120 people and is one of the largest players in the field of human capital development. Its products and services include human capital consulting, customised learning and e-learning solutions, learning management systems and services and generic learning resources such as videos, manuals and training toolkits. The company has also recently moved into the production of local content aligned to SAQA unit standards for the South African market.
Managing Director of Learning Resources, Ricky Robinson, said: "We are confident of the common purpose between all shareholder parties to together facilitate the development and growth of all people in SA. Both partners, whom we have known and worked with for many years and with whom we share a passion for people development in this country, bring substantial value to the company in terms of knowledge of the market and industry experience. This will make it possible to continue to grow the company, bringing much needed skills development to previously disadvantaged communities of SA, as well as looking after our existing client base."
"I believe we have the right skills mix and more; there is a chemistry between all three shareholders. Together, we have the ability to take this company to the next level of performance and deliver to the South African community, to accelerate skills development and to encourage the growth of entrepreneurship in the country. The timing for the venture is impeccable as there is a national drive to up-skill South Africans," commented Tshiki.
Makwane commented: "The transaction with the Learning Resources Group brings to fruition a journey of friendship that has spanned five years; it feels right to finally partner with an organisation that I have long been a customer to.
"Learning Resources promises to become a formidable force in the full spectrum of human capital services and products," Makwane concluded.
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