Integr8 IT secures unique empowerment deal

National network integrator and ICT infrastructure management specialist Integr8 IT has concluded a deal with 100% black-owned Mononong Technologies to establish a strategic and mutually beneficial business and black economic empowerment partnership.

According to the deal, Mononong Technologies has acquired a 30% equity stake in Integr8 IT. The current shareholders of Mononong Technologies, Jerry Mashinini and Harry Chakhala, will immediately join the board of Integr8 IT as an executive and non-executive director, respectively. Mononong will make a number of new appointments to assist Integr8 IT in the restructuring and resourcing of its new organisational structure to align with the new business strategy into the public sector and African markets.

The development is viewed by both parties as a milestone, and the culmination of months of high-level negotiations and an aggressive two-year search by Integr8 IT for the right BEE partner to reinforce its brand and direction in the broad ICT market going forward, as well as guide Integr8 IT into previously untapped new markets.

Speaking of the lead up to this development, Lance Fanaroff and Robert Sussman, joint managing directors of Integr8 IT, say the company had grown to the extent that a partnership with a credible BEE partner, that could add measurable value and strategic guidance, was sought-after. The key objectives being direction, to maintain and develop the company`s existing roadmap, entrench and refine its BEE strategy, and keep social responsibility programmes intact, as well as to leverage off the opportunities that currently exist and would likely arise in the future.

"Integr8 IT is a relatively young company with a recognised brand and a solid reputation as one of the industry`s leading IT companies. We believe Mononong Technologies can add a wealth of knowledge and guidance to help us grow and develop and enter the next level of true empowerment, as well as elevate the company to another level from a business development and expansion perspective. The partnership also provides Integr8 IT with a solid channel through which to enter a previously untapped resource in the public sector," says Fanaroff.

According to Sussman, the company`s social responsibility programme, underpinned by the deployment of ICT infrastructure at learning centres in orphanages throughout the country, is progressing very well.

"It is through initiatives like this that we have been able to emphasise our capability and potential as a BEE partner," he says.

Mononong Technologies is made up of highly qualified business individuals with a wealth of ICT knowledge and experience within the broad public, private and African sector markets.

According to Mashinini: "This partnership is committed to the industry and the country, it will strengthen areas such as ICT networks and infrastructure development as key competencies of Integr8 IT. SA Africa is faced with lot of challenges in terms of a lack of ICT infrastructure, the level of skills, the ability to provide relevant solutions, among others. This partnership will address some of these challenges and add more value to different business operations."

Chakhala concurs. "Our focus is to ensure that Integr8 IT is well positioned to transfer its unique solutions and excellent service delivery record into previously untapped markets. It is also our responsibility to ensure the company`s phenomenal growth is underpinned with strong corporate governance, increased employment opportunities of HDI candidates and continued social responsibility investment in relevant programmes that add value to the ICT sector, the rebuilding of a new SA and support of NEPAD initiatives."