In Johannesburg, Sasfin Holdings, a bank controlling company and notably its subsidiary; Sasfin Bank have become a leading South African financial institution.

‘As a bank, we are on a good wicket’, says Chief Executive Officer, Roland Sassoon. ‘We have successfully launched our Transactional Banking services and we intend to continue to grow our business and strengthen our reputation as a trusted and committed South African financial institution’.

Sassoon’s father established the business in 1951 and the company evolved from a textile importer to a small-scale trade and equipment financing company which went on to list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 1987.

Today, Sasfin Bank focuses on the needs of corporate, commercial and individual clients. Services include trade and equipment finance, corporate finance and private equity investment, securitisation, international and domestic treasury, freight, growth incentive consulting, asset management, stockbroking, portfolio management and wealth and financial planning.

The vision of Sasfin Bank is to partner with investors, entrepreneurs and corporates and the Bank’s ties to China continue to create opportunities.

Sassoon’s first trip to China in 1963 laid the foundations for strong partnerships and friendships across the region with companies such as Hecny Group, a leading international freight forwarding group, headquartered in Hong Kong.

Recognising Hong Kong’s reputation as a strategic financial center, Sasfin established a presence there. Today, Gary Patterson, managing director of Sasfin Asia Ltd. heads up the bank’s Hong Kong office.

‘’BRICS’ offers China and South Africa the opportunity to work more closely together on both governmental and business levels’, says Sassoon. ‘We want to emphasise that South Africa is a reliable place in which to do business, despite the challenges within the country. We are confident that South Africa will continue to create opportunities for international business exchange and we will work closely with our partners and clients as we play an increasingly active role within South Africa’s dynamic financial sector’.

We believe that our offering adds value – particularly in the areas of cost effectiveness and efficiencies. Whilst our core competencies remain administration and managed care services, we believe that there will be growth in non-traditional markets especially those in need of proven and efficient technological platforms.

Whilst there are anti-competitive behaviors are prevalent in our markets, our healthcare business is making its unique systems and competencies more available to the market through competitive pricing strategies while explicitly demonstrating the costs savings they generate.

The group continues to track, assess and adapt to legislative developments – particularly with regard to the National Health Insurance (NHI) which will be introduced in South Africa (and possibly neighbouring countries in the future). Whilst these impact how we do business, our focus remains cost containment and the efficient provision of healthcare services to GEMS and other stakeholders.

We are proud of our success with government contracts and we will continue to focus on retaining and expanding this business going forward. Our dedicated operations around government business will also collaborate and leverage their collective expertise in the areas of cost containment and volume.

The increasing volumes in private sector are expected to generate greater margins and, through improved efficiencies, reduced costs albeit across a limited customer base. In this context, our strategies will focus on working more closely with government while playing a positive role in the cost effective delivery of healthcare services.

AfroCentric Health originally acquired its largest health entity, Medscheme Holdings, in 2006 with a view of improving the structural inefficiencies which existed and in anticipation of a leveling of the playing fields in the industry especially in the South African healthcare market. The real value of the Medscheme business lies in the consolidation of the market and the potential expanding within the continent.

Historically, AfroCentric Health has delivered consistent, solid growth and this will not change. Despite the many challenges within our sector, our businesses remain robust and successful. We continue to make substantial progress in laying the foundation for long-term growth and positive shareholder returns.

“We have a business that delivers to our customers, associates, clients, suppliers, shareholders and communities. Recent and future transactions will result in significantly stronger balance sheets as well as stronger executive management team with extensive experience and a proven track record as business developers and entrepreneurs”, says AfroCentric Health Chairman, Dr Anna Mokgokong. The group will continue to exploit the synergies of greater business leadership driven by its well-developed commercial and industry minds.

“Afrocentric Health’s success has been possible due to dedicated, knowledgeable and insightful partners and clients that willingly offer their time and expertise. The core competencies, skills and experience of the executive directors have been gained within the healthcare environment. For this reason we remain convinced that we have the means to unlock further value,” she concludes.

‘There are both challenges and opportunities within the South African economy’, says Brent Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr. ‘Our dedicated sector-led teams and strong public sector practice have enabled us to position ourselves as the first point of call for clients doing business within South Africa. We are active across the country’s key industries, including capital markets, banking and financial services, mining, manufacturing and fast-moving consumer goods’.

With a credible judiciary system, a strong legal services sector and a well-regulated financial market, South Africa a key growth-driver for the African continent.
As the South African member firm of DLA Piper Africa, an alliance of international legal practices, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is unrivalled in terms of the firm’s pan-African legal services, geographical coverage and experience.

For six consecutive years, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr has advised on more Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) deals than any other law firm in South Africa and recently took top honours at the DealMakers Awards for M&A deal flow.

As China and Africa continue to strengthen their ties, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr is well-positioned to meet the needs of Chinese clients.

‘China and Africa’s relationship is moving in the right direction and South Africa has established a strong partnership approach towards working with China,’ says Williams.

‘We enjoy working alongside our Chinese friends and our direct approach to building relationships and doing business is very much appreciated. As Chinese companies consider opportunities in South Africa and the rest of the continent, we intend to play an increased role in facilitating business and transactions. We will continue to focus on corporates, remain competitive and build on our outstanding reputation to position Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr as the law firm of choice in South Africa and the rest of the continent’.