Black Economic Empowerment

Westcon SA : Commited to Empowerment

Westcon SA recognises that equal opportunity for all is of vital importance to the sustainable development of South African society and the economy. We therefore firmly support the principle and spirit of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE). This focus is aligned with our strategy of investing in emerging markets, where we seek to expand substantially through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

 Emerging markets, by virtue of their relative immaturity, are in need of technology infrastructure and services. Our investment philosophy is guided by solution delivery but tempered with sharing of expertise and benefits to help forge a better future for our partners and country populations at large.

New BBBEE partnership for WestconSA

Datatec Limited, the international Information and Communications Technology (ICT) group, announced today that the Mineworkers Investment Company ("MIC") has become the new BBBEE partner in its South African distribution business Westcon South Africa (Pty) Ltd.

Datatec has purchased the minority stake in WestconSA from the previous BEE partner, African Legend Computing (Pty) Ltd and MIC has subscribed for new shares in WSA constituting 26% of the equity.

MIC is a broad based black economic empowerment investment company established by the Mineworkers Investment Trust (MIT) to create a sustainable asset base for the benefit of mine, energy and construction workers and their dependents.

"We have been looking to make a strategic investment in a sound and solid IT company with international links and a good track record in South Africa and we see this as an excellent opportunity to build the information technology aspects of our investment portfolio," says Paul Nkuna MIC Chief Executive.

MIC will be taking up two seats on the WestconSA board to actively influence the strategic direction, of the company and drive transformation in the areas such as employment equity; affirmative procure and Enterprise Development."Transformation is the cornerstone of our investment strategy and we will be assisting the WestconSA board in developing and implementing their transformation strategy throughout the company. We look forward to a long and successful relationship with WestconSA," concludes Nkuna.

Westcon SA (Pty) Ltd is a leading value-added ICT distributor in South Africa offering tailored, supported solutions based on advance technologies such as voice, security and mobility, automated identity, specialised printing, point of sale and card reading equipment.
"By forging partnerships with leading international vendors and investing heavily in our workforce, Westcon SA is able to deliver solutions that incorporate best-of-breed technology and trusted advice that supports the purchase decision" says Jacques Malherbe, CEO, Westcon SA. Transformation has been on top of our agenda and this partnership will give new impetus to our efforts in this regard and we see this new relationship translate into great value for our customers, vendors and staff" Malherbe added

Datatec, who now owns a 74% stake in WestconSA said: "Quotation from Jens Montanana, Datatec CE explaining significance of partnership with MIC and importance of BEE in SA context etc.