SAFCO   is   divided   into   two   entities   (Safco   Group/SA   Foods)   which predominantly   is   a   formulation   of   different   service   providers   all co-opted to provide development solutions for historically   black   owned   farming   areas   –   which   has   come   to experience difficulties in developing commercially. SAFCO   GROUP   t/a   SAFCO   GROUP   INVESTMENTS   is   a   stand-alone which   comprises   of   Mzwandile   Mafuna   Finance   and   Bakagistix. Both   companies   are   100%   fully   black   owned.   The   role   of   this entity    is    to    facilitate    all    the    turnkey    processes    relevant    in greenfield   development,   over   and   above   this,   it   is   also   an   equity partner   in   projects   where   capacitation   is   needed   for   funding processes.

From    inception,    SAFCO    referencing    its    founders    Mr    Thobile Bakana   and   Mzwandile   Silolo   January   have   played   the   role   of coordinating   overseas   industrial   investments   (food   processing   in particular).    These    investments    were/are    to    commercialise agricultural   lands   and   also   having   a   market   where   black   local farmers would find a market for their products. Due    to    the    projects    being    community    owned,    or    economic development   orientated,   SAFCO’s   role   also   ended   up   including economic   development   planning   for   municipalities,departments, emerging   farmers   and   community   structures.   This   role   enabled by   the   inclusion   of   economists,   commodity   traders,   financiers, industrial    consultants,    architects,    civil    engineers,    irrigation designers, commercial farmers, curriculum developers, etc – all these   once   again   provided   a   greenfield   solutions   to   areas   that have not found inclusion into the mainstream economy since the dawn of 1994.

The practical approach in bringing these services is firstly assembling data of all areas with economic potential yet not commercial. This process generally is based on an invitation from communities, municipalities or the department relevant to the area in question.

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Generally this would be followed by a series of correspondences, exchanges of information and many visits to the areas and people concerned. All parties under SAFCO would by now have met to understand their role and responsibilities in relation to each area, so the planning starts and processes of coordinating public stakeholders geared at realising the potential of the area which would second to this. Getting to the SEDA requested assistance, we directly and through other stakeholder’s covers over 150 entities situated in different geographical areas. Marketing material and branding are important for this reason of: - Differentiating ourselves. - Building lasting brand recognition. - Distribution of material pertaining to our services and products. etc