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Published in Business in Durban, Issue 12, Winter 2012
TICH'S VISION
Lungisisa Indlela Village (LIV) is a vision conceived by Tich Smith (former Spingbok cricket player) based on the concept that ‘It takes a village to raise a child’. Acknowledging the plight, and often horrific circumstances, that our children are subjected to, Tich, through a vision from God, decided to do something significant about this. Based on a model in Uganda called Watoto, run by Gary and Marilyn Skinner, LIV has successfully manifested Tich’s South African dream to create a better life for innocent orphans. Through hard work, determination and prayer, Tich and his LIV team have accumulated land in Verulam, built homes, a school, a church and a community that has every right to claim its place in our society. Each well kept, neat home is run by a house mother that care-takes up to 6 children. The school provides excellent education and the village is becoming self-sustainable.
LIV BUSINESS
LIV Business is a Pty Ltd company and fully owned by LIV village. Its beneficiaries are the widows and orphans that live here. This is not an ‘ag shame’ moment, but pure business based on transparency, integrity and accountability.
The LIV Business overview clearly states that the challenges facing South Africa in the 21st century is to reduce the gap between rich and poor and address unemployment. They seek to bridge this gap by facilitating economic participation and empowering vulnerable communities through LIV’s 100% equity ownership of LIV Business. They believe that investments made by privileged classes will uplift and grow our country, leaving behind a legacy perpetuating positive change for the better of all.
These are not just vacuous words, as LIV Business is a 100% Broad Based Black Owned Company. It is registered as a private company, duly incorporated in South Africa, and is aligned with the requirements of Enterprise Development in terms of the Codes of Good Practice (BEE Codes) of the Department of Trade and Industry. LIV Business’ main object is to provide sustainability of LIV villages and to create jobs. They identify and invest in businesses that provide “Philanthropic Private Equity Funding’ for the orphan and vulnerable children of South Africa.
To give some tangible examples:
LIVClean is a 26% ownership, partnered with Millcare and Malandela Services, who together, have over 25 years’ experience in the specialised carpet and cleaning business. Their focus service offering is to niche contract cleaning, hygiene and staffing solutions to the hospitality, commercial, gaming, education, healthcare and retail sectors.
LIV Flowers is one of the largest cut flower producers in South Africa, specialising in hydroponically grown Anthurium, Gerbera and Ruscus. LIV has a 75% ownership. Situated on the north coast near Shaka’s Rock, this project is looking to double its production to include orchids.
LIV Clothing Factories has 100% ownership, employing 230 people in Johannesburg and Durban. Factories were set up from scratch in a 3 week period in an old overgrown school. Staff were trained and skilled, producing Wonderbags ™ for a joint campaign with Raj Curry (Unilever) and Shoprite Checkers. Wonderbags offer heat retention insulation, cooking food once it’s removed from the stove, saving money on fuel, reducing co2 emissions and toxic fumes.
When Tich embarked on this ambitious project, Gary Skinner of Watoto gave him some sound advice: to ensure that the project becomes self-sustainable. Watoto had relied on 95% donor participation and the recession had a devastating effect. Since its inception LIV’s priority has not to be reliant on donors. They have a short term donor plan, but the long term is to provide economic and employment opportunities. Their intention is to turn Aid to Trade.
Tich’s greatest privilege is to see lives changing. As a country we need to alter our thinking from
success (which involves ‘me’)
to significance (which involves ‘others’)
LIV has created between 400 – 500 jobs in the past 18 months.
LIV intends to be a brand that is economically recognisable.
Contact details:
e-mail: info@liv-village.com
web: www.liv-village.com
Tel: 031 562 9986
“There are so many ways we can change this country”
Matkovich & Hayes Design, with a 25% ownership, they are the leading designer of golf courses in Southern Africa since 1990. They have completed over 20 courses including Pinnacle Point, Arabella and Princes Grant, according to the highest international standard.
LIV Eggs (Ottawa Poultry), has a 26% ownership. This company has been in existence since 1949 and is the largest distributor of eggs in KZN. It distributes over 11 million eggs per month to major chain-stores, providing profits to worthy cause, at a competitive price.
Jonsson Overalls will manage and equip a factory on LIV property in Verulam. 340 workers will be trained. 100% owned by LIV business, the vision is to empower previously disadvantaged South Africans to become skilled, self-reliant and productive in the franchise sector.
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