Vrydag 25 Augustus 2017 Business & Finance < Middelburg Observer | 17

F&K and Hlakani join forcesWho in Middelburg doesn’t know F&K

Engineering? Established back in 1989 by Frans

Stapelberg and Kevin Thring, it is well known for its quality workmanship, its hardworking staff and its on-time delivery. In the past 29 years, F&K has grown from 1265m² to 9075m² under a workshop roof and the current staff component is approximately 280 permanent, full-time employees. So when F&K sold out to a ‘new kid on the block’ it’s no surprise that the business community received the news with some trepidation.

In fact, the relationship between the two companies began way back in 2010 when Gerhard Holthauzen, then a young, intelligent and passionate engineer with little entrepreneurial expertise, came to the attention of Frans Stapelberg.

Gerhard had left a lucrative pay packet at Steinmüller to start up his own company, Hlakani Engineering Services. “Oom Frans” offered him offi ce space at F&K to launch and run his fl edgling enterprise and in true Frans Stapelberg spirit, he was not required to pay rent; instead Gerhard made small monthly contributions to a charity of Frans’

Yaseen Gaffar choice.The cooperation between the two

companies began then, with Hlakani providing design, drafting and professional engineering services to F&K when required.

From 2010-2015, Hlakani operated out of the premises of F&K with a spirit of mutual trust and close collaboration growing steadily. A move to new premises was necessitated as Hlakani’s own business expanded and so they moved out of the F&K premises to their new premises at 74 Hoog Street. Despite this move, the relationship between the companies continued.

The two companies complement each other, bringing completely different skills and expertise to the party. F&K is known for machining, fabrication and on-site maintenance whereas Hlakani has its specialised welding, professional engineers and ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 3834 accreditations. The aim is to have F&K ISO certifi ed within the year.

The Middelburg business community can be assured that the fi rm and steady hand of Mr Stapelberg will not be missed. He will continue to advise and guide the new owners of F&K to steer a ship that has until now chartered a very successful course, sometimes through very challenging seas.

Blinkpan Primary School learners, accompanied by teachers, received sponsored packages of toiletry gifts from EWAP and Komati ladies.

Eskom Women Advancement Programme (EWAP) and Komati Power Station committee members. Back row: Lerato Baloyi, Precious Ledwaba, Molly Sithole and Ellen Mthombeni. Front row: Ntsoaki Fakudze, Lebo Ratlhallane and Muima Nevhulaudzi.

Women celebrated at KomatiKomati Power Station celebrated

Women’s Month on 11 August by hosting elderly citizens and young girls from the Blinkpan community to a fun and meaningful day.

The theme for the day was ‘Sharing is Caring’, and Komati Management team donated blankets to the senior citizens. Eskom Women Advancement programme (EWAP) together with Komati ladies donated toiletry hampers to the upcoming women leaders (Blinkpan Primary School learners) who honoured the invite.

This day was a commemoration signifying growth in the right direction as women united to accomplish one goal.

Sister Adri Loretz shamelessly shared and touched on the importance of hygiene with the young girls as they enter their womanhood. She was then followed by Social Worker, Thobile Sindane, who concentrated on the need to nurture young girls as they are faced with peer pressures and socio-ecological factors which make them engage in wrong activities.

Zandile Madonsela - one of the Komatinites motivated all by delivering a strong message of “Keep on Keeping On” where the young leaders were encouraged to focus on education no matter the circumstances or backgrounds they are

coming from as perseverance paves the way at the end.

Nomfundo Nyembe, Komati’s very own poet, recited a poem titled “Girls rock!”. They also had Minister Yvette Shibambo who excitedly stood up and shared a piece in order for all present to remain motivated in all aspects of their lives and to support each other.

The closing was furnished by Komati Champion Ntsoaki Fakudze who encouraged woman to stand together and also thanked all the sponsors who contributed to the success of the event.

F&K HLAKANI Group Board of Directors: Frans Stapelberg, Elize van Straaten, Gerhard Holtshauzen, Quereshini Naidoo, Hermann Brümmer and Jan van den Berg.

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