Rags to Riches: Shaun Battleman - Activist, Teacher, Entrepreneur

Written by Administrator
Monday, 19 December 2011 10:42

From fighting the apartheid government of old to battling to get a petrol card for his fledgling business, the Black Management Forum’s top entrepreneur for 2011 knows what it means to struggle – but that hasn’t made him less of an optimistic South African.

The current discourse on the South African economy is focused on the need to develop a generation of black industrialists, based on the cornerstone of entrepreneurship, where power and wealth creation is not tied to political office. The shortcomings of black economic empowerment, complicated by the challenges of “tenderpreneurship” and a global recession have also contributed to the growing calls for a new wave of industrialists. This year the Black Management Forum celebrated South Africa’s entrepreneurs with the top prize being awarded to a relatively new player, African Access Holdings, a diversified company that has become entrenched in the South African landscape. The company was by former teacher Shaun Battleman, Thabo Mpama and Mateli Mpuntsha in 2003.

Shaun’s first foray into the business world came when he lent R2 000 to a teaching colleague who wanted to launch a cupboard manufacturing business to supplement his income. When his colleague struggled to return the initial funding, he stepped in to administer the business and discovered a passion for growing and managing enterprises. South Africa’s transition to democracy inspired him to be part of a generation that would focus on economic freedom, chart a new course and alter the face of industry.

In early 2000, Shaun demonstrated a grasp of innovation when he launched the My Office concept within the CNA retail network. My Office provides an environment for small businesses to run their operations without the costly overheads of office infrastructure.

A further opportunity presented itself when he discovered that the South African government was struggling to deliver school books to historically marginalised communities. The delivery rate of school books to communities was six percent, with high distribution costs to rural areas. As a former activist, he formed a small team to tackle this challenge and implemented the cell system that was used during the liberation struggle. By mapping the country into blocks, they identified community members who were experts in their terrain who would be the ideal candidates for door-to-door delivery of school books. Through a government grant community members were given laptops and provided with bundles of books for delivery to targeted schools. Books were even delivered by wheelbarrow in some of the most remote areas. Once the school or principal received the books they would record an online message that was then sent to a database as proof of delivery for payment. Thus the flagship project of African Access was born.

With the help of Azraa Audio Visual Software (AVS), an African Access subsidiary, the world’s first online audiovisual verification database was built. Today Azraa AVS, EduLogistics, EduProcurement and EduSolutions – all of them All Access subsidiaries – provide successful end-to-end learner and teacher support materials to schools in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo. At the moment the technology’s use is limited to the education sector, but the aim is to develop and implement similar processes to raise the level of South Africa’s service delivery in other sectors also.

African Access’ expansive warehouse in the north of Johannesburg belies the company’s humble beginnings. Like many entrepreneurs, Shaun struggled to find partners to fund the operations and could not convince banks to a process their application for a basic petrol card. He chuckles at the irony that they are now a shareholder in one of South Africa’s biggest banks. The ability to raise their own capital through tough circumstances is one of their greatest achievements, he says. It has allowed them to navigate a difficult global economic climate where high levels of debt strangle businesses or close their operations.

They story of the appointment of African Access’ current chair, Seth Phalatse, is also testament to the company’s pioneering spirit. As a minnow in the industry, Shaun and his team identified the need to align themselves with power players. Having made a list of influential figures, they approached Seth and offered him a position in the business. Seth was at the zenith of his career, having spent 24 years as the executive director of BMW and the non-executive chairperson of Ericsson-Marconi South Africa. He was initially amused by the idea but did not bite. However, Shaun’s persistence paid off – and Seth finally agreed to join the organisation.

Shaun explains that at the heart of his leadership style is a strong trust in his instincts; he listens with his ears and “eyes” and relies on the basic principles of right and wrong that were instilled in him by his elders. Education, he says, is merely an aid to ratifying his decisions using sound business principles. He also emphasises that brotherhood and the ability to laugh as a team are key traits of the organisation’s culture.

His early career as a teacher still influences his passion for mentorship. “Power gives us the ability to unleash freedom and create hope,” he says. One of African Access’ focus areas is investing in young black businesses that require mentorship to grow their organisations. He likens these fledgling business to sponges and African Access as the water. The company is also involved in numerous community projects with the vision of uplifting societies through strategic interventions.

African Access currently has interests in a diverse range of sectors including education, property development, information technology, agriculture, earthworks, marketing and communications, events management, travel and tourism, security, financial services and office automation.

Shaun is optimistic about the growth of the company as well as the outlook for the South Africa economy. He argues, however, that one of the biggest obstacles to the development of the country is the lack of black-owned businesses. He says the solution would be to revamp government business processes and expand its beneficiary base to ultimately build an inclusive society.

As Western nations grapple with the challenges of slowing economies, high debt burdens, and job losses, Shaun is passionate about the fact that South Africa, like many other nations on the continent, is in a position to harness the opportunities that are unfolding across numerous regions in Africa.

African Access recently acquired the rights to launch the first Chief Executive Officers’ (CEO) Club chapter in South Africa. The CEO Club was founded in the United States by Joe Mancuso in 1977, and its objective is to allow captains of industry across the globe to network. When pressed for his rationale for canvassing for a South African chapter, Shaun commented that South African businesses need to aggressively build networks with organisations across the globe by looking beyond local businesses organisations for strategic growth opportunities, new markets and ideas on innovation.

In his private time Shaun is an avid reader and a devoted father. His four daughters are a gift from God, he says, and what he teaches them will be his gift to South Africa. Given Shaun’s infectious optimism and passion for innovation, it will be interesting to track African Access’ next chapter as the team pursues new horizons.