Artifact SA’s new partner

After two years of actively searching for the right partner to add value and grow the business, Artifact SA has completed a new partnership, taking the group to a level 4 BBBEE service provider under the new Marketing Advertising & Communications (Mac) Charter to be implemented next month, placing it well ahead of the competition.

Artifact Managing Director Andy Taoushiani says the length of time this deal took to put together was not because the company didn’t want to embrace the Mac Charter, but because he believes there has to be an element of trust between partners and that means finding the right partner.

“We are immensely proud and positive about our new shareholding, especially since it is a completely transparent partnership, bringing new ideas to the business and offering increased value to our customers.”

After courting many possible candidates, Taoushiani discovered Philasande Sokhela, whom he believes will take the company to the next level.

With a BSC in construction studies under his belt, Sokhela was working as a quantity surveyor, but had been determinedly researching the possibility of beginning a promotions company when he met Artifact.

“Phila is young, extremely energetic, and brings resourceful new business development skills with him. He was striving to break into this industry with his vision for a promotions company and our partnership has created an opportunity for both parties to grow and develop.”

Sokhela says: “The MAC charter means it’s going to become more and more difficult to do business in South Africa without the requisite BEE rating…and the system is designed to reward bigger companies for awarding work to smaller companies with good BEE scores, which is where Artifact comes in.”

What this means for clients as an immediate effect is a maximizing of their BBBEE points simply by continuing to do business with Artifact.

Taoushiani explains: “Big companies are loathe to change their partnerships on (for example) huge printing contracts worth millions of rands, as they have come to trust and rely on us over time.

“What our new structure means is that clients can continue to rely on our expertise and proven track record, while maximizing their BBBEE points. It’s been a lightbulb moment for our clients.”

Sokhela has already brought a network of smaller suppliers and entrepreneurs to the table: “We need to keep enterprise development top of mind. There are many small entrepreneurs who have not had these opportunities and we want to extend our vision to include them.”

Taoushiani says this is only the beginning as they continue the process of bringing young black people within the company into management structures and truly transforming from within.

Note: Artifact SA is now a BBBEE level 4 agency (under the new MAC codes) with several divisions offering specialities where needed, including digital (Level 4 SME), promotions (100% black-owned), integrated (51% black-owned) and print (51% black-owned).