Danchi Group (Pty) Ltd, specialists in steel solutions, were crowned overall winners of the 2021 Eskom Business Investment Competition during a virtual awards ceremony held on 14 December 2021.

Based in Gauteng, Danchi Group manufactures steel components for the automotive and rail transport industries, including bushings, spacers, pins, pivots, and steel fabricated products such as columns, skips, pallets, scaffolding, sheeting, conveyor structures and shafts. They also refurbish steel components for their clients.

“We identified a niche where we could merge the conventional way of fabrication with innovative product design to offer our clients cutting-edge solutions,” said Rachael Gaffane, Director at the Danchi Group. “I am passionate about making a change in this industry which has been very traditional and conventional. I want to introduce a youthful and innovative approach to manufacturing. I am also passionate about bringing about change in how the artisans are treated in this industry, by providing them benefits that they deserve to empower them,” she added.  “It feels great to be part of the finalists this year. This win means that we are doing something right,” said Gaffane who walks away with prize money to the value of R300 000.

Chief Executive Officer of the Eskom Development Foundation, Cecil Ramonotsi, remarked that this year the Foundation had made a concerted effort to encourage designated groups to participate in the competition. “Having a women-owned business walk away with the main prize vindicates our efforts to draw more participation from designated groups, particularly women, youth and people with disabilities,” he said.

“On behalf of Eskom, I take my hat off for all the participants in the Business Investment Competition for having risen above their circumstances and pushing through adversity to realise their dreams of running their own businesses. In doing so, they not only succeed in generating an income for their families and employees, but also in creating much-needed economic opportunities for their communities and the country,” said Nthato Minyuku, Eskom Group Executive for Government and Regulatory Affairs.