Introduction	JAC-Entrepreneur
Thanda Foundation	JAC-Initiative Star School Project
JAC-Initiative	Bartlow Community Trust - Conservation project

JAC-Entrepreneur (Pty) Ltd was formed with the objective of promoting business links between South African and Swedish entrepreneurs in order to pursue broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) opportunities in South Africa. The company focuses on promoting investments in small and medium sized companies in the form of equity and loan funding in order to boost growth and stimulate job opportunities.


JAC-E also provides mentorship and coaching programmes aimed at aspiring entrepreneurs to assist them to manage their business investments effectively and profitably.


By promoting small and medium sized enterprises, as well as entrepreneurial thinking for Black Economic Empowerment, JAC-E contributes towards sustainable economic development amongst emerging entrepreneurs.


The focus of JAC-E in terms of investment philosophy is really across the board with the dual focus being attractive return on equity and the creation of new jobs. The target area for investments is KwaZulu-Natal with particular emphasis on Zululand. Investments occurring outside the province will also be considered should there prove to be a demand for such ventures.


JAC-E is currently represented by Danir South Africa which is part of the Thanda Group and owned by Dan and Christin Olofsson. Dan Olofsson is the Chairman of the Board. There is presently one South African black investor who has successfully developed many businesses over the years and who has substantial business management experience. As a very established and credible Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) partner, Musa Myeni brings to the company local knowledge and experience in order to pursue lucrative investment opportunities. Through the Thanda Group, a total of R 21-million has been invested into such projects.


The Thanda Group is also in the process of developing an access-controlled community residential estate in Empangeni. This project, which has 19 % BEE shareholding, will encompass a country club, golf estate, shopping centre, school as well as lifestyle facilities for its residents. The property has already been purchased and plans are underway to expedite the DFA process by the end of 2007.


A further investment of approximately R 40-million has been made into South African football through the acquisition of Benoni Premier United Football Club. This Premier Soccer League (PSL) team, which was moved from Benoni to KwaZulu-Natal, has been granted approval by the PSL to change its name to Thanda Royal Zulu Football Club. The team, which is under world-class management and administration aspires to make a promising entry into the league this year.


One of the objectives of this initiative is to establish a world-class academy in Zululand, where 140 children can be recruited and conditioned from the age of 13 upwards to become football stars. The academy will use the PSL club to gain much needed experience and exposure as well as the opportunity to compete at the highest competitive level in South Africa. These future stars will be equipped to play football at national and international level. 51% of the club is under local ownership, while the other 49% is owned by foreign businessmen.


The other major concern of this investment is to raise the profile of football in KwaZulu-Natal on both a provincial and national level.


The team will spend time training at various facilities in the rural areas and will also involve the Star School Project in terms of motivating the youth and providing them with positive ambassadors and role models to associate with.


The academy will give promising and talented young football players the opportunity to reach for their dreams and become stars. This is a very exciting project which will invest a further R 30-million into setting up the facility, a initiative that involves all stakeholders across the board from business, government and the community. Nothing unites a nation like sport.