Q : Who are the people behind Ayavuna Women’s Investments

A : Ayavuna is a consortium of 10 professional Black women led by Hixonia Nyasulu, and including a Broad-based Community Trust.

Q. How long has Ayavuna been in existence

A. : The company was incorporated in May 2004

Q. : Is the Consortium broad-based?

A : Yes it is. The Community Development Trust owns 10% of the equity of Ayavuna. The beneficiaries of the Trust are women’s organisations in the health, education and skills development arena. There is also an employee trust which will benefit Black female employees of Ayavuna, excluding Hixonia Nyasulu.

Q. : Who are the Trustees of the Community Trust ?

A : The trustees are Palesa Tyobeka, Zandile Mdhladhla, Sizile Mabaso, and Hixonia Nyasulu.

Q : Who controls the company?

A : Control of Ayavuna is in the hands of Black women, who own the majority share. They are the majority on the Board of Ayavuna, and they also vote the shares of the Community Development Trust and the Employee Trust.

Q : In what sectors will Ayavuna invest?

A : Ayavuna seeks investments in mining/mining services, retail, banded consumer products and financial services. However, BEE is by nature opportunistic, and Ayavuna will look at any opportunities presented to it, assess the quality of the asset offered, and take the appropriate decision to invest or not.

Q. : Has Ayavuna done any deals yet?

A. : Ayavuna has just acquired a significant stake in Defy, the largest manufacturer and distributor of appliances in Southern Africa. The company has 2 seats on the Board of Defy, and will be a significant participant in the strategic future of the company.

For more information on Ayavuna's investment in Defy please go to www.defy.co.za

Q. : Does Ayavuna have the capacity to raise its own funding?

A. : Indeed. The Defy deal is a case in point. Ayavuna was able to source and secure its own funding from a commercial bank.

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