The Yakani “Bee” Philosophy
Yakani (formerly Akanani), means ‘build together’ an African philosophy that stands for true sustainable and long term achievement. We strive to build and manage productive investment portfolios through strategic acquisitions and turn ordinary companies into extraordinary performers.
The Yakani Group was founded on the Akanani Platinum transaction in 2007 and grew to have strategic holdings in mineral resources, which it successfully exited. Our distinctive and meticulous approach not only produces the most optimal yields, but also interrogates the impact it bears on the communities we work in, the environment and long term feasibility. To this end, transparency and dependable partnerships are our cornerstone.
Integrity is choosing your thoughts and actions based on values rather than personal gain. It is telling oneself the truth. Honesty is telling the truth to other people. This is a practice that stands true for meaningful long-term partnership and success.
Our company philosophy is best represented by the symbolism of Bees. Bees have been a symbol of wealth and prosperity since ancient times. They possess an immense sense of accomplishment, reminding us that nothing comes easy in life without any effort.
If you focus on how the bee works, you will find strength, industriousness, teamwork and wisdom. The Bee is also a symbol of activity, diligence and good order. Bees bear the greatest responsibility of sustaining our natural ecosystems and the successful harvest of a third of the food that we eat. Their contribution to humanity is unquantifiable.
The ethics associated with this astounding service is honesty, dedication, focus and generosity. We admire and embody all these values in our daily business and use them as our philosophy.
The Yakani “Bee” Philosophy
Yakani (formerly Akanani), means ‘build together’ an African philosophy that stands for true sustainable and long term achievement. We strive to build and manage productive investment portfolios through strategic acquisitions and turn ordinary companies into extraordinary performers.
The Yakani Group was founded on the Akanani Platinum transaction in 2007 and grew to have strategic holdings in mineral resources, which it successfully exited. Our distinctive and meticulous approach not only produces the most optimal yields, but also interrogates the impact it bears on the communities we work in, the environment and long term feasibility. To this end, transparency and dependable partnerships are our cornerstone.
Integrity is choosing your thoughts and actions based on values rather than personal gain. It is telling oneself the truth. Honesty is telling the truth to other people. This is a practice that stands true for meaningful long-term partnership and success.
Our company philosophy is best represented by the symbolism of Bees. Bees have been a symbol of wealth and prosperity since ancient times. They possess an immense sense of accomplishment, reminding us that nothing comes easy in life without any effort.
If you focus on how the bee works, you will find strength, industriousness, teamwork and wisdom. The Bee is also a symbol of activity, diligence and good order. Bees bear the greatest responsibility of sustaining our natural ecosystems and the successful harvest of a third of the food that we eat. Their contribution to humanity is unquantifiable.
The ethics associated with this astounding service is honesty, dedication, focus and generosity. We admire and embody all these values in our daily business and use them as our philosophy.
We are a family owned business dedicated to transformative, diversified and sustainable legacy investments that generate good returns. We have conscientiously built professional partnerships that reflect the same principles and ethics that we value.
Our Vision
To establish a credible, diversified and sustainable investment company that delivers above average returns while contributing to the development of our country.
Our Mission
To drive legacy projects that are sustainable and empowering to the community, while contributing to economic development, shareholder and stakeholder value.
We are a family owned business dedicated to transformative, diversified and sustainable legacy investments that generate good returns. We have conscientiously built professional partnerships that reflect the same principles and ethics that we value.
Our Vision
To establish a credible, diversified and sustainable investment company that delivers above average returns while contributing to the development of our country.
Our Mission
To drive legacy projects that are sustainable and empowering to the community, while contributing to economic development, shareholder and stakeholder value.
We are a family owned business dedicated to transformative, diversified and sustainable legacy investments that generate good returns. We have conscientiously built professional partnerships that reflect the same principles and ethics that we value.
Our
Vision
To establish a credible, diversified and sustainable investment company that delivers above average returns while contributing to the development of our country.
Our Mission
To drive legacy projects that are sustainable and empowering to the community, while contributing to economic development, shareholder and stakeholder value.
Our Values
To achieve our vision, we work with a set of values that ensure we maintain our course and our integrity.
These values are:
Working with Respect and Partnership
Harnessing People and Skill
Channeling our Entrepreneurial Spirit
Being Professional and Responsible
Upholding Social Responsibility
To fulfil our obligation to provide opportunities and improvement to the communities who are deprived of this potential.
The Team
Gilbert Phalafala
Chairman
BCom, FCG, Hdip Tax Law
Gilbert is responsible for providing strategic guidance and direction to the Board to ensure that the company achieves its vision, mission, and long-term goals. He provides strategic advice to the Board, so they have an accurate view of the market and the company’s future. He maintains trust relationships with stakeholders, business partners and authorities.
Gilbert started his professional career as a financial and management accountant at multinational companies such as BP Oil, SA Breweries and AECI.
Gilbert is a seasoned entrepreneur with 31+ years of experience in operations, finance and marketing. He has delivered projects for blue chip companies such as SAB, ABI, Sasol, Afrox and BPB Gypsum. He has held interests in the mining sector, manufacturing and farming for the food industry in SA.
Gilbert serves in leadership positions on several boards. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute of Southern Africa (FCG).
Madikana Phalafala
CEO
BCom, MBA
Madikana runs the day-to-day business of the company. She develops and executes the company’s strategy to attain the goals of the Board and shareholders. The goal is to ensure the company is constantly moving towards fulfilling its short-and long-term objectives and does not diverge from its strategic guidelines.
Madikana has over 20 years’ experience in the South African corporate space. She started her professional career in financial reporting, later moving to management consulting at Deloitte. Thereafter she joined the Mobile Telecommunications sector in Product Development / Management roles. During her 10 years in the sector, she honed her skills in project management, strategy implementation, and leading teams to execute on strategic projects. She has earned her stripes in management both on an operational and strategic level.
Madikana holds an MBA obtained from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
Romeo Phalafala
Executive Director
BSc (Civil), MSc (Eng), MSAICE, PrEng
Romeo is responsible for the property portfolio of the company. He prepares and implements comprehensive business plans to facilitate achievement by planning cost-effective operations and market development activities.
Romeo started his career as a civil engineer at a well-known multinational infrastructure development firm, where he later held an executive role. He developed an interest in business early in his engineering career and has over the 20 years of his career, founded a number of successful engineering businesses offering services to clients on the African continent.
Romeo serves on several boards. He holds a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering obtained from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.