Changing the narrative:Not your average Heroes

Africa’s narrative has remained largely unchanged over the past few decades, marked by persistent themes such as poor infrastructure, lack of education, disease, poverty, and inequality. But as one company embarks on a new chapter of its own, it likewise aims to finally turn the page on public service delivery challenges with a literal out-of-the-box solution: shipping containers.

This organisation is the Moti Group of Companies, a private, black-owned investment holding company best known for its interests in mining and minerals beneficiation, in addition to diverse assets ranging from property to aviation and financial products. It has now proudly announced the first new addition to its portfolio under the leadership of renowned financial expert Chief Executive Officer Dondo Mogajane, the former Director-General of National Treasury, since he joined the group last year – this time in a venture philanthropy project targeting social upliftment.

Working together with Executive Director Mikaeel Moti, a business expert responsible for building two multimillion-rand organisations by the age of 20, this innovative start-up has been coined the African HERO project for its focus on Healthcare, Education, and Retail Operations. Recycled and renovated to create fit-for-purpose, ready-made clinics and schools, this project aims to deploy hundreds of reimagined shipping containers across sub-Saharan Africa over the next few years, marking a key milestone in the company’s ambitious plans for the continent, states Mogajane. “Africa’s challenges are well understood. But to change the narrative, it’s important for African leaders and companies to look beyond business as usual – which is where African HERO comes in.

African HERO offers a practical solution for infrastructure delivery that can be transported essentially anywhere across the continent – even in underserviced rural areas where there is little or no pre-existing infrastructure,” he explains. “Our shipping containers are portable, modular, and come fully integrated with cutting-edge technologies, providing holistic one-stop facilities for education and healthcare at a fraction of the cost of traditional buildings. And on top of being highly durable, they are also eco-friendly, recycling containers that are no longer in use to provide essential community services.” In stark contrast to traditional construction and infrastructure delivery timelines of 10 to 12 months, its facilities require just three weeks for construction and implementation, resulting in significantly quicker turnaround times for fast impact. And in addition to being more affordable than traditional brick-and-mortar buildings, these clinics and schools are maintained through private sector funding, which avoids placing added demands on public sector capex.

This is especially important given the difficult economic environment countries are facing balanced against the vast social needs seen across the continent, notes Mogajane. Underscoring the depths of the need, the Unesco Institute for Statistics (UIS) reveals that more than one in five children between the ages of six and eleven years in sub-Saharan Africa are not in school.

This alarming figure only rises among children of secondary school age, increasing to one in three children between the ages of 12 and 14, and nearly two-thirds of teens between 15 and 17. One reason for these alarming statistics is a simple lack of suitable facilities – a problem which is only being aggravated by a fast-growing, young population. Likewise, progress in advancing healthcare across the continent remains slow as a result of inadequate health investments and programmes.

According to a 2022 World Health Organization (WHO) survey, for example, Africa offers just 1.55 health workers (including physicians, nurses and midwives) for every 1,000 people, compared to the recommended 4.45 health workers needed to ensure adequate provision of essential health services.Furthermore, disruptions to vital immunisation programmes during the pandemic have resulted in mass outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, while maternal and infant mortality rates remain far above global targets.

This is especially true in sub-Saharan Africa, where experts estimate that at current levels of investment, 390 women will die in childbirth for every 100,000 live births by 2030 compared to the global average of 211, or the European average of just 13 deaths. “As a proudly African company ourselves, we felt that African businesses best understand the obstacles which have slowed the pace of socio-economic development, as well as the needs of local communities,” says Mogajane. “As such, we were eager to lead the way in creating a homegrown solution that benefits governments, communities and business partners. And I am pleased to say that African HERO has already generated substantial interest among both public and private partners.”It has already begun it’s roll-out in Zimbabwe with eight new clinics planned within the next two months, and the group has also entered discussions with potential partners in South Africa and Botswana.

Investors have particularly been impressed with the containers’ self-sufficiency. Notably, all African HERO clinics and schools come fully equipped with solar power and backup generators, fully operational water purification and filtration systems, air-conditioning, reinforced doors and windows, and CCTV systems for enhanced security.

Furthermore, its clinics offer built-in dispensaries, as well as modern medical diagnostic and treatment equipment such as electrocardiograms, dynamic monitors, and rapid test kits. These are integrated with cutting-edge technology to enable doctors to accurately diagnose and treat patients virtually using clinical information gathered by nurses, ensuring that all patients receive world-class healthcare.

Able to treat between 50 and 120 patients per day, these clinics hold enormous potential to improve public health and alleviate the burden of disease in vulnerable communities. But the potential of the clinics extends even beyond healthcare, offering a potential hub for the distribution of grants, voting stations, counselling centres, sexual health education, gender-based violence support, and a refuge for women and children.

Simultaneously, its schools consist of eight classrooms able to accommodate up to 240 students. Ensuring that learners are equipped with skills needed in the digital age, these schools also offer a fully serviced Computer Sciences laboratory with built-in computers and internet, as well as a courtyard, tuck-shop, sports field, and office space for a principal, a receptionist, and another four administrative offices for support staff. “Through supporting quality healthcare and education, as well as providing vital community services, we strongly believe that African HERO can play a meaningful role in stimulating sustainable socio-economic development.

But the benefits don’t stop there – our facilities are even able to act as offices and retail stores, and we hope to one day expand our footprint to help jumpstart new businesses in remote areas.”Ultimately, the African HERO project not only demonstrates the Moti Group’s focus on sustainability, but of Mogajane’s firm commitment to serving the public, even after making the move from public servant in South Africa’s financial sector to a CEO in the private sector.

Drawing on Mogajane’s expertise in business and Moti’s knowledge of technology, passion for entrepreneurship and innovative mind, the team has developed a winning formula for success.The Moti Group is ready to stamp its mark on the future of the continent with its transformational, homegrown approach to public service delivery.