Shonigani appoints first chairman

Falala is Managing Director of Plus 94, which he co-founded in 1998. Of the new appointment he says: "We started Plus 94 because we wanted to take up the government's challenge of a rainbow nation, and felt that the private sector would be instrumental to achieving this. Further, we were eager to demonstrate that the previously disenfranchised people of South Africa are capable of holding their own in business if given the chance. I regard the formation of Shonigani as consistent with this concept of a progressive new South Africa. I have always maintained that there can be no better recipe for success than a diversity of cultures coming together and pooling resources across the previously formidable race barrier for a common purpose. In Shonigani we believe we have more than just a friendly collision of cultures. Nielsen Media Research, a world-wide conglomerate and local industry leader, and Plus 94 Harris, a 100% African thoroughbred, have joined forces to launch a unique offer in South African media research."

"One of my major goals as chairman of Shonigani will be to apply the wealth of research knowledge and advanced techniques available through Nielsen Media Research, which the South African market has yet to take full advantage of. I was happy to work with Nielsen Media Research because they were able to recognise Plus 94's special areas of expertise, especially our state of the art survey design and analysis. Where Plus 94 is particularly skilled is in its complete, realistic and in-depth understanding of consumers on the African continent."

Shonigani's initial focus will be on bidding for the SAARF AMPS/RAMS contract, but both Falala and Ken McArthur, MD of Nielsen Media Research see it as a channel for accelerating transformation and empowerment in the research industry. They said they hoped it would inspire other professional, private sector entities to take similar steps.