UNITED States risk management and insurance services giant Marsh and McLennan Companies Inc plans to use South Africa to consolidate its presence in the continent as a whole. The New York-based group, which employs more than 50 000 people worldwide, said late on Tuesday that SA will also serve as a launch pad for its future investments in southern Africa and in other parts of the continent. Marsh SA – headquartered in Johannesburg – was formed in July this year through a joint venture with First Bowring – part of the First Rand Group.