Anglo American Zimele MD Hlonela Lupuwana
JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Mining major Anglo American’s enterprise development arm Zimele would, next week, launch the first leg of its countrywide roadshow aimed at showcasing the Zimele Sebenza Fund, which provided equity and loan financing at preferential rates of up to 6% a year to economically viable entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises with the potential to create long-term jobs.
Anglo American pointed out that the Sebenza Fund had created 2 450 new jobs since its inception in 2013, when it was launched in partnership with the Development Bank of Southern Africa’s jobs fund.
“Long before it became a legislative requirement for private companies to support enterprise development, Anglo American recognised the significant role that companies can play in ensuring that we make the most positive impact on the country,” Zimele MD Hlonela Lupuwana stated.
She added that Anglo American’s commitment to enterprise development was aligned with government’s prioritisation of entrepreneurship and the advancement of enterprises.
“For job creation to be successful, all stakeholders must work together to find lasting solutions that chart a way forward for our country’s economic goals and the livelihood of its people. It is only through cooperation and partnerships that we can meet the objectives of the National Development Plan to tackle the socioeconomic ills of South African society such as poverty, inequality and unemployment,” Lupuwana said.
The launch of the Zimele roadshow, in Mthatha, in the Eastern Cape, would be open to all entrepreneurs, and would include presentations from Zimele partners in local and provincial government, as well as an address by Sasol Eastern Cape Development Corporation treasurer and member of the OR Tambo Chamber of Business Mava Mkukwana.