Today 21 early-stage growth entrepreneurs graduated from the second phase of Anglo American’s Entrepreneur Internship Programme (EIP 2), marking the end of the completion of the programme.
The programme was hosted in partnership with Aurik Enterprise and Supplier Development (Aurik), which provides relevant support and skills for entrepreneurs who want to build a business or take their existing business to the next level. Through the programme, entrepreneurs received business development support, training and mentorship, giving them a launch-pad for growth and enabling them to create the much needed jobs.
EIP 2 was launched in August 2014 with an initial 30 start-up and early-stage growth entrepreneurs selected from 845 applications received from aspiring participants across South Africa. Three out of the 30 entrepreneurs were unable to complete the programme, however 6 start-up entrepreneurs who graduated in March this year, and 21 early-stage growth entrepreneurs who completed the programme in July 2015 graduated today.
The programme was a success with the EIP 2 entrepreneurs achieving an average turnover growth of 52% and creating 168 jobs across the industries in which they operate. The EIP 2 businesses that graduate today are;
Paardekraal Hardware , Tebogo Technical Enterprise, Ensight Energy Solutions , Vuma Tech Engineering , FDM Development , R&A Engineering Works , RBE Stationery Manufacturers, SpiderWebb Altitude Systems, Phaledzi Investment Group , 115 Electrical Solutions , Dynamic Propshafts, Vuki Chuene Tourism, Stoffel Industrial , Blue Chip Lubricants , Dhlamini Management Consulting, CX Pallets (Kimmo), XS Health (2014), Meter Mate cc , Super Kwik Slabs cc ,GX Connect ta Itec Digital and Mbeleni Data Solutions (Little LogBook)
Andile Sangqu, Executive Director of Anglo American in South Africa, says, “Anglo American has placed significant focus on enterprise development over the past 26 years through our enterprise development initiative, Zimele, identifying it as one of the most effective ways of delivering sustainable, broad-based economic growth in local economies. The EIP was developed to meet the exact needs of entrepreneurs in terms of training, mentorship and support - an approach that creates firm foundations for sustainable business success and growth.”
Aurik was a partner of choice for this programme with a proven track record in ‘accelerating the growth and profitability of businesses with the single purpose of building them into assets of value’.
Sangqu adds that EIP demonstrates Anglo American’s commitment to creating sustainable jobs in South Africa, stating that, “As big business we have a role to play in promoting social and economic development, and to support government’s NDP goal of job creation. It is only through partnerships that we can truly build a prosperous future for our country and this programme is one of those partnerships that most will certainly help drive business forward and in so doing, drive this country forward,” says Sangqu.