Start-up entrepreneurs have graduated from Anglo American’s Entrepreneur Internship Programme, (EIP). The EIP demonstrates Anglo American’s commitment to supporting Government’s National Development Plan through job creation and supplier development.
The programme was developed to enable high potential entrepreneurs and established business owners to help hone their skills over a period of 12 to 18 months, in order to create high-impact, and sustainable businesses that will offer employment opportunities to their communities.
Now in its second phase, the EIP has achieved an 80% success-rate to date, and has supported twenty eight (28) existing businesses, including six (6) start-ups and twenty two (22) established businesses through the Anglo American Zimele Sebenza Fund.
EIP is an enhanced growth experience for early-stage entrepreneurs and business owners who have the capacity to start or grow their existing businesses, thus maximising employment and improving revenues. The programme which was conceptualised in the company’s Supply Chain department, in collaboration with Aurik Business Incubator, combines business development support with industry exposure, mentoring and networking.
Together these components empower individuals to bring their ideas to market, or grow their existing businesses to the next level. The EIP also affords entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn how they can be incorporated into supply chains, including that of Anglo American. Should the entrepreneurs meet the requisite criteria, there is even the potential for them to be incorporated in the Anglo American supply chain. Moreover they are also exposed and connected to other possible funding opportunities that could help grow their businesses.
The programme focuses on practical and tangible support which includes ongoing mentoring, monthly meetings with an integration facilitator, and practical advice.
The twenty two existing businesses forming part of this programme will continue receiving business development support and will reach completion in mid-2015, however the six start-up entrepreneurs who have completed the formal part of the EIP are:
- Mr JC Visser – Specialized Plant Maintenance
- Ms. Mmachidi Thobejane – Leaner Greener Fleet
- Mr. Pakamisa Tyali – Dilokile Kanna Trading and Projects
- Mr. Patrick Mkhonto – Mkhonto Financial Services
- Mr. Phineas Letsoalo – PureChem Flux
- Mr Tshepo Mongale – Dehydraude Technik
Saleh Mayet, head of finance at Anglo American said, “We are proud of the work that is being done through the EIP. The programme allows for practical skills development which yields tangible results. We believe the programme goes beyond most training programmes to a point where we are both enabling the creation of jobs as well as establishing sustainable businesses.”
“We believe we need to empower people beyond our own business to ensure that we are contributing to supplier development, sustainable job creation and socio-economic growth. Through EIP we are creating independent entrepreneurs who will not only benefit from Anglo American’s support, but will be able to lend support to others in the future. We congratulate our current graduates and wish them all the success in the future growth of their businesses,” added Mayet.