Funding from Anglo American’s enterprise development arm, Zimele, has helped a company in Benoni, Gauteng, create a real difference to the health of local community members by ensuring that they have local access to medical equipment and disposables.
Funding from Anglo American’s enterprise development arm, Zimele, has helped a company in Benoni, Gauteng, create a real difference to the health of local community members by ensuring that they have local access to medical equipment and disposables.
In 2011, Zimele provided a R268,000 loan to Thulane Manqele and Sfiso Mncube which allowed them to purchase much needed equipment and stock for their company, Theo-Philus Trading and Projects.
Theo-Philus Trading and Projects stocks and distributes various medical equipment and disposables, and sells these products to health practitioners and public hospitals. It only provides equipment that meets the stringent expectations of specialist physicians, clinics and hospitals.
Subsequently, the company, which services Benoni and certain areas in Rustenburg, has been able to contribute to health services delivery in these communities.
“Getting proper medical equipment and disposables is quite a challenge for most people in the Benoni area. However, thanks to Zimele’s support, we have been able to contribute to the improvement of this situation, and ensure that the Benoni and Rustenburg communities receives state of the art equipment that is complemented by a vast range of medical consumables,” explains Sfiso Mncube.
Manqele notes that besides its financial support, Zimele also helped Theo-Philus Trading and Projects gain critical business acumen. This assistance ultimately resulted in the company being able to successfully launch and ensure its operational systems were on par with international standards.
He adds that the company intends to become a preferred service provider in the area, and pique the interest of investors.
Since its formation in 2008, Zimele’s unique approach to enterprise development has realised great rewards. From 2008 to the end of 2011, its four funds have provided R567 million in funding, supported 1,085 companies, and completed 1,481 loan transactions. Further, funded businesses have employed 19,575 people, and achieved a collective annual turnover of R2,4 billion.
Dr Lia Vangelatos, acting managing director of Zimele, concludes that Theo-Philus Trading and Projects’ story is a prime example of the real and impactful difference that Zimele is able to achieve.
“Zimele constantly endeavours to aid businesses such as Theo-Philus Trading and Projects to reach their full potential, and have the necessary resources to make a positive difference to their community. We are therefore extremely proud of Theo-Philus Trading and Projects’ achievements, as they are not only a flourishing SME, but are contributing positively to the Benoni and Rustenburg communities’ development and health.”
Ends
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Notes to editors:
Anglo American is one of the world’s largest mining companies, is headquartered in the UK and listed on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges. Anglo American’s portfolio of mining businesses spans bulk commodities – iron ore and manganese, metallurgical coal and thermal coal; base metals – copper and nickel; and precious metals and minerals – in which it is a global leader in both platinum and diamonds. Anglo American is committed to the highest standards of safety and responsibility across all its businesses and geographies and to making a sustainable difference in the development of the communities around its operations. The company’s mining operations, extensive pipeline of growth projects and exploration activities span southern Africa, South America, Australia, North America, Asia and Europe.
www.angloamerican.com
About Zimele:
Since 1989, Zimele has successfully empowered numerous black Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs, and generated sustainable job creation and socio-economic development in predominantly peri-urban mining communities.
Zimele enables the companies it invests in to stand on their own feet and to grow, through a strategic blend of financial support and incubator-style mentorship.
This is achieved through four funds which provide business opportunities, training, capital and networking hubs for historically disadvantaged South Africans (HDSAs) and SMEs. These funds are the Anglo American Khula Mining Fund, the Supply Chain Fund, the Community Fund and the Green Fund.