Funding and support from Anglo American’s dedicated enterprise development arm, Zimele, has helped a projects and maintenance company in Parow Valley, Cape Town, to grow and develop, bringing hope to the women and youth in the area.

Zimele funded Imphenthana Projects and Maintenance with approximately R800,000 which enabled owner Zaliah Stoltenkamp to improve her company’s service delivery and contribute toward poverty alleviation within the community.

Imphenthana Projects and Maintenance has been in operation for five years and employs 19 permanent and 20 contract workers. The main focus of the business is on general building maintenance, facilities management, bush clearing and grass cutting.

“Our target market is specifically within the government sector and with the help of Zimele’s financial support as well as social and business advice, I have been able to develop a sustainable company that can provide work for many women and youth,” says Stoltenkamp.

Imphenthana strives to make a difference in the community by employing impoverished youth from households in the area. Its long term goal is to establish a sustainable company that can provide work and regional business mentoring for women and the youth.

Since 1989, Zimele has played a significant role in the country’s economic development by aiding the upliftment of numerous Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). From 2008 to the end of 2012, its four funds provided R708 million in funding, supported 1,393 companies and completed 1,972 funding transactions. Furthermore, funded businesses have employed 25,364 people and achieved a collective annual turnover of R3,4 billion.

Moreover, as part of its commitment to the empowerment of women in the South African economy, Zimele allocated 49% of its funding to female entrepreneurs between 2008 and 2012.

“Anglo American understands that unemployment represents one of the biggest obstacles to South Africa’s economic development and that small to medium enterprises have the ability to contribute more than just economic growth; it means providing opportunities for men and women to obtain decent work at a local level,” concludes Dr Lia Vangelatos, acting managing director of Zimele.

“The funding and mentoring of other growing businesses similar to Imphenthana, will create a snowballing effect to create further productive employment at a fair wage, and will subsequently give local community members the opportunity to contribute to the economy as positive and productive members of society.”

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