Together with our enterprise development arm, Zimele, Transnet and sefa, we have launched the sixth fund in the Zimele stable – the Godisa Fund.
This fund is a tripartite agreement between Transnet, South Africa’s national transport authority, Government and Anglo American and is testimony to Zimele’s acclaimed enterprise development model.
The focus of this new fund will be the development of black-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) primarily in Transnet’s procurement value chain, with focus on the company’s rail and port businesses. Each partner in the Fund will contribute R55 million towards the Fund, which totals to R165 million.
The creation of the Godisa Fund is aligned to Anglo American’s strategy and commitment to collaboration. “Partnerships increase the effectiveness of meaningful enterprise development and the creation of sustainable businesses and jobs throughout South Africa,” says Hlonela Lupuwana, managing director at Zimele.
The Fund was created in line with Government’s call for job creation as well as development of entrepreneurship and SMEs to achieve sustained economic growth in this country. The Godisa Fund will also contribute to the transformation agenda by providing increased access to financing for historically disadvantaged South Africans with a special focus on women, youth and the disabled.
At the Fund’s launch, Minister of Public Enterprises Malusi Gigaba said, “I thank all partners in this fund in making a stride towards the great goal of economic transformation in South Africa. We need this partnership to succeed and move SA forward and increase our appetite for risk and increase our trust for our entrepreneurs.”
Anglo American in South Africa executive director Khanyisile Kweyama said at the launch, “The Godisa Fund will create much needed jobs, deliver true transformation and boost local economies across South Africa. It is only through partnerships like this one with Transnet and sefa, that we can foster economic transformation.”