Development finance and SMME support

Small-scale farmers are getting support to connect to the value chain.

Large companies in Limpopo support new business ventures by allocating service functions to local businesses and through training and mentoring. All of the province’s big mining concerns have significant budgets set aside for procurement from small businesses and work such as cleaning and transport is routinely allocated to small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs). The Implats Group spent 36% of its procurement budget with Zizwe Batlase for the provision

Limpopo companies in 2017/18. During the 2018 financial year, the of strip-mining services at

Marula Mine spent R101-million on goods and services purchased its Amandelbult Complex. from local companies in Zizwe Batlase is 51% owned the Sekhukhune District. by the local community The Supplier Development of Baphalane through the Programme of Implats Baphalane Community Trust, (pictured) aims to make named Batlase. Since 2016, SMMEs more competitive and Zizwe Batlase has been offers accredited training and providing employment, SMME mentoring. development, infrastructure De Beers Consolidated development and business Mines plays a big role in opportunities to local and small the economy of northern businesses in the community. Limpopo through its Venetia Vodacom reports that Mine. The company has Limpopo has seen doublelaunched two business digit growth in smartphone Enterprise development. Image: Implats incubators in local municipalities, Blouberg penetration, which undoubtedly benefits SMMEs. An and Musina. The De Beers Zimele Venetia Mine Business Hub has investment by Vodacom’s created more than 495 jobs since it was established to support Polokwane region of more than entrepreneurs through low-interest loans, mentorship, coaching and R170-million in the network skills development. Local procurement has given chances to 15 local in the 2019/20 financial year companies, in fields such as road maintenance, the canteen, small helped small business in that civils work and the supply of tyres and batteries. data speeds were increased and Anglo American Platinum has extended the contract with 3G and 4G network coverage was increased. The major banks all have SMME offerings. Standard Bank runs a Community Investment Fund and Nedbank offers an enterprise development product for businesses with turnovers up to R35-million. ■

Online Resources

Black Umbrellas: www.blackumbrellas.org Industrial Development Corporation: www.idc.co.za Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism: www.ledet.gov.za Small Enterprise Development Agency: www.seda.org.za Sector Insight Over R100-million went to local business from one Implats mine.