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Free State Business 2018 edition

  • Text
  • Zone
  • Solar
  • Development
  • Corridor
  • Business
  • Investment
  • Sez
  • Nedbank
  • Sasol
  • Beers
  • Municipality
  • Manufacturing
  • Bloemfontein
  • Programme
  • Economic
  • Industrial
  • Opportunities
  • Sector
  • Voorspoed
  • Provincial
Free State Business 2018 is the eighth edition of this successful production. Since its launch in 2008, Free State Business has established itself as the premier business and investment guide to the Free State Province. Supported and utilised by the Free State Development Corporation (FDC), the publication is unique in that its focus is exclusively on the business and investment environment of the Free State. The print journal is supported by the the publishers' portal at www.globalafricanetwork.com and updates, business news and event listings can be found on the monthly Business SA e-newsletter, with a circulation of over 30 000. Global Africa Network Media (www.globalafricanetwork.com), the publisher of Free State Business, specialises in business-to-business print publications, producing a series of region-specific, annual print journals. Every province in South Africa is covered by this unique range of journals and websites, complemented by a national business guidebook, South African Business.

FOCUS Preparing for

FOCUS Preparing for success in business Enterprise and supplier development. A busy and complex mining operation such as Voorspoed needs a range of suppliers. Whether it involves transporting workers to and from work, catering or maintenance, there is a great deal of work to be done that goes beyond the core business of diamond mining. This presents an opportunity to support and develop the local economy where the mine operates. But simply making a decision to use local suppliers is not enough, because the skills needed to do the work (or run a business efficiently and profitably) may not be there. This is where an enterprise and supplier development programme becomes a key element in the plan to support local entrepreneurs and service providers. Incubation The Voorspoed Mine Enterprise and Supplier Development Manager is Theodor Moeti. He explains the underlying concept as incubation. “This is where we equip people with business management skills.” The incubation programme aims to create independent businesses that are able to go beyond a craftsman using their skills or someone having a product to sell in a once-off transaction, to becoming thriving businesses that will last and grow. “All applications were from Fezile Dabi district and then a shortlist was compiled from those applicants. This ensures that the successful candidate is also local.” Other business ideas that have been raised in the Incubation Programme include agri-processing, bio-diesel manufacturing, compost manufacturing, landscaping and waste recycling. The key, as Moeti stresses, is that they should be “stand-alone businesses”, independent of the mine and mine contracts. Supplier devopment programme The company that supplies the specialist training for business management skills is TrioPlus Development. Eight local companies have been identified to learn more about business skills such as financial management, pricing and costing, human resources, marketing, operational management and entrepreneurial awareness. Also included are the key skills of management and leadership. Moeti notes that the appointed service provider is responsible for mentorship. “We appointed TrioPlus Development to ensure that the businesses succeed, and they become sustainable in the long run. During this mentorship the service provider addresses and develops and trains the business owner.” Important objectives are to make sure that they render a quality service to the mine, and that the business remains sustainable even after the life of mine. Not all training is outsourced. Says Moeti, “Say for instance if we see that a contractor is taking too long to replace a bolt, we then get one of our engineers internally, a mine employee, to come and train on site. In this way we also give support.” A shining star In 2016 four people wanted to apply for the plant cleaning and maintenance contract but they were not registered as a business. The Voorspoed enterprise and supplier development unit assisted them with business registration and with an application to get the capital to buy equipment. A significant discount was negotiated on the machinery FREE STATE BUSINESS 2018 46

FOCUS and the loan was obtained from mining-related sectors. Local residents are being assisted to prepare Zimele, the Anglo American for a broader range of employment and business opportunities. funder of small enterprises. With funding of R3.2-million, Blue Motion General Construction went from strength to strength to the point that they now employ 26 people. The four-person team (including one female and two youths) are now in discussions rspoed with Mine mentors about how they might expand their range beyond the mine. rporate Affairs One way Publication of stimulating local September 2017 supplier development is to ensure that contracts are awarded to local Members of Mmetlakgola Transport own a share in the company transporting Voorspoed Mine workers. suppliers wherever they can offer the pre-requisite skills. The transport sector is another area of opportunity. For example, Mmetlakgola Transport, a company formed by 36 members of two Kroonstad Taxi Associations, owns a 26% share in Multi Transport through an empowerment deal facilitated by De Beers for the transportation of its employees. Anglo Zimele has recently approved a loan of R4.2-million to assist Mmetlakgola Transport to purchase busses. A small dividend has already been paid by TrioPlus Development provides SMME training. the venture. A contract was awarded in 2016 to Lekoa Technologies to run the mine’s conveyor belt maintenance. Voorspoed and Dunlop Industrial have since conducted specialist training sessions for employees of Lekoa, where certificates of competence have been awarded. Looking ahead Voorspoed is looking ahead to the future. Incubators are no longer focussing purely on De Beers Voorspoed Mine Incubation Support Programme was launched in June 2017 in Kroonstad with 35 entrepreneurs with potential. construction and catering and 47 FREE STATE BUSINESS 2018

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