In another milestone in Impala Rustenburg’s ongoing drive to empower Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), 40 entrepreneurs have successfully completed Impala’s Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) programme.The initiative, an integral part of Impala's socio-economic development plan, focuses on empowering business owners within the mine communities and equipping them with the skills and knowledge to formalise their businesses and foster sustainable growth.
To date, over 400 SMMEs have benefitted from Impala’s ESD five-day workshops, contributing to the development of local businesses, and fostering economic growth within the communities. Last year 40 community SMMEs were selected to be part of the highly anticipated ESD twelve-month programme which is an intensive training programme aimed at equipping SMMEs with essential business skills.
Facilitated by Classic Oriental Consultancy and Accuracy Group, the participants received comprehensive training covering business fundamentals, compliance and governance statutes, financial management and effective marketing strategies.
Fortunate Setshedi, a programme participant, expressed gratitude, stating, "I am thankful for the valuable education, training, and knowledge in finance, marketing, business law, and presentation skills gained from the ESD programme, which has opened doors to business with various companies."
Moses Motlhageng, Chief Executive of Impala Rustenburg, said, "Congratulations to the second group of graduates who successfully graduated the 12-month training programme, coinciding with the commemoration of Global Entrepreneurship Week. We are confident that these entrepreneurs will use their skills to create a positive impact within our communities."
Moss Sereme, CEO of Accuracy Group, stated, "Our association with Impala Rustenburg motivates us to work diligently, employing innovation and smart strategies for outstanding results, and easing our workload through their support. We're grateful to Nashua for sponsoring laptops for the top 20 participants, an indispensable tool for every entrepreneur."
The graduation of these 40 SMMEs stands as a testament to the commitment of Impala towards fostering entrepreneurship and economic empowerment within the local community. Impala’s dedication to collaborating with stakeholders and communities to foster the development of SMMEs within its mine community remains steadfast. Through its various ESD initiatives, Impala aims to offer vital opportunities for community-based businesses to flourish and evolve into enduring enterprises.