Glencore Coal proudly recognises the achievements of graduates from its enterprise supplier development (ESD) programme, marking another milestone in its commitment to fostering local entrepreneurship and economic growth. Launched in 2021, the programme has been instrumental in equipping aspiring entrepreneurs with essential skills and resources to enhance their businesses, thereby contributing significantly to local economies.
In March, Glencore hosted the ESD Training Academy Graduation to acknowledge the outstanding performances of 21 local entrepreneurs who enrolled in the programme to further advance their business skills. Thys Marx, Glencore Coal ESD manager, expressed the company’s excitement and commitment to support youth-owned and black women-owned businesses for the past three years.
In partnership with Regoapele Capital, a development consultancy specialising in ESD solutions, Glencore Coal has facilitated the empowerment of over 200 small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) across three provinces over the past nine years. Otukile Moshori, COO of Regoapele Capital, emphasised the enduring success of this collaboration, which has facilitated opportunities for numerous SMMEs to thrive and expand their operations.
The annual ESD programme is designed to support emerging local businesses with core strategic planning, the use of strategic tools and understanding the tendering process to secure new business opportunities. In addition, the programme addresses critical gaps that local SMMEs must effectively run their businesses, such as management and leadership skills, finance and accounting, as well as occupational health and safety business processes.
To further support the graduates, Glencore provided the graduates with tablets to ease the day- to-day operations of their businesses.
Pamella Buckland, ESD superintendent at Glencore Coal, stated that the ESD programme seeks to unearth black women-owned and black youth-owned businesses in and around their operational communities. The aim is to bring these businesses into Glencore’s value chain and to see them grow and thrive within the greater South African economy.
Graduate and keynote speaker Dorcas Malefetse, managing director of Thatego Holdings, started her business journey as a landscaper, doing her neighbours’ gardens. Her ambition later pushed her to dream bigger and seek help to grow her business, where she now finds herself in mining rehabilitation. Malefetse highlighted the programme’s emphasis on financial management as instrumental in her business growth.
Reflecting on her experience, Nompilo Sindane, operations director at Dwala Mining, commended Glencore for facilitating access to essential tools and connections vital for industry entry and growth. “We joined the ESD programme to acquire the essential tools and skills needed to enter the mining sector. I must admit, the journey hasn’t been easy, having been in the industry for almost 10 years. However, with Glencore’s assistance, we obtained vital support and connections. The ESD programme has facilitated exposure to other companies, enabling us to secure contracts and demonstrate our capabilities.”
