Driving holistic Enterprise and Supplier Development

Supporting SMMEs in South Africa

Small business is the backbone of South Africa's economy, fuelling growth, sustaining workers in meaningful employment and providing vital services. As such, the government has made empowering small business a critical part of its 2030 National Development Plan.

In response, we developed an Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) strategy to support small, medium and micro-sized businesses (SMMEs) of all kinds. Our aim is to embed our commitment to ESD across our business and maximise our contribution to the local economy while supporting the communities where we operate and also call home. Our efforts are meant to accelerate South Africa's transformation to a more just, equitable society.

In practical terms, we’re achieving this with a dedicated ESD department to identify procurement opportunities for SMMEs and deliver capacity building programmes. The SMME hub we launched at Saiccor Mill has been especially effective at supporting the development needs of SMMEs to do business with our Vulindlela expansion project. Our efforts are enhanced by our formal partnership with the government's Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA).

How we support SMMEs in South Africa

  • Preferential payment terms
  • Set aside and ring-fencing of opportunities on procurement requirements
  • Mentorship and coaching to enhance operational efficiency
  • Technical and business skills training
  • Facilitation of funding through financial institutions
  • Safety file compilation and safety training
  • Entry medicals
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE)
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