Anglo American and the DTI to partner at the 2012 Enterprise Development conference
DTI Director General, Lionel October, will present the Department's specific plans relating to enterprise development at the conference.
- (1888PressRelease) October 23, 2012 - Anglo American's intention to showcase best practice in enterprise development and help raise standards in this sector across South Africa, has been considerably bolstered by securing an official partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for the 2012 Enterprise Development (ED) Conference.
In addition, DTI Director General, Lionel October, will present the Department's specific plans relating to enterprise development at the conference.
During this two day event, which will be held on 7 and 8 November 2012 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Gauteng, around 350 delegates will learn first-hand how best to use their resources to unleash entrepreneurial activity in South Africa's marginalised constituencies.
The conference will feature practical exercises and real-life examples of on-the-ground enterprise development.
Dr Lia Vangelatos, acting head of Anglo American's enterprise development arm, Zimele, notes that the DTI's endorsement of the conference is a testament to its importance to South Africa's economic aspirations.
"The DTI's full support for the 2012 ED Conference firmly indicates that government recognises that the conference is the perfect vehicle to support its mandate to reduce unemployment, and create five million new jobs by 2020.
"Anglo American is therefore delighted to have secured this partnership, and it will significantly boost the conference's objectives as well as government's overall economic vision and aspirations."
The 2012 ED Conference is the third time that this event has been held, having previously been called the Serious Leading Enterprise Development Conference.
This conference aligns with Anglo American's group strategy and noted success as a leader and champion in this arena. This assertion is validated by the fact that Zimele has funded over 1,000 companies over the last four and a half years.
Further, during this same period, Zimele has created and sustained almost 19,500 Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) jobs across a variety of industries.
Vangelatos concludes that the 2012 ED conference will make a real difference to enterprise development in South Africa.
"Through the practical exercises and knowledge that will be shared over the course of two days, numerous important stakeholders within the enterprise development sector will be better equipped to develop the growth of this sector in South Africa.
"Subsequently, this will facilitate and create wide-ranging positive economic and social impact in our country, in the form of job creation, skills development, and investment in local infrastructure."
For further information, please contact:
South Africa
Hulisani Rasivhaga, Media Relations
Tel: +27 (0)11 638 4401
About Anglo American:
Anglo American is one of the world's largest mining companies, is headquartered in the UK and listed on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges. Anglo American's portfolio of mining businesses spans bulk commodities - iron ore and manganese, metallurgical coal and thermal coal; base metals - copper and nickel; and precious metals and minerals - in which it is a global leader in both platinum and diamonds. Anglo American is committed to the highest standards of safety and responsibility across all its businesses and geographies and to making a sustainable difference in the development of the communities around its operations. The company's mining operations, extensive pipeline of growth projects and exploration activities span southern Africa, South America, Australia, North America, Asia and Europe. www.angloamerican.com
About Zimele
Since 1989, Zimele has successfully empowered numerous black Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs, and generated sustainable job creation and socio-economic development in predominantly peri-urban mining communities.
Zimele enables the companies it invests in to stand on their own feet and to grow, through a strategic blend of financial support and incubator-style mentorship.
This is achieved through four funds which provide business opportunities, training, capital and networking hubs for historically disadvantaged South Africans (HDSAs) and SMEs. These funds are the Anglo American Khula Mining Fund, the Supply Chain Fund, the Community Fund and the Green Fund.
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