Zimele Aids Empowerment Of Female Owned Northern Cape Business
Funding from Anglo American's Zimele, has empowered a female owner of an electric motor repair business to make a real difference.
- (1888PressRelease) October 18, 2012 - Funding from Anglo American's enterprise development arm, Zimele has empowered a female owner of an electric motor repair business to make a real difference to the Springbok community in the Northern Cape.
Earlier this year, Lucille Januarie, founder of Gencharges Rewinders CC, secured a R470000 loan from Zimele which covered machinery costs and provided working capital for a five year contract with a local mine.
Gencharges Rewinders' target market encompasses the whole Springbok community, including municipalities and surrounding communities in the Northern Cape. The company, which was founded in 2003, provides a range of services including industrial site work, fault finding, motor rewinds and repairs, pump refurbishment and spares, machinery repairs and maintenance.
Januarie says that Zimele's support has proved crucial to her business ambitions.
"As a woman, it is always challenging to start a technical business, as many people do not take you seriously and are reluctant to offer financial assistance.
"Therefore, words fail to express my sincere gratitude to Anglo American for believing in me when no one else did. Through Zimele, the business has flourished and we're now in a position to assist the community on a social level by donating uniforms, stationary and school fees to a couple of primary schools in the area. As Gencharges Rewinders we have been able to fulfil our social and business objectives."
Besides financial assistance, Januarie notes that Zimele has also offered her business advice which has proved crucial in the establishment of long term business relationships for Gencharges Rewinders. As a result, she adds, the company is well on its way to becoming an established and respected business in South Africa.
Januarie notes that the company has built up a good reputation over the years by working according to high standards, and ensuring that it maintains large quantities of specialist products.
Acting Managing Director of Zimele, Dr Lia Vangelatos, concludes that Gencharges Rewinders' progress is a prime example of the positive results that Zimele is producing.
"Zimele has encountered substantial success in generating sustainable job creation and socio-economic development in communities, by simply empowering entrepreneurs to operate in the mainstream economy.
"The success of Gencharges Rewinders bears testament to this assertion. Through providing financial assistance and mentorship to Lucille and her team, we have not only furthered the business development of a talented female entrepreneur, but strengthened the economic vibrancy and prospects of the Springbok community."
For over 22 years, Zimele's unique approach to enterprise development has realised great rewards. From 2008 to 15 December 2011, its four funds have provided R567 million in funding, supported 1,085 companies, and completed 1,481 loan transactions. Further, funded businesses have employed 19,575 people, and achieved a collective annual turnover of R2,4 billion.
For further information, please contact:
South Africa
Hulisani Rasivhaga, Media Relations
Tel: +27 (0)11 638 4401
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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