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AngloGold Ashanti helps local entrepreneurs
Posted by Daniel Makhura on 24 August 2017 5:45 AM SAST
More info about the above
On Wednesday, 21 June 2017, Anglo-Gold Ashanti, together with the Department of Mineral Resources, West Rand
District Municipality, Merafong City Local Municipality and Future Forum (representing organised labour), officially opened the Merafong Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) in Carletonville.
As part of living its value of ‘leaving the communities and societies in which we operate better off for having been there’, AngloGold Ashanti, in consultation with its host community of Merafong, agreed to include the EDC in the West Wits Operations’ 2010-2104 social and labour plans (SLPs).
The main objective is to introduce new industries into the area. It also seeks to identify, develop, capacitate and mentor established and upcoming entrepreneurs to run sustainable businesses and, thereby, address the issue of unemployment in the area.
Simeon Mighty Moloko, the senior vice-president of sustainability, was excited to finally end the 2010-2014 SLP by opening a centre aimed at supporting SMMEs in Merafong.
‘We have delivered more than we had expected on our local economic development projects, and the EDC is the last project for 2010-2014. This is a very important one for AngloGold Ashanti.
As the mineral ore in the area is depleted and we downscale our operations, we would like to leave a lasting and sustainable legacy. We do not want to leave ghost towns behind and we together with the co-locators here today, are going to put a lot of effort into this EDC to make it a success,’ he said.
Moloko added that ‘from the revived Masakhisane Fund we are going to continue to fund entrepreneurs especially the youth and women-owned small businesses. We have committed R50 million to fund qualifying SMMEs on an interest-free basis’.
An amount of R15 million was budgeted for the Merafong EDC over a three-year period. The centre will work as a one-stop shop where prospective entrepreneurs will receive advice on business planning, growth and procurement opportunities.
Sunday Mabaso, the regional manager of the Gauteng Department of Mineral Resources acknowledged the work done by AngloGold Ashanti. ‘This centre shows that AGA is willing to support local entrepreneurs by providing skills development and, through it, common ground is achieved to help communities in a positive and sustainable way.’
Cllr Nozuku Best, the MMC for local economic development acknowledged the partnership between AGA and the municipality.
‘This is the highlight of everything that AngloGold Ashanti has delivered in Merafong. Thanks for partnering with the municipality to ensure that this becomes a reality. Thank you for bringing hope. We will support and become part of this project. This is a reason to celebrate the unity of working together to building local development.’
A representative from the Future Forum, Oupa Tshose said organised labour would work closely with Anglo-Gold Ashanti to ensure that the projects that would prevent Merafong from becoming a ghost town and, above all support the local SMMEs.
Various representatives from organisations like ABSA, First National Bank, the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD), the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), National Empowerment Fund
(NEF) and Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) presented their business offerings to delegates from the community.
The councillor, Samuel Konopi, from the West Rand District Municipality brought the programme to a close on behalf of the executive mayor, Boyce Maneli. He stressed that the presenters had committed to assist the SMMEs and said the centre would create business opportunities, the future leaders of tomorrow and the next generation and for the development of the economy.
