“To me, this means making sure that I can employ as many people as my business allows, so I can drive employment and get people off the streets.”
DEI has an annual turnover of R41 million and has created employment for 130 people, with 80% of its workforce being from the local community.
Where it all began
Growing up in a small village in the North West Province called Jericho, Andrew was left with the responsibility of being the man of the house at the age of ten after his father passed away.
This left him and his mother without a source of income, forcing Andrew to find a way to make ends meet. “I was ten years old, and we needed money. So I started a small tuck shop business at my primary school. I told my mom: ‘you make the food, I’ll sell it at school.’ Little did I realise that this was where my passion for business would begin,” says Andrew.
From that small tuck shop, he went on to secure roles at BMW and Anglo American Platinum, and it wasn’t long before Andrew’s entrepreneurial spirit took over.
This is when DEI Projects and Zimele stepped in to help.
DEI was started by a man called Neville Milller in 1990. It was a typical family business and although it had been running successfully for over two decades, growth was limited. But Andrew saw the potential.
“I met Neville when I was working at Platinum, and we got to talking. I believed Zimele was a good way forward to fund and grow the business, so we started to put a business plan together,” says Andrew.
Finding the right direction
Drawing up the business plan and DD files of DEI Projects helped Neville and Andrew more clearly understand the way forward. It was the Sebenza Fund that helped out with this new direction.
“I don’t see Zimele as a funder, I see them as my partner,” says Andrew. “I can approach the people at Zimele any time and ask their advice. They know my company inside and out, making relevant suggestions to help us grow”.
When it comes to entrepreneurs looking for funding through Zimele, his advice is to find a Zimele Hub nearby, which can be found across the country, and build a sustainable and viable business plan. “Take your business plan to them and let them help you. They are there to help and if you don’t believe they can, just remember me, my dreams, and my success,” concludes Andrew.
By turning small business dreams into reality, Zimele is unlocking potential and enabling financial independence for our local communities.
