Making dreams reality: De Beers’ Zimele business hubs | Anglo American

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It’s no surprise that enterprise development is a proven fundamental building block in economic success for our host regions. It ensures that local communities remain self-sufficient long after mining operations have ceased.

And it’s with this long-term vision in mind that De Beers Consolidated Mines (DBCM) has launched its latest Zimele Business Hub in Cape Town, South Africa. Zimele – taken from the Zulu term for ‘standing on one’s own two feet’ – is the name of our internationally recognised socio-economic development program that offers SMEs both financial support and mentorship.

A shared vision

Barend Petersen, Chairman of DBCM, was in attendance at the inauguration event for the Hub, the first of its kind in the Western Cape region. It joins other sites operated by DBCM to support budding entrepreneurs in the Northern Cape, Limpopo, Gauteng and the Free State.

Making dreams reality

“De Beers has supported many initiatives from historically disadvantaged, and often the most marginalised, people in South Africa. We are proud to have funded 233 new SMEs in 2014, thereby creating 2,335 jobs in rural and regional urban areas with loans amounting to R60.7 million [US$ 5.4 million]. I am encouraged by the progress to date and know that De Beers and Anglo American share a vision for Zimele with South Africa to transform and build a better future, especially for those South Africans who are proof that job creation can come from unexpected places, sectors and regions,”

Barend Petersen Chairman of DBCM

The launch was also addressed by The Honourable Minister for Small Business Development, Lindiwe Zulu MP, and attended by senior officials from the Department of Small Business Development.

De Beers Marine Chairman, Burger Greeff, together with De Beers Marine General Manager, Domingos Valbom, championed the introduction of the latest Hub to serve the Western Cape and to complement the Hub in Namaqualand on the west coast of the Northern Cape Province.

Anglo American’s Zimele Director, Sakhile Ngcobo, and the Head of De Beers’ Zimele, Tsepo Monaledi, hosted entrepreneurs who were introduced to the Minister and had the opportunity to discuss their respective businesses.

Creating empowered enterprises

Barend outlined the 2014 successes in promoting transformation within the mining sector during the event, highlighting various initiatives taken by the industry through the Chamber of Mines and with government.

He further emphasised that the vision is to create sustainable jobs in the communities in which De Beers operates. Its purpose is to facilitate the creation, promotion and expansion of sustainable, empowered businesses through funding, extensive support, mentorship and guidance.

You can find out more about the Zimele Fund here.

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Zimele