Trust commits nearly R3-million to enterprise development
In the past year, the Ekurhuleni Peermont Chambers of Commerce Trust (EPCoCT), a development vehicle of Emperors Palace, has distributed nearly R3-million towards various enterprise development (ED) initiatives, by way of giving of grants to a wide range of community-based small business projects.
Assisting in the establishment of the Ekurhuleni Business Facilitation Network (EBFN); the flagship programme of EPCoCT is the joint venture between EPCoCT and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) where Ekurhuleni Business Facilitation Network (EBFN) resulted in the establishment of an SMME development centre.
The biggest beneficiary, receiving R2-million in funding, was the EBFN, a multi-million Rand public-private partnership between the EPCoCT and the EMM situated in Monument Road, Kempton Park.
Established as a one-stop business facilitation hub to support local entrepreneurs, it comprises five strategic business units, namely an Investment Centre, a Business Centre, a BizSpark Application Development Centre, an Aerotropolis Project Office and the Ekurhuleni SEDA Enterprise Development Branch Office.
According to EPCoCT Trustee and Peermont Corporate Affairs Executive, Mr Vusi Zwane who was instrumental in the Trust’s involvement in establishing the business facilitation hub, exemplifies the Trust’s aim of providing small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Ekurhuleni with the financial and material support they need for sustainable success.
Apart from its involvement in the latter, the Trust also focuses on alleviating poverty by providing training and skills development and buying equipment and machinery for emerging micro enterprises in Ekurhuleni.
Since inception in 2008, the EPCoCT has committed nearly R20-million to empowering SME’s and developing entrepreneurs with two of the latest beneficiaries to receive funding, Fade Communications and NRETA Primary Cooperative Limited, situated in Tembisa.
Fade Communications, established in 2011 by Jim Nkoana, who has a National Diploma in Video Technology from the Durban University of Technology, is a production company that provides film, video and editing services to individuals and private/public sector entities nationally.
His company’s primary source of revenue comes from business communication videos, function videos and editing services but has also done work on bigger projects including being a subcontractor on Big Brother Africa for Endemol Productions and providing videography services for My Sports TV (a Dutch company) for the 2010 and 2011 Comrades Marathon.
To provide a better service to its clients, stay abreast of the increasing demand for locally produced stories and be prepared for when the SABC migrates terrestrial television in South Africa from analogue to digital format, Fade approached the EPCoCT for funds to assist with the purchasing of new equipment.
Thanks to the approval of a grant of R132 525 the communications entity situated in the Bomba Sibiya Building in Mqantsa Section Tembisa, was able to purchase new equipment like a new Sony HVR-Z7E camcorder with interchangeable lenses, which will assist the business to stay competitive and expand their market while also providing employment to at least four people and some casual staff when needed.
With job creation one of the main issues considered when the Trust approves a grant, the fact that the other grant beneficiary, NRETA Primary Cooperative Limited, employs 13 people positively influenced the Trustees in their decision to approve the R251 080 grant to the cooperative.
Registered in 2008, with the initial objective of providing transport to school children in and around Tembisa Township, the members of NRETA saw an opportunity in the sewing industry. The members donated their individual sewing machines to the organisation and focused their energies on manufacturing school uniforms, traditional clothing, wedding gowns, clothing for churches and doing tailoring work.
Due to the support and encouragement from the Department of Social Development and signing a contract with the South African Social Security Agency to manufacture and supply 300 quality uniforms to the local Mashemong Primary School, NRETA approached the Trust for funding to purchase appropriate sewing equipment and materials.
On receiving the grant, the cooperative which operates out of the premises of its chairperson Lazarus Mahote in Kopanong Section, Tembisa, purchased two overlockers, a button hole machine, embroidery machine and some smaller necessities which subsequently resulted in increased productivity and being able to produce the required school uniforms.
By giving this funding, Emperors Palace, through the EPCoCT, has once again demonstrated its commitment to making a significant contribution towards supporting sustainable community development in Ekurhuleni.
@TheTembisan
