AfriSam invests in developing skills

Taking the fledgling SMMEs of Roodepoort under their wing is construction giant AfriSam. Through their Enterprise Development Programme (EDP) they are upskilling local business owners, 20 of whom were awarded their certifications at a graduation ceremony on Friday, 6 December.

The event was held at AfriSam’s Business Development Centre and was the third graduation event of the year. This brings the total number of SMME owners to graduate from the programme to 70 and highlights AfriSam’s commitment to empowering local business owners. Betty Masinge, Enterprise and Supplier Development manager urged the newly accredited owners to put their profiles forward and extended her best wishes to the respective companies.

AfriSam Regional Manager, Zielas du Preez, offered his advice to the graduates saying, “Set goals for yourselves. If the goal does not challenge you, then it can not change you.” The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) assisted in spreading awareness of the course and registering the SMMEs. CoJ Deputy Director, Simphiwe Malimela, reiterated, “The City aims to create the environment to grow and we look forward to our continued partnership with AfriSam”.

The most poignant words of inspiration came from Programme Director, Nandi Mcwabe, when she spoke of the mentality needed to succeed. “Cultivate a consciousness of success. Everything must revolve around dominant thoughts of success. There must be an obsession to achieve your goal,” Nandi said. All successful businesses begin with acquiring the skills to compete and with the help of AfriSam, Roodepoort’s SMMEs will be as competitive as ever.