Zimele provided a R1,5 million loan to Ukhamba Lobuntu Chemicals, which enabled the company to purchase equipment and raw materials, and better equip the company to manufacture and supply chemicals and PPE to different enterprises in the Mpumalanga province.
Zimele's support also allowed Ukhamba Lobuntu Chemicals to further employment opportunities in the community, as it has been able to permanently employ 45 people.
Ukhamba Lobuntu Chemicals has been in operation since 2011. It specialises in the supply of safety PPE clothing and manufacturing of scarce chemicals, and supplies this product to surrounding municipalities, public works, contractors and hospitals. One of the company's most prominent clients is Eskom.
The company is co-owned by a husband and wife team, Godfrey and Nomusa Mondlane. Godfrey Mondlane notes that Zimele's support has proved crucial to furthering the company's ambitions. "Ukhamba Lobuntu Chemicals is grateful to Zimele for the remarkable contribution it has made to the company. SMEs find it hard to thrive in the competitive business world, as accessing funds from banking institutions often proves to be a daunting and unsuccessful exercise.
"Thanks to Zimele's support, we received financial aid at a lower interest rate, coupled with input and sound business advice. Subsequently, our business has been able to expand and meet several objectives in terms of business liquidity, sales, orders, and timeous delivery. Noticeably, we have also furthered our community upliftment and development aims by creating valuable job opportunities for people."
Since 1989, Zimele has played a significant role in the country's economic development by aiding the upliftment of numerous small and medium enterprises. From 2008 to the end of 2012, its four funds provided R708 million in funding, supported 1393 companies, and completed 1972 loan transactions. Further, funded businesses have employed 25,364 people, and achieved a collective annual turnover of R3,4 billion.
Zimele acting head Dr Lia Vangelatos concludes that the progress and positive impact made by Ukhamba Lobuntu Chemicals is indicative of the success of the Zimele model. "Anglo American believes wholeheartedly that the widespread development of SME's has the potential to engender a real and sustainable socio-economic difference, not only in the development of small business owners, but in the lives of community members. As such, we consistently strive to realise these outcomes through the financing and on-going support that Zimele provides.
"Ukhamba Lobuntu Chemicals' consistent and positive development, and the fact that the company has helped create employment for people residing in Middleburg, firmly demonstrates that our company is achieving these objectives through Zimele, our enterprise development initiative."
For more information, go to www.angloamerican.com.
