De Beers Zimele Business Hub in Cape Town, South Africa, is the latest to join a clutch of others De Beers Consolidated Mines (DBCM) operates “to support budding entrepreneurs in the Northern Cape, Limpopo, Gauteng and the Free State”.  The Zimele Hub was launched recently by  Barend Petersen, Chairman of DBCM, and is the first in the Western Cape region.

“De Beers has supported many initiatives for 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,” Petersen said on the occasion. “I am encouraged by the progress to date and know that De Beers and Anglo American Group 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.”

He added: “The empowerment of De Beers' diamond trading arm - Sightholder Sales South Africa - in July 2014 further complemented the broad-based empowerment of DBCM back in 2006 when Ponahalo Holdings took a 26 per cent share in DBCM.”

Petersen stressed that De Beers Zimele’s 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, he emphasised.

The Honourable Minister for Small Business Development, Lindiwe Zulu MP addressed the launch function which was 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 Hub to serve the Western Cape and to complement the Hub in Namaqualand on the west coast of the Northern Cape Province,” a note from the company stated.

De Beers Marine Zimele partner entrepreneurs were introduced to the Minister and had the opportunity to discuss their businesses with her. They were hosted by Anglo Zimele Director, Sakhile Ngcobo, and the Head of De Beers Zimele, Tsepo Monaledi.

“De Beers Zimele, in collaboration with other strategic partners, facilitates the turning of dreams of potential entrepreneurs into reality”, the note concluded.  

Pic Cap: Barend Petersen, Chairman of DBCM, speaking at the event