Trust commits nearly R3-m to enterprise development
Local business can light up due to grant.
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.
The trust has done this by way of giving of grants to a wide range of community-based small business projects.
The biggest beneficiary, who received R2-m in funding, was the EBFN (Ekurhuleni Business Facilitation Network), a multi-million Rand public-private partnership between the EPCoCT and the Ekurhuleni Metro, 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 Vusi Zwane, who was instrumental in the trust’s involvement in establishing the business facilitation hub, it 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 its inception in 2008, the EPCoCT has committed nearly R20-m to empowering SMEs and developing entrepreneurs.
One of the latest beneficiaries to receive funding is Devine Candles, based in Leondale.
The EPCoCT approved a grant of just under R30 000 to Nompumelelo Ngcobo, of Devine Candles, to purchase a new candle-manufacturing machine and supplies, including, wax, wicks and moulds.
Starting out in 2012, Ngcobo (who loves candles) turned her passion into her business and started manufacturing candles, mostly of the household variety.
With the moulds and machine she purchased, thanks to the trust funding, she can expand and now has her sights set on producing candles for special occasions, like weddings, birthdays and other celebrations, as well as novelty and custom-made candles.
While her aim is to sell to big chain stores in the future, she currently concentrates on supplying to local churches, but hopes that, if she can buy a bigger machine, she can increase production and become more competitive in the market.
By giving this funding, Emperors Palace,, through the EPCoCT, has again demonstrated its commitment to making a significant contribution towards supporting sustainable community development in Ekurhuleni.
