HAZYVIEW – Funding and support from Anglo American’s enterprise development arm, Zimele, has considerably aided the growth and development of Uzilaky Sphie Trading, a forestry company in Hazyview.
The company was founded in 2010 by Sphindile and Lucky Mathelela to harvest gum trees in order to produce timber for their clients. It was funded by Zimele in 2012 by approximately R461 000 that was used for daily business operations and to buy equipment and a vehicle.
Since its inception, Uzilaky Sphie Trading has acquired 31 employees from the local community.
“Zimele has played a huge role in growing our business and as well as in my personal growth as a business owner. The ongoing financial assistance and advice has groomed the company to be the success that it is today,” Sphindile says.
“Creating employment within my community has significantly changed the lives of many and I am very fortunate to have provided an opportunity to many single mothers to sustain their homes. I will work harder to improve lives by providing more jobs and growing our business into a multimillion rand empire,” she adds.
Since its inception, Zimele has played a significant role in the country’s economic development by supporting other enterprises. From 2008 to 2013, the timber company invested R921 million in 1 619 businesses which collectively employ 30 092 people. With 2 358 transactions during this time, the businesses’ collective turnover is approximately R4,5 billion annually.
In addition, as part of its commitment to the empowerment of women in the South African economy, from 2008 to 2013 Zimele allocated 39% of its funding to female entrepreneurs.
“Zimele’s main goal is to make a difference by providing funds to aspiring entrepreneurs who will be able to uplift their communities through sustainable job creation.
Uzilaky Sphie Trading is one of many businesses that have been a success through the assistance of Zimele and Anglo American will therefore continue supporting entrepreneurs to ensure long term benefits in our host communities,”says Hlonela Lupuwana ,managing director of the company.
