Heineken helps SMMEs grow

An enterprise development initiative that supports small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in the Gauteng province was launched in Melrose Arch. The initiative called Green Seeds Programme was launched by Heineken South Africa and forms part of their Brewing a Better World which is a sustainability programme.

Emcee at the launch, radio host and social activist Criselda Kananda said the programme is solely to empower SMMEs through financial support, training and mentorship.

Heineken corporate affairs director Millicent Maroga said the programme was called Green Seeds because green is a colour that indicates life, growth and prosperity; therefore, her company saw itself as water to nourish and nurture the seeds (entrepreneurs’ projects) through partnerships and sponsorships so that they may germinate and produce returns.

“Heineken is committed to growing with communities, and more importantly with entrepreneurs within those communities. As a family business that was started by an entrepreneur, Heineken believes that small businesses hold the key to unlocking our country’s massive economic potential. The programme aims to progress these enterprises into self-sufficient businesses that are not only able to survive but thrive and hopefully do business with Heineken in the future,” Maroga said.

A strategy for business growth, according to Heineken SA managing director Gerrit van Loo, is stamina and endurance. “It is not about quick returns. You need to be able to deal with all the disappointments along the way and if you like what you do the likelihood of success is huge.”

Motivational speaker Tebogo Thekisho, also known as ProVerb, encouraged people to realise that we don’t all go through the same road to success, ‘others are sprinters while others are marathon runners’ therefore other people’s success shouldn’t mean failure for others. ProVerb also advised people to ‘diversify your portfolio within your ecosystem and don’t be limited to particular skills. In the process of achieving goals let’s not neglect the steps towards those goals’.

Director at Jika Communication and Training which is a partner to Heineken for the programme, Ricky Ioannou, said they would have a mentoring and coaching programme with master class sessions next year as well as stakeholder engagement.

Phases one and two of the programme have already kicked off with an intake of around 20 SMMEs, with another 30 to join in the new year.

The earmarked businesses, representing a variety of industries such as construction, health and safety as well as agriculture, will be mentored and participate in masterclass sessions with relevant experts, who will cover important business topics that will help position these companies for their current sustainability and future success.

Heineken SA sustainability manager Tutu Malinga gave a vote of thanks to all contributors to the programme.

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