How RBM is Empowering Community Businesses for Future Success
This article discusses the Richards Bay Minerals training programme.
Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) has introduced the Enterprise Development Readiness Training Programme, as part of efforts to strengthen its Supplier Development Programme (SDP), to further empower host community businesses. This programme enhances supplier capabilities and positions host community businesses for future success within RBM’s supply chain, reflecting its commitment to sustainable economic growth.
Over the years, RBM has faced challenges regarding the competitiveness of host community vendors. Issues included limited participation in requests for quotations (RFQs), inadequate pricing capabilities, compliance documentation hurdles, and misunderstandings around tender documents. Recognising how these challenges hinder local economic development, RBM launched its SDP.
Empowering Host Community Businesses
At the heart of RBM’s procurement strategy is a dedication to inclusivity and competitiveness. Rooted in the principles of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE), RBM views preferential procurement as a vital mechanism for driving economic transformation. By prioritising partnerships with host community businesses—particularly those that are Black women- and youth-owned—RBM aims to foster economic development and contribute to the future success of community businesses.
Since launching the SDP in 2021, RBM has made strides in empowering host community businesses, resulting in the creation of new jobs across sectors such as PPE manufacturing, rail maintenance, and water purification. Over the past five years, more than R700 million has been invested annually in host community businesses.
Through technical mentoring and marketing assistance, RBM equips host community businesses with the skills and resources necessary to thrive. So far, 60 businesses have benefited from the Enterprise Readiness Training Programme. The programme will continue to cultivate new entrants, focusing specifically on improving the technical capabilities of host community businesses.
Transparency and Access to Opportunities
RBM’s Supplier Discovery Portal allows local suppliers to find new business opportunities when available. More than 700 businesses have registered on this platform, with 200 from the four host communities. The portal is also an essential tool that enables RBM to better understand the profiles of community businesses and their services. RBM aims to align opportunities with the current profiles based on technical capabilities.
Investing in the Future
Looking forward, RBM is committed to collaborating with industry players to enhance mentoring and support for host community businesses, ensuring sustainable growth for all. RBM is dedicated to uplifting host community businesses.
