Zimele Helps A Local Business Create Employment Opportunities In Emalahleni

Zimele has generated sustainable job creation and socio-economic development.Zimele’s unique approach has played a significant role in the country’s economic development by aiding the upliftment of numerous Small and Medium Enterprises.

Boksburg (I-Newswire) October 30, 2012 - Anglo American’s enterprise development arm, Zimele, has assisted Dezzo Trading; an eMalahleni based commercial and industrial cleaning company to considerably boost employment in the area.

Owing to two loans amounting to R620,000 that Zimele provided in 2011 and 2012 to owner Mimmi Kate Seboane, Dezzo Trading has substantially grown, and been able to employ numerous employees whom are historically disadvantaged South Africans (HDSAs).

This money was used to purchase two Quantum vehicles for staff transportation for two contracts with Anglo American Thermal Coal and one with Xstrata.

Dezzo Trading has been in operation for ten years, and currently has 75 non-administrative employees. Unlike other industrial and commercial cleaning companies, Dezzo Trading uses green cleaning methods, with its staff members regularly trained to perform a detailed and eco-friendly cleaning service.

In addition to investing time in skills transfer and mentorship in Dezzo Trading, Zimele has also generated sustainable job creation and socio-economic development through integrating the company into Anglo American’s supply chain.

Seboane notes that Zimele’s support has proved crucial in aiding her business ambitions.

“Zimele’s financial, social and business advice has allowed me to fulfil my business goals. Thanks to their invaluable support, I now have a great platform to become one of South Africa’s most successful entrepreneurs by expanding into other business ventures such as the manufacturing of chemicals.”

Since 1989, Zimele’s unique approach has played a significant role in the country’s economic development by aiding the upliftment of numerous Small and Medium Enterprises. This assertion is apparent in statistics from 2008 to 15 December 2011, with its four funds having provided R567 million in funding, supported 1,085 companies, and completed 1,481 loan transactions. Further, funded businesses have employed 19,575 people, and achieved a collective annual turnover of R2,4 billion.

Zimele acting managing director, Dr Lia Vangelatos concludes that Seboane’s company exemplifies the real and impactful difference that Zimele is able to create.

“Anglo American recognises that unemployment presents the greatest barrier to South Africa’s economic development, and this knowledge informed Zimele’s decision to fund Dezzo Trading. In helping this growing company, we are not only furthering the business development of a talented individual, but making a real difference to the lives of numerous people in eMalahleni by creating employment opportunities.”

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For further information, please contact:

South Africa

Hulisani Rasivhaga, Media Relations
Tel: +27 (0)11 638 4401

Notes to editors:

Anglo American is one of the world’s largest mining companies, is headquartered in the UK and listed on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges. Anglo American’s portfolio of mining businesses spans bulk commodities – iron ore and manganese, metallurgical coal and thermal coal; base metals – copper and nickel; and precious metals and minerals – in which it is a global leader in both platinum and diamonds. Anglo American is committed to the highest standards of safety and responsibility across all its businesses and geographies and to making a sustainable difference in the development of the communities around its operations. The company’s mining operations, extensive pipeline of growth projects and exploration activities span southern Africa, South America, Australia, North America, Asia and Europe. www.angloamerican.com


About Anglo American Zimele

Since 1989, Zimele has successfully empowered numerous black Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs, and generated sustainable job creation and socio-economic development in predominantly peri-urban mining communities.
Zimele enables the companies it invests in to stand on their own feet and to grow, through a strategic blend of financial support and incubator-style mentorship.
This is achieved through four funds which provide business opportunities, training, capital and networking hubs for historically disadvantaged South Africans (HDSAs) and SMEs. These funds are the Anglo American Khula Mining Fund, the Supply Chain Fund, the Community Fund and the Green Fund.