FOCUS
Transforming local procurement
Ikefree Projects (Pty) Ltd. is a black youth owned company responsible for building maintenance on mine. Our local business initiatives target local, HDSA youth, women and disabled-owned entities to ensure a lasting impact.
De Beers and Aucor break new ground in Limpopo. De Beers and auction house Aucor on launch day join forces to bring the auction industry to the local communities. The new company is called Aucor Limpopo.
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e Beers Venetia Mine introduced the EOI (Expression of Interest) process in 2017 to drive the inclusion of local suppliers into the main procurement activities of the mine. The EOI allows for local procurement opportunities in the Musina and Blouberg areas. SMEs that meet the requirements are shortlisted and participate in the tender processes. Since the inception of the programme Venetia Mine has appointed 31 local black-owned SMEs as suppliers, employing more than 200 local people. They are enrolled on the Venetia Mine Supplier Development Programme. The two-year programme includes formal mentorship and training in areas such us Human Resources, Financial Management and Pricing and Costing. These local business initiatives target local, HDSA youth, women and disabled-owned entities to ensure a lasting impact where it is needed most. A company like Ikefree Projects (Pty) Ltd is a black youth-owned company responsible for building maintenance on the mine. Ravujhani Construction and Projects (Pty) Ltd and Amezdo Trading and Projects are black women-owned construction companies. The local procurement transformation aims to LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2018/19
assist SMEs to expand beyond the borders of Venetia Mine and become mainstream businesses supporting the socio-economic activities of the local areas. More recently, the bussing empowerment deal with VM Diamond Transport was concluded. A partnership with Africa’s Auction Authority, Aucor, led to the establishment of Aucor Limpopo, which will see 51% of the business owned by a local business from Blouberg. The aim of this venture is to grow the skills and scope of the local partners, teaching them about the intricacies of the auction industry. These are major milestones for De Beers and the Limpopo region. Both empowerment deals are in line with the continuous drive to uplift communities.
Enterprise Development Venetia Mine recognises that not all local SMEs can benefit from procurement with the mine and that there is a need to develop new and existing SMEs. The De Beers Zimele Hub introduced a number of changes to be able to better equip the local SMEs. These include:
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