Three Anglo American Zimele beneficiaries have taken delivery of 19 new vehicles in August 2022, to deliver on their multi-million rand staff transportation contract at the Kolomela operations.

The contract, which is a five-year contract and is part of Kumba Iron Ore’s efforts to substantially increase participation of host community suppliers in the provision of services to the mine.

The contract was awarded to Sizanani Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Immanuel Transport (Pty) Ltd and Loading Techniques (Pty) Ltd, to ensure that the staff is provided with safe, secure and reliable transportation.

Head of Supply Chain, Kumba Iron Ore, Vusi Maseko said: “This is yet one of those transactions that attest to Kumba Iron Ore’s commitment to building an inclusive supply chain, through development, incubation and mentoring of our host community enterprises and suppliers.”

“Not only do we collaborate internally with our Zimele programme to identify entrepreneurs and afford them the skills to take on and deliver on large scale projects, but we also work closely with local business forums in the host communities to support and facilitate access to markets for these small businesses,” he says.

The fleet on order comprises 19 vehicles – 11 mini-buses and 14 buses which are to be used for transporting staff both inside and outside the mining operations.

The beneficiaries formed part of Zimele’s supplier development programme at the Kumba Iron Ore - Kolomela hub where they went through a rigorous training as well as mentorship and coaching programme that would enable them to access markets and procurement opportunities both inside and outside of Anglo American.

In addition, they were also selected to participate in the Zimele Financial Excellence programme, which is implemented in partnership with the SA Institute of Chartered Accountants – Enterprise Development (SAICA-ED).

The programme is aimed at empowering SMMEs within the mining sector to improve their financial management systems, run effective business operations and grow holistically to become economically sustainable.

Through its loan funding programme, Zimele has granted about R15 million loan funding specifically to be used for purchasing of these vehicles, an additional R14.4 million was approved by Absa through their Enterprise and Supplier Development programme to bring the total funding to R29.4 million. The loans were processed and approved through ABSA, the programme implementation partner, and they bring the total loan funding amount granted through Zimele for Kumba Iron Ore suppliers to R22.7 million in 2022.

The three beneficiaries will join Benleg Technical Services, the 100% black owned host community company that has been a supplier of transportation services at the mine, and now with the additional services by the three beneficiaries, the mine is supporting more local businesses through their localised procurement programme.

All the four suppliers are 100% black owned local suppliers with more than 50% women participation.

Larisha Naidoo, Head of Anglo American Zimele said: “This deal demonstrates collaborative efforts with Kumba Iron Ore Supply Chain, Kolomela mine, and banking partners to develop local suppliers to create sustainable livelihoods in these host communities. This is one of several ways in which Zimele assist Anglo American business units to achieve their sustainability goals.”

Leslie Rans, business owner of Immanuel Transport said he was sincerely grateful for “for the privilege and honour of being awarded the contract from Kolomela mine and the subsequent financial support to acquire the busses”.

“I feel blessed because you blessed me to be a blessing to others,” he said, in emphasis to the significance of the contract in the creation and sustenance of employment in the host communities around the Kolomela mine.

The General Manager of Kolomela mine, Masala Mutangwa had the following to add: “The awarding of the contract, demonstrates our commitment and the trust we have in our local suppliers. We as a business are willing to go the extra mile to support our local suppliers to get the necessary funding needed to enable them in setting up their businesses.”