Company Announcement - Total South Africa is proud to announce the launch of its Siyakhula programme. Siyakhula which means “we are growing”  and is part of Total’s commitment to transformation through the development of black entrepreneurs and enterprises. Through the initiative, the selected individuals and companies are empowered with the tools they need to develop into medium to large business owners, to establish themselves in their respective markets and expand their networks.“Although enterprise development has been a component of Total South Africa’s transformation strategy for some 60 years, it is time for the company to put more effort and resources into our enterprise development projects, start consolidating on the remarkable gains, and expand our enterprise development footprint into one consolidated programme, Siyakhula,” explains Total South Africa CEO and Managing Director, Mr. Christian des Closières.

Recent statistics from an ABSA report indicate that more than 12-million South Africans rely on small businesses for their daily livelihood and together these businesses employ some 60% of those eligible to work in South Africa. Enterprise development programmes are thus vital to give communities the chance of sharing in the socioeconomic benefits generated by the big corporates. The Siyakhula Programme is a component of Total South Africa’s transformation strategy aimed at empowering and uplifting small businesses to entrench their social responsibility commitment and support sustainable transformation. Essentially, the Siyakhula Programme consists of three pillars namely; Road Transport, Retail Network and Integrated Service Providers. The Road Transport division facilitates development for driver vehicles. This year, Total South Africa has selected two suppliers for training and mentorship through this initiative that will span over an 8 year development plan.

Total South Africa has also, through its Siyakhula Programme and new Retail Enterprise Development Business Model, committed to upskill, train and facilitate funding for five new entrepreneurs who wish to enter the Retail Service Station Network and operate service stations. The approved entrepreneurs will undergo a 3 year mentorship support programme to assist them in establishing and growing the service stations into viable and flourishing business ventures.

“The Integrated Service Providers programme is a new initiative that develops entrepreneurs to have a robust and integrated approach in the management of a depot facility for our commercial or mining customers,” added des Closières.

Since 1962 Total South Africa has followed a consistent policy of identifying potential entrepreneurs in the disadvantaged communities to be trained and empowered as service station dealers. Total South Africa has over its 60 year tenure achieved several firsts with regards to transformation and empowerment including being one of the first oil companies to introduc service stations in previously disadvantaged areas. Total South Africa was also the first global energy group to appoint black service station owners some 40 years ago. Following on from this, the company has become the first in our category to achieve Level 2 B-BBEE Contributor status.

“The establishment of the Siyakhula Programme is a natural progression to consolidate Total South Africa’s transformation initiatives. Total South Africa will continue to make significant progress in transformation in an effort to achieve an adaptive economy characterised by growth, employment and equity,” concludes des Closières.