Silindokuhle Sewing Project (SSP) is an enterprise that produces safety overalls and related personal protective equipment with the thrust of delivering the best business development support.
It’s establishment
The South African Mining Regulations, a board that governs the industry provides that, mining companies are entitled to buoy up enterprises from the local communities around the mines’ operations. As such, mines are mandated to recognize enterprises and provide them with SME Support over a 5-year period as part of the Social and Labour Plans (SLP). Glencore hence commissioned Edge Growth to review existing projects in the SLP, and to appraise the viability of new enterprises to determine which should be included in the 2013-2018 SLP submissions.
The review led the establishment of twenty-two enterprises using a variety of diagnostic tools to find out the feasibility of both new and existing businesses for support. This included reviewing business plans, conducting likelihood studies and site visits and resulted in Edge Growth presenting a list of five enterprises to the mine. With customized support, these enterprises have the potential to supply the mines and as such are likely to be sustainable businesses that can produce and generate jobs.
One of the selected businesses was Silindokuhle Sewing Project (SSP) and in order to bring the best business development support, Edge Growth conducted a needs assessment; resulting in the following support:
- An SABS Quality Development Audit of operations
- Development and implementation of a marketing plan in order to attract more long term customers
- Implementation of systems and processes to improve productivity
- Assistance with administration and statutory compliance
- Management Training
- Financial Management