
8 August 2013
Mining company Anglo American is offering South African entrepreneurs and owners of established businesses the opportunity to receive business development support and mentoring through its Entrepreneur Internship Programme.
“Providing great business opportunities to high potential entrepreneurs allows their companies to become large-scale and meaningful enterprises, which creates new and sustainable jobs,” Anglo American South Africa’s executive director, Khanyisile Kweyama, said in a statement.
“Anglo American is pleased to launch the second Entrepreneur Internship Programme, and we are confident that we will be able to replicate the success of the first EIP and see more deserving business people reach their potential and make a positive impact on the South African economy.”
The EIP offers 10 months of business development support to start-up entrepreneurs and 20 months of business growth support to established businesses.
“Anglo American has a strategic role to play in promoting social and economic development and is committed to supporting the national priority of job creation,” the company said.
Mentorship will be provided by the Aurik Business Incubator and will include networking opportunities and skills training.
“South Africa has several promising entrepreneurs with so much promise, but many of them do not have access to the skills, industry knowledge, business networks and support they need to succeed,” said Aurik chief executive officer, Pavlo Phitidis.
“By developing their core competencies, and offering support and advice, the EIP provides entrepreneurs with a critical stepping stone to growing their own business creating real and sustainable value for our local economy.”
Aurik will provide mentorship to the entrepreneurs which will enable them to put together a business plan to start their new company or expand an existing one.
“The EIP is designed to help create sustainable businesses that can lead to meaningful social and economic transformation,” Anglo American said.
SAinfo reporter