ESD initiatives

Sibanye-Stillwater is rewriting how major industries engage with the communities that power them. In Merafong, the mining group’s supplier development sessions have moved beyond compliance to create genuine business partnerships that can last. By Carletonville Herald Over two days in late September, Sibanye-Stillwater opened its doors to small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) from the […]

South African corporates channel about R20 billion a year into Enterprise and Supplier Development, yet nearly 40% of ESD targets are not being met. Unconventional CA’s co-founder, Jameel Khan, says too many programmes are treated as a tick-box to boost B-BBEE scores rather than a lever for real SMME growth, with unemployment still at 33%

Asset manager Ninety One has received conditional approval for its planned investment in Sanlam’s South African operations. The deal, subject to regulatory requirements, is positioned to strengthen capital flows into local markets while supporting broader economic development. By EcoFin Agency A key aspect of the agreement is the potential to drive enterprise and supplier development

Apple’s rise in China offers stark lessons about enterprise and supplier development. By investing billions into infrastructure, logistics and supplier ecosystems, the company did not just outsource production — it embedded itself deeply into China’s industrial framework. Apple supported entire supply chains, from railways and power systems to tooling and training, ensuring that its suppliers

Telkom’s FutureMakers initiative has reached its 10-year milestone with a 153.4% year-on-year surge in enterprise and supplier development investment in FY2025. Launched in 2015 with an initial R250 million, the programme has incubated ICT-focused SMMEs and expanded market access at scale. By Ashley Lechman – Business Report Over the decade, FutureMakers has supported 459 youth-

Pick n Pay’s enterprise and supplier development push is opening doors for emerging brands, giving small producers shelf space, mentorship and a route into national retail. The promise is scale, credibility and a clearer pathway from kitchen-table startup to stable business. By Jamie Bennjamin – Daily Maverick The gains come with real pressures. New entrants

Sappi is marking Arbor Month by highlighting work that runs year-round to protect and restore indigenous forests on its land. About 7% of Sappi’s holdings comprise biodiverse forest patches that support wildlife and rare plants. In 2024 the company partnered with The Biodiversity Company to assess these areas—including 28 patches within 156 Important Conservation Areas—and

SEDFA’s Enterprise & Supplier Development Dialogue in Graaff-Reinet brought MSMEs, corporate partners and local government together to grow supplier capacity and unlock deals. Hosted at the Botanical Gardens, the session focused on practical collaboration to move small firms into corporate value chains. By Mfanekiso Ngqondeni – Pondoland Times What happened What’s next