Small Business Development & ESD

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

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

Galp Moçambique, in partnership with AIESEC, has launched Vocational Light, a four‑week vocational guidance programme at two high schools in Maputo, offering students aged 14 to 20 practical exposure to different professions and support in planning their future careers. By Doreen Molefe – Daily Sun This Women’s Month, six female farmers from North West and

Sappi Southern Africa’s sale of the Lomati Sawmill to Normandien Farms is more than a business transaction—it’s an example of how responsible corporate action can protect jobs, sustain local economies, and open new opportunities for enterprise and skills development. The Competition Commission’s unconditional approval clears the way for the handover on 1 September 2025. All