Enterprise development gets R2.3 million

To mark the launch, MD of Kraft Foods Southern Africa, Sean Murphy said, "As a global food company, our corporate social responsibility extends to three key areas - hunger and poverty alleviation, healthier lifestyles and sustainable agriculture. The enterprise development project we envisage speaks to all three."

Around 30 unemployed community members have been identified to participate in the enterprise development project, which comprises skills training in baking, sewing, nappy-making and vegetable gardening enterprises. The funding will be used to purchase infrastructure - including equipment and offices - as well as in the provision of technical and business skills training.

Handing over the cheque to Wilhemina Bodibe, director Tembisa Child Welfare, at whose premises the enterprises will be based, Murphy said that the non-governmental, non-profit organisation was chosen for its established work in poverty alleviation through skills development projects.

"Due to limited resources, our projects are small-scale. However, this substantial funding from Kraft Foods will enable us to expand the potential of the enterprises that are currently running," said Bodibe.

Monitored enterprises

Skills and business training (including financial management and marketing) will be provided to the participants over a 12-month period, during which time they will undergo monitoring and evaluation to ensure the viability of each enterprise. Working in cooperatives, each participant has the potential to generate an income of about R2000 a month by selling products and produce to the local community. It is anticipated that once the training period is completed, the 30 participants will go on to train other individuals, thereby creating further employment opportunities in the community.

Ekurhuleni metropolitan municipality mayoral committee member, Councillor Bennett Nakani, said that the project would provide a welcome opportunity for individuals to learn a skill that will enable them to generate an income and become self-sufficient. "Given the high unemployment rate in South Africa, we commend the company for an initiative that will uplift unemployed Tembisa citizens and restore their self-respect," he said.

Murphy said partnerships were key to the success of the project. "The company prides itself on building strong partnerships when engaging with communities in socio-economic interventions. We look forward to strengthening our relationship both with Tembisa Child Welfare and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality to ensure that we produce long-term, self-sustaining livelihoods for the people of Tembisa."

Success could lead to replication

Depending on the success of the pilot project, the company plans to replicate the concept at other sites in South Africa. A NGO has already been identified in the Nelson Mandela metropolitan municipality, the site of company's Port Elizabeth chocolate manufacturing plant, with a view to rollout in 2012. The company hopes to expand the programme eventually to communities in other parts of Africa where the company has a manufacturing presence.