Massmart celebrates women entrepreneurs in its Supplier Development Programme

©Kirill Kedrinski via 123RF

The programme currently has 32 small businesses manufacturing a variety of products, ranging from window frames, paint and bathtubs to adhesives, cooler-boxes and maize meal. Of the 32 suppliers, six are import substitution projects.

It was established following intervention from Minister of Economic Development, Ebrahim Patel, who has championed the development of local suppliers in the retail sector. Minister Patel says, “Small businesses play an important part in creating a more inclusive economy. Job creation and expanding our industrial base is one of our key mandates.”

Some of the female entrepreneurs participating in the SDP include Reapso SA, FBG Packaging, Xchem Chemicals and Lokuhle Trading & Designs.

Established in 2010, Reapso SA is a 100% black female-owned company that operates a factory in Selby, Johannesburg, manufacturing chef jackets, protective workwear and reflector jackets, which are sold in Makro stores.

“We are grateful for government’s intervention, especially its support for the local textile industry. It has given a small business like ours access to Massmart’s supply chain, which presents an enormous opportunity,” says Reapso owner Mahlatsi Mashile. In addition to the procurement from Makro stores, the company has received a grant from Massmart to upgrade machinery and acquire new factory space.

XChem Chemicals is a 100% black female-owned business that supplies adhesive glues and sealants. Owned by entrepreneur Angela Chris Pitsi, the Pretoria-based company’s products are sold at all local Builders Warehouse stores and recently begun supplying a Builders Warehouse outlet in Mozambique. “Through the programme we have been able to grow our footprint and most importantly in the South African context, create jobs,” says Pitsi. The SDP also provided funding for the adhesive company to upscale equipment, put employees through advanced training as well as rebrand and repackage its products.

Lokuhle Trading, owned by Zanele Ntsibande, is a black female-owned hollow-core door manufacturing company, based in Boksburg. Ntsibande says, “Access to market is one of the biggest challenges for small businesses and through this programme I have been able to get a foot in the door in one of the biggest retailers on the continent.”