Dineo Matomela

ANGLO American has plans to create 15 000 jobs in the next four years by supporting 1 500 new businesses, chief executive Cynthia Carroll announced yesterday.

Speaking to about 1 000 delegates at the company’s Local Procurement and Enterprise Development Trade Fair in Johannesburg, Carrol said Anglo’s commitment was supported by its spend on black economic empowerment and business development.

She said that in the past 10 years the money spent on empowerment had increased to R21 billion from R911 million.

“More than 40 percent of our total available procurement spend is directed to historically disadvantaged South African businesses,” she said.

Anglo mainly imported heavy duty equipment and value was added through assembling and maintenance of the products, supply chain head Andrew Hinkly said.

“We don’t fund tenderpreneurs, 99 percent of the businesses are black owned and there is no space for fronting,” he said.

Anglo boosts businesses through its Zimele enterprise development model, which supports funds that have established a range of businesses.

The funds are structured in the form of a loan of R1m that is repayable over three years. The interest rate is one of the cheapest available.

“The loans can be paid back in three years, and there is a 90 percent success rate. Our rate is 6 percent per annum, and it is cheaper than commercial banks,” Zimele managing director Nick van Rensburg said.

Carroll reiterated the company’s view on nationalisation. “We believe that this country is promoting free market enterprise, and we believe that the government is supportive of free market policy and is seeking to attract investment.

“The Freedom Charter does not say mines should be nationalised, but that the natural resources belong to all people of South Africa… We believe that the government will make the right decision.”

ANC Youth League president Julius Malema last week called for the government to nationalise mines.

Malema this week called for Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu to prepare the mining sector psychologically for nationalisation.

Anglo said it had increased the number of its business hubs to 28 from one in 2007, and by the end of the year, there would be 36 business hubs, Carroll said.

Anglo said businesses created through the hubs were focused on developing skills.