Last year alone 16 projects have been approved to the value of R7.5-million with one of the most recent small business enterprises assisted, Naledi Bakeries based in Daveyton.
Situated in the Daveyton Mall, the bakery is owned by husband and wife team, Eric and Goldi Khumalo and produces bread, fat cakes, tea cakes, and scones with ninety percent of revenue generated by bread sales.
Having purchased the business in 2005, from Jabu Nkosi, the Khumalo’s found that by the middle of last year the equipment they were using was breaking down all too often, leading to huge repair and maintenance costs, not to mention loss of production and revenue.
They subsequently decided new equipment had to be purchased if they wanted to keep their business alive, but as a small stand-alone retail bakery the costs involved, about R600 000, to upgrade was a little beyond their reach.
Not the type of people to be discouraged the Khumalo’s looked for a solution and finally approached the EPCoCT. Much to their delight they were given a grant for R450 000 with which they bought and installed new equipment like a rotary rack electric oven, spiral dough mixer, mini dough moulder and a dough devider which now enables them to produce up to 2500 loaves (700g) of bread a day.
“We are so grateful to the Trust for their assistance as we are now able to run a more efficient operation resulting in increased production levels and the need for a bigger work force. Since our upgrade we have employed five extra permanent staff members and are now in a position to look at expanding the business in the future,” says an appreciative Eric Khumalo.
As one of the BBBEE vehicles within the Peermont Hotels, Casinos and Resorts group the Trust focuses on assisting those businesses in the community that, through the receiving of a grant, will prosper and create job opportunities thereby helping to alleviate poverty.
“We are pleased to see that Naledi Bakeries is already carrying out the Trust’s commitment to making a significant contribution towards sustainable community development and uplifting the lives of people in Ekurhuleni,” says Makomane Ntabo the Trust’s administrator.
