Thursday, September 28th, 2017
National Roadshow invites entrepreneurs and public to learn more about SAB Entrepreneurship Programmes and how to apply
Johannesburg, 28 September 2017. The South African Breweries (SAB) Entrepreneurship Programme will be showcased in six cities across South Africa during an interactive roadshow during the month of October, providing businesses and the public access to information about how to benefit from the various programmes.
SAB has made a commitment to create a total of 10 000 jobs in South Africa by 2021 and to helping entrepreneurs become part of the company’s supply chain. It will achieve this by assisting entrepreneurs through its four key entrepreneurship programmes – SAB KickStart, SAB Foundation, SAB Thrive and SAB Accelerator.
The SAB Entrepreneurship Programmes roadshow will travel around parts of South Africa during the month of October, visiting the City of Johannesburg and Ekhuruleni in Gauteng; Manguang and Koffiefontein in the Free State; Buffalo City in Eastern Cape; and Thohoyandou in Limpopo. SAB has partnered with The Hookup Dinner (THUD), the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA).
The roadshow dates and venues are as follows:
| Date | Venue | City |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday,3 October | Thusong Youth Centre, Alexandra | Johannesburg, Gauteng |
| Wednesday, 6 October | Mdantsane Sun | Buffalo City, East London |
| Tuesday, 10 October | Batho Community Hall | Manguang, Bloemfontein |
| Tuesday, 11 October | Koffiefontein,Municipal Offices | Koffiefontein, Free State |
| Tuesday, 18 October | KwaThema Community Hall | Ekhuruleni, East of JHB |
| Thursday, 26 October | Makwarela Community Hall | Thohoyandou |
Members of the public and business owners are invited to attend the roadshows to get more information on each of the SAB Entrepreneurship programmes which will exhibit.
“Throughout the month of October, we are bringing our entrepreneurship programmes to South African entrepreneurs so that they have direct access to information about each of them. They will receive first hand help on how they can become involved, how each programme works, whether they are eligible to apply or what they can do to position themselves to become eligible to participate,” says Zoleka Lisa, Director Procurement Capabilities, SAB and AB InBev Africa.
The various entrepreneurship programmes offer a comprehensive and holistic package of entrepreneurship support to develop small businesses from ideation to growth, transforming the supply chain, as well as investing in the potential of entrepreneurs in the broader community.
The programmes are looking for the following entrepreneurs:
SAB Foundation – businesses that have been operational for between 6 months and 3 years which are focused on positively uplifting communities.
SAB KickStart Boost – youth entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35 years and running a business operational for 3 years or more with a turnover of less than R5 million and in need of coaching or funding to grow a business and become supply chain ready. For 2018, we are looking for businesses in the manufacturing, logistics, technology, green economy, and professional services sectors.
SAB KickStart Ignite – youth entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35 years with an innovative technical or business idea or prototype that can solve a business challenge. For 2018 the challenge is to innovate the SAB World of Beer in Newtown, Johannesburg.
SAB Thrive and SAB Accelerator – Existing SAB suppliers with a valid vendor number looking for private equity funding or technical expertise to help grow and transform within the SAB supply chain.
The commitment to create 10 000 jobs is over and above the Public Interest Commitments (PIC) that SAB agreed to last year with government after the business combination between AB InBev and SABMiller. Job creation is embedded in the company’s business strategy which focuses on fostering a better world where everyone has an opportunity to improve their livelihoods. The three key priorities of this strategy are job creation; promoting nutrition and health; and reducing harm caused by the misuse of alcohol.
“SAB started out as a young entrepreneur more than 120 years ago so we understand and believe in the potential of the entrepreneur in making a difference to society. Our entrepreneurship programmes, some established and others new, are designed to support the South African national agenda of growing the economy through job creation and reducing unemployment. We are committed to growing the South African economy through job creation and reducing unemployment,” says Lisa.
The SAB Entrepreneurship Programme was recently launched together with a multimedia campaign calling eligible entrepreneurs to apply to each of them.
Entrepreneurs can apply to participate on www.sabentrepreneurship.co.za
Applications are open until 30th November.
