Free mentoring offered

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She says the business plan has helped her to manage her finances better and to set short- and long-term goals for her business.

The training took place for a year during which Lidzhade would meet with consultants once or twice a week at her business premises.

Lidzhade says she still has access to the mentor’s free services even though the course ended last year.

Lidzhade, who made use of her savings to start up her business in 2004, now employs four full time workers.

Contact Solani Lidzhade on 021 949 1272.

Lidzhade, who operates recruitment company Phanda Personnel, says mentors assisted her in putting together a business plan for her

CLINCHING a contract to supply a major corporate can be a big coup for any business owner. But these days businesses who supply big companies have more to cheer about than just this.

Black-owned or empowered businesses can get business support, grants, as well as loans at a lower interest rate from big buyers. Corporates are keen to support these businesses as they stand to score Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) points for enterprise development.

Several big companies are still developing training programmes for their small suppliers. One of these is cellular network provider MTN. The company’s media liaison Rochelle van der Ross said 25% of MTN’s procurement spend went to BEE companies last year. She said the company pays its small suppliers within 10 to 15 days on receipt of invoice.

Metropilitan

Last year Metropolitan Holdings launched a portal in the Eastern Cape. This portal's purpose is to source local businesses to supply services such as security, catering and printing for the three annual events the company holds in the province.

Zelphinia Mvula, BEE specialist at Metropolitan, said the insurance company hoped to start a similar procurement portal in KwaZulu-Natal.