Octodec partners with Raizcorp to launch enterprise and supplier development programme

On Thursday, 6 February Octodec held the launch of its enterprise and supplier development programme in Sandton, Johannesburg, during which the first eight entrepreneurial beneficiaries were introduced.

Powered by leading business incubator Raizcorp, the Octodec ESD programme aims to enhance the impact, sustainability and profitability of the selected participants. The candidates are receiving internationally accredited entrepreneurial learning, individual business guidance, access to infrastructure, access to specialists and back-office support.

Says Jeffrey Wapnick, Managing Director at Octodec Investments Limited, “Octodec is passionately committed to enhancing and developing our existing suppliers to improve their long-term sustainability and profitability.

This is not simply a tick-box exercise for us. Our aim is to make these businesses scalable and more commercially viable so that they have the potential to become suppliers to other large companies as well. In addition, we want to grow and develop smaller enterprises to the point where they can also become part of our supply chain.”

Sharon Venn, manager of Raizcorp’s Sandton Prosperator (incubator), “As Octodec’s preferred ESD partner, Raizcorp is looking forward to working with them to create a real impact on their selected entrepreneurial businesses. They have already been very closely involved in our process to select the right programme beneficiaries – a combination of some of their current suppliers as well as potential suppliers. It really is a privilege to work with a company that involves and immerses itself so meaningfully in the entire process.”

The eight beneficiaries who have been selected are:

Pre-incubation enterprise development
· Akash Gopie of CY Trading (printing)
· Tumelo Nyepela of Blue Pepper Developments Pty Ltd (building and construction)
· Lucia Maluleke of Luckat Projects (building and construction)

Supplier development
· Arthur Matlala of Isipetho Ndaba Investments (construction and building maintenance)
· Celethé Lingham of Serviply Pty Ltd (cleaning services)
· Hillary Molotsi of Apogee Management Projects Pty Ltd (building and construction)
· Mokothula Makhari of Masmur Management Pty Ltd (building and construction)

Enterprise development
· Johannes Bafana Mokwena of Dikwena M Trading CC (building and construction)
· Mangalani Neduvhuledza of NED Consortium (engineering)

“I want my business to grow into a profitable one. I am confident that the Octodec programme will help me get my business to where I know it should be,” says Akash Gopie.

Arthur Matlala adds, “I am looking for guidance on how to implement systems that will guarantee growth for my business and make it profitable. I thought I knew what I was doing until I started on the programme which has already challenged me to come out of my shell.”