Rosslyn, South Africa, 23 November 2016 – Nissan South Africa has announced that it will donate eight vehicles to dynamic South African entrepreneurs to support and help grow their businesses, in partnership with the National Empowerment Fund (NEF).
The sponsorship includes four Nissan NP200 Base models, one NP200 Base+ model, two NP300 Hardbodys and one NV350 panel van. The vehicles will be handed over by Director Corporate and General Affairs at Nissan Group of Africa, Wonga Mesatywa and NEF CEO Philisiwe Mthethwa at an event at Nissan’s headquarters, in Rosslyn, Pretoria, on 23 November.
“One of the market failures that confront black entrepreneurs is limited own capital, and the acquisition of a valuable asset such as business vehicles goes a long way…”
“Small and medium-sized enterprises form the backbone of the South African economy. It is estimated that they provide employment to roughly 60% of the labour force and account for about 34% of South Africa’s GDP,” says Mesatywa.
“Nissan is in the business of building brands, in producing innovation that excites, and in helping small businesses succeed so that they can continue to create jobs and to support the economy. We believe that these eight beneficiaries have built strong business models and we hope that our vehicles can make their day-to-day activities a little easier and a lot more fulfilling.”
“One of the market failures that confront black entrepreneurs is limited own capital, and the acquisition of a valuable asset such as business vehicles goes a long way towards improving productivity and growth.
That is why the NEF encourages more and more players in the private sector to support enterprise development because it is a direct contribution to inclusive growth. Nissan South Africa must be commended for being a patriotic corporate citizen and embracing the spirit and purport of the BBBEE policy of Government.,” says Mthethwa.
The beneficiaries include:
- The FOSST Discovery Centre at the University of Fort Hare, which will use its vehicle to coordinate community-based science projects as part of its efforts to enable and encourage the youth to follow careers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
- Khuvena Consultancy CC, trading as Engen Palm Valley, a 100% black-owned service station in Roodepoort. Owners Vukani and Nokuthula Khumalo will use their vehicle to transport stock and a variety of day to day activities.
- Okubabayo (Pty) Ltd, a manufacturer of atchaar in Krugersdorp, is a B-BBEE level Two Contributor with 125% B-BBEE procurement recognition. It will use its vehicle to grow its business by increasing its stockist footprint.
- Masefane Trading CC is 100% black and female-owned construction and civil works company that will use its vehicle to transport equipment to construction sites.
- Dandozest is a 100% black woman-owned catering business headed by chef Nontuthuko Constance Shandu. She will use her new vehicle to transport catering equipment.