Roodepoort, Gauteng - On Friday, the 6th of December, South Africa’s leading construction materials group, AfriSam, celebrated the graduation of 21 Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises,.This was the company’s third graduation ceremony this year which has now seen about 70 entrepreneurs going through its SMME development program. The graduation ceremony which was held at the AfriSam Business Development Center in Roodepoort is a big part of the company’s contribution to the upliftment of small and medium businesses in communities close to its operations.

The new graduates from Roodepoort underwent a six months construction course and successfully completed the training through AfriSam’s Enterprise Development Program. With these skills the entrepreneurs are now equipped to advance their businesses in the construction and related sectors.

“We are very confident that this initiative will upskill and add value to these entrepreneurs as well as deliver further growth to local SMME’s. At AfriSam, our aim is to empower and enhance the capacities of previously disadvantaged, black owned SMME’s. We support them so that they can be supplier ready and actively compete for opportunities in the other markets”, says Betty Masinge, Enterprise and Supplier Development Manager, AfriSam.

In conjunction with the City of Joburg, an open day was held to disseminate information about the program. Local registered SMMEs who applied were selected to participate in the construction skills programme.

Naziem Ismail, owner of NRRFS Projects and Distribution PTY is one of the candidates who applied, got accepted and had the opportunity to do the ESD program through AfriSam. His business has been operating since 2015, in the construction industry. Naziem says the training received from AfriSam added great value to his business.

“I would like to thank AfriSam for giving us this opportunity. I now operate and manage my business much better with the skills they taught me. I am more willing to take on bigger projects and ready to expand. You are never too young or too old to start a business and therefore I encourage all entrepreneurs to join this program”, Ismail added.

Godfrey Mathebula, trainer for NM Consultants who facilitated the program says this opportunity will help small business owners build their businesses and strengthen relationships with customers. “I urge SMMEs to challenge themselves and take calculated risks in their businesses with a good vision in mind”, he adds.

“Entrepreneurs must build mutual relations with other experts and seek mentors who can guide, help and provide professional advice through the journey. Take advantage of opportunity centres and other services provided by the City of Joburg”, Masinge concluded.

This press release was published by Archy Hlahla, Hlengani Communications on behalf of AfriSam PTY LTD

For more information, please kindly contact Maxine Nel, Head of Communications, AfriSam on +27 011 670 5893 OR This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.