By Koketso Mamabolo
In Chapter 3 of the National Development Plan (NDP), the government acknowledges how far we have come in transforming our economy, while recognising that more needs to be done to go even further:
“The corporate landscape of South Africa has changed remarkably since 1994. However, it remains highly concentrated. This poses a barrier to business entry and expansion in key markets, which are essential for employment creation. Present forms of black economic empowerment (BEE) are not achieving all the desired objectives.”
Enterprise Supplier Development (ESD) has emerged as an effective approach to achieving the vision set out in the NDP. Suppliers from previously-disadvantaged backgrounds are faced with an array of challenges when setting up businesses and attempting to enter the market. Supplier development initiatives seek to transform supply chains, by providing support through training, financing and preferential procurement.
With the 2024 Oliver Top Empowerment Awards just a week away we take a look at five finalists from last year’s awards in the Enterprise Supplier Development category who are leading the way with their ESD strategies, and delve into some of the programmes they have launched.