14 November 2018: South African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to take their venture to the next level will get a chance to network with big business –such as the likes of Old Mutual – at Global Entrepreneurship Week, currently running from 12 – 16 November 2018 at the Enterprise Room in Rosebank, Johannesburg.
Global Entrepreneurship Week is an annual celebration of the innovators and job creators, who launch start-ups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and social inclusivity.
According to the Banking Association of South Africa, SMEs have been identified as productive drivers of inclusive economic growth and development in South Africa, as well as globally. Some researchers have estimated that the local SME sector makes up 91% of formalised businesses. The sector also provides employment to an estimated 60% of the labour force and accounts for around 34% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in total economic output.
Old Mutual has been actively working to empower SMEs for more than a decade through structured programmes and vehicles designed to provide both the financial – and non-financial – support that is critical for success. This focus on creating both business and societal value means that the company continues to invest in creating opportunities for all South Africans.
The company’s innovative Enterprise and Supplier Development Fund works to create opportunities for small businesses to become integrated into Old Mutual’s supply chain, creating sustainable partnerships of mutual benefit. In addition, Old Mutual’s Masisizane Fund offers SMEs operating in the manufacturing, franchising and agricultural arenas a mix of grants, loans and technical support, to enable them to gain vital market access and create jobs.
Collectively, these two small business empowerment funds have approved over R750-million in funding to small businesses across the country, having already disbursed close to R600-million, while creating more than 8330 job opportunities in the process.
Old Mutual recognises that funding alone is not the key catalyst for growth where SME development is concerned, which is why it also offers a range of non-financial support option to SMEs both pre and post investment. This includes SME training in financial education, as well as business support in the form of technical mentorship, financial management tools and advice, as well as bespoke accounting services.
Old Mutual will be hosting a special session at Global Entrepreneurship Week on Wednesday 14 November 2018 titled “Doing Business with Old Mutual” at which SMEs looking to connect with the company can get more information on its unique empowerment and development programmes.
Entrepreneurs can get more information on Old Mutual’s small business empowerment programmes here:
Enterprise and Supplier Development Programme:
Supplierdevelopment@oldmutual.com or 011 217 1000
Masisizane Fund:
Via the Old Mutual Website at www.oldmutual.co.za/masisizane
Email: MasisizaneEnquiries@oldmutual.com or call 011 217 1000
About Old Mutual
Old Mutual was established in Cape Town in 1845 as South Africa’s first mutual life insurance company, offering financial security in uncertain times. Our purpose is to help our customers thrive by enabling them to achieve their lifetime financial goals, while investing their funds in ways that will create a positive future for them, their families, their communities and broader society.
We provide financial solutions to individuals, businesses, corporates and institutions across several market segments and geographies in South Africa, the Rest of Africa and other select emerging markets. Our services include long-term savings, protection, investment, lending and short-term insurance. In March 2016 Old Mutual plc announced a new strategy to unlock and create significant long-term value for our shareholders. This entailed the managed separation of its four underlying businesses and the primary listing of Old Mutual Limited on 26 June 2018 on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. For further information on Old Mutual, please visit the corporate website at www.oldmutual.com.
