Limpopo Business 2016-17 edition

INTERVIEW
MASISIZANE FUND
Boosting local business
BUILDING SUSTAINABLE
BUSINESSES THROUGH
SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS
The Masisizane Fund invests in SMMEs that have a
registered business, in addition to a clear marketable
product or service, and that create and retain jobs.
What opportunities does Limpopo offer?
There are vast opportunities in the province for SMMEs, as trading long in grain as and dairy prod
focused on development of value
they keep their ears and eyes on the ground and take the opportunities
as they become available. There are areas in the partnerships province with Omnia, Gra
mechanization, storage and micro
without malls, therefore this creates opportunities for mall
Association
development
and municipalities, th
and franchising. Companies such as Broll, Twin City
their planting significantly in 2014
Maphala Mosomane
channeled
and the
towards Grain Co as
Moolman Group are expanding their property portfolio, within rural
The Masisizane Fund (NPC), is an initiative towns of and Old this Mutual further South creates Africa, employment, established business opportunities Masisizane opera
in 2007 following the closure of the Unclaimed and uplifts Shares Trust. the local This was economies. done in consultation
nationally with it
with the National Treasury of South Africa. The mandate of the Fund at inception was
Agro-processing and manufacturing are other business sectors Gauteng and r
and remains to contribute meaningfully to employment creation, poverty eradication
with growth opportunities. We have an abundance of rain offices in the in KwaZu
and reduction of inequality, economic growth and the attraction of investment. This is
province and we’ve got good soil conditions, so agriculture Limpopo, offers Eastern
done mainly through promotion of entrepreneurship, enterprise finance and support to
many opportunities. For example Limpopo produces less than 10%
small,
BIOGRAPHY
micro and medium enterprises (SMME’s).
Western Cape.
of its maize consumption and if we go back to the basics we can
The process to follow when apply
Maphala Mosomane is the reclaim our position as the bread basket of South Africa. from the Masisizane Fund is:
The Fund provides loan finance in the following sectors:
Provincial Manager: Limpopo
Submit the following documents fo
• Agriculture
& Mpumulanga of the Old Mutual
Masisizane Fund. Maphala There are parts of the province with high concentrated sun projections; heat
What is the potential in terms of solar energy? relevant provincial office:
• Manufacturing
• Comprehensive business plan
• Supply Chain
• Franchising
started his career at Ga-Segonyana
and we should look at exploiting such opportunities and • linkages For established businesses –
• Commercial Enterprise
Municipality working as a to Eskom to provide solar energy. Areas like Phalaborwa, Giyani,
three years) and the latest man
Non-financial value adding services include capacity
• For start-up businesses – financ
Local Economic Development Vhenda, Moletjie and Matlala can play a catalystic role in the provision
financial of solar education, energy. market development and product/
• Off take agreements and/or l
development, business management and technical support,
• Tax clearance certificate;
Officer before joining ABSA
Bank as an Enterprise Development
service quality standards and compliance. A Business
• Signed consent for a credit ch
Consultant. From there he
moved to Standard Bank as an
Acquisition Manager. In 2013,
Maphala joined the Masisizane
Fund as Provincial Manager
of Limpopo and Mpumalanga
What are the hallmarks of a successful SMME?
It’s important for entrepreneurs to be committed and focused, but
managing your cashflow is essential, otherwise you will get into
serious difficulties. It’s also important to continuously develop your
product range and to keep on marketing your business. If you get
that right you will make money and have a successful business.
Provinces. He has a Bachelor
of Commerce in Economics degree
in addition to a Certificate
in Project Management.
Are there any clients you are particularly proud to have
helped?
Every funding proposal presented to us and approved gives me
The target market is enterprises that are 51% or more owned
by the previously disadvantaged individual(s) giving priority
to rural and peri-urban/township areas. Masisizane funding
is biased towards 51% plus owned women, youth and
people with disabilities. Masisizane will target productive
and labour absorbing sectors as approved by the Board of
Directors from time to time.
The Fund’s success is driven through a focused approach on
high impact industry sectors, coupled with a comprehensive
SMME finance solution that includes business support.
Acceleration Program has been e
clients receive training and suppo
eligible to receive financial suppo
The growth of the Masisizane Fu
inception. Although the initial foc
the fund has gradually grown to b
fund with the vision of being able
as a sustainable entity and thereb
for many years to come. The fu
R1b and it plans to invest R420
SMME’s by the end of 2017.
The development of agri-clusters
Masisizane Fund’s approach in
entail the clustering of small sca
the farmers benefit from economi
on value chain financing, agro-p
partnerships.
In 2013 the Fund initiated a p
Harry Gwala municipalities co
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