"We take pleasure in all of the deliberate, and consistent efforts invested by the SBU team across the country to ensure the success and growth of our graduates and current clients," says Seapei Mafoyane, CEO, Shanduka Black Umbrellas. SBU has revealed that, in just the 1st quarter of their new financial year, its current clients have experienced the impact of their participation in the programme.
Each of the eight incubators has success stories to share. MaH Quests Enterprises Pty Ltd, from SBU's Johannesburg incubator, has achieved recognition as an Oracle Partner Network Specialisation (OPN) company for their Java platform. In order to achieve this coveted OPN Specialised status, partners must meet a stringent set of product-specific competency and business requirements that are based on the needs and priorities of the customer and partner community. By achieving a specialised distinction, MaH Quests Enterprises Pty Ltd has been recognised by Oracle for its expertise in delivering services specifically around Java SE 7, Oracle WebLogic Server 12c and Oracle Enterprise Manager 12c through competency development, business results and proven success.
Also representing the SBU Johannesburg incubator is Surg SA Engineering and Construction (Pty) Ltd, which has been awarded two indefinite-period contracts by AngloGold Ashanti to perform the remaining hydraulic work at the Harties 7 and Ellaton sites. The scope of work includes the provision of materials, tools, equipment, consumables, transport, as well as the labour necessary for the work in strict accordance with the mine's specifications. This contract is worth R460,000 per month and will enable Surg SA to create more sustainable jobs.
Go-Sedimogile Construction, a Pretoria incubator client, was awarded a contract worth R6 million to transport minerals. In Mooinooi, Retswelapele Construction was awarded two projects through Lonmin. One of the projects, worth R380,000, was for the construction of a maternity ward in Swartbam and was completed ahead of time. The business then received a better CIDB grading due to the speedy delivery of services, moving from level 3 to level 4. Fifteen workers were employed to complete the project, and two were subsequently retained on a permanent basis. Also from Mooinooi, Ikatiseng Construction was awarded a R5.5 million construction contract in April 2015 by the Department of Human Settlement in the North West Province.
The Western Cape also showcased great results, with Blast 24/7, an engineering business in the Cape Town incubator, formulating a client strategy that has enabled the business to increase its turnover to R1.5 million in just a few months by revisiting its former clients and rebuilding relationships.
Other success stories include Lephalale's Setumishi Building Construction and Enterprise, which through SBU facilitation, was provided with funding of R1 million by Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Africa to complete the building of its guest house. Durban's Comfort Aviate won the Best IT Award at the 2015 KZN Young Achievers Awards. Richard's Bay's Thuba Construction was awarded contracts totalling R1.2 million from Eskom, Prasa and KZN Health. Port Elizabeth's Ezamabamba Trading was awarded a R1.1 million contract by Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) for a period of two years.
