Motor industry heavyweights gather to advance transformation of South African SME sector

Yesterday, in an unassuming Boksburg panelbeating shop, another significant milestone was reached in the transformation of the South African SME sector.

During the launch of the newly refurbished Five Star Auto Speedshop owners Sam and Michelle Mthethwa receiving their NSR Certificate said, that while “raising the loans and getting the accreditation had been a long journey they were especially grateful for the efforts of Errol Masinga of Alexander Forbes and Daniel van Vuuren of the Umsobomvu Youth Fund.”

Moeketsi Wa Mitane, President of the National African Association of Automobile Service Providers (NAASP), also paid tribute saying “Alexander Forbes Risk and Insurance Services did not hesitate to take the first step when approached to help transform the South African automotive repair industry.”

Initially there was much sceptism amongst black owned panel beaters. Alexander Forbes has, however, through its support of Zombodze Panelbeater in Soweto, Toy Panelbeater in Ga-Rankuwa and now the Five Star Auto Speedshop in Boksburg, “demonstrated that transformation is not only a social and economic responsibility but also a moral and ethical responsibility,” said Wa Mitane.

Richard Green of the South African Motor Body Repair Association (SAMBRA) thanked Alexander Forbes for “not only putting their money where their mouth was when it came to empowerment but also for putting together effective delivery teams. Groups of highly dedicated and skilled individuals who go out there, identify the right businesses, and then match them with the right equipment and skills – making empowerment a reality for real people.”

Green also thanked Moeketsi Wa Mitane for his “tireless efforts over many years in identifying where the money was, finding the right partners and making transformation work for the benefit of the whole industry.”

Moipone Molotsi, HOD Business Development at the Umsobomvu Youth Fund (UYF) said “it had been an honour to work with people like Sam and Michelle Mthetwa. The UYF remained committed to ensuring that not only did Five Star Auto Speedshop become a success but that the Adopt-a-Panel-Shop programme rolled out across the country contributing to the empowerment of youth and women nationwide.”

To this end Nthuthuko Shezi and Nhlanhla Mbele, owners and operators of Scratch Mobile at OR Tambo International Airport, the next panelbeating operation identified for support, were also present at the launch.

2009 will also see the Adopt-a-Panel-Shop initiative rolled out to KZN with the upgrade and relocation of Maphise Panelbeaters to a better site at Prospecton south of Durban.

Anton Ossip, CEO Alexander Forbes Risk and Insurance Services added that “our goal was to help grow the SME sector in South Africa, step by step and brick by brick, to help people from disadvantaged backgrounds find employment in this sector.

“Our goal remains getting as many black-owned business off the ground and competing successfully in their own right.”

As such, “today is also about how we can take this further. This is the challenge we lay down to our existing partners and any others in the industry who want to become part of transforming and growing our industry in the interests of all South Africans.”