MIDDELBURG - 26 MAY 2000
Master of Ceremonies
Ladies and Gentlemen
I wish to apologise that I could not be with you today at the Launch of the second branch of Bohlabela Wheels. However I felt it was important to send this message of support, to express the pride that we feel at the successes that are being achieved by this company.
Over the last few years one has seen many black companies emerge. However few of them can boast the levels of growth that this company has showed. Indeed very few of them can boast of the type of leadership that this company has, and of empowering our people in the manner that it has.
The fact that the company is owned and run by a black person, who is a woman, in an industry that is not traditionally associated with neither black people nor women symbolises the realisation of our goals as government. And of our aspirations as black people being in action to strike a balance in developing South Africa's economy and indeed in the black empowerment policy that we as government are pursuing.
It is even more significant that it is a woman who is playing a key role in this company. This is an added value and meaning in the black empowerment effort that we are all working to achieve. This further adds to the known fact that in black society women have always been the driving force in their families and communities for various reasons.
It is also most exciting for me to note that, as this company grows, so does the opportunities for employment that it generates. A growth in staff complement from 9 to 81 within two years is an achievement that one wishes to see emulated more by other entrepreneurs.
While it is an illustration of the strides that Mrs Fakude-Nkuna and her colleagues have made I believe that it is a vivid illustration of the role that SMME's can play in creating a stronger economic base and creating employment opportunities in our country. For I believe that it is ordinary South Africans and in particular the smaller entrepreneurs who are going to create the bulk of jobs that are required by our nation.
I spoke at the launch of a joint venture between two shipping companies recently. They had entered into a 50/50 split between a black owned company and an overseas company. Their ultimate goal is to see themselves owning their own which would be 100% South African owned shipping company. I commended them for venturing into a field that few black people have ventured into, with such determination and vision. I am equally happy to see the same, if not more commitment and vision in his company.
The phenomenal growth that is displayed by Bohlabela Wheels leaves me in no doubt that the goals that they have set for themselves are indeed achievable. I am certain also that many of our black people, in particular women, will draw strength from the successes of people like Mrs Fakude-Nkuna and the staff of Bohlabela Wheels.
I wish you continued success in your venture and wish to see you grow even bigger than this. And I hope that you will receive the necessary support as a company to achieve the set objective of black empowerment in our economy I believe that we South Africans have it in us to make our own economy and our country work
Thank you
J G ZUMA
Issued by: Office of the Deputy Presidency