Coal South Africa is the first business unit in Anglo American to pilot the SAP Ariba Discovery App which uses smart phone technology to link local small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) to opportunities in their supply chain.
Goedehoop and Mafube Collieries, together with members of the supply chain team, launched the online procurement portal in Middelburg on Friday, June 14.
Head of supply chain Deirdre du Plessis described the launch as a major step in our concerted effort to fight poverty and joblessness through the promotion of inclusive procurement and the development of SMMEs in the communities situated closest to our mining sites.
“Using technology as an enabler, we want to make it easier for you to do business with us,” said Du Plessis, who described how the app would provide local enterprises with access to free and transparent information on the opportunities available to them in our supply chain.
By registering on the app, SMMEs are given notice of upcoming prospects three to six months in advance. They also receive ‘requests for information’ and ‘requests for quotations’ and receive feedback once these are closed.
Supply chain’s Adele Lombaard pointed out that Coal South Africa’s inclusive procurement effort goes beyond giving local SMMEs opportunities that will benefit them in the short term.
“The goal is to develop businesses made up of five or 10 people today so that they can employ 500 people in 10 years’ time.”
The event featured a host of partners including the Small Enterprise Development Agency, the National Youth Development Agency and Zimele – Anglo American’s enterprise and supplier development programme.
There were various business related interactions with all SMME and useful handouts pamphlets issued on the day.
This article first appeared in The Witbank News.
