RMA and Black Umbrellas launch a new Soweto Incubator

On 25 November 2019, RMA launched the first-ever small business incubator housed in a township, in South Africa. Based in Soweto, this was completed in partnership with Black Umbrellas, a non-profit organisation involved in supporting and empowering emerging black SME businesses. This was done through RMA’s Enterprise and Supplier development programme.

Our partnership with Black Umbrellas is aligned to our Socio-economic Development strategy which aims to empower communities and create sustainable jobs and address poverty in the communities our beneficiaries live and operate in. Our investment towards Black Umbrellas, offers a platform for 100% black owned start-up enterprises to grow through guided mentorship, transfer of business skills and access to knowledge and networks that they would not ordinarily have access to in the first three years of their existence. Through this collaboration we hope to boost the growth of black owned start-ups and support them in becoming independent, viable businesses.

Currently, the Soweto incubator has interviewed ten potential clients. Many of these SME clients are still undergoing the application process, which comprises of a defined and strict strategic criterion for ensuring success with the SME business. This includes, close monitoring, business support, mentoring and training. NTCS Engineering (Pty) Ltd and the Bokaru Group have been selected as the first Soweto SME clients on the programme. NTS is an aspiring black owned engineering company that is also a Class 13 client of RMA in the Metals sector.

The opening of this ground-breaking incubator in Soweto was fully supported by President Cyril Ramaphosa, during the 15th Birthday Celebration of the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation. He regarded this as an integral part of steering inclusive economic growth in South Africa by empowering entrepreneurs so that they can become successful and sustainable businesses which generate much needed employment in our beautiful country. Having grown up in Soweto, and the incubator being the first of its kind, he holds this project very dearly and has committed to visiting the incubator in the future.

As a company, we are passionate about making a difference in people’s lives. We are proud to be one of the contributing businesses that continually provide support to Black Umbrellas, which since its inception, has generated R3 billion in turnover and created and sustained close on 12,000 jobs. We are doing our bit to turn the tide and help build a stronger South Africa for all!