The Future is Female: SAB Lerumo

JOHANNESBURG, 28 August 2017 – Developing small businesses to help them be sustainable and in turn create jobs and value in the South African economic and social landscape, is the purpose behind SAB Lerumo, the South African Breweries’ (SAB) Entrepreneur Development Programme.

SAB Lerumo is a Supplier Development programme is targeted at black woman owned companies who are struggling to break through the barriers and improve their market access capabilities.

The programme intends to impart core skills to the women to enable them to improve their market access opportunities and to better manoeuvre a large corporate with a complex procurement structure.

Twenty-three entrepreneurs were selected on their capabilities and potential to thrive under a targeted growth focused intervention.

“SAB Lerumo draws on a history of development excellence and leverages off industry thought leadership, diverse networks of business coaches, and experienced industry partnerships that culminate in years of expertise that serves to enrich the entrepreneurship journey at SAB.

“We view SAB Lerumo as the catalyst for real and genuine conversations among South African female entrepreneurs - a place where colleagues can speak about their failures in an honest way,” says Doreen Kosi, Vice President Legal and Corporate Affairs, SAB and AB InBev.

SAB’s Entrepreneurship Development programmes apply a holistic approach to development by offering bespoke interventions relevant to the SMME size and sector.

SAB Lerumo is structured into nine ‘Masterclasses’ that run over three months, based on topics including B2B selling, human rights and labour standards, supply chain, marketing, funding and pitching.

It culminates today with a Woman’s Day Brunch Event aimed at uplifting this generation’s black owned businesses.

The event celebrated female entrepreneurship and provides a platform for industry leaders to offer insight and guidance on Women Excellence and traversing complex supply chains.

Delivering the key note address on the role of mentorship in the entrepreneurship space Khanyi Dhlomo, founder and CEO of Ndalo Media, offered some advice to the women entrepreneurs.

“The things we want in life, are not always packaged the way we think they will be – you have to look out for opportunities in all shapes and forms, and sometimes we have to humble ourselves in order to ultimately achieve our long-term vision,” she said.

The top 10 businesses have been awarded with market access to the SAB business and will be given an opportunity to showcase their businesses to other potential buyers, on the day.

The event, held in Johannesburg, will include the 23 entrepreneurs, as well as leading black entrepreneurs and potential buyers.

“As we come to the end of Women’s Month, we recognise, celebrate and award the 23 women entrepreneurs who have journeyed with SAB Procurement these past three months. We salute you for your determination, your resilience and mostly importantly for going bravely and fiercely in the direction of your dreams!” said Zoleka Lisa, Procurement Capabilities Director: AB InBev Africa.