Massmart was named the overall winner at the inaugural ABSA Business Day Supplier Development Awards. Presented in partnership with Fetola, Cold Press Media and Tiso Blackstar Group, the awards celebrated companies that are building a better South Africa and an inclusive economy through innovative and impactful supplier development initiatives.
More than 400 entries were received for the award and twelve companies were selected as Finalists, three of which were nominated for the Overall Winner Award. Commenting on why Massmart received the top honour, the ABSA Business Day Supplier Development Awards judging panel says “Massmart creatively exhibited their methods and articulated their results. These included jobs created, improved production capacities, supplier incorporated into their own supply chain and those expanding their market beyond their own in-house demand. The judges felt this program was an excellent example of the potential of supplier development to support the growth of the local manufacturing ecosystem, including the creation of import substitution and export opportunities.“
The main aim of the Massmart Supplier Development is to develop and significantly increase the production scale of small local manufacturers.
Phumzile Siboza, Massmart Brand and Corporate Communication Executive says “We are grateful for this award as it is an incredible acknowledgment of the talented entrepreneurs on the programme. We would particularly like to thank the Economic Development Department who have encouraged us to develop a programme that includes strong import substitution and export market components.“
Massmart also received the Supplier Development Innovation Award. Reapso SA, a clothing manufacturer and participant in the Massmart programme won the Small Supplier Award in recognition of their success in harnessing the supplier development opportunity to transform their business.
The awards judging panel says “All SME growth stories are remarkable in their own way, but Reapso SA with their selfless attitude toward growth and inclusion, emphasis on client relationships, commitment to skills development for employees (especially women) and understanding of their own business environment impressed the panel. Reapso SA make a point of paying it forward, providing the same opportunities they were given in the Massmart Supplier Development Programme to other SME’s in the supply chain to assist them in their own growth path.”
Established by mother and daughter duo Dikeledi and Mahlatsi Mashile in 2012, Reapso SA focuses on the mass production of work wear for the catering, hospitality, construction, health, schools and sports sectors.
Through joining the Massmart Supplier Development Programme in 2014, the company based in Selby, Johannesburg began supplying chefwear to Makro under the private label brand, Bakers & Chef. “When an international supplier left the market Massmart saw this as an opportunity to upscale Reapso SA so we could supply all the chefwear sold at Makro stores nationally” says Reapso SA CEO Mahlatsi Mashile.
“We are extremely pleased that this award was given to Reapso SA. Mahlatsi’s work ethic, sharp business acumen and ability to swiftly adapt to change has not only made working with her a pleasure but is the reason for Reapso SA success” concludes Amukelani Mangolele, their Project Manager on the Massmart Supplier Development Programme.
