INTERCEMENT SA (NPC)

InterCement SA (NPC) is involved in numerous initiatives designed to uplift the communities in the areas surrounding its various cement production and quarry operations. NPC aims to empower and expand their enterprises, which would translate into greater socio-economic impact i.e., job creation and income generating opportunities.

Catalyx has been an implementation partner of NPC’s programmes under the Transformation Department since 2016. Catalyx has provided consulting services in B-BBEE, CSR and the compilation of the Social and Labour Plan.

Since 2018 Catalyx has led the implementation of over 20 community projects specifically dedicated for Youth and Enterprise Development which include:

  • Enterprise and Supplier development – Training of over 100 small enterprises and mentoring over 10 of these on intensive mentoring programmes
  • Job readiness programmes – work readiness training and placement of candidates into employment in target communities
  • Community engagement with key community stakeholders in target communities
  • Youth Coaching and Work Readiness – matching NPC employees and Catalyx leaders with youth through a life coaching platform
  • Compliance guidance – B-BBEE Consulting and design and support for social and labour plans

Catalyx is currently engaged in 5 sub-projects, namely: the Block Makers Project in South Coast, Cement Manufacturers Project in Newcastle, Clothing & Textile Project in South Coast, KwaNyuswa Income Generation Project and Supplier development Project in South Coast.

IMPACT OVERVIEW
  • The renovation of a dilapidated building into the KwaNyuswa Business Hub housing several tenants and with a fully equipped bakery. Four local women were upskilled to highly skilled bakers and emerging entrepreneurs.
  • Trained and resourced over 50 blockmakers in the South Coast and Newcastle with some moving from a baseline of 3-4 employees to over 10 employees and achieving SABS quality block strength making them eligible to supply major Hardware suppliers and government housing programmes.
  • Over 50 unskilled individuals impacted with technical sewing skills together with costing and bookkeeping mentorship. Over 20 sewing machines invested into these beneficiaries and over 10 registered as private entities.

NPC aims to scale-up the Blockmakers Programme, focusing on the highest performing programme beneficiaries and scaling them up to the next commercial level. The vision is to establish the KwaNdwalane Blockmakers Incubator to be a Business and Training Hub for blockmakers. This shared resources hub will be fully equipped and resourced to enable beneficiary tenants to become more productive and produce better quality products.