The Cutting Edge Podcast

• Strategic ESD in Mining | A Masterclass in Building Resilient and Self-Sustaining SMEs

  In this episode of the Cutting Edge, Nyaniso Rapiya (ESD & Preferential Procurement Manager at Seriti Resources) and Nabeela Vally (Business Development Head at Edge Growth) break down how mining houses can transform their ESD & SME Development initiatives from compliance exercises into engines of local economic growth. Collectively, they tackle the tough questions facing South Africa’s mining sector and share proven strategies that create resilient and self-sustaining SMEs. This discussion covers: ↳ How to evolve your ESD approach beyond basic mentorship and funding ↳ Why traditional SME support models often fail to deliver sustainable growth ↳ Which metrics actually matter when measuring SME development ↳ Where to find opportunities for cross-sector collaboration ↳ When to introduce funding vs capability building ↳ How to integrate ESG principles into supplier development programmes ↳ What it takes to build SMEs that thrive beyond life of mine 🟢 Ideal for mining executives, procurement leaders, and ESD practitioners who want to move beyond tick-box transformation and build genuinely sustainable local supply chains.

  --------  

  1:17:38
• Unpacking the True Effectiveness of the ESD Ecosystem in South Africa ft. GIBS Business School

  In this episode of the Cutting Edge, Edge Growth Business Development Manager, Nabeela Vally sits down with Adjunct Faculty and Practice Director at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) - Anne Cabot-Alletzhauser. Together, they delve into the very relevant outcomes of the recent study conducted by GIBS titled “Enhancing Enterprise and Supplier Development Ecosystem Effectiveness in South Africa,” they examine how misaligned goals, quick fixes, and fragmented collaboration often leave SMEs dependent on support instead of building toward sustainable growth. They also explore actionable strategies and opportunities to create a stronger, more effective ESD ecosystem that empowers SMEs to develop independently and sustainably.

  --------  

  54:56
• The Green Economy: Innovation as the Currency for Sustainable Development

  Join the electrifying discussion as Chief Executive of Edge Growth Ventures Janice Johnston teams up with green energy experts to dive into the transformative green economy and its vast potential to drive sustainable development through groundbreaking innovations. Contributing to the conversation is Ziyad Cassim, the SA Country Representative for the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), a collective movement dedicated to fast-tracking the green energy transition and eradicating energy poverty in emerging economies. Presenting a founder’s perspective is Tumi Mphahlele, the visionary co-founder and COO of i-G3N, a pioneering energy solutions company and leading lithium battery manufacturer. Together, the trio tackle the challenges and opportunities of transitioning towards a greener future.

  --------  

  46:34
• Fuelling Funding Readiness: Preparing SMEs for the Funding Journey

  Edge Growth Investment Principal Noluvo Nela engages African Enterprise Network founder Sinazo Vabaza Tundube and Chumile Holdings founder Violet Lupuwana in an analysis of South Africa’s SME funding ecosystem that inspects the opportunities to improve access to finance for small businesses. Sinazo’s experience implementing Finance Readiness Masterclasses for SMEs across the country positions her to impart invaluable insights to investors, including corporate organisations, on fuelling funding readiness and access to finance for SMEs. Violet shares her experiences as the founder of a thriving transport, logistics and tourism business, revealing the funding obstacles SME founders face on their path to growth.  

  --------  

  48:23
• Welcome to Season 2 of The Cutting Edge!

  Thank you for listening to The Cutting Edge Season 2! A podcast series powered by Edge Growth, expert solutionists in Enterprise and Supplier Development, SME development and impact investing in South Africa.A quick recap of what to expect from this series:💥 We'll bring you the freshest updates on the local and global factors shaping the trajectory of SME Development. From the green economy and sustainable development to digital transformation and funding readiness, we’ve got it covered.💥 We’ll join forces with future-focused thought leaders, visionary impact investors, and tenacious SME founders as we dive deeper into the influential topics at the forefront of SME development in South Africa.💥 This series will appeal to the purpose-led corporate leader, the visionary impact investor, the innovation-led founder and the entrepreneur.Follow Season 2 of our podcast on Apple Podcasts or Shopify where we will be releasing a new episode every two weeks. Or subscribe to the Edge Growth YouTube channel to catch the conversation: [https://youtu.be/5w9cqyLyfL4]

  --------  

  1:10

More Business podcasts

Trending Business podcasts

About The Cutting Edge Podcast