Durban — Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (SRSA) tyre manufacturer of the Dunlop brand is on the hunt for 48 township entrepreneurs, who qualify for start-up support to run their own high-quality tyre centres in their local area.
Driven by the desire to empower young entrepreneurs and create employment opportunities in local communities, SRSA said it aims to give out over 80 Dunlop container outlets and employ over 400 people across the country.
In 2012, SRSA started a Dunlop container store project and recently launched the Dunlop Business in a Box concept as an extension.
The programme will offer a plug-and-play solution where shortlisted candidates will be linked up with recommended funders to apply for total funding to set up their own Dunlop Fitment Centres.
SRSA CEO, Lubin Ozoux, said Dunlop has a proud history for over 130 years of entrepreneurship .
He said their main aim was to drive sustainable township entrepreneurship and promote safety on the road.
“SRSA is presently the only rural area enterprise development programme, and we are serious about playing a role in tackling the high unemployment of around 33%, the majority of which affects young people in rural areas and townships,” said Ozoux.
He said the Dunlop container project enabled informal tyre businesses often trading from makeshift, roadside facilities to be transformed into proper Dunlop-branded fitment centres.
Ozoux added that they were hoping to find the right entrepreneurs and ensure that they are equipped to be successful and well-supported for their journey with technical, sales, business and back-office training and development.
“Through our new Business in a Box concept, successful applicants will receive the funding and support they need to run their own thriving tyre businesses, offering tyre fitment, tyre repairs, wheel balancing and rotation, and more.
“The longer-term vision is that the entrepreneurs will be able to grow and develop their businesses from entry level enterprises serving the man-in-the-street to businesses that can support the taxi industry, and government departments, thus creating more job opportunities. This would also positively impact the greater awareness about tyres, and counter the use of dangerous second-hand tyres, through training and education on tyre safety,” he said.
Deputy Director General in the KwaZulu-Natal Office of the Premier, Sibusiso Ngubane, said the province was appreciative of the work Dunlop Tyres was undertaking in empowering entrepreneurs.
“We are very proud to see the offering Dunlop Tyres has created. This concept is about skills development, job creation and sustainability in the retail sector. We are happy to see that Dunlop travels the journey with the entrepreneur through ongoing support and advice. We wish them the best in their programme and look forward to seeing it empower young entrepreneurs,” said Ngubane.
The successful candidates will be fully funded and trained at one of SRSA’s centres for technical skills, occupational health and safety, business acumen and sales, and customer care.
Daily News