Anheuser-Busch-owned South African Breweries (SAB) has announced it aims to create 10,000 jobs in South Africa by 2021 through its entrepreneurship programmes.
SAB offers entrepreneurship support to develop small businesses from an idea to growth, transforming the supply chain, as well as investing in the potential of entrepreneurs in the broader community. Applicants to the programmes will go through a selection process.
The company’s programmes aim to help young people who own businesses, historically disadvantaged communities as well as emerging farmers. The different schemes include: SAB KickStart, SAB Foundation, SAB Thrive and SAB Accelerator.
A commitment to create 10,000 jobs is above the commitments that SAB agreed last year with the South African government after the business combination between AB InBev and SABMiller.
SAB programme representatives will visit six cities across South Africa during a roadshow in October.
AB InBev and SAB Africa zone president Ricardo Tadeu said: “We are committed to making a substantial contribution towards South Africa’s national agenda of growing the economy through creating jobs and reducing unemployment, particularly amongst our youth.
“As a business that started out as an entrepreneur itself, we strongly believe that entrepreneurship is the most appropriate response to this issue and will help to galvanise the economy.
“We recognise that job creation is top of mind amongst South Africans. As one of the country’s leading corporates with a deep sense of pride, and a belief in the future of our country, we have not only a responsibility to help, but a duty to improve the lives of people in communities.
“We will do this through a range of initiatives, including providing real, authentic and sustainable jobs that we can measure going forward.”
In July, SAB announced it would invest ZAR 2.8 billion ($206.9 million) in expansions at its Alrode and Rosslyn breweries in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
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