• Telkom says its FutureMakers programme has directly led to partner small businesses and SMMEs creating nearly 70 000 employment opportunities.
• Businesses in the programme have managed to generate nearly R400 million in revenues this year.
• Telkom aids certain businesses with partnership opportunities to further positive impacts.

The small business boosting FutureMakers programme from Telkom is being celebrated by the semi-private telco firm for a banner 2024 so far, creating procurement opportunities and innovation initiatives worth nearly R340 million.

As part of the programme, Telkom says it managed to create and sustain 69 500 new jobs through aiding small businesses and SMMEs that are part of FutureMakers.

This figure of new jobs was at 39 261 as of last year, noting the new wave of employment opportunities created through these initiatives in 2024 so far, and the year isn’t even over yet. By far and away, Telkom has shown that its impact with FutureMakers is only growing year to year.

“Our investments in SMMEs and development programmes have resulted in real, positive social and commercial outcomes,” says Tshepo Phetla, Telkom’s head of business development.

“We’re proud to be growing local businesses, and connecting communities across the nation,” they add.

Telkom says in an announcement sent to Hypertext that SMMEs that are taking part in its small business development programmes managed to generate revenues of R399 million this year.

An example of a successful small businesess boosted by FutureMakers is Mmapaseka Academy, an ICT training business in Kimberley, Northern Cape. It is owned and operated by young black women, including founder Naledi Moncho.

“Through Telkom FutureMakers, it received seed funding, during their participation in the Telkom Tech Accelerator programme, for the development of training tools and platforms and to cover operational expenses and marketing,” the telco explains.

Now the business has even onboarded the software of Telkom subsidiary BCX to run learnerships for 49 students. Mmapaseka Academy has also been drafted to run digital skills training for FutureMaker’s Telkom Township incubation programme. Telkom hopes these and future initiatives will help more people find meaningful jobs.

“Ultimately, through strategic partnerships like these, and committed, focused enterprise and supplier development programmes, Telkom FutureMakers is transforming the business landscape,” Telkom says.