After receiving substantial grant funding in the latter half of the year from the Ekurhuleni Peermont Chambers of Commerce Trust (EPCoCT), two Kempton Park businesses can look forward to a festive Christmas and a prosperous 2016.

Both enterprises, Kempton Radiators, a business started by local resident, Mpho Sejake in 2011 and Bonaero Park Workshop Breakdown and Spares, a co-operative founded by 23 Kempton Park based taxi owners/operators in 2014, are situated in Park Street and received funding of R150 692 and R250 000 respectively. 

Sejake used his funding to purchase equipment, tools and materials like a pressure test bath, compressor, welding gear, generator and boil out bath which has increased his productivity and helped him turn his business into a concern that started with a turnover of R400 000 per annum and is now looking at making triple this in the current financial year - all thanks to the help of the Trust.

The grant has also contributed to him being able to open a second branch, at the end of November, in Olifantsfontein where he employs four staff in addition to the five working in Kempton Park.

Sejake was employed as a cash desk supervisor at Emperors Palace when he pursued his passion of working with vehicles by going to auctions and buying, repairing and selling damaged vehicles on a part-time basis. 

Whilst doing this he identified a gap in the market, the service to clean and repair radiators in the Kempton Park CBD area and Kempton Radiators was born which subsequently led to him resigning from Emperors Palace to concentrate on his new venture. 

The business now cleans and repairs motor vehicle radiators – all makes of vehicles – and also manufactures custom made radiators which involves the buying of the core component part of the radiator and assembling it to suit the requirements of customers, largely involving replacing plastic parts with aluminium components which are hardier and long lasting. 

Sejake says they also clean and repair fuel tanks, repair mag wheels and he buys radiators from scrapyards which he fixes, sells and recycles the parts that can’t be used to increase revenue.

The Bonaero Park Workshop Breakdown and Spares cooperative used the funding (R250 000) they received as part payment for a roll back truck with the 23 members of the company contributing the balance of the payment for the truck. 

Having recently taken ownership of the vehicle they can now start operating from the premises they purchased in Park Street which will act as offices and a workshop where they will offer vehicle repair towing services and spare sales to taxi operators belonging to their taxi association. 

Among the services they will offer are electrical system diagnostic – starter, alternator and computer systems; complete transmission services, total vehicle maintenance – as per manufacturer recommended maintenance intervals; exhaust systems; timing belts; computer system analysis – ABS, check engine light, etc, brakes; tyres; wheel alignment and engine work.

Apart from these two concerns the Trustees of the EPCoCT have granted funding of a further R664 770 to four other community-based small business projects, which fall in the Emperors Palace catchment area, during the past year.

This brings the total funding provided by the Trust since 2008, when it gave its first grant, to just under R22-million with 46 businesses assisted and nearly 400 jobs created. 

Pictured below:  Some of the thrilled members of the Bonaero Park Workshop Breakdown and Spares cooperative, Simon Nkhahle, Enock Madonsela, July Jiyane and Sipho Lubisi celebrate taking ownership of their roll back truck with Ekurhuleni Business Facilitation Network representative, Kenneth Nkosi (left), Trustee Desley Fortuin (third left) and Trust administrator, Makomane Ntabo (third right) on Thursday morning, November 26.