Johannesburg, South Africa – Thirty-seven Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) suppliers proudly graduated from Henley Business School during its mid-year graduation ceremony in July, marking another milestone in CCBSA’s ongoing commitment to developing black-owned and black women-owned enterprises.
The graduates earned either an Advanced Diploma in Management Practice or a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice, having completed rigorous academic programmes designed to enhance business leadership and operational excellence.
Now in its third year, the CCBSA Supplier Development Programme equips entrepreneurs in the company’s value chain with essential skills in Systemic Management Practice, Innovative Wealth Creation, Managing Value Streams, and Synthesis and Integration. The programme forms part of CCBSA’s broader mission to build resilient, sustainable businesses that contribute to job creation and economic growth.
For Busi Thusi, Head of Procurement for CCBSA, a company in the Coca-Cola Beverages Africa group, and an alumna of Henley Business School herself, the ceremony was especially meaningful. She had the honour of joining the graduation procession, celebrating alongside the new graduates.
“Seeing our suppliers walk across that stage is incredibly rewarding,” said Thusi. “They are not only building stronger businesses but also creating jobs, expanding into new markets, and making a tangible difference in their communities. We are proud to be part of their journey.”
The Supplier Development Programme is more than a training initiative – it is a strategic investment in South Africa’s small business sector, enabling participants to scale, diversify, and operate competitively in the mainstream economy.