Ten West Coast entrepreneurs, six of which are women have been hand-picked to receive training,
mentoring and funding to help grow their businesses through an SMME Accelerator programme.
Whilst the business owners have different stories and ambitions they all display a tremendous grit
and resilience to keep pushing through, despite the circumstances and red tape they face in their
businesses.
Umoya Energy Wind Farm has provided seed capital, often in the form of equipment financing, to
the entrepreneurs as well as other support that will continue for the 12–month period that the
programme runs.
The programme is in partnership with the Saldanha Bay Municipality and aims to assist local
enterprises to move from being survivalist businesses to formal sustainable SMMEs. Through the
programme they receive coaching and mentoring, access to market opportunities through supplier
days and networking events, business registration and formalization.
“We are heartened by local entrepreneurs like Lizzie Nomathamsanqa Kopi from LeeJ, who has
started taking driving lessons. She is also using the equipment that we funded to diversify her
services and although she can’t read or write, she is now using WhatsApp voice notes to
communicate,” Celiwe Mabaso, Community Operations Manager for Umoya Energy Wind Farm.
Beneficiary Lusapho Thubeni, from Lukhanyolwethu Technologies has a similar story to tell,
already demonstrating the impact that this business programme has had on his business.
“Lusapho’s business has grown exponentially. With the desktop computers he received, he is
going to start computer training for the community. He will also be conducting computer training
for co-beneficiaries from the programme in April, amongst other initiatives that are supporting his
community,” added Mabaso.
Programme Beneficiary SMMEs include: Shalom Baking, LeeJ, T Maqolo Trading, Malihambe
Project Primary C-Operative Limited, Mzamomhle Car Wash and Cleaning, Thembelakuye Trading
(Pty) Ltd, HOD Enterprise, Lukanyo Lwethu Technologies, Qhzwekazi Designs, TA SK Installers.
