A group of small and micro business owners from communities in the Siyancuma Local Municipal area have successfully completed an enterprise development programme, aimed at helping SMMEs. The group of 35 entrepreneurs recently graduated having completed training to gear-up and grow sustainable small businesses, thereby stimulating local development.
Funded by Boikanyo Solar, the programme helps rural and survivalist entrepreneurs, improve their business skills and promote economic development in their communities by keeping SMME’s profitable.
“The programme is designed to improve business skills and the entrepreneur’s capacity to run and sustain their own business. This includes the ability to access needed funding and access to markets for their products or services, as well as improved profitability and reduced operational costs,” explained Pamela Matyeka, Community Liaison Officer for Boikanyo Solar.
Further support is being provided to 15 of the entrepreneurs who have been selected to participate in a further nine-month technical accredited training programme.
“It was a great honour and a privilege to be part of this programme and the certificate graduation ceremony. My participation in this programme helped me focus on my career and has inspired me to expand my business and create employment opportunities in my community,” concluded Christine Sentiwe, director of DTS Business Trading Enterprise and Projects, one of the programme beneficiaries.
Using the Growth Wheel Business Advisory tool, the training focused on maintaining profitable operations; understanding the importance of customer relations; establishing a strong organisation; as well as creating attractive business concepts.
“A further benefit of this programme is to empower and equip entrepreneurs with skills to run business that can further impact the community’s economic level through employment and offering services needed to help curb the high unemployment rates in the country,” added Matyeka.
