A total of 30 enterprises graduated from the first-ever virtual graduation ceremony of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC)/Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber (NMBBC/Business Chamber) Enterprise Development Programme last week on Friday.
The R680 000 sixth phase of the programme attracted the participation of 30 enterprises from across the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) region.
A total of 23 enterprises graduated with seven receiving certificates of attendance.
The ECDC has committed to set aside a budget of R3,8 million to be spent over a three-year period (2019-2022) for the implementation of the programme.
Managed by the Business Chamber, the programme which began in the 2014/15 financial year has benefitted 151 businesses in the region since its inception.
The core training of the programme is facilitated and assessed by the Nelson Mandela University Business School. Entrepreneurs are mentored on business growth by experienced mentors, eWatchdog.
The businesses are SA Canvas, Amabope Services and Construction, Hire Power, Dunamite Trade & Projects, Impilo Solutions, Jamal’s Hiring Services, Kuyasa Accounting, Kingsworth Civils & Construction, Mhlantle Projects, Leboang Trading, Motions Multi Enterprise MJ Gobodo, Ndiyaphambili Trading, Onnerkoppi Festivals, Qe2 Creations, Proverbs Events and Conferencing, Renew Feminine Hygiene, R and K Telecommunications & Civil, Savuwo, Salubrious Educational Academy, Siphumelele Liya Trading, Sboko Trading, Sizumi Trading, Smartins Agencies, Tatana Trading, Thayandas, Trout Builders, The Runanga Group, Yani Capital and Ziyano Holdings.
“The programme aims to develop sustainable Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) in the region by growing the competitiveness of local businesses. The businesses are involved in a variety of sectors such as downstream petroleum, construction/real estate, transportation, events management, accounting and tax,” says ECDC chief executive officer Ndzondelelo Dlulane.
“On graduation, the businesses will receive one-year free Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber membership and they will benefit from networking opportunities.
“It is believed that through this initiative, the skills of participants are enhanced and they should contribute towards the sustainability of their businesses.
“The programme was rolled out over a period of nine months with the graduates being equipped in areas such as leadership, marketing and financial management.
“The combination of trainings is conducted and assessed by the Nelson Mandela University Business School as well as through a direct focus on soft skills training by the Business Chamber.
“Entrepreneurs are mentored by experienced mentors such as eWatchdog.”
Dlulane says one of the advantages of this programme is that entrepreneurs get to participate in the broader Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber networking sessions, thus increasing their network within the business fraternity.
ECDC believes that expanded networks will boost the profitability of the businesses.
“The common goal between the Business Chamber and the ECDC is the need for the programme to be enriching and produce tangible results and returns for the participants.
“The participants showed an unshakeable commitment and they have done exceptionally well. Their commitment and diligence were evident throughout this phase of the programme.
“As a result, we are excited and looking forward to embark on the seventh phase of the programme in August,” says Business Chamber Chief Executive Officer Nomkhita Mona.
Owner of Ziyano Holdings, Ziyanda Dumalisile, says the programme has helped her sharpen her business strategy.
“The
programme has given us tools to sharpen our business strategy and really refine
our business model. In turn, that has given us more confidence to approach
the relevant players in our industry and start building strategic partnerships
that are vital in our sector.
“I feel honoured to have been part of a group of such amazing entrepreneurs who
are really passionate about the future of the Bay. I would love to see all the
agencies responsible for business development really stepping up to assist
small businesses,” says Dumalisile.
R and K Telecommunications & Civil’s Kimberlee Lewis says the enterprise development programme has equipped her business to strategise and plan ahead.
“The programme was truly amazing in challenging me to think outside the box and take up space. Additionally, the program exposed me to networking opportunities via the business chambers.
“Moreover, the facilitators at the business school all contributed in their own unique way and left me with knowledge that will be invaluable to my business growth. Lastly and certainly not least, it granted me the opportunity to build relations with really inspirational entrepreneurs,” Lewis adds.
Mona says participants in the programme commit to attending 80% of all the Nelson Mandela University Business School classroom courses, as well as to participate in 22 hours of counselling, mentoring and coaching.
Participants also attend three one and a half hour one-on-one mentoring sessions, six three-hour group mentoring sessions, and eight coffee morning sessions of two hours each.
Image: Graduates of the sixth phase of the ECDC/Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber enterprise development programme