For eight small-business owners in Botrivier, Grabouw and Villiersdorp, building a business is about more than making a living. It is about creating greater stability for their families, serving their communities and, ultimately, creating opportunities for others.

Two months into a 12-month enterprise development programme, the entrepreneurs are gaining practical skills and individual support to help them tackle some of the everyday challenges of running a small business – from finding and retaining customers to managing finances, marketing their services and planning for growth.

The programme, initiated and funded by Klipheuwel Wind Farm and facilitated by Elgin Learning Centre, combines a SETA-accredited New Venture Creation qualification at NQF Level 2 with practical coaching and mentorship. The second cohort comprises eight active small-business owners from across the Theewaterskloof Municipality.

For Zweli Mgobozi, owner of Lethu Kamva in Grabouw, the programme has provided an opportunity to look at his business from a different perspective and begin putting some of the building blocks for growth in place. Working with his mentors, he has developed a brand identity for his business, based on his own ideas about how he wants the business to be represented. He is also working towards establishing an electronic business presence to make it easier for customers to find and communicate with him.

"The main thing I want to achieve is to grow my business so that it is stable and profitable. I want my business to have more customers, to be well-organised with proper books and stock, and to be able to employ other young people from Grabouw – and to have a business that my family can be proud of," said Mgobozi.

For the entrepreneurs taking part, these are practical goals. Most are still operating without employees and are focused on building a reliable customer base and generating sufficient income to keep their businesses going.

“Most of these entrepreneurs are still building their businesses and working to establish a steady customer base and income. The support is hence practical and tailored to what each business needs, whether that is better financial management, marketing, branding or business planning. The aim is to give them tools they can apply directly to strengthen and grow their businesses,” explained Nonini Makhothe, Economic Development Manager for Klipheuwel Wind Farm.

Theewaterskloof entrepreneurs build businesses – and better futures

The entrepreneurs are also learning that growing a business takes persistence. Some have had to overcome challenges simply to participate in the programme. Limited connectivity has affected online sessions, while access to data and suitable devices has sometimes made it difficult to attend classes. Some participants have joined sessions on their phones, transferred learning material between devices and relied on classmates to catch up when connectivity failed.

For many, the programme is building both business skills and confidence, with goals including stronger financial management, better marketing, increased income and greater stability for their households.

Looking ahead, several participants hope to grow their businesses enough to create jobs, work with other local businesses and contribute to opportunities within their communities.

"After completing this programme, I want to be running a successful, healthy business that serves my community and also creates jobs to better families' lives," said Abigayle Strass, of AC Strauss Holdings in Botrivier.

SAWEA