COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE ACCELERATION PROGRAMME UNDERWAY

July 2021.

Fourteen SMMEs, from the Madibeng Municipal area have enrolled in a one year development and enterprise acceleration programme.

“Simply put, this programme is aimed at providing formal Enterprise Development and equipping small local business owners with the necessary business skills to operate, develop and improve the profitability and longevity of their businesses through mentoring and coaching,” said Celiwe Mabaso, Community Operations Manager for De Wildt Solar, who have funded this as a flagship programme aimed to stimulate local entrepreneurs and small enterprises.

The 12-month programme, which kicked off in June, has the explicit purpose of supporting and developing local SMMEs that are currently in the Supplier value chain and those that are part of the Enterprise Development value chain of local companies and municipalities.

The monthly workshops are run by service provider Africa’s Got Game, and will cover topics such as business, finance, marketing, operations, business decision making, and ethics. The content will help community owned SMMEs become fit for purpose by introducing technology and other relevant tools to assist with creating access to market and ensuring business sustainability.

One of the fourteen programme participants, Mr. Modau, from Meraki Sabali Holdings, said,
“I am honoured to be part of the development programme, as my dream is to have a very successful and well established company that prides itself in working to uplift communities and develop more young entrepreneurs.”
This intervention has been launched, following research in the area that highlighted the need for access to training, accurate information, skills, human resources, business capital, business support services, and social and business connections. Furthermore, the preceding selection process and SMME analysis, has meant that the programme will help fill the gaps identified.

“The selection process included a baseline on all SMMEs, so that tailored support can be provided through mentorship on sales and marketing strategies, business models, financial management, costing and pricing, business profiles as well as the necessary industry accreditation and grading,” concluded Mabaso.

De Wildt Solar’s Enterprise Development Programme is aimed at helping small enterprises to accelerate sustainable growth. It directly benefits the communities of Brits, Mmakau, Mothotlung, Lethlabile, Ga-Rankuwa and surrounding areas within a 50km radius of the solar project, through Economic Development projects. These projects include training and accelerator programmes, skills development training and other welfare initiatives.