LOCAL SMMES BENEFIT FROM SUPPORT

May 2022.

Twenty SMMEs, from various industry sectors, received working resources and materials to aid in their business growth, as part of an Enterprise Development Accelerator Programme. Funded by Boikanyo Solar, this initiative aims to address the challenges faced by small enterprises and support the establishment of sustainable small businesses through the upliftment of rural and survivalist entrepreneurs, ensuring that they have the suitable resources.

Based on a thorough Needs Analysis Study conducted and subsequent assessments of the businesses participating in the 2021 Boikanyo Solar Enterprise Development (ED) programme, SMMEs were identified as businesses with incredible growth potential.

“One of the challenges outlined in the baseline study included the need to support SMMEs with equipment or materials in order to help them grow, empower them, support them, and provide a supportive and enabling environment in under-resourced communities of Douglas, hence we have put funding and support behind this programme,” explained Pamela Matyeka, Community Liaison Officer, Boikanyo Solar.

This Business Accelerator programme is a 12-month incubation, mentoring, and ED intervention, that will form the basis for expanding further into a Business Incubator programme. For SMME beneficiaries, it is a comprehensive and integrated Enterprise Development solution that is designed to increase operational capacity; financial sustainability; enterprise efficiency; management capabilities; and technical capabilities, among others.

Furthermore, the programme seeks to assist SMMEs in developing their businesses for increased turnover, jobs, improved efficiency and effectiveness, as well as improved compliance with statutory requirements.

One of the programme’s beneficiaries, Samuel Mabunda of Tirekani (Pty)Ltd, says the support contributed to the growth of his company.

“With the help of Boikanyo Solar, Tirekani has been awarded two projects, one in Kimberly for reticulation, storm water, sewer upgrade, and paving and kerb installation; and another one in Postmansburg for painting of the Boichoko Hospital. My company major goal is to add value to the community of Douglas in the form of jobs and skills for locals, thereby reducing unemployment,” he said.

In addition to the equipment, SMMEs also received support in the form of mentoring, coaching; business training; technical skills support training; business compliances; business profile development; as well as working capital funding.