Enterprise Development Programme Helps Boost Local Economy

Hopefield, West Coast Thirteen small and micro business owners in Hopefield have successfully graduated from an enterprise development programme, aimed at equipping SMMEs with the tools and resources necessary to build sustainable businesses that have a positive impact on their communities. As a result of the training, this cohort of entrepreneurs will be able to gear up to expand their businesses, thus contributing to the growth of the local economy.

Funded by Umoya Wind Farm and implemented by Africa’s Got Game, the programme ran from May to December 2022. The entrepreneurs were selected by key community role players and stakeholders who identified gaps in their business operations, which the programme was specifically designed to address. “Supporting SMMEs is crucial in driving the Province’s economy as a whole, and it helps to ensure that greater development takes place in outlying areas and increasing business initiation in the area,” said Amber Zeeman, Community Liaison Officer for Umoya Energy Wind Farm.

“The role of small businesses in the Hopefield and broader Saldanha Bay area remains critical, and this support shares the vision of growing and investing in small businesses to transform and integrate opportunities on the West Coast.” To further support the entrepreneurs, Umoya Energy Wind Farm has allocated and approved grant funding to the value of R120 000 to the top three SMMEs who have improved and grown their businesses during the implementation of the programme. This grant funding includes a cash amount, the design of a business website and social media platforms, as well as six months of mentoring and coaching by Africa’s Got Game. The programme content covered a range of topics including: Financial Literacy, Marketing, Digital Marketing, Sales Pitching to Investors, Contracting, and Ethics and Professionalism. Merilyn Maarman, who is the owner of DLCM, a catering and events company and one of the top three SMMEs, had this to say about the programme, “The training was an opportunity to identify areas where my business may fall short and take corrective action to pave the way forward. Learning about the business side of the hospitality industry, an area many of us avoid, gave me the confidence to tackle that section with great pleasure." Other SMMEs in the top three include LJ Cleaning Solutions, owned by Sue Lynn Juries Jaars, as well as Wishy Washy Cleaning Services, owned by Hayley Lazarus and Maryna Hoop.