Entrepreneurs in various parts of the Cacadu district are beginning to see positive change and growing success in their businesses as a result of training and mentoring programmes facilitated by Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda). Now with 3 Seda satellite offices being fully operational in Humansdorp, Graaff-Reinet and Grahamstown, small and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in these areas will benefit even more from Seda’s business advisory services.
In less than 6 months since the establishment of the satellite offices, the Cacadu District Municipality has started to see a good return on the R600 000 per annum injection towards the satellite offices. A positive performance report from Seda offices outlined that the offices have exceeded their walk-in target by just over 100%; 116 clients were also registered on the Seda database; and over R150 000 has been allocated for technical support to 13 entrepreneurs.
“The roll-out of the satellite offices, has increased the support required within the district and has provided wider access to SMMEs,” says Desmond Nyakaza, marketing manager for the provincial Seda branch.
Seda’s positive injection to budding enterprises such as the Longmore Flower Estate (a protea farm in Thornhill) and The Kokskraal (a craft project in the Cookhouse area) are some of the flagship ventures the agency has seen progress in 2008.
Through Seda, representatives from the Longmore Flower Estate and Kokskraal were invited to the 7-day International Trade Management Programme in Sweden in September. The programme, which coincided with the International Association of Trade Training Organisations (IATTO) 34th Annual Forum, was facilitated by the Swedish Trade Council. It involved export coaching workshops, seminars about corporate social responsibility, managing across cultures, trade strategies for SMMEs, and mach-making meetings with potential customers to help SMMEs grow their businesses internationally.
Nyakaza says: “Seda is vigorously targeting areas which naturally would not have been exposed to business advisory services. Accordingly, we have run a number of outreach programmes in Addo, Somerset East, Rietbron, Salem, Klipplaat and Humansdorp. The programmes included co-operative development, tendering and costing, as well as basics to starting a business.”
“The programmes are aimed at supporting the 3 satellite offices in Cacadu, which then can follow-up on leads or interest generated during the workshops,” he adds.
Other local ventures such as emerging citrus farming venture based in Sunday’s River, Wagenaar & Hobbs and fresh produce business Mooihoek Boerdery (based in Patensie) are demonstrating the positive impact Seda has on local businesses in the Cacadu district.
Through Seda, Wagenaar & Hobbs have received funding for the development of a business plan, received business mentorship and support, and secured a training contract with SA Agri Academy.
On the other hand, Mooihoek Boerdery, have been able to expand their fresh strawberries and associated products to include spinach. Seda linked Mooihoek to PUM, a Netherlands based organisation geared at mentoring and empowering SMMEs. Mooihoek benefited from on-site mentoring by PUM Exports, as well as a trip to the Netherlands which has equipped them with information on implementation of improved farming production and management systems, and also ensured that the farm adhered to all the necessary requirements of the customers of the business, in particular the large chain store groups. 20 permanent jobs, including an administration assistant post, have been created and an additional 20 jobs for seasonal workers.
A robust marketing drive to raise awareness of the Seda satellite offices in Cacadu is earmarked for December 2008. “We have some positive case studies of how local business has been able to improve the overall running of their ventures. We hope this will motivate other local entrepreneurs to seek our services,” ends Nyakaza.
