The Vuka Mentorship ProgrammeTM is helping shift the business model of survivalist entrepreneurs
Survivalist entrepreneurs are a crucial element of South Africa’s economic development aspirations, as they represent a significant portion of the emerging Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) market in the country.
However, the growth and development of these survivalist businesses is currently being stifled, as many of them do not understand the broader ideas that are required for enterprise sustainability, and have a narrow and short term view of business development.
The Vuka Mentorship ProgrammeTM, which is a structured enterprise development initiative, is helping to change this situation by assisting corporate companies in cultivating SMMEs that can supply products or services within their local communities.
Sharon Reed, CEO of Neosho119, which runs the Vuka Mentorship ProgrammeTM explains further.
“Through a structured, verifiable and measured approach, The Vuka Mentorship Programme™ is engaging with corporate businesses to help numerous entrepreneurs shift their business mindset and implement measures which will make their enterprises more sustainable.
“Subsequently, the programme is helping to significantly grow the community supplier base of corporate companies.”
Through various corporate partnerships, including Nedbank and the Gauteng Province, the programme has already reached over 2,400 aspiring entrepreneurs in the past year.
Nonhlanhla Nocobo, one of the entrepreneurs currently participating in the Vuka Mentorship ProgrammeTM, notes how the programme has helped further the development of her fashion design business.
“The Vuka Mentorship Programme™ has taught me to not solely focus on the development of my product, but to examine the market more holistically. Subsequently, this has allowed me to gain a broader understanding of my market’s demands, and offer a service which better meets these needs.”
Another entrepreneur who has participated in the programme, Sylvester Falata, adds that the programme has helped him to acquire a fundamental shift in business mindset.
“Through participating in the Vuka Mentorship Programme™, my business goals have shifted from just wanting to make money at the end of the month, to aspiring to grow a sustainable business that will contribute to job creation within my own community.”
Reed notes that corporate companies who participate in The Vuka Mentorship ProgrammeTM are assured that their BEE goals will be furthered, owing to the Programme’s auditable process.
“We’re currently the only mentorship programme in South Africa to provide a verified audited trial when BEE rating agency, Empowerdex asks for documentation. This service allows the rating agency, host company, and mentor to track progress of the mentored companies.
“Therefore, I believe that The Vuka Mentorship Programme™ is one of the few ways that corporate companies can ensure that their BEE spend is not wasted and will assist in furthering South Africa’s transformation objectives and grow sustainable entrepreneurs.” .
She concludes that corporate companies partnering with the Vuka Mentorship ProgrammeTM are also assured of making a difference to South Africa’s long term development.
“The Vuka Mentorship ProgrammeTM has the requisite tools to identify entrepreneurs with business potential, assess their business ideas, and mentor them towards creating sustainable wealth. Therefore, through partnering with us, corporate companies can contribute significantly towards growing South Africa’s economic base through helping to develop sustainable entrepreneurs.”
Editor Notes:
About The Vuka Mentorship Programme™:
The Vuka Mentorship Programme™ officially came into existence in February 2010, when it was verified by Empowerdex. The Vuka Mentorship Programme™ was created through Neosho119 to formalise mentorship for corporate and government associates.
These companies are able to fulfil their requirements of the Codes of Enterprise, and recognise the full Rand value of the contribution at a factor of 125, as the programme is verified by Empowerdex as a conduit through which the enterprise development activities of corporate companies can be conducted.
Issued by : Madelain Roscher
PR Worx
011 896-1818 / 083 468 6819
On behalf of : Sharon Reed
CEO
Neosho119
072 594 3397
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