SMME DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME CELEBRATES GRADUATES

21 May 2021.

REISA has congratulated a cohort of 18 local entrepreneurs who have graduated as part of an enterprise development programme, funded by the solar project.

The programme provides entrepreneurs, from communities within the Gamagara Municipal area, with the skills to grow their small businesses in a way that promotes independence and reduces their reliance upon large corporate structures for their longevity and survival.

This business acceleration programme, which mostly benefits youth-owned SMME’s, is tailored for rural or peri-urban areas and provides the learning and guidance needed for exponential scaling.

“This is in line with our vision to empower local communities through small business development. Linked to the REISA Enterprise Development Hub, we are pleased to be able to provide assistance and support to people who are keen to take their business ideas and turn them into sustainable entities, which can in turn stimulate the local economy and provide employment,” Veronique Isaacs, Project Community Operations Officer for REISA, one of South Africa’s largest solar projects.

This project forms part of REISA’s Enterprise Development Programme, in partnership with Raizcorp, which offers a successful incubator model and acceleration programmes for entrepreneurs. The programme is managed and co-ordinated through the REISA Enterprise Development Hub, which launched two years ago.

“The aim of our Hub is to increase the odds by providing unique, adaptable, functional and feasible programmes for entrepreneurs at various developmental stages and to create an enabling environment where enterprises can learn to operate efficiently, understand the legislation that governs their industries and ultimately expand their services and reach beyond the borders of the Northern Cape,” added Veronique Isaacs.

“Entrepreneurship is a long lonely journey full of hurdles,” says Raizcorp’s Mr. Stephen Nyama. He added, “We recognise this and therefore strive to create our programmes to not only empower entrepreneurs with key knowledge and skills needed to be successful, but also to empower them with networks and an entrepreneurial community for success.”