PHALABORWA – Emerging entrepreneurs in and around the Kruger National Park (KNP) are being equipped with essential business skills and mentorship to unlock opportunities in the biodiversity economy following a week-long incubation programme hosted by Sanparks at Mopani Rest Camp near Phalaborwa.

The GEF7 KNP node incubation programme, held from October 26 to 30, brought together various entrepreneurs for training aimed at strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and preparing them to compete in the biodiversity economy.

GEF7 is a global environment facility-funded programme coordinated by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, managed by the World Bank and implemented by Sanparks, the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority.

The programme operates across three biodiversity economy nodes: the KNP, Addo-Amathole in the Eastern Cape and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal.

GEF7 project manager Pitso Mojapelo said the incubation programme aims to expose local SMMEs to opportunities in the biodiversity economy through training and mentorship.

Unlike conventional training initiatives, the programme focuses on five thematic areas: bioprospecting, agriculture, wildlife photography and videography, ecotourism, and beauty technology. These were identified through a feasibility study and further validated during economic inclusion roadshows, a business expo, and leadership and governance training.

Mojapelo said the initiative aims to strengthen local businesses, create employment, and make products and services more affordable.

Building business skills

The training at Mopani marked the first phase, with participating SMMEs to be linked to established businesses in their respective sectors for practical mentorship.

Business development training was provided by Sanparks partner institutions, including the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) and First National Bank (FNB). NYDA facilitator Ndivhuwo Mbulaheni covered key aspects of entrepreneurship, including business plans, profiles, proposals, feasibility studies and the business cycle.

Turning ideas into businesses

Fhumulani Phakamisa, director of AfriEscape Travel and Tours, said the programme provided practical knowledge in business compliance, tour costing, pricing, marketing, customer safety and financial planning. She said the training had helped turn her tourism concept into a business ready for operation, with plans to launch youth-focussed tours to Mozambique and the KNP.

Princess Pulane Vallery Shayi, founder and CEO of Mashishimale Game Lodge, described the programme as empowering, saying it had strengthened her knowledge of financial planning, business sustainability, innovation and investment readiness.

Shayi also won the business pitching competition, marking her first participation in such an event.