The IIE’s Varsity College Waterfall’s Kasi Boosters initiative uplifts Midrand entrepreneurs
The Kasi Boosters initiative was designed to leverage the students' business management skills for real-world impact while supporting the local community.
The newly launched Kasi Boosters initiative aims to uplift entrepreneurs in Midrand townships facing resource constraints.
Driven by third-year business management students from The IIE’s Varsity College Waterfall, this project seeks to foster sustainable small businesses within the community.
The Kasi Boosters team identified a roadside clothing stall, managed by Robina Makumbira, Eunice Shereni, and Fanuel Lubisi, situated in the heart of Midrand, as its first project.
Despite lacking a formal name, the stall plays a crucial role in providing affordable clothing to local residents.
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The team conceptualised the initiative, organised fundraising activities, and identified essential resources for the stall, including six bags of clothes, a camp master double-decker wagon, a clothing rack, a standing mirror, a sewing machine, a folding table, a movable tent, and 24 hangers.
Their efforts successfully raised the necessary funds, which were handed over to the stall owners to enhance their operational efficiency and long-term sustainability.
During the handover, Makumbira expressed gratitude, stating: “I cannot believe what I have seen here today. Selling second-hand clothes in the sun is a big challenge. We have been running this business since 2008 to provide for our families. This support from The IIE’s Varsity College Waterfall will make us strong and help us continue. Thank you so much. We are truly grateful.”
The initiative was designed to leverage the students’ business management skills for real-world impact while supporting the local community. Recognising the challenges faced by small, informal businesses, the students identified the need for resource support.
Although the initiative is outside the college’s formal curriculum, it aligns with the programme’s commitment to practical learning experiences.
By addressing real business challenges, the Kasi Boosters translated theoretical knowledge into actionable strategies, gaining valuable insights into the realities of informal business ownership and the importance of community-focused entrepreneurship.
This initiative also highlights the transformative power of education in a supportive context, fostering growth among entrepreneurs and nurturing the students as emerging leaders who value community, compassion, and economic empowerment.
By embodying the African philosophy: ‘Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu’ – ‘A person is a person through other people’ – they demonstrated the vital role of collective support in driving societal progress.
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