Youth get business know-how
"YOUNG people need to take charge of the business opportunities that are available and grab them with both hands' MEC for economic development, environment and tourism (Ledet), Seaparo Sekoati at the second annual Grow Your Business Expo
Vella Nyoni
LIMPOPO – YOUNG people need to take charge of the business opportunities that are available and grab them with both hands.
These were the words of the MEC for economic development, environment and tourism (Ledet), Seaparo Sekoati at the second annual Grow Your Business Expo at the Jack Botes Hall in Polokwane last Tuesday.
Hosted by Funama Productions in partnership with Anglo American Platinum and Nedbank, the expo aimed to empower young people to grow their businesses to another level.
Funama Productions specialises in exhibition production services, focusing on projects that promote and empower small businesses.
Grow Your Business Expo brings together small business owners and corporate role players to communicate a process to help run successful businesses.
Interested parties are provided with a platform to connect business owners with resources and tools needed to start, learn, manage and grow their companies.
Funama CEO, Masetha Serakaona, said the expo was a vital platform for small businesses to link with institutions that offered funding, financial assistance and business related products and services.
One of the Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) that showcased their products that day was Bokgabi ka Dipheta owned by Mapula Ramoshaba, who said she started the company in 2010 after she lost her job. She specialises in beadwork and the sale of delicacies such as atchaar.
Ramoshaba said the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) has offered to aid her business.
“They said they are going to make banners, business cards,brochures and branding for my atchaar,” said Ramoshaba. Although she managed to get her business off the ground, Ramoshaba said she still struggled with daily challenges.
“One of my biggest challenges is making the atchaar. I need a bigger space and I also need the machines they use to make it.”
Another SMME that was present on the day was Jabreta furnishers. It was started by Edward Hlungwani, Julia Mundalamo and Esther Mashamba.
The three started their line of business in October 2014. Their area of focus includes the manufacturing and design of furniture, as well as upholstery.
The founders of the company said they were there to get exposure, market themselves and to also find out about funding.
“We are here to show the world what people living with disabilities can do because we were trained and we make the furniture ourselves,” said Mundalamo.
