Shumani capacitate Kathorus informal traders

Kathorus Informal Traders and Micro Enterprises Development (ITAMED) programme providing training on factors that contribute to the positive growth of businesses during a workshop held at Nlapo Section, Katlehong, on November 22.

At least 90 local traders benefitted from the initiative at DH Williams Hall. They received certificates of attendance and learning material. They will also receive start-up capital vouchers of R3 000.

The event was organised by the Ward 51 councillor’s office and Shumani Training and HR Solutions sponsored by Wholesale and Retail SETA (W&RSETA).

Stakeholders included City of Ekurhuleni, Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), and Tyme Bank.

MMC for Finance and Economic Development Fanyana Nkosi graced the event, along with Shumani director Faith Mugada, W&RSETA senior official Mmakomane Madise, the Ward 51 Clr Lumka Poki and panel moderator Linda Ntuli.

Nkosi said township economic development is vital, citing that a lot of people have lost jobs because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“In May I mentioned that as the City of Ekurhuleni we aim to develop about 2 000 SMMEs,” said Nkosi.

“We are tired of obtaining qualifications and sitting at home. I am glad that you will be learning how to market and run your businesses properly.”

He said a budget of R1b will go to the economic development of SMMEs.

“For you to be able to benefit, this training is important. You must be regularised and be able to apply at SARS so that when they say the city has a tender your documents are in order.”

Facilitator Sam Vilakazi focused on the introduction to entrepreneurship, business marketing, customer care and business planning.

He said the desired characteristics and skills of entrepreneurship are imagination, leadership, self-discipline, organisation and communication.

As he explained, you have to be able to imagine what you want your business to be. The required attributes are to be self-driven, a self-starter, confident, determined, passionate, energetic, curious, resilient and flexible.

“Some people get into business to create employment, generate opportunities and strengthen the economy. These are what I call external reasons. You should have internal reasons for starting a business which is identifying a gap of a certain product in the market or identifying a problem,” said Vilakzi.

“If we keep our eyes open, we will see how many things need attention and you have to package a solution to respond to the solution.”

Other facilitators include Nwabisa Makumule who addressed topics of merchandising, regulatory and by-law compliance, hygiene and food safety.

Makumule also touched on point of sale, purchasing skills and financial management. Some of the key points the facilitators emphasised are hygiene and customer care as they cautioned traders that customers always look for clean stores with safe-to-use products.

They touched on the use of business money for personal use. Traders were encouraged to take loans from the business and draft a repayment agreement instead of using the business card. They also criticised using the business card for purchasing personal things that could negatively affect the business’s bank record.

Another vital point is for traders to keep a record of the business finances to make it easy to be compliant with SARS and avoid financial mistakes. One of the beneficiaries, Tumelo Thulo (34) from Boitlamo Designs, said without such sessions it will be difficult for businesses to grow because of the lack of access to information.

“I have learnt the importance of record keeping, which is something I was told about numerous times. It is very hard for me to do record keeping because I am always at the workshop from the morning to the afternoon.”
Thulo said moving forward he will monitor his business records.

“Other things I have learnt is the importance of marketing and business location. My house is five houses away from a corner. I usually move my staff to the corner so that customers can see them.”

Boitlamo Designs is located at 1639 Madia Street, Tshongweni Section, Katlehong. They manufacture home, office and garden furniture.

The founder of Siza’s boutique from the car boot of Sizakele Hlongwane, said she appreciates the opportunity to larn and grow.

She said most businesses fade away due to a lack of knowledge.

“I have learnt a lot from this session, especially when it comes to financial management because a lot of businesses in the township are operating from hand-to-mouth bases and we do not save,” said Hlongwane.

“We do not even say we are loaning ourselves from the business account, we just take the money and never pay it back to the business. The administration is very important as we must record every detail.”

Hlongwane sells clothes from her car boot at the malls like Sam Ntuli, Chris Hani and Sontonga Mall during weekends and on weekdays she sells from home at 62 Nlapo Section, Katlehong.

Another beneficiary, Daliwonga Manzingana, described himself as a salesperson. He said sold atchar but currently, he partners with other local businesses to either buy from them or sell for them.

“What I picked up from the session is the importance of hygiene,” said Manzingana.

“I was able to grasp the information that hygiene is vital for customers. You cannot talk to a customer while you are not clean. I also got to understand why having a business account is vital and how to use the business’ money.”

It is unclear when the beneficiaries will receive the start-up capital voucher, Mugada said. The information will be communicated through their group chat.

Madise said the training was effective because the traders were engaging. They asked and answered the facilitator’s questions.

“We are happy with the training, at least it provided learning material that they can use to revise and implement what they have learnt. We are convinced that the training was not a waste of time and that what was given to them is good training and education.”

Madise encouraged traders to apply for the W&RSETA Bursary Scheme to secure funding for their children.

For more information visit the W&RSETA website.