Life-changing business workshop brings hope to local business owners
Local business owners aim to work hard to grow their businesses and create jobs for the community of Cosmo City.
The owners of small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) gathered at Cosmo City Multipurpose Centre for a one-day workshop to help them grow their businesses.
Olebogeng Tlali of OB Tlali Leadership Academy hosted the workshop on March 23. The 35-year-old said the programme was prompted by the high rate of unemployment, inequality and poverty in the society.
“I saw the need for this training because many entrepreneurs lack access to the market and fund their enterprises. The future of the nation’s economy is in the hands of small business owners, so it’s also important to connect them with the appropriate stakeholders to support them.”
Environmental health practitioner Kopano Tlholoe stressed the importance of having a certificate of acceptability (COA) – a compliance certificate issued as per the requirements set out in regulation R638:2018 (Regulations Governing General Hygiene Requirements for Food Premises, the Transport of Food and Related Matters).
Company owners need the certificate to operate efficiently and adhere to the law’s fundamental standards for food hygiene and security.
Assistant to stakeholder management and revenue generation for Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP) Nkuli Sontsele delivered a message of support to small enterprises and co-operatives. “All SMMEs and co-operatives with relevant documentation in Gauteng are urged to apply for financial and non-financial assistance offered by GEP.
“Financial offerings include start-up finance, contract finance, growth finance, micro-finance, and non-financial support.”
Grateful business owners
Twenty-five local business owners attended the training and were grateful for the information they received from different speakers.
“I have really learnt a lot and now I know on which doors to knock when I need financial assistance,” said Mpho Ramovha who operates her fast-food business outside Zandspruit taxi rank.
Cecilia Ndlovu runs a food outlet and catering business in the neighbourhood. She told Randburg Sun that she found the programme fruitful and hopes to grow her business and create jobs for youth.
“We are struggling with capital to expand our businesses, but now that we know the right steps to apply for funding, it will help us grow our businesses.”
Tladi hopes this training will give birth to more programmes to develop the community.
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