The Business Place

TBP supports FAKE launch in Ramotswa

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:29:00 GMT

While most can argue whether entrepreneurs are born or made, The Business Place believes that at some point of their entrepreneurial journey, developmental activities and support creates a better platform for young entrepreneurs to succeed. As local fashion is steadily climbing with more youngsters getting involved in clothing manufacturing, during the Independence Holidays Ramotswa was invaded by the FAKE brand as they launched their clothing line and The Business Place was there to support them.

While the line has been pursued by many interested vendors, FAKE has chosen to uphold a level of exclusivity in the first year, selling to upscale specialty retailers such as Yuppies, UB shop, Big and Small, and Lorato Fashions.

FAKE which according to one of its founders, Oaitse Segobai, is an abbreviation for Faith, Action, Knowledge and Exorcia (a Greek word meaning imaginative and creative ability) showcased their exciting, creative and stylish T. Shirt line. “The line is fresh yet timeless and will truly please customers in search of an exclusive fit and a comparable price tag to that of other high end fashion houses” said one of the guests attending the launch.

The Launch attracted a crowd of all ages including senior figures from the village. The young were treated to a day of fun activities. Attendants who thronged the launch were treated to musical performance by the much popular Dr. Vom. The Maverick singer dresses in his Middle East attire had the crowd screaming for more. The Tsa Tobane singer is an example of youth succeeding in the business world. FAKE, which is based in Gaborone was founded in April 2008 by Thato Sammidi, Oaitse Segobai and Calvin Marope. As they continue to grow and add more items to the range, The Business Place will continue to support them through different entrepreneurial development services, said a representative from The Business Place. The team has already benefited from services such as business workshops and training, Business Opportunity sessions, networking events and business management guidance.

As the economy begins to improve and entrepreneurs attempt to reposition themselves in the market, it becomes very crucial to have entrepreneurial development services such as those offered by The Business Place. A collaborative effort amongst Investec, Barloworld, CEDA, KBL, Motor Centre, University of Botswana, FNBB and Ministry of Trade and Industry has seen to the success of The Business Place and many entrepreneurs like ‘FAKE’ can and do benefit from the centre. Guests expressed their gratitude and vowed to buy the Fake brand as they heeded the call to buy local products. Should you want to contact The Business Place or FAKE please call 3170700 or 71661230. You are also free to visit The Business Place at the Gaborone Taxi Rank above Choppies for more information.

TBP clients awarded R6.5 million in contracts...

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:37:00 GMT

These contracts created over thirty permanent and nearly 140 temporary jobs. We interviewed OpEx’s Delsy Dludlu and Maxwell Nyamajiwa to find out how they are achieving this.

So what is the OpEx? Delsy explains: “It’s a place where clients are linked into available opportunities from both private and public sectors. Where they can attend information and networking sessions on specific sectors, and where they can interact and exchange opportunities amongst themselves”.

A dedicated database allows Max and Delsy to assess each client and assist them with governance issues so that they achieve a basic level of compliance before trying to access government and private sector opportunities. They are also encouraged to attend various training sessions specific to their sector to ensure they have sufficient knowledge to run professionally. Getting a contract is just the first step, it is equally important to be able to deliver on time and in budget and to get subsequent business after each contract ends.

Delsy spends a lot of time sourcing opportunities from companies and Government who are often desperate to employ a certain percentage of small businesses but don’t know how to contact reliable ones (prompted in part by the BEE scorecards). Although they know they need to use SMMEs they are also wary of possible non-delivery and sub-standard services. They use TBP because of the support mechanisms OpEx provides in ensuring clients are able to meet the demands of the contracts. OpEx bridges the gap between corporate demands and small business delivery capacity.

Notable OpEx clients include Sam Dludla, who runs a cleaning business started in 2007. When he came into the programme in June 2007 he had 31 workers. After participating in all the interventions he was awarded contracts directly from GrowthPoint Properties and now he has 100 workers.

Koos Mahlangu, from KIiptown, runs a company doing building maintenance. His last contract was worth R3 million. There has been a direct, positive impact on his business from participating in all the programmes and using all of TBP’s interventions.

TBP Alexandra and Kliptown host awards...

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:39:00 GMT

Last year the inaugural Alexandra Business Leader of the Year Award was held for small business owners in the Alexandra area who had been operating for six months or more and had an annual turnover of under R500,000. The idea of the competition was to inspire and celebrate small businesses as well as give the top three winners a cash injection into their business. It was instigated by The Business Place Alexandra in collaboration with Standard Bank Ekurhuleni Region.

The Alex Awards were so successful it was decided to repeat them this year but also run a second event in Soweto billed as the “Gauteng Business Leader Award 2008”.

The finalists receive access to a Standard Bank business advisor for a year plus a year of free trainings and workshops from The Business Place. The three winners in each event received a capital injection of R25,000, R15,000 and R10,000 respectively into their business from Standard Bank.

The winners were announced at two gala events. The first, in Alexandra, saw Gerson Rasehlo, owner of Rasehlo Transport & Tours, walk away with the top prize. His driving school and transport business has built up a solid reputation over the last decade and the award recognised this sustainability and steady growth.

Asked what impact he thought this award would have on his business, Gerson said:

“It is going to have a profound positive impact on my business. It will help me in marketing further my business and fulfilling the marketing initiatives I had planned.”

The second event was held at the Ubuntu Kraal in Orlando West, Soweto, hosted by The Business Place Kliptown. Winner Kenny Malao has a wide variety of business experience and has recently won a large tender for road maintenance from Gauteng Provincial Government worth over R7 million for the next 24 months. This project is currently employing 20 people but this should grow to 30.

When asked about his win Kenny said:

“I feel very honoured, motivated and inspired to grow the business in the field of construction and civil engineering, very happy. Obviously the money will be used for the right cause, to grow the business, to take the personnel on the necessary developmental skills programmes, and to buy some equipment.”

This collaboration with Standard Bank has been of great benefit to The Business Place and small business owners. The commitment and enthusiasm of Standard Bank staff contributed to the success of the events and we are looking forward to the Business Leader Awards in 2009.

Township businesses take top honours

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 09:39:00 GMT

Winners in the Alexandra/Soweto Small Business Awards 2009 have been announced, revealing a diverse range of innovative, thriving small businesses that have identified good opportunities within and outside the Alexandra and Soweto areas. Sponsored by Standard Bank, and in collaboration with The Business Place, the annual awards serve to recognise and publicise the many achievements of entrepreneurs, many of whom have established their mainly survivalist businesses with little start-up capital.

Agrineth Shiburi, owner of Loxion Bread and More CC was awarded the Alexandra Small Business Award. This Alexandra based baker and supplier of bread and confectionaries is about to expand her operation to Midrand. With a team of 12 dedicated staff, Agrineth’s focus is on good control measures and ongoing staff training. Agrineth says that “a business plan should be your top priority. Know what you want to do and then draw up a plan with time-frames for every action. This is not just to help you get funding from a bank, but it also guides your every step.” She plans to use her winnings to fund a deposit for land for another bakery and to upgrade the existing Alexandra outlet.

Ally Maseko took top honours for the Soweto Small Business Award. Employing a team of six permanent staff, his business recycles plastic waste from the community into packaging and corporate gifts. Alley plans to use his winnings to fund a marketing team as well as essential office equipment. This, he believes will help him achieve his long-term goal of growing his business and also extending his premises to offer boardroom and venue hire for corporates keen on experiencing a township setting. “Do what interests you and what you enjoy, and don’t just go after the money,” says Ally.

Other top entrepreneurs who excelled in the annual awards ceremony included:

    Soweto Woman Small Business Award – Maria Mini
             Maria runs a curtain manufacturing business in Kliptown.

    Alexandra Woman Small Business Award – Tiny Innocentia Tomic
             Tiny is the owner of Bview Guesthouse CC – which provides accommodation and conferencing facilities.

    The Soweto Micro Business Award - Mashudu Netshivhombelo
             Mashudu owns Mufamadi Fashions, which specialises in traditional Venda clothing, with clients as far afield as Limpopo.

    The Alexandra Micro Business Award - Skhumbuzo Dlamini
             Skhumbuzo owns Skhumbird CC.

The Business Place has helped many of these winners, providing essential internet access, consultations, networking opportunities and training. In growing her business, Alexandra overall winner, Agrineth lauds the input from The Business Place, where a marketing course proved helpful. Ally Maseko says he also benefited immensely from the same marketing course, and once he is able to expand his marketing team he plans to send new recruits on the same course.

Through the Alexandra/Soweto Small Business Awards, Standard Bank is able to demonstrate its commitment and support for entrepreneurs and by doing so adds value to the SME sector.

Hannah Sadiki, Gauteng Provincial Director for Standard Bank says, “We are committed to making a tangible difference to the communities in which we operate, and the Alexandra/Soweto Small Business Awards is another example of where we do this.”

Runners Up in the Alexandra/Soweto Business Awards include:

    * Keabetswe Modise (Gemini Networking Communication CC): Graphic design
    * Mpane Tlhoaele (Alexandra Automotive Pain (Pty) Ltd): Autobody repairs)
    * Elizabeth Khwerana (Megaphase Trading CC): Catering
    * Rachel Phasa (Khavho Business Managment/ Tourism Service): Tour guide
    * George Rangwanasha (Reasoma Art Shop): Arts and crafts
    * Maria Kgatle (Olievenhout Driving School CC): Driving school