The trio of young women who make up Zinothando
Bakery are amongst a group of entrepreneurs who are receiving training and
mentorship in an aim to stimulate local employment and SMME development, in a
response to high levels of unemployment within the Sarah Baartman District
in Municipality.
Funded by
Cookhouse Wind Farm in collaboration with Suzlon, its Operations and
Maintenance Contractor, this programme focuses on addressing skills development
and job access for local enterprises, as part of a Supplier Development
Programme.
“For young people with entrepreneurial skills to access the economy
meaningfully and sustainably, they need assistance and guidance. As part of
this initiative, we aim to positively impact and encourage entrepreneurship
amongst young women within the communities where we work,” said Lifa Baskiti,
Community Liaison Officer for Cookhouse Wind Farm.
Having previously been mentored and trained as
part of the Anchor Yeast Foundation, the trio also participated in a two-week practical
experience at De Freitas Spar in Somerset East, following which they
established a company while providing catering services in Cookhouse.
“They are among the first recipients of the
Cookhouse Wind Farm Youth Skills Development Project in 2022 and in line for
advanced training in baking later this year,” added Baskiti.
In addition to this, they benefited from the
Sarah Baartman District Municipality and SMME Support Fund.
These women are truly a wonderful example of
what is possible when young people take up opportunities.
“We are a group of dedicated women who only
want to set a good example for the young people of our town through hard work,”
said Zikhona Mjadu, one of the owners of Zinothando Bakery.
