Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) recently offered a mentorship programme and financial literacy training course to 20 small businesses in Kouga, to equip them with the necessary skills they need to be successful.
Angus Bruiners, project co-ordinator for SEDA, said that they had found it necessary to offer a mentorship programme and financial literacy training course at no cost to small businesses in the Kouga region.
He said that Khoena Khaya Community Projects, a non-profit company dedicated to offering social economic development programmes, presented the financial literacy training in partnership with private sector banks, while he was the co-ordinator for each training session.
Bruiners said the first training session began in August last year, while their most recent training session was offered to about 20 businesses in Kouga over a three-day period.
He said that the 20 businesses which received training also formed part of the 80 new businesses registered for free through SEDA’s programme for small businesses based in the townships.
Bruiners said that the registration of the 80 small businesses in 2021 was a partnership between SEDA and the Kouga Business Forum, which saw businesses from the following sectors benefit: personal care, butchery, bakery, fast foods, automotive, textile, and hair salons.
Bruiners said,
“The community has also commended the financial training for putting them in a better position to make more informed decisions about financial management.”
Bruiners said that financial literacy training is of utmost importance, as it gives businesses in Kouga a better chance to succeed and grow.
As a result, he said that this would create more jobs and a market for upcoming businesses.
“The communities at large will benefit from this and will create a healthier society,” said Bruiners.
He said that some of the important elements that business owners learned during the training included managing their business productivity and services, marketing, accounting, and tax.
In addition, they learned about Company and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), banking, and staff management.
“All of the elements focused on during the training will lead to growth and sustainability,” said Bruiners.
He said that thus far they have offered financial literacy training to small businesses in Humansdorp, Sea Vista, Hankey, Loerie, and Patensie, while businesses in Humansdorp, Jeffreys Bay, Sea Vista, Loerie, and Hankey have also benefited specifically from the SEDA mentorship programme.
In addition to helping local businesses, he said that the financial literacy training is also offered to individuals within the Kouga region.
Bruiners said that he would like to thank the Kouga Municipality for offering venues for the training sessions, and Donné Kloppers from the Speaker’s Office for always offering assistance when needed.
He said that they are planning to offer training to more businesses in the region, and will send out notices for the next business-related training soon.
For more information contact Angus Bruiners on 066 344 6837.
