Umoya Energy Wind Farm and KROPZ Elandsfontein Mine have launched a programme aimed at supporting local women who own fledgling companies.
Business owner Sue Lynn Juries-Jaars, who runs a small cleaning business, is one of nine SMME owners who participated in this programme.
The programme kicked off in September 2021 and ran for three months, during which it emphasised the benefits of Digital Enablement to support Hopefield SMMEs in using technology to grow their business.
Juries-Jaars said the programme helped her improve her business plan and budget in a significant way. “My biggest takeaway was learning how to identify my strengths and weaknesses, as well as developing ideas,” she said.
“As a result, I became familiar with modern techniques that have helped me grow my business into a wealth generating machine. The sessions were insightful and helped me identify areas of weakness that need improvement.”
This programme is a first-time collaboration between Umoya Energy Wind Farm and KROPZ Elandsfontein Mine under the guidance of “Africa’s Got Game”, the programme implementer. Umoya Energy and KROPZ both view this venture as a chance to create long-term sustainable impact within the Hopefield community by aligning their mutual objectives to stimulate local job creation and revenue growth.
Veronique Isaacs, Community Operations Manager, explained that over the past few years, the entities have learnt how and where to implement effective programmes in the community of Hopefield.
“Based on our assessment of the needs and strategies that best meet the outlined goals,” she said, “we moved forward in a collaborative effort, since both partners have expertise that produces benefits greater than those achieved individually.”
As part of this programme, participants received training in Computer Literacy and Digital Marketing, as well as equipment, the likes of laptop computers and the necessary software packages. Additionally, the training helps keep participants informed and up-to-date with regard to what’s current and how these skills are no longer a nice to have, but an essential aspect of a successful business.
“SMMEs welcomed this programme with open arms and seized the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills to become better business owners,” said Isaacs.
“However, these SMMEs have not been without challenges, and they required additional support, which was provided by Africa’s Got Game to help them meet their main objectives. We would also like to thank Hopefield Primary School for allowing us to use their computer lab.
