Thirty small-scale fisher co-operatives along the West Coast have graduated from the West Coast Entrepreneurial Development Programme, supported by TotalEnergies EP South Africa. Implemented with False Bay TVET College’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and Rapid Incubator, the six-month initiative reached 15 towns, including Paternoster, Saldanha and St Helena Bay.

The programme strengthened business skills such as operations, marketing, legal compliance and financial management. Participants also developed business plans and delivered pitches.

TotalEnergies said the initiative empowers local entrepreneurs with tools for sustainable growth, while programme leaders praised the participants’ commitment and the positive impact on their communities.