Excitingly enough, more and more women are stepping up to own and run businesses in numbers that would have been hard to imagine a few decades ago.
With this in mind the bhive Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) on the North-West University’s (NWU) campus in Vanderbijlpark have partnered with industry giant Sasol to also present the very successful Enterprising Women Programme (EWP) to women living in the Metsimaholo Local Municipality.
Women with a small business in the early stages of development and who reside in Zamdela, Sasolburg or Vaalpark, can now apply to take part in the programme.
Heeding the call of entrepreneurship
If you wish to take part in this year’s short learning programme for business start-ups aimed at female entrepreneurs – which will run from March to August – then join the bhive EDC on Wednesday, 26 February from 10:00 to 14:00 at the campus in Vanderbijlpark.
During the session you will learn more about what the programme entails, how the selection process will take place, and you will have the opportunity to pitch your business concept to the selection panel. The first programme sessions are set to kick-off early in March.
A proven track record
Since its inception, the programme has seen female entrepreneurs breaking new ground in numerous fields, such as app development, catering, property development, fashion and interior design, as well as maintenance management.
Others have developed and introduced unique products and services to cater for various niche markets. Examples include the upcycling of plastic bags into designer rugs for the tourism industry, an eco-friendly mobile carwash for corporates, bricks manufactured from recycled plastic bottles and even a taxidermy service tailor-made for the wildlife and hunting industry.
Several of these programme participants are now offering employment to other women in their respective communities and even taking in youths as interns, showing them the ropes and teaching them the power of entrepreneurship.
Real-time business support services
According to Leonie Greyling, EWP coordinator, the success of the programme lies therein that it provides real-time business support services to women. Participants are taken through a comprehensive process to assist them in developing business concepts and markets, with a strong focus on developing a sound business model, ready for commercialisation. During the process the women not only become part of a dynamic peer network, but are also mentored by seasoned entrepreneurs and knowledgeable members of academia.
For more information send an email to Leonie.greyling@nwu.ac.za.
