These wise words from Eileen Fisher – an international fashion designer and successful entrepreneur – ring true, especially for the 34 women who are currently busy with the final stretch of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Enterprising Women Programme.
The programme, also referred to as the EWP, is one of the university’s flagship empowerment projects and is offered by the bhive Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the campus in Vanderbijlpark.
This year sees two renditions of the programme running concurrently, namely EWP Sasolburg (northern Free State) and EWP Vanderbijlpark. According to Leoni Greyling, EWP programme manager, the participants in both programmes are progressing well.
During the course of the programme participants receive training and guidance in the following areas: idea generation, concept development, business model generation, business registration and organisational compliance, market research, pricing, brand development, marketing, supply chain, financing and business strategy. Apart from the different learning areas, participants are also mentored on an individual basis by seasoned entrepreneurs and subject experts.
EWP Sasolburg
The Sasolburg rendition of the programme is fully sponsored by energy and chemical giant, Sasol. This partnership between the university and industry is indicative of the collaborative nature of the programme. During the course of the eight month programme the participants benefit from the knowledge and experience of industry representatives, business owners and community leaders.
The 14 women who are currently in the programme are:
|
Barbara Baisang |
Seipati Moshou |
|
Willemien Barnard |
Julia Motloung |
|
Mapule Bodibe |
Vangile Msimanga |
|
Pontso Gidini |
Melody Mtimkulu |
|
Samaria Khambula |
Yva Simpson |
|
Nobengazi Latha |
Tsholofelo Tlharipe |
|
Tuludi Masha |
Nobengazi Latha |
The programme kicked-off on 1 November 2017 with an orientation session, affording participants the opportunity to learn more about the programme and what would be expected of them, while also getting to know one another better.
The group’s final assessment will take place shortly and the participants will be graduating from the programme on 11 October 2018.
The EWP Sasolburg group recently visited several businesses in the area to familiarise themselves with the day to day running of a business.
EWP Vanderbijlpark
This leg of the programme started on 6 March 2018 with an orientation session similar to that of the EWP Sasolburg. A total of 26 women were selected for the programme. Due to personal or work challenges, six women had to withdraw, leaving the programme with 20 active participants.
|
Busisiwe Sibanda |
Malloney du Plessis |
|
Cleopatra Radebe |
Matshehla Mbhele |
|
Enita Manamure |
Nozipho Mgcina |
|
Etricia Modise |
Onitta Mphumela |
|
Innocentia Mokhosi |
Pulane Manamela |
|
Irene Leseba |
Roleen Mooki |
|
Keneilwe Mogoai |
Shanelle Coertzen |
|
Lebohang Mohale |
Sharon Lehoko |
|
Liezl Eybers |
Terrese Psthumus |
|
Lungiswa Mzimba |
Nthatisi Chochoe |
The group’s final assessment will take the form of an expanded business model development and panel presentation during August.
