Entrepreneurship key to local job creation

GEORGE NEWS - The launch of the third edition of The Entrepreneur's business accelerator programme on the Garden Route on Thursday 19 June saw George Airport manager Brenda Vorster express the Airport Company South Africa's (Acsa) passion for building young businesses.

"We want local suppliers, and we want small businesses to thrive," she said.

Acsa's transformation and socio-economic development specialist, Kgomotso Aphane, lauded the programme and its success as a milestone for the Garden Route.

She highlighted entrepreneurship as the key to eradicating unemployment and to grow our society and our community.

Proudly presented by the George Business Chamber and partners, including Acsa, George Herald, Algoa FM, Nelson Mandela University, AHI Western Cape, Envestpro, and AP Business Coaching and Consulting, the programme will commence on 26 July and run until the end of October, with tuition sessions taking place on Saturday mornings between 09:00 and 13:00.

The Ilembe Chamber in Ballito pioneered this programme 15 years ago, and the Nelson Mandela Metro Chamber has come on board for the first time this year, completing a formidable trio of business chambers nurturing and accelerating sustainable local business within their areas of influence.

According to the George Chamber's website, the winners will be judged on the perceived potential of their business, programme participation and attendance, as well as the content of their business plan and a presentation to a panel of adjudicators.

At the tail end of the programme, The Entrepreneur 2025 exhibition is where the finalists will be offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase their businesses before the winners are announced there.

Prize money in the form of business development funding will be disbursed to the winners in line with the submitted business plans.

Mayors give nod of support

"Small business development is where job creation starts," said George Municipality's deputy mayor, Browen Johnson, highlighting the key role small business development plays in addressing the country's massive unemployment crisis.

He said entrepreneurs are the architects of our future and the ripple effect of their impact stretches beyond balance sheets, deep into the fabric of our society.

Garden Route District Municipality's mayor, Andrew Stroebel, who describes himself as an entrepreneur first, shared his personal background with entrepreneurship, from washing car windows at the local Engen garage at the age of 12 to starting his own business in matric. "Starting a business is difficult. It's seven days a week, late nights, and a lot of sacrifice. But hard work is the future of our country, not government," he said.

Stroebel's advice to small business owners was to invest in your family and your future when business thrives. "In the good times, save. In the bad times, excel," he said.

While the prizes up for grabs at the end of the programme are attractive, prospective participants were advised not to make that their end goal, but to focus on the journey towards improving their business and themselves.

Any registered business that has been operating in George or the greater Garden Route for more than a year and with a turnover of less than R6m per annum can enter.

Application forms can be found here or at the chamber offices in York Street.

Entries must reach the project manager on entrepreneur@georgechamber.co.za before 11 July to be eligible.

Some of the key contributors at The Entrepreneur 2025 launch were Browen Johnson, Adéle Potgieter, Johannes Jumat, Servaas de Kock, Brenda Vorster and Kgomotso Aphane. Photo: Jacqueline Herbst