GEORGE NEWS - At the two-day Garden Route Investment Conference held on 7 and 8 March, a small group of entrepreneurs listened attentively to the presentations given on Small, Medium and Micro-sized enterprises (SMME) and Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) opportunities.
The conference brought a small measure of renewed hope for women from the Friemersheim community (just north of Mossel Bay) who are beekeepers, produce honey products and are involved in a small, experimental crop of Cape Honeybush tea, as well as egg production.
Two attendees, Irma Jacobus and Dorothy Joseph, said that agriculture remains one of the most challenging industries to be in due to the changeability of the climate and the painfully difficult process of getting products export ready - with finance being the toughest aspect.
They are among a group of 15 people from Friemersheim who studied beekeeping through Southern Cape College a number of years ago with bursaries provided by AgriSeta. In an 2013 Farmer's Weekly article, Irma's husband Reginald Jacobus said that 14 (five women and nine men) completed the course successfully.
"Eight of us who completed the course are still farming with bees," he said at the time. "Between us, we manage about 200 beehives, of which 60 are in full production."
The ultimate networker, George Business Chamber manager Ingrid Cronjé was invigorated by the idea of connecting people in the field to the financial opportunities that are out there.
She exchanged contact details with the Friemersheim women and mentioned that it was her true passion to help create opportunities for people who are working hard to make things happen.
Seda promotes export-ready small enterprises through coordinating their participation in local and international events and other relevant export activities.
They provide a comprehensive service and spent R23-million on training with product development, export orientation courses and market accessibility.
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