Thembalethu woman turns training into income

GEORGE NEWS - As South Africa's unemployment crisis deepens and millions struggle to find work, one initiative is taking a different approach by turning training into immediate earning opportunities.

The new Business in a Bag programme from Clover Mama Afrika provides practical skills and the equipment needed for the participants to launch their own micro-enterprises.

For Mama Nomsa Zimema from Thembalethu in George, the programme has given her a chance to turn training into income.

She recently took part in the hairstyling and beauty course and is now preparing to put her new skills into practice.

The programme is already delivering results, with four of the 12 participants from the latest hairstyling and beauty course generating income within a week of completing their training.

Clover's manager of corporate social investment, Rika Haasbroek, said informal work continues to play a significant role in South Africa's labour market.

"Over the last 25 years of the project, we have witnessed the impact the informal economy has on communities. Earlier this year, we launched a unique income-generation initiative called Business in a Bag, focused on youth employability and micro-enterprise creation," she said.

The initiative forms part of the Clover Mama Afrika programme, which supports and upskills women and their communities across the country.

Participants receive training in practical skills and are provided with the equipment needed to start small businesses immediately.

Following a barbering and grooming pilot programme in February, the project recently presented an ethnic hairstyling, weaving and wig-making programme.

Participants received a certificate and a fully equipped mobile salon setup, so they can start generating income right away.

Nomsa Zimema, third from the left in front, and the rest of the team who qualified.