The Durban University’s Centre of Social Entrepreneurship hosted about 50 entrepreneurs who took part of its first Incubation induction for the year 2024/2025 on Tuesday, 9th of April 2024. The Workshop was held at the Durban Botanic Gardens.
The incubation programme offers a wide range of services, including training, networking, and market access, mentoring and coaching, facility services, access to finance and many more. This programme will run for a period of 12 months. It is worth about R200 000 per person. There is business development support. You get linked to the market and potential funders. You get personal growth and development and most importantly, you get a networking opportunity with other business owners.
Director of the Centre, Mr Solomon Nyamurima, welcomed the entrepreneurs to the incubator. He advised the SMMEs to take this opportunity as a marketing platform and shouldn’t see each other as competition.
Nyamurima highlighted the DUT-DNA (Lived Values) which are Transparency, Honesty, Integrity, Respect and Accountability. He said that as business owners they should try to be as transparent as possible, be honest with each other and themselves. He asked for respect, bearing in mind that they come from all walks of life.
“It is important that we remain transparent and always respect each other. I know we are different, and we come from all walks of life, but we should respect one another.” said Nyamurima.
Nyamurima advised the entrepreneurs to be professional and committed. He said they should always be in a position to do professional business with whoever they have partnered with and try to promote each other.
“Be compassionate. Respect one another’s businesses. Do not be scared or hesitant to partner with other business owners and most importantly be excellent. As a business owner you should always be eager to produce quality.”- said Nyamurima.
“We have always encouraged you to operate from wherever you are, not far away from the community unless you are expanding. We always there to assist.”-He said.
Nomthandazo Sibiya, Director and founder of Optomly (A company that specializes with personalized eye care for the whole family). She joined the incubation because she needed help with marketing because she doesn’t really know much about marketing for her business.
“I am hoping that I will be able to know a little bit more about marketing and being able to market my business. I also hope that I will be able to see more customers in a day which will increase my sales. We started operating this year on January 13, 2024, we are based at Berea Centre, upstairs opposite Tupperware.” said Ms. Sibiya.
Mr Cebolenkosi Gcabashe, the founder of G Khula Trading, a company that provides property enhancement cleaning services, such as roof cleaning, gardens and grass cutting. He says that he is happy to be part of the programme, as he wasn’t sure whether he was going to be selected for the programme after a tense pitching session he had. He says today’s session was everything he expected.
“Today’s induction was everything I expected because it covered a lot of questions that I had; I am looking forward to more financial education as well as access to the market. I do my administration at home because we offer services to the people, we do call outs most of the time. If anyone needs any of our services, they can contact G Khula Trading at 0627811307 or visit their page on Facebook and Instagram page @ G KHULA CLEANING SERVICES.”-said Gcabashe.
The Incubates were fortunate enough to be graced by the presence of CSERI Alumnus and hear some the CSERI success stories.
Miss Nompilo Zungu, owner and Director of “Sipho’s daughter” (A soaps and detergents company) and Mr Siphamandla Mthembu, Founder and Director of “Maritsban Matric Upgrade and Tutoring” shared the challenges they faced when they started their businesses.
“When I joined the CSERI, my business was just 3 months old. I used to be stressed a lot and sometimes I felt like giving up. I did a lot of research about business and how to stay up on your ground. It is important to know the people who are doing what you’re doing”-she said.
“I want to be remembered as HOPE. You need to be always hopeful because if you have hope you have a clean mind”-added Ms. Zungu.
As a CSERI graduate, Mr Zungu shared his experiences on running a business and advised the new students to always treat their clients equally and fairly to achieve a successful business. He says that this helped him manage his business.
“Treating your clients equally is key to achieving a successful business. You should always treat clients the same way, no client should be above the other.”
“Give your clients the best service and remember to not include your friends and family member in your business to avoid conflicts. Remember to be accountable, take account when it comes to your business’s responsibilities.”-He added.
The Centre is set to host another workshop at the Durban Botanic Gardens, 22nd of April 2024.
Pictured: CSERI Director Mr. Solomon Nyamurima
Photographer: Bheka Nxumalo
– Nomvelo Mkhwanazi
