Siphosethu Jam Jam (23) applied and received a Grant Funding of R50000 to buy a container and catering equipment. He is running a small fish and chips outlet in Walmer Dunes, a township just behind the Port Elizabeth International Airport. His dream is to grow the business to a fully-fledged restaurant, attracting tourists visiting the Nelson Mandela Bay.
Walmer Dunes is one of the areas where flagship Provincial anti-poverty and economic growth programmes will be implemented through partnership with private and non-governmental organisations. Infrastructural development work is already underway, creating an enabling environment for Siphosethu to realise his dream.
The launch was attendedby the Ward Councillor, Youth Forum, NYDA Staff and community members. The councillor expressed his appreciation to the Agency for the positive contribution into what he called “the resuscitation of the township economy”.
Amanda Dinge came to know about our product and services offerings at an EDP training which took place at her home town, Somerset East,180km away from Port Elizabeth. She had already set wheels in motion, informally running a hair salon which relied on support of close friends who would refer other people to her. The profits were so lean, she could not grow the business beyond the 3 chairs and a wall mirror in her rented premises.
In her own words, after the training, she decided to try her luck and apply for a grant from us. She has since been left in awe by how her application was handled, the regular updates and sound business advise she received in the process and eventually receiving a R50000 capital injection to buy stock (fibre-hair). She is now the main fibre-hair distributor is Somerset East, her client base has dramatically improved as she isn’t just a distributor but also installs the hair.
Amanda Dinge’s fibre-hair store and salon, known as RithaLouw Fibre Shop, was relaunched on the 13th September 2017 in the presence of fellow training attendees, regular clients, Blue Crane Route Mayoral Committee members, Special Projects Unit staff, Ward Councillor and the Ward’s CDW.
MZK Holdings (Pty) Ltd is a Fruit and Vege Market owned by 3 friends who were brought together by their common love for the Rastafari religion. The 3 live and operate their business in Bethelsdorp, Bloemendal. An area troubled by gangsterism and all social ills that comes with that.
MZK took us into confidence and explained the despondency of the youth in their area, forwarding a compelling argument on how our assistance would restore hope to the many who have stopped to imagine a better future. They pledged to spread the good news of the existence of a practical partner in youth development.
Driven by both their wish to be a beacon of hope and the commitment to grow their business, they braved the 30km’s distance (return) and cycled to the Port Elizabeth branch for 5 days to attend the EDP training. They also took part in the Mentorship Programme. At the time of application they had stopped operating due to cash-flow challenges. Their application for a R10000 for stock was subsequently approved.
We have since relaunched the market. Community members, the Ward Councillor and the Chairperson of the youth forum were present at the event.
SiyaxolaSilengile(25)isan energetic young person residing in Booysens Park. He was referred to the NYDA by our beneficiary. Siyaxola decided one day to fill up a bucket with water, took a cloth and went to an open field by the main road, the same spot where a ChesaNyama we had financed is. There he asked to wash the cars of people who had come to buy meat. That is how his now busy Car-Wash was started. His support base is mainly taxi drivers.
After being carefully guided by our previous grant beneficiary, he went through the application process with ease. Above the car washing equipment, he also utilised the R10000 grant to finance tyre repair tools. The business has since cemented. He hired 3 more people to assist him.
Community members and emerging entrepreneurs came to witness the relaunch.