This year has been a rollercoaster of a year in its own right and as a rural based SMME we have a lot to be proud of, as part of our 2023 entrepreneurial journey.
Earlier this year, our founder Namhla Dotwana got accepted into the esteemed Raymond Ackerman Academy Entrepreneurial Development Programme. A six-month, full-time online programme offered out of the Johannesburg Business School, a facility of the University of Johannesburg. This year, Namhla received Entrepreneurial training in business and personal development units such as:
- Entrepreneurship, innovation, business idea development and testing
- HR, marketing, management, strategy, accounting and operations
- Business numeracy and literacy
- Workshops on time management, presentation skills, career readiness and professionalism, Inclusion and Diversity
- Mental Health and Resilience
- Entrepreneurship 101
- Technology, 4IR, Social Media
- Pitching and Business Plan methods
The Vision of the Programme is to inspire and empower young people to become economically active and responsible citizens. Upon completion of the Programme students may decide to further their studies, find a job and/or start a new venture with guided support received from the Programme.
18 April 2023, Namhla embarked on a journey to the Union Building in Pretoria, to meet the President. The meeting was hosted by President Ramaphosa as part of engaging with winners of the Inaugural National Presidential SMME and Cooperatives Awards 2022. Each winner was afforded an opportunity to introduce themselves to the President and share their individual experiences and challenges of being a SMMEs and Cooperatives in South Africa. These challenges included lack of capital, access to finance, load shedding, regulatory frameworks and access to markets amongst others. The President acknowledged the difficulties faced by entrepreneurs and outlined his commitment to supporting the small businesses sector in South Africa.
19 May 2023, Namhla Collection was awarded as the Outstanding Innovator of the year at the Mhlontlo Local Municipality Business Awards. The municipality took a resolution to support its local businesses as they are an anchor and pillar of its local economy. The Mhlontlo is local municipality in the OR Tambo district, Eastern Cape. The main towns under this municipality are Tsolo and Qumbu, and the majority of the people and businesses in Mhlontlo are rural based. Therefore, the awarding of the businesses included recognition of local businesses such as mini bus taxis, local mechanics, fashion designers, farmers and local vendors on the streets selling fruits, amongst others. Namhla Collection was featured by the Mthatha Express newspaper and News24 online.
In June we got to exhibit at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda, previously known as Grahamstown. The 11-day festival officially kicked off 22 June and was buzzing with local talent from all over South Africa painting the streets Makhanda all sorts of colours. The Namhla Collection stall was located at tent 3, stall 113 were buyers from overseas, around the country and Makhanda community shopped to drop from the Green Village market. This meant a lot for us as Namhla Collection, we are always excited to physically engage with our audience and tell the stories behind the products. People were so mesmerised at our imphepho products, they loved and understood our business concept and the packaging. We also got featured by the Mail & Guardian online news platform.
As we draw a close to 2023, we just want to thank you for being part of the Namhla Collection community. We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and may you have a prosperous New Year!