The Tshwane University of Technology Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (TUT CED), in collaboration with the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA), recently hosted the first session of the SMME mentorship onboarding programme.
Ms Lebogang Mpye, Executive Manager at CATHSSETA giving words of encouragement at the SMME mentorship onboarding programme event.
Funded by CATHSSETA and facilitated by the TUT CED, the programme aims to empower young and upcoming entrepreneurs in the sector to set up and effectively run their businesses. The inaugural cohort comprises four Gauteng-based SMMEs focusing on digital artistry, music performing arts, film production and the production of craft accessories. They were selected from a competitive list of 40 applicants to participate in this programme.
Welcoming guests and sharing insights about the programme, the Head of the Centre, Dr Patrick Ebewo, said TUT CED’s mandate is to create an environment where entrepreneurship can flourish. “In aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it offers quality education; is a foundation for decent work and economic development; and fosters strategic partnerships with outside stakeholders,” said Dr Ebewo.
He added that the programme has three capacity-building phases: ideation, testing prototypes and scaling. He affirmed that the programme, which is highly recognised and awarded by the Presidency and the Minister of Small Business Development in 2023, is offered by the best Entrepreneurship Centres in the country, providing innovative solutions for small businesses.
CATHSSETA Executive Manager for Learning Programmes, Ms Lebogang Mpye, said CATHSSETA is excited to be a key part of the SMME journey. She emphasised that the support is not a hit-and-run exercise, but a commitment to build sustainable businesses that will create employment in the sector.
Guest speaker, a CATHSSETA beneficiary and seasoned professional in the sector, Dr Nomvuselelo Songelwa, motivated SMMEs to be disruptors, innovators and to remember that they have power within themselves. She assured them that this journey would not just be empowering but rather re-powering, instilling a strong sense of hope and optimism.
The SMMEs were off to a good start as Ms Elona Ndlovu, a Chartered Coach, ushered them into their first two modules: personal development for entrepreneurs and business model development using a design-thinking approach. The programme's Head Coach, Cecil van Niekerk, reflected on his engagement with the SMMEs and the pre-programmed business diagnostic assessment, which was an eye-opener for them.
The launch of the SMME mentorship programme marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between TUT CED and CATHSSETA. The programme aims to equip young entrepreneurs with essential skills and create lasting economic impacts by fostering innovation, providing expert guidance and aligning with sustainable development goals. As these entrepreneurs embark on their journey, the support from TUT CED and CATHSSETA will be crucial in transforming their vision into thriving, sustainable businesses that contribute to the growth and diversification of the sector.
Head of the Centre of Entrepreneurship and Development, Dr Patrick Ebewo sharing an overview of the Centre and the SMME mentorship onboarding programme.