Five local small businesses are getting a boost thanks to a partnership between Overstrand Municipality and Veolia Services SA. As part of its social responsibility programme, Veolia – which manages the Municipality’s water and wastewater operations – is supporting these entrepreneurs with training, equipment, and guidance to help them grow their businesses.

The project began in 2023 in co-operation with the Municipality’s Socio-Economic Services Department. Participants were selected from the SME database based on the products or services they offered and their potential to make the most of this opportunity.

The entrepreneurs received comprehensive training on how to work with big companies like Veolia, covering risk management and site safety (including working at heights), managing their finances, preparing invoices and quotes and marketing.

Each participant received a tailored package including laptops, professionally designed logos and business cards, marketing materials such as car magnets, and equipment relevant to their business, from concrete mixers and generators to PPE and tools. The total value of the training and equipment package is around R400 000.

These businesses are now in a strong position to start generating income and growing sustainably.

Councillor Clinton Lerm, the Mayco Member for Infrastructure Services said, “This is exactly the type of model we want – giving entrepreneurs the training and tools they need to be capable when bigger companies call on them.”

Overstrand Executive Mayor, Ald Archie Klaas added, “This programme is all about confidence in your ability. You’ve invested in yourself and shown you’re ready to learn and grow. It’s the small daily efforts – going to work, being on time, delivering good work, being hungry for opportunities – that will make the Overstrand and South Africa work. And it all starts right here, with the Overstrand Municipality SME programme and by connecting with companies like Veolia.”

This year’s five participants, trading as the following businesses, were:

• Specialising in business compliance and administration: (Ikusasalethu Solutions) – Tandile Bokolo.
• Providing cleaning services: (Masithembe Project) – Lowabo Seyamo.
• Specialising in building construction: (Ngonyolo Services) – Promise Ngonyolo.
• Providing carpentry services: (Mfundiso Construction) – Mfundiso Mathanda.
• Specialising in building construction: (Predator Services) – Singathwe Mqhele. As the only woman in the group, she brings a fresh perspective on women in construction.

Businesses that want to give these up-and-coming SME a working opportunity can contact the Overstrand Municipality Socio-Economic Services at 028 313 5010 or email ledzwelihle@overstrand.gov.za

PHOTO CAPTION

Pictured at the graduation ceremony are the small business owners who successfully completed the programme, together with Overstrand Municipality’s Makaziwe Jamekwana (SMME Compliance Administrator), Mayco Member for Infrastructure Services Cllr. Clinton Lerm, Veolia’s Celeste Ackerman, Mfundiso Mathanda, Executive Mayor Ald Archie Klaas, Singathwe Mqhele, Lowabo Seyamo, Veolia Overstrand Operations Manager Coenie Loubser, Xolile Kosi (Manager: Socio-Economic Services), Patrick Robinson (Manager: Water Infrastructure and Quality), and Hanré Blignaut (Principal Engineer: Civil Infrastructure Planning). (Promise Ngonyolo was absent.)