A Spring of Hope’s maiden Women in Entrepreneurship Program (funded by Itirele Foundation Charitable Trust), launched on a high note as part of the Women’s Month celebrations in August 2023 in Open Gate, Acornhoek.
The program started off with an intensive three-day bootcamp. The 31 highly engaging young women, all of whom are running micro-enterprises, some still in ideation phase, were exposed to the fundamental concepts of setting up and running a sustainable business. This intervention included exploring new business opportunities and value chains.
The enthusiastic cohort of participants had the opportunity to put the lessons learned into action, supported by mentors and over a period of three months. This culminated in a ‘Dragon’s Den style’ pitch competition and certification.
The special occasion was attended by A Spring of Hope International’s board member Gail Auguston-Koppen and CEO Joanne Roy-Young who shared their pearls of wisdom about commitment and staying the course. Resilient as ever, contestants fielded the judging panel’s questions with grace, keeping them on their toes!
Each participant received a Business Management Training Certificate. After much deliberation, the judges announced the top three businesses that scooped the much-needed cash injection to the value of R25 000. This will be used to take their businesses to the next level.
The first prize winner, Charity Nyathi from Sigagula in Acornhoek, received a R12 000 business voucher to boost the manufacturing of her moringa beauty product range. Second prize winner, Mapusha Weavers from Maromeng in Acornhoek, received an R8 000 business voucher to scale the weaving of their floor and wall rugs, along with other crafts. Third prize winner, Langutani Khoza from Sigagula in Acornhoek, received a R5 000 business voucher, towards equipment to manufacture scented beeswax candles and air diffusers.
In acknowledging their unwavering commitment to the program, Executive Director at A Spring of Hope SA, Nelly Mofokeng had this to say: “As our first cohort of the Women in Entrepreneurship Program I must say that we couldn’t have asked for better cohort to kick-start this program. As you prepare to step into the next phase of your career journey, moving on to bigger and greater ventures, never stop learning and lift others as you rise, because each one of us has role play in building thriving communities”.
A Spring of Hope is an international NGO that provides rural South African schools and communities with clean water sources, permaculture gardening methods, waterless sanitation solutions, feeding kitchens, entrepreneurship, and life skills.
The availability of an adequate supply of clean water, when coupled with ongoing training and technical support, has been shown to improve health conditions, combat poverty, and promote education for students, as well as to create a source of financial self-sustainability for communities.
Established by mother and daughter team, Joanne and Brittany Young in 2007, the organisations work has directly impacted over 80 000 individuals in the Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces, through support from Thulani Lodge, corporate and individual donors.
A Spring of Hope contact details: Nelly Mofokeng +27 82 926 8611, Email: nelly@aspringofhope.org,
www.aspringofhope.org
