“Through this eco-system, we will be able to explore the possibility of firming up collaboration amongst local entrepreneurs to encourage localisation and for them to share their resources and join forces to achieve common goals,” adds Nelson Mandela University Business School Director, Dr Randall Jonas.
In this context, the Business School has developed an integrated programme that aims to not only develop the business acumen of entrepreneurs and enterprises in the township, emerging and priority sectors of the economy, but to build resilience through business-to-business coaching initiatives.
The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has partnered with the Metro Women Secondary Co-operative (MWSC) to support their Sanitary Towel Manufacturing Project, based in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape.
The IDC’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) department provides funding to enable the Nelson Mandela University Business School to provide business and mentorship training for the co-operative.
“Advancing inclusive economic activity and funding women entrepreneurs is core to the IDC’s mandate. The corporation supports initiatives that empower women, especially young black women. This project was perfectly suited for us to get involved in. It empowers women by creating sustainable jobs for them and producing a product that will enable young girls and women to access much needed products. Many girls lose valuable school time due to a lack of sanitary towels, and this need can be alleviated through this project,” says IDC Head of Corporate Affairs, Tshepo Ramodibe.
The MWSC was established in 2018 to pursue business opportunities within the automotive and manufacturing sector. Today, the co-operative has 65 members comprised of black women who are mostly over the age of 35, either unemployed or in temporary employment positions.
“We are very excited to partner with the IDC and the Business School as this partnership will help our organisation to grow holistically, with beneficial long-term results for us,” says MWSC Founder and Executive Member, Nomazwi Rosellinah Klaas.
The Business School has also partnered with the Automotive Industry Development Centre Eastern Cape (AIDC EC) to provide manufacturing industry-specific coaching support and mentorship sessions to businesses taking part in the programme, further encouraging upliftment and empowerment of women in manufacturing.
The AIDC EC team, are experts in production processes, business set up and processes, quality production and systems, process and efficiency improvements and leadership and support services.
Stakeholders from the Nelson Mandela University Business School, the IDC and MWSC were recently pictured at the Business School in preparation for the launch of the IDC Metro Women Secondary Co-op Development Programme. Back, from left are Ilze De Lange (Business School), Luana Malan (IDC), Lee-Anne Vasi (Business School), Dr Randall Jonas (Business School), Kim Udemans (Business School), Joey Staphorst (Business School) and Leon Mouton (Business School). Front from left, Nomazwi Rosellinah Klaas (MWSC), Zilipha Nxele (MWSC) and Naomi Koeberg (IDC).