Buthina Borona Household Co-operative was established four years ago by five dedicated members of the community of Vosloorus. The cooperative was formed through the intervention programme by the Ekhuruleni Metro Municipality of cooperatives programme which provided various training programmes to the members and donated funds which led to the subsequent formation of the Buthina Borona that manufactures detegerents and other products.

The Co-operative is operating at the Vosolorus customer Care Centre. They approached GEP for developmental intervention when their business was doing well due various reasons including lack of products ISO 9001: 2000 certificates. GEP assessed business operations of the cooperative and recommended the development of a business plan and SABS specification testing on their core detergents products that ranges from dishwashers, fabric softeners and cream cleaners. The interventions were implemented and all products passed the test except the bleach which they are still working on its specifications. GEP further developed a concise business Plan for Buthina Borona which assisted them in receiving funding of R270 000.00 from The Department of Trade and Industry to purchase manufacturing equipment.

Miss Henreitta Dlamini Managing Director of Buthi Borona Cooperative said that they are realizing a substantial growth, which is evident to increase in sales and demand on their products. “We have also expanded our product range, we have now started manufacturing diapers for babies and adults also in our new range are sanitary towels”, said Miss Dlamini.
 

Nonhlanhla Ngwenya owner of Nhlanhla African Devine Art Design quit her teaching career to start a passion driven business in the Arts sector. A company that she started three years ago focuses on painting and sewing of Fabrics to produce designed bedding covers, cushions, wall paintings and clothes. Due to a lack of business skills and operations Nhlanhla experienced difficulties into tapping to the niche market of Arts.

Through GEP business development support intervention Nhlanhla was helped with the development of a business plan and she also benefits from regular business training sessions provided by GEP on basic skills required to run a business like, financial management, business marketing and planning.

GEP also sponsored Nhlanhla to participate at the Decorex an exhibition showcasing the art of home décor and accessories. It was through this platform where Nhlanhla received a client base which has seen an increase of orders for her products and she was also able to make sales exceeding R 15 000, 00 at the three day exhibition.

Nhlanhla is also on a training programme with the Advanced Techniques in Art and Fabric which entails a lot of arts and culture for people who enjoys and love painting.
She currently operates at her home and hopes to apply for GEP financial support pursue her plans of opening a workshop, so that she can employ youth in the community and teach them the art of painting using cloth and fabrics.
 

A high Tech small company operating on in the aerospace sector TMI Dynamatics owned by a young entrepreneur in his early thirties Mr. Thivash Moodely is one of the small businesses housed by the Innovation Hub incubation programme. Moodley who has received a range of GEP business development support provided to SMMEs at the Hub’s incubation has now received GEP financial support loan to execute work on two major contracts he has received.

TMI Dynamatics is wholly owned by Thivash and has extensive experience in the aerospace business and holds an Honours Degree in Aerospace Engineering. He received contracts worth 1.9 million rands from SAAB Aerosystems and Denel Aviation to do work on the post separation flight test analysis for South African low drag stores. The contracts required an intensive working capital and Moodley applied for contract finance with GEP and was awarded a loan amount of R500 000.00 to execute the projects.

Moodley expressed his gratitude to GEP for a hand to hand relationship since he was housed at the Innovation Hub incubation from 2006, he appreciates the support he received ranging from business developmental support to the financial support.
“TMI with a vision of becoming a globally preferred partner for aeronautical modeling and stimulation can only be realized with the assistance of organizations like GEP”, he said.
 

Themba Khumalo

Nceba Nkwelo proudly stands at his Sasol Franchise in Soweto

The Sasol Franchise in Regina Mundi in Soweto is owned by Nceba Nkwelo who has had vast experience in the petrol filling station industry. After working for a family business for a number of years he decided to go it alone by acquiring the Sasol franchise.

Rex Seemela owner of Ngikhona Wholesaler displaying safety clothing he is distributing

Ngikhona Wholesaler Holdings is a business focusing on the maintenance and refurbishment of old medical equipment including supply of quality medical, safety, mining and personnel protective equipment. Ngikhona is owned by Rex Seemela who has worked as a sales rep within the medical field for many years. The business finds its markets in hospitals, mines and the South African Police services, security industry and the engineering sector. GEP has assisted the company with planning and access to markets.
The development of a business plan has assisted the company with the implementation of smooth running of operations.

The marketing tool has made it possible for Ngikhona to attend the Initial Trade Exhibition in Russia sponsored by the DTI. The branding on his exhibition stand assisted in networking and forming business linkage with international markets.
 

Sam Mokoena owner of MECO stands in front of his entertainment complex in Vereeniging.

The Makhosonke Entertainment Complex in Vereeniging is doing a roaring trade since receiving market support from Gauteng Enterprise Propeller. GEP assisted with the development of marketing tools for the enterprise.

The Makhosonke Entertainment Complex was established in 2000 and comprises a guesthouse, a pub and a restaurant. It’s clientele consist mainly of individuals who patronise the venue during weekends, and other corporate clients includes companies like Eskom, Mittal steel and EMSA who stay over when attending company training courses and workshops.

GTL Foods owner Maki Radasi operating machinery with her employee.

GEP has assisted GTL Foods with the implementation of an accounting system and training staff. Staff was also trained on how to use the Repma packaging machine. An interactive website was developed on behalf of GTL.