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Siyakha Consulting establishes an incubation centre for SMMEs

Mon, 28 May 2012 12:33

Dionne Kerr

Siyakha Consulting has established an incubation centre, The Airport Development Centre, at Durban’s Dube Trade Port to aid the development of SMMEs and to answer the call for a commitment to be made by every business in South Africa to support, develop or initiate projects that specifically benefit SMMEs which are BEE compliant and black-owned.

According to Dionne Kerr, Siyakha Consulting’s executive director, the development programme encourages businesses to be independent. “An ongoing 12-month mentorship programme continuously ensures this with all participating SMMEs,” she says.

Work stations at the Airport Development Centre are equipped with access to the internet, telephone and fax facilities, a boardroom and training facilities which merge to provide an enabling environment for each SMME to meet its set out business objectives.

One of the SMMEs that have already benefitted from the incubation programme, Tshepo Keyona, is owned by Paulina Moshoeshoe. Affectionately known as Mam’ Paulina, she hails from Matatiele in the Eastern Cape and has set her sights on ensuring the success of her full-service professional cleaning and maintenance company.

“Tshepo Keyona strives to provide integrated and innovative solutions to our clients by utilising the latest technology, best practices and recognised industry standards,” says Mam’ Paulina.

After working in the cleaning industry for 20 years, she was inspired to invest her experience into something of her own. She thus registered Tshepo Keyona in 2010.

“I’ve always been interested in manning my own business, but as your grow up life takes over and we forget about our dreams,” she says. “When offered the opportunity by Siyakha Consulting my dream was rekindled and I saw the opportunity to realise it.”

“Being a part of the Siyakha Consulting enterprise development programme means so much to me. Not only am I realising my dream, I am also learning many different skills. I am more aware of the realities of running a business and feel empowered to make things happen for current and prospective clients,” she says.

“Siyakha Consulting is truly impressed with Tshepo Keyona and Mam’ Paulina’s growth and development in the industry. We are extremely proud to be assisting her in this regard,” says Kerr.

cathy@siyakha.co.za

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