Special feature: July 2010 Back to previous page

Seda Free State prioritises development of cooperatives

Pictured to the right, training presented by Seda Xhariep in computer literacy necessary for proper running of a business concern, from 2-11 June 2010 at the Library Hall, Jagersfontein.

As a result of the redirected Seda national policies and in line with the experience gained also in the Free State, Seda Free State is currently prioritizing the establishment and development of cooperatives in the Province as a key strategic means to promote small business development, thus stimulating self-employment, entrepreneurship and income generation.

It flows from the Seda national decision to revive the Community Public Private Partnership (CPPP) Programme as an additional programme within Seda, by merging the Sector Development and Cooperatives Support Programme with the CPPP Programme to form the Cooperatives and CPPP Programme.

This is also in accordance with the Integrated Strategy on the Promotion of Entrepreneurship and Small Enterprises (ISPESE) of the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti). The ISPESE acknowledges the need for focused support to designated target groups and priority geographic areas and sectors, as well as support for fostering non-traditional enterprise organizational forms such as co-operatives.

The main purpose for the creation of the Seda Cooperatives and CPPP Programme is therefore to:

• Promote the establishment of cooperatives and collectively owned enterprises.
• Establish linkages with other government initiatives which aim to address problems of high unemployment, poverty, rural-urban migration and dependency.
• Increase accessibility to information, finance and markets.
• Increase the organisational human resource capacity to deliver effectively and efficiently on the programme's mission statement
• Facilitate the acquisition and transfer of skills and business opportunities to small enterprises, particularly those operating in the second economy.
• Promote responsible and sustainable use of natural resources that are locally available.
• Facilitate effective partnerships for cooperatives and collectively owned. Enterprises to improve their competitiveness, sustainability and growth.
• Improve small enterprise performance and productivity.
• Promote entrepreneurial activity and success of identified target groups, in rural and semi-urban areas.
• Reduce small enterprise failure rates.
• Foster a culture of cooperation, self-help, self-reliance and solidarity among cooperative beneficiaries and beyond.
• Work towards self-sustainability of the cooperative movement in the medium to long-term, to be achieved through partnership models and by consistently capacitating all stakeholders.

As for the Free State, Benedix Claassen of Seda is the head of the unit for the province. He can be contacted on (051) 411 3820 or email bclaassen@seda.org.za.

Seda stepping up service delivery

A major focus for Seda this year, also in the Free State, is improving on the service the organization is offering to clients – how they are engaged; the quality of the service Seda is providing; the value clients get from these interactions; and ultimately, the impact of these measures on the businesses of clients. In preparing for this, Seda has in 2009 concentrated on assessing the capabilities of its delivery staff, its service delivery model and the nature and impact of Seda interventions. To this end, three core areas were addressed: The competencies of frontline staff, the issue of external service providers, and the approach used for client assessments. Ultimately, it’s anticipated that all these measures will assist in improving the quality of the service Seda is delivering. Rather than looking to radically grow the numbers of people reached in the course of this year, Seda would like to first ensure the delivery of top quality services, and then work on improving the rate of conversion, from registered clients to ones Seda is actively assisting.

Mr. Fezekile Gadi of Vuk'uzimele Development Consultancy CC at his customised vehicle.

A Seda Free State success story: Vuk’uzimele Development Consultancy CC

Seda Free State has assisted a number of entrepreneurs with disabilities and in commemorating July as Disability Month, this case study is featured as an example. Vuk'uzimele Development Consultancy CC was started by Mr. Fezekile Gadi, a physically challenged male also serving as Provincial Manager for Disabled People of SA in the Free State. He established the enterprise to give driving school lessons for a range of disability consulting services. Gadi's biggest challenge was to obtain funding to buy land and modified vehicles as well as to cover operational costs. To be able to access funds at the IDC, he needed to get a business plan and in this regard he approached Seda at its Lejweleputswa Branch in Welkom for assistance. After the necessary assessments of Vuk'usimele, Seda's intervention resulted in the following: The IDC granted Vuk'uzimele Development Consultancy CC a loan and a mentorship programme. The business was launched in May 2010 with a staff complement of 12 plus the owner. The company is in the process of developing a skills transfer training program for its staff. “Thanks to Seda for their good work, my dreams are coming true. Continue with your good work in helping SMME's. Focus should be placed on the disabled community - youth and women in particular” says Gadi.