Celebrating 79 Business Advisory Graduates
The first cohort of graduates from the Business Advisory Candidacy Programme was honored with a graduation ceremony at Mmabatho Convention Centre. The North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation, and Tourism (DEDECT) is sponsored the programme, which was launched in 2021, in collaboration with the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA) and the Institutes of Business Advisors Southern Africa (IBASA), as well as the Services SETA.
This pilot program’s objective is to give the province’s unemployed youngsters the tools they need to actively participate in the economy. With their knowledge and abilities, graduates can launch their own business consulting firms, which will help foster entrepreneurship. On the other hand, they can also help already-established enterprises deal with SMMEs’ high failure rate.
“This programme is of immense value to the North West Province, which faces the challenge of high rates of unemployment, currently at 54%. This is especially prevalent among young people. Targeted interventions that improve employment prospects while strengthening entrepreneurship abilities, like the Business Advisory Candidacy Programme, are crucial in reversing this trend,” said Kakona Tlhomelang, Chief Director for Integrated Economic Development Services within DEDECT.
Business consultancy has been listed as one of the critical skills since 2021. Services SETA Executive Manager for Strategy and Planning, Mamabele Motla further elaborates, “As SETA’s we are entrusted to facilitate skills development so that we can know the occupations that are important for economic growth. It is a game changer for us to participate in this, as these graduates have now been trusted to professionally advise businesses so that they can be sustainable. We believe that these advisors will be able to advise informal, medium, and all different types of companies”.
Some of the graduates had this to share.
“I came into the programme not knowing much about SMME’s and with the skill that I have, I just started my own business called Keboneilwe Botlhale and I have a small pool of clients that I am servicing,” said Fatima Tsamai from Swartruggens.
“Based on my personality, I was not sure if I could start a business or be a business advisor, but the programme enabled me to acquire more skills like the ability to work under pressure, work with different people and communicate effectively. However, my highlight from this programme is how I am now effective when it comes to the business side of things “said Lebogang Motlhabane from Mahikeng.
While some graduates have already launched their own companies, the host employers have hired others where they received their hands-on training.
Graduate: Fatima Tsamai
