27 May 2021

Tokafala, an enterprise development programme is expected to offer comprehensive support to entrepreneurs operating in the SPEDU region.

Launching the programme in Selebi Phikwe on Tuesday, the acting chief executive officer of Selebi Phikwe Economic Diversification Unit (SPEDU), Mr Jazenga Uezesa said the programme would help resuscitate Selebi Phikwe, as the economic resuscitation and strategic recovery programmes were taking momentum in the region.

He said the economic effects of COVID-19 worsened the SPEDU region’s economic status, which affected government, parastatals, big entities and even the Small Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) sector.

Tokafala, he said, was an enterprise development programme tailor-made for SMMEs to assist in growing their businesses.

The programme, a collaboration between the government, Debswana, De Beers and Anglo American, supports mining, tourism and agro-processing sectors.

He added that since its inception, the programme had supported over 350 SMMEs, raising revenues of the SMMEs by 39 per cent as well as supporting creation and sustaining over 2 000 jobs.

Furthermore, Mr Uezesa said Tokafala provided among others business monitoring and advisory support tendered to the specific needs of enterprise, helped clients evaluate their financial needs, building financial models and preparing loan applications.

The programme also helps businesses in terms of market access and helps enterprises establish linkages to potential buyers, It also seeks to develop an enterprise development program in the SPEDU region by strengthening the entrepreneurs’ business management skills, business skills development and guidance on developing survival strategies.

“Our businesses are struggling to survive because of the economic hardships they faced and Tokafala will help us develop and implement effectively business survival strategic,” said Mr Uezesa.

SPEDU, he said would be assisted with identifying the appropriate enterprises, would be enrolled in the value chain and would be helped in building the capacity to sustain and run those businesses.

To date, he said, the programme had enrolled 34 SMMEs companies in the SPEDU region for a period of only over 10 years of mentorship and training.

He said the enrolment included sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and services, with five per cent of the enrollment being youth owned companies.

Mr Uezesa urged business owners in the SPEDU region to support each other instead of wanting to go at it alone, adding that in economics, a competitive environment was that which allowed for many people to participate.

Tokafala programme seeks to assist business owners to come together and aid businesses to participate in the procurement value chains system, he added.

For her part, Tokafala Programme director Ms Montle Phuthego said Tokafala would take the participants through a refresher course on how to manage their financials and cash flow.

She said COVID -19 had taught many to think outside the box, emphasising that product diversity was very critical in business.

“Our aim is to help you strengthen your capabilities as individual enterprises and help turn your businesses around,” she said.

Selebi Phikwe Chamber of Commerce chairperson, Dr Baboloki Manake commended Tokafala for bringing their services to the SPEDU region.

He said the programme came at the right moment to help build the spirit of entrepreneurship amongst entrepreneurs in the SPEDU region.

Dr Manake added that an entrepreneur was one who initiated a business venture and pursued success for the masses ENDS