15 years of developing South Africa through entrepreneurship
Published in The Herald Newspaper on July 12, 2016
The Hope Factory has supported the growth and development of individuals since its inception in 2001. At the heart of our existence is seeing lives changed through social and economic upliftment, giving people hope for a better tomorrow. In particular we focus on the development of entrepreneurs, assisting them to operate financially sustainable small businesses. We believe in the importance of motivating, inspiring and empowering entrepreneurs with the skills and abilities needed to grow personally and in business.
We launched our Personal Development in Business Programme at the start of 2015, which as a Socio-Economic Development (SED) initiative aims to grow and develop people‘s potential to support themselves through self-employment. The heart of the Programme is to see people and communities positively impacted as we provide the hope and ability to start businesses.
The programme provided personal, business and financial development skills as well as group business mentoring to 20 participants in 2015. Nokuzola completed the programme and says, “Everything that I have hoped to achieve last year was given to me.” She is passionate about business and helping people, and uses what she has learned at The Hope Factory to empower others. Being part of The Hope Factory programme helped her to realise the business mistakes she has made in the past. “I now have a personal budget and my things are in order because of new systems.” Thembani echoes her words saying that, “what I have learned has been extraordinary. It is all new to me and I am sharing it with others so that they can also benefit from it.”
This year another 28 entrepreneurs started their training in March. SED Manager, Darren Ryder says, “I am passionate about the growth of people and entrepreneurs; I love South Africa and believe in its future, through transformation and economic development. Being a part of The Hope Factory team allows me to participate in this process and see the change taking place daily as I interact with our entrepreneurs”.
This Programme is made possible through SED contributions received from corporate companies nationally. SED is an element on The Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Codes of Good Practice that specifically facilitate “sustainable access to the economy” for “previously disadvantaged Black persons” says Henk Kloppers, a Senior Lecturer, North-West University. The inclusion of the SED element thus intentionally creates a platform for the implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by the private sector.
B-BBEE offers companies an opportunity to be a part of the transformation of our nation through Enterprise and Supplier Development as well as Socio-Economic Development contributions. This provides a platform for CSR towards improving the quality of life for black people. The Hope Factory can assist companies to navigate through the Amended B-BBEE Codes; and help with the necessary adjustments to align with these specific areas within the Codes.
The Hope Factory, a reputable Enterprise and Supplier Development Non-Profit Company forms part of the Nation Building division of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Entrepreneurship is our passion, and we exist to grow people, to develop businesses and to impact communities, through our unique mentorship model while adding value to our investors.
