Entrepreneurs flourish in Kwa

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MOSSEL BAY NEWS AND VIDEOS - Despite Covid-19 ruining their much-anticipated opening in April, the female entrepreneurs at the KwaNonqaba Business Park are more spirited than ever.

This business hub, similar to the D'Almeida Beehives, is part of the Mossel Bay Municipality's drive to stimulate and grow the local economy and it opened in August.

Nwabisa Khasoane sells shisanyama and employs three people. Her journey was not an easy one. Prior to opening her shop, Beezy Corner, she sold her products elsewhere in KwaNonqaba.

Photo gallery: Female entrepeneurs flourish at KwaNonqaba business hub

Not through any fault of her own, she had to give up her business. She continued working hard, catering for special events. But something was lacking. Her heart burned for a branded shop of her own.

An opportunity came along at the KwaNonqaba Business Park, but the disappointment was huge when she could not open in April due to the lockdown. Opening in Women's Month, bears significance to Nwabisa.

"Being in business is very important to every women, because it means you will not go hungry. Many people lost their jobs during lockdown. If you are in business, you can look after yourself."

Ncediswa Mandita wanted to develop a cultural village where Xhosa traditions could be celebrated. For now, she proudly runs a shop selling traditional clothing and accessories. For her, this is but a start and she has every intention of developing herself and growing her business.

"There are a lot of traditional events and people often have to travel to George to get their outfits. Now, I can supply them."

She says that during Covid-19 there were no celebrations, but she is excited at the prospect of more events taking place as the lockdown regulations are eased.

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"Women are the courage and strength in the home, which is why they can be successful in business too. If you want to do something, just go for it."

Charlene Brown worked at several restaurants in Mossel Bay, before fully applying herself to her own catering business.

She says it at all started when her colleagues couldn't afford the staff meals at restaurants. "I decided to cater for them."

This snowballed and soon catering contracts for much bigger businesses and even government started rolling in.

Charlene was trained in the navy and for a long time ran her business from home. She too didn't just open shop at the business park at the drop of a hat.

"I applied somewhere else, but was bullied out of it by a man." Once bitten, twice shy, she wasn't confident applying for a shop at the KwaNonqqba Business Park, but her joy knew no bounds when the outcome was indeed positive.

"Running your own business is not plain sailing. There are stumbling blocks, but you have to persist regardless." Charlene is passionate about encouraging the youth to pursue entrepreneurship, especially with the high rate of unemployment. "If you need help and direction, come speak to me."

Cossetta April's shop opens out into Bill Jeffrey Avenue. Passersby, she says, have been keen to buy her frozen foods. She worked from home for three years, keeping an eye out for a shop of her own. She grabbed the opportunity to open a shop at the KwaNonqaba Business Park with both hands.

"I was scared at first, but who dares, wins."

Cosseta April says: "Who dares, wins."