Month: March 2019

Certain communities in South Africa are more marginalized, with little or no opportunity or clear pathways for economic progress. It is in these under-resourced areas where unemployment is the most acute. Education levels are low, and job opportunities and livelihood creation are scarce which further exacerbates the dependence on social grants.

WILDLANDS, through a programme known as the ‘Rural Sustainable Enterprise Development and Skill Strengthening Programme’, made possible by a grant from the Walmart Foundation handed over 40 New Venture Creation (NVC) accredited training attendance certificates to learners from KwaJobe and Mandlakazi in Northern KwaZulu-Natal. These certificates were awarded to students that have successfully attended 10-unit standards of learning and are successfully running their own businesses.

The various unit standards covered topics which included Professional Behaviour in Business, Ethics, Customer Service, Marketing, Financial Management and Market Needs. This completes the first year of the three-year small business skills training programme. WILDLANDS hopes to have over 200 individuals running successful and sustainable small businesses, improving the lives of their own families and those of their fellow community members – at the end of the three year programme.

The New Venture Creation Skills Programme is a NQF level 2 accredited programme. The course structure includes facilitated training sessions, practical assignments that contribute to the development of their businesses and support from local mentors.

The primary objectives of this programme will improve the candidates’ entrepreneurial capacity and employability with the intent of improving their livelihood and encouraging the development of the local rural economy. In addition, the training will encourage and support the development of businesses that contribute to sustainable resource use and leverage opportunities of the Green Economy.

“We are proud to support WILDLANDS and the Rural Sustainable Development and Skill Strengthening Programme, which is designed to impart lasting skills that can be shared across communities,” said Karrie Denniston, Senior Director, Walmart Foundation. “In addition to the skill development, this program also helps to connect communities with products and services that are good for both people and the environment.”

“The certificate handover ceremonies allowed us the opportunity to show the friends and family members of our NVC trainees as well as the wider community what they have accomplished.  I think that it represents an important step in the journey of our NVC trainees.  The small businesses established have not only benefited the individuals who have created them, but also the communities in which the entrepreneurs are living through enabling easier access to a wider range of products and services, including garden services, poultry businesses, tuck shops, clothing stores and bakeries,” added Samantha Houghting, WILDLANDS’ Strategic Manager – Sustainable Livelihoods.

“The community has already seen major benefits from the NVC programme. Members of the youth who were unemployed and not eligible to obtain a tertiary qualification are now business owners and have something to do for a living. This programme also keeps the youth occupied and out of criminal activities,” Zodwa Gumede – WILDLANDS NVC Project mentor and facilitator.

“I would like to thank WILDLANDS for making me part of the NVC programme. I have learnt a lot including money management skills. In the past, I would get money and spend it on unnecessary things. I have learnt valuable business skills and now all the money I will get, I will reinvest into the business so that it can grow, and I can support myself and my family,” Xoliswa Mazibuko, trainee from KwaJobe commented.

Senzeni Ntshembene (27) from KwaJobe shared her personal journey with the WILDLANDS team and had this to say, “I can say that I joined WILDLANDS a long time ago because I was helping my mother nurture and care for her trees because she was a Tree-preneur. When I was chosen as one of the NVC learners, I knew I had to make this work as I used to sell chips on the side of the road and at the local schools. I always had a wish to have my own business but having no capital was a challenge,” she said.

“So, the New Venture Creation Program came as a good Samaritan.  Now I have my own poultry farming (Senzi’s Poultry) business.  As a bread winner at home, the money from the business helps a lot in buying food for the family,” she concluded.

Senzeni is a single mother, with a one-year old son. Her small business is now helping to support her son and her parents, who she lives with.

On World Oceans Day on the 8^th of June 2018, a coalition of organisations including WILDOCEANS (a programme of the WILDTRUST), Ocean Unite, WWF-SA, Centre for Environmental Rights and the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR), united to advance the protection of the oceans around South Africa within Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s) and gathered to launch a MPA expansion project in South Africa. The overall project objective is to reach the global MPA target of 10% by 2020 – and pave the way for African states to support a global target of 30% strongly protected by 2030. The Deputy Director General of the South African Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), Judy Beaumont, who attended the launch and gave a key note address, welcomed the new MPA expansion project which is funded by Oceans 5. In Year 1, the project had a measurable objective of securing 5% MPA expansion and was underpinned by the “Only This Much” campaign to create more conversations and national awareness about the importance and need for MPAs, and the inadequate 0.4% protection of the oceans around South Africa and how the average ‘man on the street’ could help change it. A key message in 2018 was therefore that “Only This Much” – 0.4% – was not enough.

On the 25^th of October 2018, South Africa’s Cabinet announced the expansion of Marine Protected Areas from 0.4% to 5% – with 20 new/expanded MPAs being announced – and there was much celebration.

“We believe that the ‘Only This Much’ campaign played a significant part, working alongside responsible government institutions and with key civil society organisations, in helping to secure marine protection and hope we can play a similar, supportive role this coming year in securing at least 10% in MPAs,” commented Campaign Lead, Lauren van Nijkerk.

“We are pleased to announce that the MPA expansion project is now moving into its second phase to support our government’s commitment to achieve at least 10% MPA coverage for the waters around South Africa. This new phase will see the launch of a new campaign to support ocean protection and highlight the benefits of MPAs. This is an opportunity to celebrate the success already achieved and a chance to build new positive energy for ongoing efforts by government and civil society to protect our oceans,” said WILDOCEANS Executive Director, Dr Jean Harris.

“With the campaign and project shifting into its second phase with new objectives and ideas, we need a change, and this is where YOU come in. We want you to help us come up with a name for the new campaign! We need a name that is upbeat and positive, short, punchy and inspirational, promotes the value of our oceans, profiles MPAs as our heritage – our legacy for tomorrow, and highlights why we need 10% – and ultimately 30% protection by 2030 for our oceans. We know it is a big ask – but believe there are hundreds of passionate creative ocean advocates out there that can assist us with this new, exciting step,” concluded Ruth Mthembu, WILDOCEANS Marketing Manager.

Visit the @onlythismuchSA or WILDOCEANSSA social media pages today to find the “Name The Campaign” post and comment with all your weird and wonderful ideas.