In celebration of Women’s Month, the Centre for Social Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator (CSERI) at Durban University of Technology (DUT) equipped 20 women with practical skills and entrepreneurial knowledge through its Nails Empowerment Training Programme.
The two-week programme was designed to equip participants with the skills and tools needed to turn nail technology into a potential source of income and sustainable business.
The first week focused on the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, brand development and marketing. All 20 participants were supported to register their businesses with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), while also developing their own logos and business identities.
The second week focused on practical nail technology training, facilitated by DUT alumna Nomali Buthelezi, a horticulture graduate, entrepreneur and founder of Melokuhle Creationz.
Participants were introduced to nail preparation, hygiene and sanitation, product knowledge, shaping and filing, cuticle care, as well as application and finishing techniques. The practical sessions gave participants an opportunity to develop their skills through hands-on training.
For Buthelezi, returning to DUT to facilitate the programme was an opportunity to share her experience and support other women on their entrepreneurial journeys.
“I am very excited to be back and to give back to fellow women. I am willing to continue mentoring the women we have trained because I want to see them grow and succeed,” said Buthelezi.
She said she hopes the programme will encourage more women to pursue self-employment and create opportunities for others.
“I now have 20 other businesses operating that I trained previously, and I am hoping this cohort will also produce business owners who become self-employed. Especially since the economy is not doing well, we need people who will create more employment,” she said.
CSERI Director Mr Solomon Nyamurima congratulated the participants and encouraged them to view the skills they had acquired as an opportunity to build sustainable businesses.
He emphasised the importance of practical and marketable skills in helping individuals create their own opportunities, while reaffirming that CSERI’s support does not end with the completion of the programme.
Participants will continue to have access to business advisory support through CSERI as they work towards developing and growing their businesses.
For Zinhle Mkhize, the programme has provided a new opportunity after struggling to find employment despite holding a teaching qualification.
“I am now confident about the skills I have gained, and I cannot wait to start operating and have my own clients,” said Mkhize.
She also praised the facilitator for her approach to the training.
“Nomali is the best facilitator. She was very patient with us, and I am grateful for the opportunity,” she said.
For Nombuso Jaca, who had no previous experience in the beauty industry, the programme provided an opportunity to learn a new skill and put it into practice.
Just two weeks after starting the programme, Jaca had already attracted potential clients through social media.
“I have already secured clients who saw my WhatsApp status and booked me. I am looking forward to what the future holds for me,” she said.
The programme has equipped the 20 participants with practical nail technology skills, registered businesses and professional brand identities, while giving them greater confidence to take their skills to the market.
For CSERI, the programme forms part of its continued efforts to support entrepreneurship and provide aspiring entrepreneurs with practical skills and business support that can help them build sustainable livelihoods.
As the participants begin the next chapter of their entrepreneurial journeys, they leave the programme not only as newly trained nail technicians, but as aspiring business owners with the potential to create opportunities for themselves and others.
Pictured: Participants of the Nails Empowerment Training Programme with CSERI staff.
Photographer: Luvuyo Mntambo
Snelisiwe Hlongwane
