The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Centre of Social Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator (CSERI) hosted 50 students who took part in its first Incubation Induction for the year 2024/2025. The workshop was recently held at the Durban Botanic Gardens.
The incubation programme offers a wide range of services, including training, networking and market access, mentoring and coaching, facility services, access to finance and many more. This programme will run for a period of 12 months. It is worth about R200 000 per person. There is business development support and the student will get linked to the market and potential funders. One will also get personal growth and development and most importantly, a networking opportunity with other business owners.
Director of DUT CSERI, Mr Solomon Nyamurima, welcomed the entrepreneurs to the incubator. He advised the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) to take this opportunity as a marketing platform and that they should not see each other as competition.
Nyamurima highlighted the DUT Living Values which are Transparency, Honesty, Integrity, Respect and Accountability. He said that as business owners they should try to be as transparent as possible, be honest with each other and themselves. He asked for respect, bearing in mind that they come from all walks of life.
“It is important that we remain transparent and always respect each other. I know we are different, and we come from all walks of life, but we should respect one another,” said Nyamurima.
Nyamurima advised the entrepreneurs to be professional and committed. He said they should always be in a position to do professional business with whoever they have partnered with and try to promote each other.
“Be compassionate. Respect one another’s businesses. Do not be scared or hesitant to partner with other business owners and most importantly be excellent. As a business owner you should always be eager to produce quality,” said Nyamurima.
“We have always encouraged you to operate from wherever you are, not far away from the community unless you are expanding. We are always there to assist,” he added.
Ms Nomthandazo Sibiya, Director and founder of Optomly, a company that specialises with personalised eye care for the whole family; said she had joined the incubation because she needed help with marketing because she does not really know much about her business.
“I am hoping that I will be able to know a little bit more about marketing and being able to market my business. I also hope that I will be able to see more customers in a day which will increase my sales. We started operating this year on 13 January 2024, and we are based at Berea Centre, upstairs opposite Tupperware,” said Ms Sibiya.
Mr Cebolenkosi Gcabashe, is the founder of G Khula Trading, a company that provides property enhancement cleaning services, such as roof cleaning, gardens and grass cutting. He said that he was happy to be part of the programme, as he was not sure whether he was going to be selected for the programme after a tense pitching session he had. He said the session was everything he had expected.
“The induction was everything I expected because it covered a lot of questions that I had; I am looking forward to more financial education as well as access to the market. I do my administration at home because we offer services to the people, we do call outs most of the time. If anyone needs any of our services, they can visit our page on Facebook and Instagram page @ G KHULA CLEANING SERVICES,” said Mr Gcabashe.
The incubates were fortunate enough to be graced by the presence of CSERI alumni and hear some the CSERI success stories.
Ms Nompilo Zungu, owner and Director of “Sipho’s daughter”, a soaps and detergents company and Mr Siphamandla Mthembu, Founder and Director of “Maritsban Matric Upgrade and Tutoring” shared the challenges they faced when they started their businesses.
“When I joined the CSERI, my business was just three-months-old. I used to be stressed a lot and sometimes I felt like giving up. I did a lot of research about business and how to stay up on your ground. It is important to know the people who are doing what you’re doing,” she said.
“I want to be remembered as HOPE. You need to be always hopeful because if you have hope you have a clean mind,” added Ms Zungu.
As a CSERI graduate, Mr Mthembu shared his experiences on running a business and advised the new students to always treat their clients equally and fairly to achieve a successful business. He said that this helped him manage his business.
“Treating your clients equally is key to achieving a successful business. You should always treat clients the same way, no client should be above the other. Give your clients the best service and remember to not include your friends and family member in your business to avoid conflicts. Remember to be accountable, take account when it comes to your business’s responsibilities,” he said.
The Centre is hosting another workshop at the Durban Botanic Gardens on Monday, 22 April 2024.
Pictured: CSERI Director, Mr Solomon Nyamurima.
Photographer: Bheka Nxumalo
Nomvelo Mkhwanazi
