Over a two-week virtual workshop that took place on the 2nd and 9th of June, Dr. Gail Motlhaudi-Banda successfully facilitated the CfERI entrepreneurship training programme, equipping early-stage entrepreneurs and small business owners with practical knowledge, tools, and strategies to strengthen their businesses. Designed to support SMMEs from disadvantaged and underserved communities, the interactive sessions focused on developing an entrepreneurial mindset, adopting effective business practices, identifying market opportunities, improving customer service, strengthening financial management, and creating practical 90-day business action plans. Throughout the programme, participants were encouraged to apply the concepts directly to their own businesses through discussions, group activities, and real-life case studies relevant to the Northern Cape context.
The workshop placed a strong emphasis on practical learning rather than theory alone. Participants explored how everyday business practices influence growth and sustainability, learned to identify and solve business challenges creatively, and developed actionable plans to improve customer acquisition, financial discipline, marketing, and operational efficiency. By using relatable examples and encouraging peer learning, Dr. Motlhaudi-Banda created an engaging environment where entrepreneurs could openly share their experiences, learn from one another, and leave with practical solutions they could implement immediately.
Feedback from participating SMMEs highlighted the programme’s significant impact. Entrepreneurs described the sessions as informative, relevant, engaging, and immediately applicable to their businesses. Many indicated that the workshop had shifted their mindset from merely surviving to strategically growing their enterprises, while others appreciated the simplicity with which complex business concepts were explained. Participants also valued the interactive nature of the sessions, the practical tools provided, and the opportunity to reflect on their own business practices. The overwhelmingly positive feedback reinforced the importance of accessible, context-specific entrepreneurship education in empowering local entrepreneurs to build resilient, sustainable businesses that contribute to economic development and job creation within their communities.
