Limpopo job creation shines at SABF awards

Two Polokwane entrepreneurs, who represented Limpopo at an illustrious celebration in Johannesburg on 5 June, have the answer.

They were recognised at the annual Tholoana Awards Ceremony for their outstanding participation and remarkable achievements – most notably the job creation achieved by the overall winner, Thabo Ntswane who now has 36 people on his payroll.

Bridgit Evans, director of the SAB Foundation, gave Thabo Ntswane of Thabo Equipment and Tool Hire the Tholoana Award, the evening’s highest honour, which came with a R10 000 cheque.

“Thabo’s initiative, commitment and bold attitude enabled him to excel on the programme. While this is entirely praiseworthy, more importantly, his meaningful contribution to the region’s economy as shown by the jobs created is to be encouraged and recognised. The Tholoana Award is a discretionary recognition given to the entrepreneur who broke all the boundaries in their business and personal life,” she said.

From employing only two people at the start of the programme, Ntswane now employs five permanent staff with three temporary workers in the machinery rental division and in the Wendy house division – which came into existence while on the programme – he employs an additional five permanent members with 23 temps in other provinces.

CEO of Fetola, Catherine Wijnberg, who is the implementing partner for the Tholoana Programme said, “Ntswane showed a clear entrepreneurial ability and exemplary participation. His monthly income tripled, and we saw a 60% increase in jobs created since starting the programme. These statistics tell a great story.”

“The forecast is that by 2030, as much as 90% of new jobs in our economy will be created by small, medium and micro enterprises. In reality, while fewer than 30% of all SMMEs survive beyond three years it is profoundly heartening to see these thriving small business owners contributing so effectively to creating employment in under-resourced areas of the country,” Wijnberg concluded.

Extracts of Fetola press release, 8 June