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Press
ACTIONWISE PUTS TRAINING PROGRAMME IN MOTION TO
ASSIST ALEX BUSINESS OWNERS.
R1.3 Billion Government Funding Going To Outside Consultants As Alex Businesses Lack Capacity.
Although President Thabo Mbeki empowered the Alexandra Renewal Project through a R1,3 billion investment by the Department of
Housing, due to the lack of skills in the township. most of the implementation is being done by external consultants.
The funds are earmarked for upgrading the roads, taxi ranks, homes, capacity building and social revitalisation. But the fact
that there are not many businesses in Alex with the capacity to take on these projects means that Alex residents wont
benefit from this injection of employment and income.
Actionwise International, a business consulting and training firm, is assisting local Alex business owners through commissioning
a Business of the Year award. "All companies will have the opportunity to enhance not only their businesses, but the people
of Alexandra through job creation, entrepreneurship, education and empowerment. Qualified people will be trained to handle
the process and the project," says Jean Munnelly-Gonsalves, MD of Actionwise International.
The programme will enable businesses to increase their turnover, become self-sufficient and sustainable and ensure the community
does not have to leave the township for shopping, employment and education.
The company is working with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to enable businesses to receive grants of maximum
R100 000. Each company must submit a business plan outlining future growth of five times their current earnings. Actionwise
is prepared to submit the applications on behalf of the businesses, illustrating how the money can be used to effectively
increase their viability.
Three attainable categories have been devised for both previously disadvantaged individuals (PDI's) and non PDI's. These
include earnings from R5 000 to R20 000 per month, R21 000 to R100 000 per month and R101 000 to R1 million per month. For
the shop keepers that cannot speak English, the workshops will be done in an alternate language.
"Currently many business are not taking advantage of these grants, not using their current funds and do not know how to obtain
the relevant skills, staff complement and business acumen. This process will give them more skills to expand and develop
themselves and their organisation," continues Munnelly-Gonsalves.
As with any established area, the Township already houses doctors, lawyers, tourism, shops, bottle stores, taverns, public
phones, tuck shops, catering, crèches, driving schools, building contractors, arts and crafts, car washes, undertakers, various
clusters and taxi associations. Issues that will be addressed with the participants include promoting their services, lack of
business knowledge and acumen, funds to expand or develop their company and buy-in from the community.
School tuck shops and fund raising committees also have the opportunity to enter the competition. This will enable the youth
to experience all aspects of setting up and running a business.
The Business of the Year will be initiated through monthly business breakfasts and workshops. These have been formed to educate
people on general business and how to effectively increase their turnover and staff complement. The businesses that qualify
will set an example for the following year.
Participants can apply to participate in the Business of the Year award by writing to P O Box 60, Magaliesview, or fax to
(011) 804-0140
Contact
Jean Munnelly-Gonsalves, Actionwise International, (011) 704-0965, 082 466 8950,
jean@actionwise.co.za
Debbie Lieberthal, Behind the Scenes, (011) 803-3050, 082 653 3802, debbie@behindthescenes.co.za
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