Is 2020 the year you finally get started on that business idea or take your business to the next level? We showcase some of the country’s biggest and best support organisations offering a wide range of acceleration, incubation and support services.
The support networks in this series are:
– Township Entrepreneurs Alliance
– AlphaCode Incubate
– Tshimologong Precinct
– FinFind
– Youth Ideas Development Tech Program
– Proudly South African
– Entreprenerdy
– Riversands Incubation Hub
– Fetola – Business Growth Professionals
Proudly South African known as Proudly SA is a membership-based organisation which seeks to increase local production and influence consumers to buy local.
Proudly SA was launched in 2001, born out of the 1998 Presidential Job Summit to combat the challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment.
Eustace Mashimbye, CEO of Proudly SA, shares the benefits of being a member of the iniatiave and also how to join Proudly SA:
What kinds of businesses/sector does your programme target?
Proudly SA is the country’s buy local advocacy campaign and a membership based organisation. Once a business is up and running, and if it meets the criteria of local content, quality verification, and adherence to labour and environmental legislation, they are entitled to join.
Companies can be manufacturers or service providers from any industry or sector.
What kind of entrepreneur are you looking to support?
We don’t incubate or mentor small businesses, we only work with them once their business is up and running and trading.
What are some of the resources that they have access to as part of your programme?
- Once a small business/entrepreneur becomes a member of Proudly SA they are entitled to use the logo which is a mark of local content and quality. They can apply it on their product, packaging, marketing material and on all digital platforms.
- The Proudly SA calendar opens doors and gives them access to new markets, with many opportunities to participate in sector specific expos, workshops, events, conferences etc. at no additional cost. These events including free exhibition space at our annual flagship event, the Proudly SA Buy Local Summit & Expo.
- Members are also able to register as a vendor on our exclusively Proudly SA online shopping and B2B platform, www.rsamade.co.za.
- Proudly SA lobbies government on behalf of industry sectors on issues including import tariffs and many others, and members may benefit from these ‘behind the scene’ activities.
What costs are involved for the entrepreneur?
For startup businesses with a turnover under R5 million per annum, the membership fees are only R500 per year and entrepreneurs get all the above benefits included in this cost.
What is the duration of the programme?
- Membership is renewable every 12 months.
- Members commit to maintaining their levels of local content and the quality of their product.
- For businesses to derive full benefit from their membership, they should ensure they remain up to date with our activities, respond to invitations to participate in our various events and activations and keep in touch with us with stories of growth, development and expansion, for example, in order for us to be able to publicise this information. It needs to be a two-way relationship for it to work for both parties.
What can the entrepreneur expect to gain from the programme?
Small businesses that join the buy local movement will be exposed to new market opportunities, learn how to pitch their product and how to interact at expos. They will also have the opportunity to grow and learn by participating in as many activities as they can and which are relevant to them.
Any case studies/testimonies you would like to share with our readers?
- The company Makhamisa Foods produces condiments from a brand new facility located in Sebenza (Edenvale). They started out making atchar from their garage, joined Proudly SA, and with the credibility and endorsement that it gives them, applied for grant from the Department of Trade and Industry with which they have built the new factory.
- Serenitii Luxury Body Care by Sarinah beauty products secured distribution contracts with Pick and Pay stores across the country on the back of her membership of Proudly SA.
- In a public private partnership between the Department of Small Business Development and Nestle SA (a member company), 50 micro distributors were given each a Nissan bakkie to operate their businesses in the townships.
- YaMama Gemmer, a member company that produces ginger beer, has been accepted on the Lerumo Women in Beverages programme run by SA Breweries (also a member company).
- As part of their membership agreement, Tsogo Sun enrolls each of the participants in its entrepreneur programme into Proudly SA free of charge to the entrepreneurs. A number of other large member companies including Absa bring in companies from their ESD programmes into Proudly SA at no cost to the SMMEs.
What is the best way that they can approach your organisation (email, walk in etc)?
They can email info@proudlysa.co.za and they will be directed to a membership consultant.
See also: Why the Proudly SA initiative is Now More Relevant than Ever
