Barcelona - Day 1

Arrived in Barcelona yesterday and was quickly introduced to Barcelona's most famous tourist detraction... pickpockets... in 3 seconds I was detracted and they were gone. Unfortunately for them they chose a South African to bully, so they had to saunter (yes saunter!) away empty handed. I always spread my important items throughout my luggage and booby trap them, so heh, they got nothing for their trouble and I got a few teaspoons of adrenaline coursing through my veins. Veins, I may add, that have up to now been saturated with the best cafe con leche's in the world. Man can these Spaniards make coffee!

I am situated in Barcelona 22@ and find the area very interesting. One can clearly see that the area used to be industrial and are now being revamped as we were told when Activa visited Cape Town in October. Unfortunately though, I am told that Spain suffered particularly badly in the financial crisis and here in 22@ in particular it is evident, as the property industry suffered the most.

Today I was hosted by an organisation called Trinijove (Trinitat + Youth). The director, Elizabeth Diaz introduced me to their programme and we went for a long walk through the neighbourhood. Trinitat is a very poor neighbourhood where unemployed is rife, drug dealing is commonplace, and a group of people live here at the terminal stages of AIDS (most infections here are from needle sharing). Motivation is low, education is poor and a number of gypsy families have illegally occupied buildings in the area. Most of their children either do not attend school at all, or attend erratically. Many of the youth are immigrants and although given residency permits - they are not given work permits!

Informally I picked up similar antagonistic views to "these foreigners who take our jobs"I was pleased to be able to look at the social services and support in this area. Trinijove supports the youth with training programmes like welding, cooking, cleaning and gardening. They help with placements and social reintegration. They also started a local radio station and have courses in social enterprise. Although I was not given specific statistics, they do anecdotally speak of successes in stimulating entrepreneurship. As in our own informal settlements, the initiatives remain small e.g. hiring oneself out as a painter, managing a group of ladies to clean houses or gardening.Trinijove gets half its funding from the government (and pays their students stipends akin to our learnership programmes) and supports itself with some income generating activities such as their successful recycling programme at the airport (employing mentally disabled staff)

The "La Caixa" (pron. kaiisha) "bank" was discussed, but I am still a little unsure how this differs from a "regular" bank.

That's me for now. Will blog tomorrow after meeting with Activa and a programme called "Fundacio Surt" dedicated to integrating vulnerable women into the economy.

Tirama Manufacturers secures investment from Old Mutual Properties

In a major breakthrough for the three entrepreneurs of Tirama Manufacturers, Sonwabo Rasimen, the MD of the company, announced that it has secured a further investment of R50,000 from Old Mutual Properties in their quest to start up a concrete products manufacturing company in Khayelitsha.

The money is to be used to start a pilot production facility to obtain SABS (South African Bureau of Standards) approval for core products. This is a key milestone to earn credibility with potential customers. Old Mutual Properties has previously provided Tirama with financial support to develop their business plan together with TSiBA's Entrepreneurship Centre.

Off to look at several Activa's

Following Peter's involvement in the "importing" of the Barcelona Activa model to Cape Town, I will be also have the privilege of seeing Barcelona Activa in action next week. I'll report soon on how this model was adapted in other coutries notably Colombia and Ecuador.

Congratulations to the two TSiBA Entrepreneurship students who received brand-new lap tops from Northeastern University!

Prior to class discussion last Thursday, ENT-2 students settled down in their seats and waited for a lecture to begin. However, class was special on this day as visitors from the main office came into the classroom and joined the group. As the students began to look around with curiosity and anticipation, ENT-2 lecturer Peter Kraan appeared and was holding a box with “DELL” written on the side. The classroom was filled with intensity and two students in particular were glowing and radiant with smiles.

Last July, 20 students from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts collaborated with BBA-2 students at TSiBA for the purpose of engaging in a business consulting project. The students learned first hand about the obstacles entrepreneurs are faced with when starting and growing a business. The students worked one-on-one with their entrepreneur to overcome these problems by providing them with advice and resources that will promote growth in their business.

In addition, the students took trips to Robben Island, learned first hand about the dramatic effects of Apartheid, went biking to Cape Point and visited the Desmond Tutu HIV/AIDS Foundation. On weekdays, they gathered together in the TSiBA arena and listened to hero speakers. They also learned about each other’s different and varied cultures. In addition, they had the opportunity to be taught by Professor Dennis Shaughnessy from Northeastern University.

Near the end of the programme, the Northeastern students were presented with the opportunity to provide two TSiBA students with brand-new laptops. This was a token of appreciation for their dedication and commitment to the NEU/TSiBA Field Study Project. The Northeastern students had given a silent vote. By majority, Phumzile Fatyela and Charne Fortune were chose and honored to receive these special gifts.

Once again, congratulations to Pumzile and Charne and a special thank you to all the TSiBA and Northeastern students for making the Field Study Project a memorable one which will last a lifetime!

TSiBA Entrepreneurs raking it in!

TSiBA mentored entrepreneurs are having a field day! After the news that Abus Hiring Services had won R15000, we heard today that Silulo Ulutho has won second place in the national SAB Kickstart competition. That's worth R150000 (yes, one hundred and fifty thousand rand). That brings total prize money won this year to R285000 by three different entrepreneurs, Silulo Ulutho, Aneliese Creations and Abus Hiring Services.

The SAB press release reads: Second prize of R150 000 went to the entrepreneurial brothers Lonwabo and Luvuyo Rani of Silulo Ulutho Technologies in Khayelitsha in Cape Town. Silulo Ulutho - which means “bringing value” - provides computer access, training, sales and repairs at seven centres and Internet cafes situated in in the underserviced markets of Khayelitsha and Gugulethu. The brothers – who see themselves as social entrepreneurs in terms of their impact on society, as well as businessmen, who do not lose focus on profit and return - currently employ a staff of 26 and train more than 340 students a month. They plan to franchise their operation around the country.

The full press release can be seen on http://www.sablimited.co.za/sablimited/view/sablimited/en/page62?oid=1611&sn=Detail

TSiBA Entrepreneur wins JET Community Award

Mandla Khusela, owner of Abus Hiring Services, received a cheque for R15000 for winning the regional Vukuzenzele Young Entrepreneur Award in the 2009 JET Community Competition. The annual Jet Community Awards aim to reward those individuals or organisations working tirelessly to improve the lives of local families and community members.

The award coincides with Abus best month ever: Mandla beat his own targets and achieved a turnover of R18000 in September, well before the festive season starts! Thanks to a generous donation by the Dell Foundation, we have been able to mentor Mandla for the last 12 months.

Mandla is very excited about this award and he is planning to plow the proceeds back into the company and buy new equipment for his business.

Planning a party? Abus specializes in kiddies parties: Jumping castles, slides, fun rides, tables and chairs and more. Need a clown? Catering equipment? Includes delivery. Contact Mandla Khusela at 073 251-3119 or email info@abuhiringservices.co.za.

Grand West CSI Women’s Day

In celebration of Women’s Day, Grand West CSI hosted an Exhibition at Grand West Casino in Goodwood on Friday 7 August.

A number of TSiBA Entrepreneurs showcased their skills and knowledge with other emerging women in the Small and Medium Enterprise industry. They also benefited from over 3000 visitors to the exhibition and took advantage of the opportunity to advertise and sell their products and services. The exhibition also gave them the opportunity to network with other emerging business people as well as with the Grand West CSI team.

The day was extremely festive with fun events, live entertainment, guest speakers (including TSiBA Education) and spot prizes. Grand West CSI judges visited each stand to determine the winners of three cash prizes: R15 000; R10 000 and R5 000.

And the second prize of R10 000 was awarded to our very own Evelyn Mbenyane, owner of Anelisa Creations. Evelyn’s sewing company has been housed in the garage at the TSiBA Entrepreneurship Centre since March 2007. It is from this site that she manufactures her products and runs her business under the guidance and support of the Entrepreneurship Centre. This year Evelyn completed the Micro-MBA training programme at TSiBA that assisted her in taking her business to another level. She plans to invest the prize money in her business. Contact Evelyn Mbenyane at 0835965208.

Other TSiBA exhibitors included MP Solutions (Design and Printing of Business Cards, Brochures, etc. – Rochelle Swartz 0785343309); Coiffure “M” Hairsalon (Professional Hairstylist – Tersia Kearns 0733592034); Mhani Gingi Social Network (hand-crafted products made by local women using recycled materials – Lilian Masebenza 0824654687) and Sithabe African Crafts (exquisite hand-crafted Nguni beaded items – Mathokoza Nhlapo http://www.sithabecrafts.co.za/)

This Women’s Day exhibition also served as the platform for TSiBA to enter into a meaningful relationship with Grand West CSI due to the visible synergies between the two institutions. We look forward to their continued involvement and support.