Fifteen young entrepreneurs graduated today from the Dimension Data Enterprise Development Incubator Programme at an event held at Dimension Data offices in Durban. The Enterprise Development Incubation Programme was developed to promote entrepreneurial skills and to broaden the supplier base in the ICT industry. It is targeted at Dimension Data\u2019s current service providers and black South African entrepreneurs who are running their own ICT business and is currently based in Gauteng, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. The Programme runs for a period of twelve months and consists of a mix of intense practical training and coaching.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe entrepreneurial programme addresses common business management challenges faced by emerging entrepreneurs including Dimension Data\u2019s sub-contractors and suppliers. They are provided with training and mentorship to help grow their businesses, contribute to business continuity, sustainability and success,\u201d said Zandile Mbele, Executive Director – Transformation at Dimension Data, Middle East and Africa.<\/p>\n
The fifteen young black ICT entrepreneurs who graduated today were existing businesses that have been in operation for two years or more and are delivering different ICT related services to diverse clients in KwaZulu-Natal. The young entrepreneurs were provided with accredited entrepreneurship development training, as well as coaching and mentoring by some of the leading figures in the ICT industry. They also received training in health, safety, environment, marketing and quality management systems as well as training in all matters relating to running a successful business \u2013 from financial and accounting management to administration and legal compliance.<\/p>\n
The Enterprise Development Incubator Programme was launched in 2009 and assisted twenty three companies in Cape Town and seven in Gauteng in its first year. The programme was later rolled out to KwaZulu-Natal in 2012, in partnership with Africa Vukani; a specialist in small business development in the province.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ICT entrepreneurs are empowered with business management skills and are provided with laptops, the necessary software, and data connectivity for twenty four months to ensure easy effective communications with their clients,\u201d says Mbele.<\/p>\n
The event was held at the Dimension Data, KwaZulu-Natal offices and was attended by representatives from private sector and government including Fikiswa Pupuma, General Manager of Sector Development at the Department of Economics and Development in KwaZulu-Natal and Praneesh Maharaj, Executive Director of Southern Africa Shipyards.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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