Enterprise development programme elevates Witbooi’s business

For Qonce (formerly King William’s Town) entrepreneur Sibongiseni Witbooi, being part of the enterprise development programme managed by the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) and the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber (NMBBC) has benefited not only himself, but his cross-sectoral client base as well.

Plying his trade in the creative industry, Witbooi is one of 27 small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMES) who graduated from the programme in September 2022 in Gqeberha.

The 2022 graduation marked an important milestone for the programme as it brought to 213 the number of enterprises it has supported since its inception in 2014.

Witbooi runs a creative consultancy offering high-end photography, graphic design and videography services.

He says he discovered the programme through an ECDC presentation on the subject, and “immediately took interest and followed their platforms to be on the lookout for the next intake and more opportunities.

“Being part of the programme has helped tremendously as I now feel more confident and have a better understanding of my business. It has benefited me in business and in my personal development. I am taking all the lessons I’ve learned and applying them to elevate my business profile,” says Witbooi.

Witbooi says as a result, he began crafting a vision and marketing strategy for his business to attract their target audience. This helped to provide a clear line of his service offering, and this has benefited him and his client base, which is made up of private education institutions, businesses and the private sector.

The nine-month enterprise development programme empowers small businesses with skills to run financially-sustainable enterprises, and to unlock socioeconomic development through structured multi-level training, mentoring and linkage support.

It covers modules such as creative selling techniques, ethics, a tax workshop for business owners, tender to secure business and sustainability.

ECDC senior manager for entrepreneurship and business support Mpumi Fundam says the programme is a response to urgently improve the competitiveness of the Eastern Cape’s SMMES in a globally competitive business environment.

Programmes such as the enterprise development programme are crucial in levelling the playing field for local small businesses while ensuring they can compete with their global counterparts.

“Our commitment ensures that SMMES progressively increase their contribution towards the realisation of an inclusive, sustainable and resilient economy. This is especially important as we implement economic recovery plans.

“It is through these programmes, where we recognise the importance of sustainable interventions and support, that we will ensure an enabling environment for small businesses to thrive and fully participate in the economy,” Fundam says.

NMBBC chief executive officer Denise van Huyssteen says the graduation affirms the significance of strategic partnerships and leveraging of partner resources in order to extend the reach and impact of development programmes.

“The graduation reaffirms the importance of the strategic partnership between the chamber and the ECDC. Ever since the programme started, it continues to grow in leaps and bounds, and in the process, has benefited scores of hardworking businessmen and women who want to positively contribute in reshaping the province’s economic landscape,” says Van Huyssteen.

Witbooi feels incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to produce promotional videos, showcasing the breathtaking beauty and the investment potential of the Eastern Cape.

Through these visually compelling videos, he had the privilege of playing a part in drawing attention to the region’s rich cultural heritage, pristine landscapes and exciting investment opportunities.

“It was a rewarding experience to collaborate with the ECDC and local authorities to capture the essence of the Eastern Cape and communicate its allure to a diverse audience. These videos served as a platform to entice tourists and highlighted the region’s potential as a thriving hub for investment and business development.

“As a cinematographer and storyteller at heart, my focus was on crafting narratives that resonated with viewers, inviting them to explore the wonders of the Eastern Cape.

”Utilising my skills in cinematography and editing, I aimed to create an emotional connection, leaving a lasting impression on the audience and sparking their interest in this remarkable part of South Africa,” says Witbooi.