The Old Mutual Legends Programme, a small business development initiative funded by the Old Mutual Foundation, has tripled in size from assisting 10 organizations in 2009 to 34 organizations in 2010.
Currently, there are over 800 individuals involved in the programme, of which 95% are Black and 69% are female.
The programme implementers are constantly on the lookout for high potential participants that meet the criteria for selection. There is no charge for participation.
Programme Background
Started in 2007, The Old Mutual Legends Programme provides a platform for sustainable business development in the craft and small-scale manufacturing sectors. Programme beneficiaries include entrepreneurs, small businesses, NGO’s and community-based projects.
The programme is implemented on Old Mutual’s behalf by enterprise development agency Fetola & Associates. Interventions address the common issues and challenges a small business faces, starting with a careful assessment of needs by an experienced business consultant.
The prioritised process of change that follows includes practical business skills training, business systems development, market access linkages, product re-engineering and mentor support.
Successes include a 300% increase in sales across programme beneficiary groups since Legends began in 2007, as well as significant increases in jobs created and retained – all of which are in areas of high poverty and unemployment.
Programme beneficiary Thulisile Heshu of Women’s Vision Furniture says: “I have learned many important things and am very glad to be a part of Legends. It is opening my eyes to the potential for my business, and what I need to do to realize this potential.”
Selection Criteria & Opportunities
Since 2007 Legends has been active in the Western Cape, KZN, Gauteng and Mpumulanga. The 2010 programme has seen an expansion of the project into the Eastern Cape, as well as new strategic partnerships with other stakeholders including the Embassy of Finland and UK-based fair trade organization Shared Interest.
Places in the programme are limited and all applicants are assessed according to their suitability, with preference given to Black-owned and BEE-compliant organizations and those with a track record of at least 2 – 3 years in operation.
Programme implementers are actively seeking to partner and collaborate with other private and public sector stakeholders to increase impact and collectively ‘change lives for the better, forever’.
Andile Ncontsa, Head of the Old Mutual Foundation concludes: “For me, this is what economic development is really about; finding ways to ensure that emerging businesses and entrepreneurs within our communities have the skills to make a sustainable living and, importantly, are fully empowered to control their own future”.
For more information, contact Chantal de Kock on info@fetola.co.za or on (021) 7017466.
Get the latest issue of FAnews