Enterprise

Future Leaders Programme

The communities of Bushbuckridge have two great assets: its wildlife and its people.  Partnering communities and conservation is the best opportunity for positive transformation in this area.

Local people forego many career opportunities because they lack training, experience or both.  The conservation and game lodge industries require skilled and experienced employees, who are currently in short supply.  The goal of the Sabi Sand Future Leader Programme is to bridge this gap.

A select group of local people are chosen to become Future Leaders. These are individuals with the potential to go all the way in the conservation field. A programme has been designed which integrating three key factors for career success – tertiary education, work experience and mentorship.

On the Future Leader Programme, young leaders will:

• be given an internship opportunity of up to three years
• job shadow and be mentored by an industry professional
• receive a part-time study bursary to enable them to gain a tertiary qualification during their internship

The aim of the Future Leaders Programme is to provide much needed employment for community members, as well as meet the demand for qualified conservationists in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin and surrounding reserves.

Pfunanani Enterprise Development Project

Given the limited opportunity for formal employment in remote, rural villages it is necessary to focus on developing small enterprises that create employment. There is a significant gap between the requirements of this world-class tourism sector and what most local suppliers are able to produce and deliver. Community enterprises need to be upgraded to enable access to these markets.  There is a general need for business management training, technical skills and capital support.

The Pfunanani Enterprise Development Project (PED Project) launched in August 2014 is a two-year enterprise development programme providing university accredited training and mentorship support to small rural businesses. The goal of the project is to create sustainable employment and livelihood opportunities.

The PED project was initiated through a grant from the Jobs Fund and implemented and funded by a partnership of the Sabi Sand Pfunanani Trust, Buffelshoek Trust, University of Johannesburg and Sabi Sand Wildtuin.  Sabi Sand Pfunanani Trust’s participation in this project was made possible by funding support from the EsiDulini Trust and other generous donors.

In March 2016, 135 trainees graduated from the University of Johannesburg and 71 businesses are currently participating on the programme.  The participating businesses have shown significant potential for successful advancement.  The project has supported the creation of 250 permanent and 179 temporary jobs.  Sabi Sand lodges are now regularly supplied by 22 businesses.

Lodges currently procure services such as welding, glass fitting, tailoring, transfers, mechanics, appliance repairs, skills development, electrical repairs, construction, tourism, bush clearing and products such as fresh produce and crafts. Capital investment of R2,1million has been secured to equip some of the businesses. However further direct investment is needed to reach all businesses.

These results prove that communities can join the lodge supply chain and this can multiply if we continue to tackle the challenges that act as barriers to local procurement.

To read more, please visit www.pedproject.co.za and/or download the brochure* Update 2016 brochure