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Building economically viable rural communities through

skills development

Mzamo Matyobeni representing the W&RSETA
The W&RSETA Eastern Cape Provincial Manager, Mzamo Matyobeni,
Beneficiaries receiving their certificates and equipment conveyed a message of support and provided an overview of the
project. He also indicated that the W&RSETA is committed to working
he W&RSETA responded to a call for support to develop poverty- with partners like Boxer and ANDA to improve the level of wholesale
Tstricken Alfred Nzo Municipality in the Eastern Cape. and retail skills in the Alfred Nzo District, which will result in sustainable
economic development and growth in the Eastern Cape. He also
The good fruit of the SETA’s commitment towards development announced that the project was in its second phase with an additional
and empowerment was witnessed at the certificate handover for 68 300 small scale agricultural producers. As part of its response to the
farmers who benefited from a collaborative partnership between plight of the community, the W&RSETA established an office at the
the W&RSETA, Boxer and Alfred Nzo Development Agency (ANDA) Ingwe TVET College at Mount Frere in 2021 and funded a learnership
through the Small Scale Farming Market Access project. The aim of programme for 42 unemployed learners
the project was to empower small scale farmers to improve their
businesses and enable access to markets.

On 30 June 2022, the farmers, mostly youth and women, who
completed training in areas of safety in the workplace, personal
budget skills and running a small business, received certificates of
competence at Mount Ayliff. Beneficiaries were also equipped on
preparing their products for the store shelves in order to run profitable
businesses. The W&RSETA invested R6.3 million towards this project
to benefit the community of Alfred Nzo District, which is considered
the poorest district in South Africa.
Ntombi Dludla speaking on Boxer’s vision to
enable access to markets
Boxer’s Group Executive: Stakeholder Engagement and Sustainability,
Ntombi Dludla, shared the retailer’s programme to promote access
to markets through its stores. Dludla emphasised that the programme
does not only focus on access to the market, but also provides
mentorship and coaching to help farmers market their products. "We
will open our spaces to support you. We are positioning our stores
where small businesses will have access to the market," said Dludla.

Interim Chairperson, Ntombi Mabhude and acting CEO
Siyanda Ntshikilana, addressed guests and beneficiaries
The interim Chairperson of the ANDA Board, Ntombi Mabhude,
expressed gratitude to the SETAs that contributed to the empowerment
of the community through different interventions. " Today, we are
wiping our tears after the tragedy of 21 children who died at Enyobeni
tavern this month. SETAs are here to help us with opportunities that Cllr Sixolile Mehlomakhulu delivering his
are benefiting the Alfred Nzo District," said Mabhude. keynote address

ANDA's acting Chief Executive Officer, Siyanda Ntshikilana, reflected Executive Mayor of Alfred Nzo District Municipality, Cllr Sixolile
on the project and highlighted that agriculture is Alfred Nzo District's Mehlomakhulu’s address focused on the sustainability of skills
primary sector and the SETAs had supported its growth through various development support that is provided to the community. He reflected
skills programmes offered to beneficiaries. He thanked the SETAs for on government’s role to uplift the beneficiaries which should include
their contribution towards improving the district’s economy. procuring their goods and services Mehlomakhulu appreciated the
SETAs for their contributions to reducing poverty in the district. 4
W&RSETA | July 2022