Page 9 - KZN Business Sense Vol.2 No.5

Artisan Training

Cobus Oelofse, Although it will be Photo caption The delegation with the ex-Vice Chancellor of Germany Frans Müntefering, Erika Wahlbrink, the
CEO iLembe difficult to “cut and paste” President of the Kreishandwerkerschaft, Sam Zungu, Principal of the Umfolozi College, Frank Tischner, CEO of
Chamber of the model, amongst others the Kreishandwerkerschaft, Firoz Patel, Director General (TVET Colleges) and Vijayen Naidoo, Chief Director QCTO.
Commerce, due to the advanced and
Industry and deeply entrenched industrial to be explored, is how do of technical trade businesses, newly qualified artisans. n
Tourism economy in Germany, there we ensure that, in a district including a plumbing
were significant learning which is dominated by smaller business with only ten Tel: 087 354 6343
Irecently opportunities for the enterprises, we get these SMEs employees, we also visited the E-mail: ceo@ilembechamber.co.za
accepted educational and economic involved in the training of Kreishandwerkerschaft’s own Website: www.ilembechamber.co.za
an landscape in our region. artisans? training facilities, a technical
invitation training college and attended
to As many as 95% of businesses Apart from visiting a number the graduation ceremony of
participate within the German economy
in a week are considered small to medium
long study enterprises, mostly smaller
tour to Germany to look into family owned trade related
their renowned dual vocational businesses that have adapted
education and training and survived from generation
model. Our delegation, which to generation. The far greater
consisted of representatives majority of these smaller
from the national Department businesses are active in the
of Higher Education and training and development of
Training and the local Umfolozi trade apprentices. They play
College were hosted by the an active role in the organised
Kreishandwerkerschaft, a trade business community to market
and business association, for the allure of an artisan trade
the districts of Steinfurt and as a career, and identifying
Warendorf. It was an initiative and nurturing talent at school
that formed part of this level already through intern
association and the German placements.
Government’s “Export of
Education” initiative through The challenge for our business
which they share their know- community, and a potential
how abroad. role for the iLembe Chamber

The Entrepreneur Exhibition and announcement of

2016 competition winners
The iLembe Chamber’s
The Entrepreneur 2016 The 2nd placed runner up was flightpath for the businesses. The Chamber six years ago. The The iLembe Chamber is
competition’s final Nosipho Phiri from Ubucwibi iLembe Chamber is supported aim is to identify and provide supported in this flagship
Agriculture. Ubucwibi’s organic in the development and delivery entrepreneurs and owners initiative by its long standing
event and The Entrepreneur farming methods and emphasis of the theoretical component of of micro-businesses with a partners Airports Company
Exhibition was held on the on developing farming skills the programme by the University foundation to develop their South Africa King Shaka
7th of October at The Litchi for the youth impressed the of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) businesses to a sustainable level. International Airport, Enterprise
Orchard in Salt Rock. The event judges. According to Nosipho, and USA-based Massachusetts The focal point of the programme iLembe and the North Coast
gives an opportunity for The “indigenous organic farming Institute of Technology (MIT). is in knowledge and skills Courier. n
Entrepreneur 2016 finalists to is safe and healthy for human transfer, the probing of all aspects
showcase their businesses to the consumption.” The Entrepreneur programme of the individual businesses and www.ilembechamber.co.za
public. The iLembe Chamber’s was initiated by the iLembe ongoing mentoring and guidance.
programme allow finalists to The 3rd placed winner was
develop marketing collateral Kerryn Tremearne, the owner
to showcase their businesses of Kapas Baby, an online baby
professionally. The Entrepreneur shop which she launched in April
2016 competition winners were 2014. The Kapas baby clothing
also announced at the event. range is locally made with locally
sourced fabric and trims. Kerryn’s
The Mayor of the iLembe vision is grow the business into
District, the Honourable Sduduzo international markets.
Gumede, was impressed with
the diversity of the finalists, The Entrepreneur 2016
which included participants competition provided the
with different backgrounds tools for finalists to challenge
representing a variety industries and interrogate all aspects
from all over the iLembe District. and assumptions about their
businesses. The aim of the
Patricia and Steffen Schroder approach was twofold; to improve
from Reclite Recycling were the viability and to increase the
announced as the winners of The job creating potential of their
Entrepreneur 2016 competition. businesses. On this journey
The judges were impressed the finalists were guided by the
with the company’s innovative Chamber’s team of programme
recycling solution. Reclite tutors and supported by Chamber
recovers and recycles all lighting accredited mentors. The 2016
lamps, such as fluorescent lamps programme once again used
CFLs, HIDs, LED lamps and Alexander Osterwalder’s Business Dominic Collett – iLembe Chamber President, Kerryn Tremearne, iLembe District Mayor Sduduzo Gumede, Patricia
other associated lamp products. Model Canvas to plot a new
Schroder, Nosipho Phiri and Cobus Oelofse (CEO iLembe Chamber)

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