Enterprise Development seems to be a buzz-word these days. Almost everyone in South Africa is talking about the subject: ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT; government, business, communities etc. It almost seems as if this is a newly found acronym...ED.

Almost sounds like ET…..Extraterrestrial Animal….ok this one is an ancient story nothing can be said about it…..

It reminds me of the time when SME & SMMEs were the buzzwords 10-20 years ago!!!!! You would swear these words would not get out of fashion…….

The trouble with fashion is that it gets pushed-out with the new…….evidently being replaced with something-else it gets fashioned/recycled into something-else BUT the purpose being the same.

So why am I on this ED thing??

For me this is simple; if we keep on talking and not doing….. it remains just that….talk

And the problem with talking especially with regards ED, is that no community in our country will get any better socially and economically. Put simply UNEMPLOYMENT will remain our biggest headache…. And what goes with high unemployment rate????

It is my assertion that as long as the impact of properly implemented ED programmes is well understood, acknowledged and adopted by the powers that be community development will remain a farce….

Less we forget the power residing in Enterprise Development in our country….

KickStart is a SAB enterprise development initiative that started in 1995 and has developed to be a platform to stimulate sustainable businesses. Specifically, KickStart assists businesses through training, supplying grants and providing post-training mentorship. The programme is aimed at 18 to 35 year old entrepreneurs from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.

The call to entry is currently open and will close on 14 June 2013.

To know more about KickStart or to enter online, click here www.sabkickstart.co.za.

On the 20^th March 2013, Segakweng Enterprise & Strategy Consulting (SEAS) PTY LTD was honoured with an award at the SA Premier Business Awards 2012/2013, at the Sandton Convention Centre. The ceremony was hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Proudly South African and Brand South Africa.

SEAS was recognised for making a tremendous impact in business and their communities:

• Contribution towards job creation
• Contribution towards skills development for the unskilled
• Contribution towards the empowerment of other women in the community

.We are truly honoured to have received this award from such a prestigious initiative of government (DTI), SA Brand advocates; Proudly South African and Brand SA; This has been a confirmation for us that in working hard to empower others our country can only but be stronger socially & economically!

We would like to thank all our clients and partners for supporting us to get this far!

SEAS Team with the Deputy Minister: DTI

Hon. Deputy Minister Elizabeth Thabethe

SEAS Team with Dr. Richard Maponya

All Winners with the Minister: DTI

Hon. Minister Rob Davies

SEAS Team: L-R; Evelyn Mphahlele,

Pam Mashiane & Fikile Makhoba

It’s that time of the year again…. The Annual Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Jo’burg from 7 to 9 March.

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week is a major event in the African fashion calendar and the best of fashion, crème dela crème of Africa are said to kick-butt!! This year the event will be a showcase of talent from the world class city of Africa; and one of our budding stars; Ms. Khomotjo Malatji will be showcasing her Grapevine Autumn/ Winter 2013.

Khomotjo, a young lady from Lebowakgomo (Limpopo) now living in Jo’burg, left a career in Accounting for her passion~ Fashion Designing in 2003 when she started her studies with LISOF. She lectured at LISOF and worked as a designer shortly at Stoned Cherrie.

Khomotjo has since showcased at prestigious Fashion Weeks. In 2012, she participated in the business skills training competition at SAB (SABKickstart) and won an Entrepreneurship Award through that propelled her business growth. Armed with the best exposure from SAB, this young lady says “I have no reason to doubt my decision to change careers, I just love designing, It’s my life, and I live, eat, breath fashion!”

Grapevine will be an opening act for this prestigious event (Jo’burg from 7 to 9 March- Mary Fitzgerald Square)

Halala Khomotjo make us proud…..Serokolwana se sennyane se ikoketša ka monkgo!!!!!

www.grapevinefashion.co.za