Hats off to Kruger entrepreneurs

By Khensile Moriri

Gold certificate recipients for SANParks FNB Business Incubation Programme

31 August 2021 marked the most memorable day for 43 entrepreneurs from the neighboring communities of the Kruger National Park (KNP). South African National Parks (SANParks) in partnership with FNB hosted SANParks FNB Business Incubation graduation ceremony at the Skukuza auditorium.

The business incubation derived from the SANParks’ vision of ’Inspiring society’ where local entrepreneurs from the boarder lines of KNP were selected and mentored by the FNB Business Incubation to enhance entrepreneurial management skills within their businesses, and to carry forth their visions in accomplishing their industry goals. The Incubation also aimed at empowering and seeing more small businesses grow into market suppliers across the country. Due to COVID-19 and the national lockdown restrictions, the training was offered remotely with a total number of 70 entrepreneurs from both Mpumalanga and Limpopo in Hazyview and Phalaborwa.

Ngcali Nomtshongwana Acting Head: Social Economic Transformation

Thulani Mabaso of Dhuna Mabaso Trading receives a gold certificate for completing the SANParks FNB business incubation

Delivering the purpose of the event, the Managing Executive of the Kruger National Park, Mr. Gareth Coleman, mentioned that “we cannot give all of you jobs, but at least we can give you something to create jobs for others and ensure you get some investment from the KNP to make sure that communities are also developed”, as he honored and celebrated graduates for their hard-earned achievements.

The FNB Provisional Head of Gauteng Public Sector Banking, Mr. Karl Diedricks, touched on the important role SMES realises in the country as productive drivers of inclusive economic growth and development in South Africa, and also around the world. He went on to recognise the graduates and encourage them to continue their journey with the business incubation, and to use the tools given at their disposal to grow and sustain their businesses into succession.

“As you go out there, we wish you more luck. We hope that you grow the type of determination that you have demonstrated so far because, at the end of the day, entrepreneurship sustains on determination,” proclaimed Ms. Hapiloe Sello, SANParks Managing Executive of Tourism Development and Marketing. She also emphasised

Managing Executive of KNP, Mr. Gareth Coleman expresses gratitude towards the collaboration with FNB and the graduates

that the future of developing economics across the world depends greatly SMES growth.

The business incubation was intense training which entailed of in-depth background of company registrations, taking ownership as an individual and financially in order to develop excellence, and the reality of extreme hours spend in a business. Graduates were honored and took home bronze and gold certificates, as well as brand new laptops according to their categories.