Leon Present
| Business Location: | Rural area - Villages |
| Province | Northern Cape |
| Branch: | ZF Mgcawu |
| Business Start Date: | |
| Busniess Type: | Company |
Business Dynamics and Challenges
Business Activities:
Operating from Upington, Kalahari Ice Breeze leverages the region's unique characteristics to
provide high-quality products to its customers. It also aims to contribute to the local economy by
creating jobs, supporting sustainable practices, and addressing community needs. As a
relatively new entity, Kalahari Ice Breeze demonstrates strong potential for growth and
innovation. With a foundation rooted in collaboration and a vision for expansion, the Cooperative
is poised to become a significant player in the ice cream, juice, and poultry markets in Northern
Cape and beyond.
Challenges/Needs:
Challenges
Kalahari Ice Breeze Coop faced several challenges in starting their operations, including:
1. Basic Business Skills and Business Compliance: Many members lacked essential skills in
business management, financial planning, and marketing, making it difficult to run
sustainable operations.
2. Access to Funding/ Machinery: Securing funding from banks or investors was a significant
hurdle, as many faced challenges in presenting viable business plans or meeting collateral
requirements. 3. Training and Support: Limited access to agro-processing training and mentorship programs
hindered their ability to adopt modern agro-processing techniques and best practices
Intervention Insights and Results
Intervention Details:
The Cooperative benefited from several targeted interventions aimed at overcoming the
challenges they faced in starting their agricultural operations:
1. Business Compliance and Training: A series of business-to-business training workshops
focusing on essential skills such as financial management, marketing strategies, and
regulatory compliance were implemented. These sessions equipped the members with the
knowledge needed to run their operations more effectively and confidently. The Food Safety
Training was recently conducted in collaboration with the Great North Business Incubator.
2. Access to Funding/ Machinery: To address the funding challenges, Sedfa facilitated
connections with the Great North Business Incubator and ACSA (Airports Company South
Africa), to assist the clients with the machinery needed. This support significantly increased
their chances of securing necessary financial resources. The client acquired the machinery
worth of R 375 000.00. This will assist Kalahari Ice Breeze to start its operations.
3. Mentorship and Ongoing Support: This ongoing support provided practical advice and
encouragement as they navigated the challenges of starting their diverse operations.
These collective interventions are aimed to empower the Cooperative, enabling them to build a
sustainable and successful business while fostering a stronger sense of community and
collaboration among members.
challenges they faced in starting their agricultural operations:
1. Business Compliance and Training: A series of business-to-business training workshops
focusing on essential skills such as financial management, marketing strategies, and
regulatory compliance were implemented. These sessions equipped the members with the
knowledge needed to run their operations more effectively and confidently. The Food Safety
Training was recently conducted in collaboration with the Great North Business Incubator.
2. Access to Funding/ Machinery: To address the funding challenges, Sedfa facilitated
connections with the Great North Business Incubator and ACSA (Airports Company South
Africa), to assist the clients with the machinery needed. This support significantly increased
their chances of securing necessary financial resources. The client acquired the machinery
worth of R 375 000.00. This will assist Kalahari Ice Breeze to start its operations.
3. Mentorship and Ongoing Support: This ongoing support provided practical advice and
encouragement as they navigated the challenges of starting their diverse operations.
These collective interventions are aimed to empower the Cooperative, enabling them to build a
sustainable and successful business while fostering a stronger sense of community and
collaboration among members.
Outcome Details:
The interventions implemented for the business yielded significant positive outcomes, greatly
enhancing their capacity and operational success.
1. Capacity Building: Through the business-to-business training, members gained essential
skills in financial management, marketing, and compliance. Members further received
training on Food Safety and Agro processing. This empowerment enabled them to approach
their operations with greater confidence and professionalism.
2. Access to Funding/ Machinery: As a direct result of Sedfa’s support in navigating the
funding landscape, the business successfully secured financing and capacitation from the
Great North Business Incubator. This support and facilitation were crucial for purchasing
necessary equipment and resources, allowing the business to expand its operations
effectively.
3. Employment: The business will be able to provide employment to all the 10 current
members. With potential to increase employment within a year of operation.
Overall, these outcomes demonstrated the effectiveness of the interventions, highlighting
the transformation of Kalahari Ice Breeze Cooperative into a sustainable and thriving
business within their diverse sector.
enhancing their capacity and operational success.
1. Capacity Building: Through the business-to-business training, members gained essential
skills in financial management, marketing, and compliance. Members further received
training on Food Safety and Agro processing. This empowerment enabled them to approach
their operations with greater confidence and professionalism.
2. Access to Funding/ Machinery: As a direct result of Sedfa’s support in navigating the
funding landscape, the business successfully secured financing and capacitation from the
Great North Business Incubator. This support and facilitation were crucial for purchasing
necessary equipment and resources, allowing the business to expand its operations
effectively.
3. Employment: The business will be able to provide employment to all the 10 current
members. With potential to increase employment within a year of operation.
Overall, these outcomes demonstrated the effectiveness of the interventions, highlighting
the transformation of Kalahari Ice Breeze Cooperative into a sustainable and thriving
business within their diverse sector.
Client Feedback
Client Comments:
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