Matkoko Helo Contsruction and Projects
| Business Location: | Rural |
| Province | Limpopo |
| Branch: | Capricorn |
| Business Start Date: | |
| Busniess Type: | Company |
Business Dynamics and Challenges
Business Activities:
Brick manufacturing
Challenges/Needs:
Limited Capacity of the Brick Factory - The current modest brick factory is unable to meet market demand, both in terms of producing high-quality bricks and achieving sufficient production quantities. This limits the company's ability to compete effectively and expand its customer base.
Dependence on a Single Client - The business is presently reliant on a single client for its
revenue, which creates a significant risk to financial stability. The lack of diversification in the
customer base makes the company vulnerable to market fluctuations and client dependency
issues.
Employee Registration with UIF - Employees are not registered with the Unemployment
Insurance Fund (UIF), which poses legal and compliance risks for the business. This also affects the workers’ access to social benefits and security.
Intervention Insights and Results
Intervention Details:
SEDA implements a mentorship and coaching programme. The programme, a collaborative effort between SEDA and De Beers Venetia Mine, is designed to foster meaningful partnerships between experienced professionals and emerging entrepreneurs within the Blouberg Local Municipality. Its primary aim is to support local businesses through mentorship and coaching, promoting sustainable growth and development.
The mentorship program provided targeted interventions across six key areas to support SME growth and sustainability. Sessions on Pricing/Cost Management and Marketing enabled businesses to optimize profitability and enhance competitiveness, with notable outcomes such as adjusting loss-making pricing models and obtaining marketing material from SEDA. The Accessing Corporate/Government Markets session empowered businesses with procurement insights, resulting in SMEs being listed on corporate supplier databases like ARIBA and De Beers. Meanwhile, SARS and Labour Compliance helped businesses address regulatory challenges, with SARS assisting five companies on tax matters and the Department of Labour conducting compliance visits.
Further sessions focused on Access to Funding, where companies were guided on securing financial resources, leading to three funding applications. Lastly, the Financial Records session emphasized the importance of accurate record-keeping, though limited implementation was noted. Overall, the program demonstrated significant progress in helping businesses improve operational efficiency, access new markets, and enhance compliance, while also identifying areas for further action to ensure sustained growth.
The mentorship program also included Site Visits, offering tailored support through four one-on-one coaching sessions at each entrepreneur’s business location. These visits provided individualized guidance, addressing specific challenges and opportunities unique to each business. Entrepreneurs received hands-on support in implementing strategies discussed during group sessions, enabling real-time problem-solving and progress monitoring.
The site visits also allowed mentors to assess the practical application of strategies and adjust
recommendations to align with each entrepreneur's goals and circumstances. This personalized approach ensured that interventions were not only theoretical but directly impactful, fostering growth and sustainability at the ground level.
Programme Key Objectives:
Increased Turnover
Retained Jobs
Improved Efficiency and Effectiveness
The mentorship program provided targeted interventions across six key areas to support SME growth and sustainability. Sessions on Pricing/Cost Management and Marketing enabled businesses to optimize profitability and enhance competitiveness, with notable outcomes such as adjusting loss-making pricing models and obtaining marketing material from SEDA. The Accessing Corporate/Government Markets session empowered businesses with procurement insights, resulting in SMEs being listed on corporate supplier databases like ARIBA and De Beers. Meanwhile, SARS and Labour Compliance helped businesses address regulatory challenges, with SARS assisting five companies on tax matters and the Department of Labour conducting compliance visits.
Further sessions focused on Access to Funding, where companies were guided on securing financial resources, leading to three funding applications. Lastly, the Financial Records session emphasized the importance of accurate record-keeping, though limited implementation was noted. Overall, the program demonstrated significant progress in helping businesses improve operational efficiency, access new markets, and enhance compliance, while also identifying areas for further action to ensure sustained growth.
The mentorship program also included Site Visits, offering tailored support through four one-on-one coaching sessions at each entrepreneur’s business location. These visits provided individualized guidance, addressing specific challenges and opportunities unique to each business. Entrepreneurs received hands-on support in implementing strategies discussed during group sessions, enabling real-time problem-solving and progress monitoring.
The site visits also allowed mentors to assess the practical application of strategies and adjust
recommendations to align with each entrepreneur's goals and circumstances. This personalized approach ensured that interventions were not only theoretical but directly impactful, fostering growth and sustainability at the ground level.
Programme Key Objectives:
Increased Turnover
Retained Jobs
Improved Efficiency and Effectiveness
Outcome Details:
The company has made notable progress in its operations. It successfully secured new transport contracts, broadening its business reach and revenue streams. Diversifying into the learner transport sector has proven to be a pivotal move, significantly improving turnover and financial stability. Furthermore, the ongoing property development efforts are expected to enhance the company’s capacity to meet market demands and sustain growth in the construction industry
Participation in the mentorship program has had a positive impact on Matkoko Helo Construction and Projects. Although the business attended only 50% of the coaching sessions, it demonstrated strong engagement by attending 75% of the scheduled site visits. The mentorship program has contributed to the company's strategic decisions, such as diversifying its services and securing transport contracts, which have driven its recent success
Matloko Helo Construction & Projects experienced a slight decrease in employment, dropping from 9 to 8 employees, representing an 11% reduction. Despite this decline in workforce size, the company's turnover saw a remarkable increase from R685,000 to R2,513,958, reflecting a substantial growth of 267%. This indicates that the business has become more efficient or is engaged in higher-value projects, allowing it to thrive despite a smaller team.
Participation in the mentorship program has had a positive impact on Matkoko Helo Construction and Projects. Although the business attended only 50% of the coaching sessions, it demonstrated strong engagement by attending 75% of the scheduled site visits. The mentorship program has contributed to the company's strategic decisions, such as diversifying its services and securing transport contracts, which have driven its recent success
Matloko Helo Construction & Projects experienced a slight decrease in employment, dropping from 9 to 8 employees, representing an 11% reduction. Despite this decline in workforce size, the company's turnover saw a remarkable increase from R685,000 to R2,513,958, reflecting a substantial growth of 267%. This indicates that the business has become more efficient or is engaged in higher-value projects, allowing it to thrive despite a smaller team.
Client Feedback
Client Comments:
I am satisfied with SEDA services
