Pitseng tse ntsho

Business Location:	Rural
Province	Free State
Branch:	Thabo Mofutsanyana
Business Start Date:
Busniess Type:	Company

Business Dynamics and Challenges

Business Activities: Pitseng Tse Ntsho primarily engages in the sale of traditional South African food, specializing in dishes like Mala le Mohodu, Ditlhakoana, and Skopo. The business also offers braai (barbecue) and caters to events, providing authentic South African cuisine for private gatherings, corporate functions, and local community events.

Challenges/Needs: Pitseng Tse Ntsho has faced several challenges since its establishment, which have impacted its ability to fully achieve its business objectives. One of the main challenges is customer complaints, which have arisen due to inconsistent food quality and service. Addressing these concerns has been crucial to maintaining customer satisfaction and loyalty. Another significant challenge is the lack of promotional materials and insufficient signage, which has hindered the business's visibility and brand awareness. With limited marketing resources, the business struggled to attract new customers and stand out in a competitive market. This challenge was partially addressed through Seda's intervention in providing promotional materials, but ongoing improvements in marketing are still needed. Additionally, the business requires more effective financial management and administrative systems to support its growth, as well as the resources to scale operations. Expanding to new locations, such as QwaQwa and Reitz, presents logistical and operational challenges, including the need for standardized processes across multiple locations to ensure consistency in food quality, customer service, and operations. Lastly, Pitseng Tse Ntsho seeks to improve its staff skills in business operations and customer service, ensuring that the team can handle the growing demands of the business as it expands.

Intervention Insights and Results

Intervention Details: On the day Pitseng Tse Ntsho walked into Sedfa, the Business Advisor conducted a thorough assessment of the business’s challenges, focusing on issues like customer complaints, lack of promotional materials, and inadequate signage. The advisor recommended creating promotional materials such as sharkfins, and banners, as well as improving signage to enhance the business's visibility.
Since no external services were needed, the Business Advisor worked directly with the business owner, Blaq Zulu (Baba Hlongwane), to develop a plan for improving marketing efforts. Sedfa's intervention provided the necessary resources to help Pitseng Tse Ntsho strengthen its brand awareness, ultimately improving customer engagement and boosting visibility in the local market.

Outcome Details: Sedfa’s intervention significantly benefited Pitseng Tse Ntsho, leading to a 100% increase in turnover, growing from R180,000 to R360,000. The business’s brand visibility improved with enhanced marketing materials and better signage, attracting more clients and opening opportunities in new markets, particularly in surrounding towns. Operational efficiency also increased, with better financial management and administrative practices supporting growth. The business expanded its workforce from 1 to 3 employees, and Baba Hlongwane's leadership earned the business the Most Promising Entrepreneur award in 2024. Staff skills, especially in customer service and operations, improved, contributing to positive feedback from customers. Overall, Seda’s support played a pivotal role in driving growth, improving visibility, and creating new opportunities for the business

Client Feedback

Client Comments: "I am truly thankful for the assistance provided by SEDFA."