Sophia's Excellence Driving
| Business Location: | Rural & Township |
| Province | Northern Cape |
| Branch: | Frances Baard |
| Business Start Date: | 2006-03-22 |
| Busniess Type: | cc |
Business Dynamics and Challenges
Business Activities:
The core activity of the business is to assist individuals in obtaining their learner's and
driver’s licences. The business provides a wide range of certified courses. The business also
offers the following services. • Adult evening and noon classes for busy working individuals •
High school program for school leavers • Street safe courses • Court-approved defensive
driving courses for those people looking to reduce traffic fines • Brush up courses • Transport
SETA skills program and learnership Track Record: The typical track record for service
development that was followed by Sophia’s Excellence Driving Academy included the following
stages:
Challenges/Needs:
Sedfa has been involved in the growth of this business since 2009 and like most other businesses, Sophia’s Driving Academy has not been spared from experiencing operational, marketing and financial challenges throughout the years.
During 2012, the owner decided to relocate to business premises within the Kimberley City Centre as her clientele grew and it became challenging to service clients from home. Once again, she requested Sedfa’s assistance, and a signage & branding intervention was initiated to overcome the challenge of visibility and market penetration.
During 2013, Ms Mphuthi realized the need to become a fully TETA accredited learning institution. There was a need to service corporate clients and government institutions, however without the necessary accreditation, it proved to be challenging for Sophia’s to attract these clients. Ms Mphuthi, once again, called on Sedfa for assistance with the necessary accreditation that would open opportunities for Sophia’s to attract corporate clients and government departments.
Sophia’s Driving Academy expanded its services and ventured into logistics and acquired trucks. Unfortunately, due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the business was hard hit and could not rely on its own budget for business development. To achieve the business growth, Sophia’s needed to attract new clients and improve its customer service initiatives, it was thus in that regard that Me. Mphuthi requested further assistance.
Intervention Insights and Results
Intervention Details:
As the owner has been a Sedfa client since 2009, different interventions were initiated since early 2010, to address the various challenges. Some of these interventions included marketing initiatives and the implementation of a financial management system (Pastel accounting).
Me. Mphuthi re-visited Sedfa in 2022 to solicit business support services for the logistics business. An assessment was conducted, and consultations made with the client on their specific requirements and challenges. A series of interventions were identified however; the marketing and branding project took precedence. Other interventions included TETA accreditation, the vehicle branding and access to funding for additional vehicles. Sedfa assisted with the roll-out of these interventions. Additionally, the client was assisted with market linkage by securing a contract with the Sol Plaatje Municipality to transport water tanks during the water shutdown period.
Me. Mphuthi re-visited Sedfa in 2022 to solicit business support services for the logistics business. An assessment was conducted, and consultations made with the client on their specific requirements and challenges. A series of interventions were identified however; the marketing and branding project took precedence. Other interventions included TETA accreditation, the vehicle branding and access to funding for additional vehicles. Sedfa assisted with the roll-out of these interventions. Additionally, the client was assisted with market linkage by securing a contract with the Sol Plaatje Municipality to transport water tanks during the water shutdown period.
Outcome Details:
Sophia’s Excellence Driving Academy was granted funding through the Asset Assist Programme. The interventions yielded growth in terms of turnover and employment. The turnover at assessment stage was R 1,180,526.00 and turnover at current Improvement Assessment stage increased to R 1,527,924, which is a 29% increase. The employment increased from 6 employees to 8 employees.
Client Feedback
Client Comments:
“I thank the Almighty that I crossed paths with Sedfa. From crawling stages to adulthood, that is the road I travelled with Sedfa. From here, it can only get better. Thank you for the continued support”
