CUSTOMER STORY
Non-financial
support
boosting SMEs
From growing up in Orange Farm to founding
Brains Empowerment (Pty) Ltd, Vonani Mathebula
has proven the value of determination and
perseverance in her journey to success.
By Tamara Oberholster
Vonani Mathebula
FOR LOCAL STARTUPS, THE LANDSCAPE
HAS DRAMATICALLY
SHIFTED. COSTS TO
START AND RUN A
BUSINESS, ESPECIALLY
DAY-TO-DAY EXPENSES,
HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY
INCREASED.
D
etermined 25-year-old
Vonani Mathebula is
one of more than 1 500
entrepreneurs to have
benefited from free access
to basic communications
technology and business support services
through Absa’s Centre of Entrepreneurship in
Newtown, Johannesburg.
Since its launch less than a year ago, the
centre has managed to cut many of the costs
associated with starting and running a business
through offering business support services,
meeting rooms, presentation facilities, hot
desks and boardrooms to entrepreneurs.
According to Happy Ralinala, Head of
Absa Business Banking, the centre’s success
is largely due to business advisory services,
mentorship, business seminars, workshops,
specialised training and access to business
facilities offered to business owners. Mathebula
says her engagement with Absa Enterprise
Development in 2014 has been beneficial,
particularly having people support and give
her guidance on how to grow and sustain her
business.
“During Youth Month, I participated in
the Unlocking Youth Potential events hosted
by Absa in Johannesburg and Pretoria,” she
says. “I was also selected to be part of the Absa
mentorship programme, which started on the
15th of July. My business was chosen by Absa
to exhibit at the Absa Enterprise Development
exhibition in 2014, and was also selected to be
part of the YFM Kick Ass Wire, which features
young people under the age of 30 sharing their
stories and inspiring other young people.”
Another success story that Absa has
presented is Evans Parsons – founder and
MD of Vensys Media, which publishes Ibhola
Labantu, a soccer news publication. Vensys
Media has also demonstrated significant
growth, development potential and profitability
while taking advantage of the Absa Centre
of Entrepreneurship’s services, and Parsons
has dreams to expand the company to 120
employees within the next five years.
Mathebula also has big plans. “Brains
Empowerment is growing and exciting things
are happening,” she says. “People trust the
brand more than ever before. My future plan
is to grow the company into a reputable media
house that will publish more print publications
to inspire and expose South Africans to
opportunities and help them unleash their
potential, and to launch radio and television
channels that will reach more people and
broadcast content that is empowering.”
For entrepreneurs like Mathebula and
Parsons, and thousands of others, assistance
like that provided by Absa is significant in the
face of the numerous challenges facing SMEs.
“For local start-ups, the landscape has
dramatically shifted,” explains Oscar Siziba,
provincial head of Absa Business Banking in
Gauteng. “Costs to start and run a business,
especially day-to-day expenses, have
significantly increased. Access to relevant nonfinancial support, such as communications
technology, office equipment and space, or
business consultation and training is important
for business growth. We are proud that through
offering this non-financial support, Absa’s
Centre of Entrepreneurship brings more small
business enterprises online and makes it easier
to set up and grow a business.”
Absa believes that through its Procurement
Portal, a virtual marketplace that connects
SME suppliers with blue-chip companies
and government bodies, the growth of SMEs
has b