The journey of entrepreneurship is one of courage, perseverance, and growth. This was exemplified by the 2023/24 cohort of the New Venture Creation (NVC) program, who recently celebrated their graduation in an inspiring ceremony. These individuals, filled with ambition and passion, have taken significant steps towards realizing their dreams of becoming successful entrepreneurs, contributing to the local economy, and driving change in their communities.

The NVC program, a key initiative of ASIME—a proudly women-led organization focused on advocating for women empowerment, youth development, and gender equality—has been pivotal in empowering emerging entrepreneurs, small-scale farmers, and SMEs. Since its founding in 2018, ASIME has worked diligently to ensure the inclusive participation of these groups in the mainstream economy, particularly focusing on those involved in the agricultural value chain.

Professor Albert Modi caps a graduate

ASIME Women COO with a graduate

Keynote speaker, Prof Albert Modi. Executive Dean of Natural Sciences at Walter Sisulu University

Mr Khaye Nkwanyana, Head of the Department of Trade and Industry and Competition

CEO- FoodBev Seta Ms Nokuthula Selamolela

Group CEO- Icebolethu Ms Nomfundo Mcoyi

Empowering Future Leaders

ASIME’s impact is clear. With a database of approximately 3,000 women and youth engaged in various economic activities, the majority—80%—are involved in agriculture. These participants span the KwaZulu-Natal province, participating in areas like:

  • Agro-processing (dairy products, jalapeño sauce, peanut butter, skin care products)
  • Baking and catering
  • Events management
  • Food retail (tuck shops and restaurants)
  • Innovation (meat spices)
  • Livestock (piggery, cattle, goats)
  • Poultry (broilers and layers)
  • Primary agriculture

This diverse range of activities reflects the breadth of opportunities that ASIME’s beneficiaries have tapped into, fostering economic development in rural, semi-rural, and township areas.

A Key Audience: Diverse and Resilient

The target audience of the New Venture Creation program includes a wide spectrum of individuals. Aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups, emerging and operational enterprises, unemployed youth, and women and youth with disabilities from rural, semi-rural, and township communities have all benefited from this empowering initiative. Their diverse backgrounds highlight the program’s goal to support those often overlooked, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has access to the tools and resources necessary to succeed in business.

Post-Graduation Support: Entrepreneurs Aftercare Programme (EAP)

While graduation marks a major milestone, it’s not the end of the journey. ASIME has developed the Entrepreneurs Aftercare Programme (EAP) to provide ongoing support for graduates as they transition into running and growing their businesses. The EAP is a post-NVC capacitation model that combines monitoring, sector-specific training, advisory services, and continuous support for emerging and operational SMEs.

Some of the standout offerings in the EAP include:

  • Bakerpreneurs training and Chipkins Puratos costing app
  • Business plan development training offered by BSSA and PWC
  • Food retail training
  • Events décor training
  • Poultry production training
  • Primary (crop) production training

Through this extensive post-graduation support, ASIME ensures that graduates are not only equipped with knowledge but also have ongoing access to the expertise and mentorship they need to thrive in their chosen fields.

CEO- ASIME Women Ms Mpume Mpanza

The Path Ahead

The graduation ceremony for the 2023/24 New Venture Creation cohort is more than just a celebration of academic achievement—it’s a celebration of resilience, innovation, and the spirit of entrepreneurship. With the continued support of ASIME and the Entrepreneurs Aftercare Programme, these graduates are well on their way to transforming their dreams into reality and making a lasting impact on their communities and the economy.

As these new graduates step forward into the world of business, we can expect to see great things from them. Their journey represents the future of inclusive growth, where women, youth, and rural entrepreneurs play a leading role in shaping the economy.

Congratulations to the 2023/24 New Venture Creation graduates—your hard work, dedication, and vision are inspiring, and the future looks bright with leaders like you at the helm!