LOCAL BAKERY THRIVES WITH BUSINESS SUPPORT

November 2024, De Aar Solar Power.

A small bakery in the remote community of Britstown is demonstrating how targeted business support and mentorship can turn a fledgling start-up into a thriving enterprise that creates local jobs and inspires the community.

Jo-Ann Matjan, the owner of Heavenly Treats, is a beneficiary of De Aar Solar Power’s Enterprise Development Programme. This month, her business received a critical boost, enabling her to expand her offerings and services. The support included new baking and catering equipment, funding for additional stock, kitchen uniforms, and essential hygiene and safety training, all of which have helped ensure her business meets the necessary health and safety requirements.

The first round of support came during the global pandemic in 2020, when this SMME, along with several other youth-owned local businesses, received financial assistance. This allowed Jo-Ann to secure a proper business location and purchase the essential equipment needed to launch her bakery. The programme also facilitated her obtaining an essential service certificate, enabling her to continue setting up her premises during the lockdown. This critical help ensured that she could meet key obligations and keep her business operational during a challenging period.

“When Jo-Ann first joined our Enterprise Development Programme in mid-2020, she had no formal premises, minimal equipment, and no formal training. She was operating from her home, and like many others, faced immense challenges during the Covid-19 lockdown, which directly affected her income,” said Yolanda Madyira, Economic Development Specialist at De Aar Solar Power.

Jo-Ann’s Heavenly Treats now employs three staff members, providing much-needed jobs in the area and with this additional backing, it has diversified its product range, now offering birthday and wedding cakes, hot chips, coffee, doughnuts, and freshly baked bread. The additional support came at just the right time, allowing her to expand her reach and supply the entire Britstown area.

Jo-Ann expressed her gratitude for the help: “I’m really thankful for the support from De Aar Solar Power. With this funding, I can keep baking, expand my business, and reach more customers, which will help my bakery grow.”De Aar So

lar Power’s Enterprise Development Programme is designed to foster small businesses in the rural towns of De Aar, Hanover, Philipstown, and Britstown, located in the Pixley Ka Seme district. The programme aims to provide training and support to create viable small businesses and encourage young entrepreneurs to build sustainable enterprises that can uplift their communities.

“Supporting youth enterprises like Jo-Ann’s is important to us at De Aar Solar Power,” explained Madyira. “It helps address rising youth unemployment rates, and we hope that by supporting young entrepreneurs, we can foster a cycle of success where businesses grow and provide employment to other community members.”