Gauteng Rebuilding fund helps pharmacy get back on track after looting
Pharmacist and Entrepreneur Bulelwa Maponya is the owner of Dawn Park pharmacy, based in Dawn Park, near Boksburg, Ekurhuleni. The pharmacy, which employs six, serves communities from Dawn Park, Vosloorus, Leondale and Rondubult and is the only pharmacy within the 8km radius of its location.
Bulelwa founded the pharmacy in 2017 after saving for several years for the start-up capital required for the business. “ It took a lot of work for me to save the amount that I believed at the time would be enough to start this business. I worked numerous locums and sacrificed many personal comforts to start the business”. As she embarked on the initial steps of starting the pharmacy, Bulelwa realised that what she had saved was still nowhere near what she needed to get the business going. The process of raising further funds was one of the more challenging periods in her business.
“Even with collateral and my own owners’ equity, it was still very difficult to source enough funding to finally open the pharmacy; however, I was determined to make it happen, particularly because I was aware of how the community was desperate for quality, but affordable health care services. Through the help of my family, we opened doors in 2017. As a fledgling business, we have had many ups and downs but none so devastating as the looting that took place in 2021”.
In July 2021, when the country was engulfed by looting, the pharmacy was not spared and was looted and damaged along with most of the businesses at the Dawn Park Shopping Centre. “A pharmacy is essentially its stock. We lost almost all our entire stock, most of our equipment and even specialised equipment such as the vaccine fridge was stolen. After the looting, we could not trade for the next month and a half.” she explains.
Bulelwa applied to the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP) for the Gauteng Rebuilding Fund. “The funds we received from the GEP have helped rebuild my business, and save jobs, as well allowed me to continue serving the community that depends on us so much and live my oath as a health care provider”.
The rebuilding fund is the Gauteng provincial government’s response to the unprecedented challenges facing small businesses in the wake of COVID-19 and looting that affected SMMEs in Gauteng.
The R100m fund is a partnership between the GEP and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). Bulelwa has used the funds to replace damaged and stolen equipment and build up the stock levels. She is looking forward to growing her business even further. Since the reopening of her business, sales per month have now increased by 40%.
“I am very encouraged by the ongoing recovery of the business and have set an ambitious but attainable revenue goal for the business, and that it to grow our monthly sales by 100% in the next year or two.
Growth on the Cards for Soweto business after GEP intervention
It was over 21 years ago when Solly Mojapelo, a teacher of English and Economics and his wife Rose, a chemical analyst, teamed up to turn what was then only a hobby into a successful business. Rose, a talented baker, and Solly, the budding salesman, realised that they could make a decent additional income from the demand for baked goods in the community.
“ I used to sell cakes made from our domestic stove to my colleagues, and after school, I would always have deliveries to make, and we soon realised that with more effort, the business had the potential to grow. It was at this point that, much to the surprise of many that I took a plunge to leave my teaching job to run Carnival Biscuits full time”, explains Solly Mojapelo.
Today Carnival Biscuits has two retail stores and a manufacturing unit. The business employs 16 people. In addition to the directly employed personnel, the business has a profit-sharing programme with individual sellers who make a living by selling their products.
Mojapelo, who hails from Diepkloof, Soweto, realised that scaling the business to its current size would mean a change in its product lineup, and as a result, the business turned its focus into biscuits. In 2001, the first retail store was opened at the Highgate Mall.
“We were not just content with making biscuits; we wanted to make the best biscuits. We essentially had our own product development and innovation unit, where we developed our own unique recipes,” explains Mojapelo.
As all businesses do, Carnival Biscuits has experienced its highs and lows. One of their most significant highs was winning the contract to supply long-distance bus company, Greyhound, with biscuits. “Winning the Greyhound contract was a pinnacle for us. It helped improve our quality standards, and we could create more jobs for the people in our community, says Mojapelo. In 2007, we opened our manufacturing space at the Crown Mines” adds Mojapelo. In 2009, they opened the second retail outlet in Bara Mall.
It, therefore, came as a big blow to Carnival Biscuits when Greyhound announced that it would be closing its doors in February 2021. “Greyhound was our biggest client. The impact of their closure was devastating to us. However, we were still determined to keep the business going and find new customers”, Says Mojapelo.
2021 still had far more in store for the business. On Monday 12 July the Bara Mall Carnival Biscuits retail outlet was looted and completely vandalised. The business lost all its stock and all its movable equipment. In addition to theft, the store was vandalised with electrical and telephone cables ripped from the walls. The shop was also flooded causing thousands of rands worth of damage and leaving the store unable to trade for an extended period.
Mojapelo applied to the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller for the Gauteng Rebuilding Fund.
The funds he received from the Gauteng Rebuilding Fund helped the business get back to trading in time for its business period, the festive season. It has helped stabilise cash flow, replace damaged equipment, and just return to normal trading. Mojapelo draws lessons from this experience: “Our business was not insured, today even a spoon is insured”, he states.
Mojapelo is determined to get the business back on a growth path. “I believe that even after the most difficult period for our business, growth is on the cards for Carnival Biscuits”.
Tired and unable to function to your full potential? Are you feeling like you are dragging yourself to start your day? Symptoms such as these, as well as mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and loss of concentration, may significantly affect an individual’s overall productivity in the workplace. If not treated, this can cause physical and psychological diseases like depression and heart diseases. It may also result in employees failing to meet performance expectations.
Burnout may feel like emotional and physical exhaustion and can lead to a lack of productivity, poor performance, avoidance of responsibilities, and loss of enjoyment.
There are many ways, some of which are very simple, to prevent workplace burnout. For starters, try to actively manage your time and workload, get help where you need to, and take care of your physical and mental health.
Taking care of yourself includes getting quality sleep to ensure rejuvenation for the body and exercise. While many of us may be averse to exercise, it is good for health and mental well-being. A short walk is an easy way to start exercising daily. Exercise benefits range from improving concentration levels to stress relief. Also, take time to enjoy the light moments of each day to relieve yourself of tension and stress.
At Gauteng Enterprise Propeller, we see the health and well-being of employees as central to the success of the entity. Without healthy people, it will be almost impossible to reach our goals of transforming the economy of Gauteng.
GEP is alive to the fact that employees may be confronted with stressful and at times, life-changing situations requiring professional support and as such are in partnership with Life Health Solutions to assist all employees with a confidential counseling service with regards to personal difficulties, work-related matters including stress, mental and financial wellbeing.
GEP encourages all employees to utilise services at their disposal to safeguard their psychological and physiological well-being. In this way, we are sure to reach our vision of being a responsive and impactful propeller for sustainable business enterprises in the province.
Call Life Health Solutions for confidential advice and support on 0800 004 770, or e-mail ewp@lifehealthcare.co.za.
The GEP and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) recently announced the opening of applications for the Township Economy Partnership Fund (TEPF). The TEPF is a partnership between the Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED), the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP), and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).
Through this fund the GEP seeks to support SMMEs in the township economy of Gauteng in all sectors. The TEPF will also support sectors that have not been previously recognised formally such as the Taxi Economy which includes SMMEs that support the Taxi and commuter industry including retail, upholstery, mechanical services. Another sector of interest is the Backyard Real Estate which includes backyard letting and student accommodation. These sectors have been a mainstay for many livelihoods in townships and it is our mission to help practitioners in these sectors grow into sustainable SMMEs.
The TEPF will also support vulnerable township small businesses that are unable to access funding from private funding institutions, government, and other business support programmes, but at the same time seek to support those initiatives that can bring wide economic impact to the township economy.
The opening of applications follows the conclusion of a three-year corporation agreement between the GDED, GEP and IDC which will see the entities jointly combine, coordinate and leverage their resources towards supporting SMMEs in Gauteng.
The IDC shall be responsible for managing and administering the TEP including the implementing of investment and divestment decisions on behalf of the Fund. The GEP will be responsible for the receipt of application through its online system and regional offices. Visit www.gep.co.za for more information on the fund requirements.
GEP FRAUD HOTLINE
Dear Colleagues,
GEP is pleased to inform you of the appointment of Advance Call as the independent service provider that will host the GEP Fraud Hotline from September 2021.
The GEP Fraud hotline is an anonymous and confidential reporting service that is available 24/7 and provides employees and other interested parties with various communication channels to disclose fraud, corruption, theft, misconduct or any other unethical behaviour or practice in the organisation.
The international Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) recently published a global study on occupational fraud and abuse, concluding that tip-offs are the primary method of fraud detection.
Employees contribute to more than 50% of tip-offs, and fraud losses are 50% smaller at organisations with whistleblowing hotlines.
The Protected Disclosures Act (PDA) protects Whistleblowers who wish to disclose possible unlawful or irregular conduct in their organisation. Under the PDA, Whistleblowers have the right to remain anonymous when making a disclosure. Advance Call offers the Whistleblowers the option to provide their contact information with the explicit understanding that it will NOT be shared with the recipient or anyone else. In such cases, Advance Call will contact the Whistleblower to obtain more information, if needed, thereby increasing the chances of a disclosure being successfully investigated and concluded.
Disclosures can be made on any incidents or behaviour that may possibly be considered unlawful or irregular. The disclosures received are categorised as follows:
- Fraud (forgery, falsification of documents/claims, identity theft, misrepresentation)
- Corruption (any form of bribery, third party collusion, contract and procurement irregularities)
- Theft (unlawful and intentional removal of company property with the intention to permanently deprive the company of the benefit thereof)
- Misconduct (harassment, any form of discrimination, intimidation, abuse/misuse of company property, time and attendance abuse, abuse of authority)
- Unethical behaviour (favouritism, nepotism, conflicts of interest)
How to make a disclosure:
Disclosures can be reported to the GEP Fraud Hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The disclosure is captured by Advance Call and reported to a recipient within GEP for the matter to be investigated.
The Whistleblower can also enquire about the status of a disclosure at any time and request feedback. They can also provide additional information and/or evidence.
WELCOME TO PULSE!
The Marketing and Communication unit is excited to welcome you to Pulse, the new GEP intranet platform. With your contibution, we plan to make Pulse, the heartbeat of internal communications with GEP. Pulse is where all the exciting GEP news will be shared. On Pulse, we will read about the wonderful work you do and the impact you make in Gauteng.
You will be able to access critical working tools such as policies, standard operating procedures and templates. You will be able to list that old TV in the classifieds and hopefully, get a buyer just a stone throw away from your desk.
To make Pulse a success, we urge you also to submit story ideas, updates, updated policies, forms and templates to the Marketing and Communication unit. We also encourage you to send us your ideas and inputs as we work towards making Pulse an exciting platform.
Feel the Pulse of GEP.
