Black Solutions
| Business Location: | Township |
| Province | Free State |
| Branch: | Lejweleputswa |
| Business Start Date: | |
| Busniess Type: | Company |
Business Dynamics and Challenges
Business Activities:
Fast Food and Catering Services
Challenges/Needs:
During the initial engagement and business diagnosis conducted by the SEDFA Business Advisor, the following challenges were identified:
• The business lacked core business management skills, particularly in financial management, administration, business planning, and marketing.
• There was inadequate knowledge of procurement processes and tender procedures, limiting access to formal market opportunities.
• The client had limited understanding of the market environment in which the business operates and had not yet achieved profitability, as the business had not commenced trading.
• Marketing activities were minimal, resulting in low brand visibility.
• The business also faced constraints in accessing funding and lacked essential operational equipment required to start trading.
In addition, the business had not yet secured required regulatory accreditations, including the Certificate of Acceptability (COA), which is essential for food-handling enterprises.
These challenges necessitated formal registration with CIPC and structured business development support from SEDFA.
Intervention Insights and Results
Intervention Details:
On the day the client visited SEDFA, the business was attended to by Mr. Khauhelo Maruping (Business Advisor). A formal business diagnosis was conducted to assess the business’s readiness, gaps, and support needs. SEDFA provided advisory and guidance services and assisted the client with business formalisation, including the registration of the business as a Private Company (Pty) Ltd. Compliance support was also provided to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements.
The client participated in several Seda-supported training programmes, including basic business skills training, food safety training, Business Model Canvas training and basic financial management training. These interventions were aimed at improving operational capability and managerial decision-making.
The client was assisted with an application for funding under SEDFA’s Asset Assist Programme, which was approved. The funding enabled the purchase of fast-food equipment and initial stock, allowing the business to commence operations. The client was referred to the NYDA, after which the client attended the NYDA Start Your Business training. A funding application was submitted and approved, resulting in R50,000 in additional funding.
The client participated in several Seda-supported training programmes, including basic business skills training, food safety training, Business Model Canvas training and basic financial management training. These interventions were aimed at improving operational capability and managerial decision-making.
The client was assisted with an application for funding under SEDFA’s Asset Assist Programme, which was approved. The funding enabled the purchase of fast-food equipment and initial stock, allowing the business to commence operations. The client was referred to the NYDA, after which the client attended the NYDA Start Your Business training. A funding application was submitted and approved, resulting in R50,000 in additional funding.
Outcome Details:
Following SEDFA’s advisory, training, and access-to-funding interventions, the business was able to transition from a non-operational start-up into an active trading enterprise. The combined support from SEDFA and NYDA enabled the business to commence operations, improve market visibility, create employment opportunities, and lay the foundation for compliance and future growth, despite the business still being in its early stages of operation.
•The business moved from R0 turnover to R23,652.00, achieving a 100% improvement, with a recorded net profit of R883.00 within three months of operation.
•The business successfully accessed funding from SEDFA Asset Assist and NYDA, has applied for DESTEA funding, and is in the process of securing a Certificate of Acceptability (COA) and municipal permit.
•Employment increased from 1 to 3 employees, resulting in the creation of 2 temporary jobs.
•The business operates from a well-located site on the main road in Kutloanong, attracting walk-in and catering clients, with improved visibility through signage, flyers, A-frame signage, and branded packaging.
•The business moved from R0 turnover to R23,652.00, achieving a 100% improvement, with a recorded net profit of R883.00 within three months of operation.
•The business successfully accessed funding from SEDFA Asset Assist and NYDA, has applied for DESTEA funding, and is in the process of securing a Certificate of Acceptability (COA) and municipal permit.
•Employment increased from 1 to 3 employees, resulting in the creation of 2 temporary jobs.
•The business operates from a well-located site on the main road in Kutloanong, attracting walk-in and catering clients, with improved visibility through signage, flyers, A-frame signage, and branded packaging.
Client Feedback
Client Comments:
“The support I received from SEDFA helped me to formally register my business, access funding, and start operating. Without this assistance, I would not have been able to buy the equipment needed to open my business.”
