WeeklySA_AdminENDEAVOUR: Government-private-sector partnership provides aspirant entrepreneurs with Seta-accredited training covering carpentry, business management, manufacturing and accounting…
By WSAM Reporter
A private-sector-funded development initiative aimed at creating a cadre of future entrepreneurs has produced its first group of eight graduates, who completed a two-year training programme and are already operating their own businesses in Gauteng.
Thanks to a massive cash injection by French multinational Pernod Ricard, whose partnership with the Gauteng Provincial Government and the Furniture Technology Centre Trust (Furntech) has ensured the success of the entrepreneurial development programme.
As part of the initiative, the eight trainees learned the craft of furniture making as part of the Pernod Ricard Makers Programme. Their training was provided by Furntech, a training provider that offers comprehensive and innovative business incubation services in South Africa’s furniture and wood products sector.
The group graduated from the programme at a ceremony held at the Pernod Ricard Foundation in Johannesburg recently. Pernod Ricard is a worldwide leader in the spirits and wine industry, blending traditional craftsmanship, state-of-the-art brand development, and global distribution technologies. Its prestigious portfolio of premium to luxury brands includes Absolut vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac.
Since joining the programme two years ago, the newly graduated eight township furniture makers are already running their own business and have – between them – created 42 jobs, generating a turnover of R2 million.
Two of them, John Baptiste Mathebula and Manyane Rantai, co-directors of Add Decor and Projects, have turned their creative vision into concrete profits – and employment for members of their community.
Mathebula began his creative journey as a schoolboy sketch artist, doing portraits of classmates and his social circle, before earning a living by doing paintings on commission for local restaurants. It was when he was asked to spruce up the eateries’ furniture with a lick of paint that the seed was planted for him to branch out into furniture restoration.
Then, in 2014, he joined a learnership programme at Furntech, where he learned the craft of upholstery, expanding his repertoire to include making headboards and couches, and his love for making furniture grew.
He started the company in 2017 with Rantai and joined the Pernod Ricard Makers Programme two years ago.
“The programme has given us exposure and linked us with clients we would never have reached on our own,” he said. He also benefited from participation in prestigious exhibitions like the Rand Show and Decorex, which has generated a whole new group of more affluent customers.
“My dream is to employ people permanently and create breadwinners, to expand and have branches all over South Africa,” he said.
Rantai shares the passion for making furniture, including cabinet making, interior design and renovations – a new avenue that has seen him working on a makeover for a Sandton-based business.
Like Mathebula he started out as a visual artist but found it limiting. He discovered a more rewarding outlet for his talents in upholstery, before adding wooden furniture to his range of skills.
His ambition is to have his own store and workshop, which would allow him to work extra hours and be more productive.
Participants in the programme received Seta-accredited training covering carpentry, business management, manufacturing, technology and accounting.
Gauteng Department of Economic Development’s acting head, Mpho Nawa, applauded the graduates at the graduation ceremony, adding: “Our partnership with Furntech and Pernod Ricard represents the power of collaboration in addressing unemployment, poverty and skills development. This programme has uplifted emerging entrepreneurs and contributed to creating sustainable economic growth, testament to the potential we can unlock”.
Pamela Nkuna, Pernod Ricard’s corporate affairs director for Africa-Middle East, said the makers programme was an expression of the company’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment.
“Creativity and craftsmanship are a part of Pernod Ricard’s history, while people are at the heart of everything we do and our collective spirit of conviviality. We are happy to help our Makers tell their stories through their craft,” said Nkuna.
The next intake of 10 participants began their journey on the Pernod Ricard Foundation Makers programme earlier this month.
