Gauteng Business 2016 edition

INTERVIEW
equity assists the franchisee in marketing the store
locally as the product is already known and tested
in the market.
How are you able to assist your clients?
We offer short- and long-term funding solutions to
our clients based on their business needs. We use
either pure debt or blended finance instruments
(this can include both debt and equity funding),
depending on the viability of the business concept.
We also offer incubation opportunities to businesses
that meet the criteria but that are not at the right
stage of being funded – be it a lack of access to
markets or the requisite technical skills or knowledge.
We also offer business support services to funded
businesses to ensure they grow and sustain their
business performance. The level of support can also
entail linking the client to a mentor to assist with
areas of development or improvement.
CTU MANUFACTURING CO-OP
This co-operative was founded in 2008 in
Gauteng centring around manufacturing fully
guaranteed products such as hospital linen,
apparel/attire, uniforms as well as corporate
and personal protective clothing.
As professional nurses the owners saw an
opportunity to supply hospitals with apparel.
They resigned and went for business training
to turn their idea into reality and have since
created 56 employment opportunities for
disadvantaged women in Gauteng. CTU received
loan funding from the Fund in 2013 for
the fulfilment of contracts with the Gauteng
Department of Health. A second facility in
2014 ensured successful delivery of various
contracts in 2015. CTU provides in-house training
and experience to young graduates.
What difficulties do SMMEs face?
There is a funding gap or shortfall at this level, as
funding is not easy to obtain without a track record
in terms of products, services and access to consistent
markets. In the semi-established business
category there is a drive for business owners to grow
their businesses and take them to the next level, but
access to markets and flexible funding solutions still
pose a major challenge. The Fund sees great value in
assisting these companies as they are committed to
creating jobs and thus contributing to the reduction
of unemployment and alleviating poverty.
What makes a successful SMME?
A hardworking and passionate entrepreneur who
has both a clear vision in addition to the ability to
implement a sound business strategy throughout
the business. Someone with the ability to produce or
offer a quality product or service to the market and
deliver on time. Access to consistent markets and the
ability to market the product to the target market.
Also important to enable their business to grow is
access to affordable funding opportunities, stringent
cash management and budgeting, the ability to
identify good investment opportunities and having
a business model that is sustainable, in addition to
the ability to create or maintain jobs.
CONTACT INFO
Physical address: Isibaya Building,
93 Grayston Drive, Sandton
Postal address: PO Box 784531,
Sandton, 2146
Tel: +27 11 217 1746
Website: www.masisizane.co.za
107 GAUTENG BUSINESS 2016