Avo Solutions
From YouTube Tutorials to Green Business Success
When Siyonwabele Matiwane, a chemical engineer, learned how to produce charcoal from YouTube and Google, she embarked on a journey that would lead her to become one of the 17 green businesses based in Eastern Cape. SL Tita Holdings, her company, stands out as it didn't start with others incubated in the Green Business Value Chain in Matatiele's villages.
Finding Support Through SEF Programme
This curious entrepreneur's path crossed with Avo Vision and the Social Employment Fund (SEF) Programme at a crucial moment: "When I couldn't get market for my charcoal, I did research which led me to Avo Vision, which introduced me to the Social Employment Fund Programme. This was a perfect opportunity for me because it came at a time where I wanted to close my business." The Social Employment Fund is a programme (SEF) that forms part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus Fund and is implemented by IDC to reduce the rate of unemployment in the country while also solving South Africa’s key social, environmental and economic challenges through placing unemployed South Africans into organisations and programmes whose purpose is to solve these key challenges thus killing 2 birds with 1 stone.
Expanding Operations and Workforce
Initially operating with just 1 kiln and 7 employees paid from her own funds, SEF's support transformed Siyonwabele's business. The programme provided stipends for 15 additional employees, allowing her to reinvest savings into crucial equipment: 3 metal chambers (kilns) costing about R8000 each, a chainsaw and PPE for her workforce.
Learning from Peers and Improving Production
As an "adopted" business based in Qumbu, Siyonwabele took the initiative to learn from her peers: "I dedicated a week to visit different sites and realized that the charcoal that I have been producing is of high quality. I learned the type of biomass to use as mine was little in size and have improved a lot after the visits." Her curiosity led her to explore various production methods, including the earth-burning technique, though she ultimately stuck with the more efficient kiln method.
Achieving Tangible Results
Since February, her efforts have yielded impressive results: 4.2 hectares of African wattle cleared, 8,969 kg of charcoal produced, and 1,250 kg sold. She recently secured a deal to supply 150 kg of charcoal to her local Spar. Beyond marketing her products, she actively seeks funding to expand her business. Support from SEDA (Small Enterprise Development Agency) will provide her with kilns, chainsaws, and fencing for her site.
Her entrepreneurial curiosity led her to search online for growth opportunities, where she discovered the SAB Foundation's entrepreneurship awards. Taking a chance, she applied and was awarded R300,000 in funding, which she plans to use for equipment to increase production capacity. "I am so excited and grateful for this particular award because it's not only monetary – I will also receive mentorship, coaching, and therapy sessions, which will be invaluable since the entrepreneurship journey isn't an easy one," Siyonwabele concluded.
Implementing Business Best Practices
The partnership with Avo Vision through SEF didn't just boost production; it revolutionized Siyonwabele's business practices. "When I was working on my own, I didn't have contracts for my employees. They now know there's time to clock in and out and admin to be updated to track all the business records," she explains, highlighting the importance of proper management and compliance.
The Broader Impact of Supporting Small Businesses
Henry Sebata, Avo Vision Managing Director, emphasizes the broader implications of supporting such enterprises: "If we believe that micro and small businesses are a key solution to the country's unemployment challenge, then we need to rally around them with meaningful and functional support. From Avo Vision's experience, these small businesses are clearly languishing in their need for business management improvement. And as the imperative fulcrum around which a business turns, good management is essential for the entrepreneur's success."
Conclusion
Siyonwabele's journey, from conducting charcoal trials and lab tests in 2022 to her current success, exemplifies how curiosity, determination and the right support can transform a struggling business into a thriving enterprise, contributing to both environmental sustainability and local employment.
