The heat and extreme winds of January has prevented us from planting any new crops as we water by hand and have not yet built a nursery for propagation, so our focus remains on preparing the garden for the March planting cycle and we have also continued with cleaning/clearing and maintaining the garden and mulching where we can. We were able to harvest garlic, swiss chard, leaks, onions and gem squash. The harvest gets distributed among the participants and processed to increase the shelf life. We also harvested about 30kg nectarines 12kg of which we processed into jam. Imãn, who bought an egg incubator at the end of last year has successfully hatched 60 chicks (two batches of 30 chicks). She has chosen to focus her efforts on Black Austrolops as they are a hardy dual purpose (eggs and meat) bird, The hatch rate has, however, been quite low at 50% and she is therefore looking to source a different supplier of fertile eggs. We were able to build her a chicken coop from salvaged materials and are hoping to extend it to have a sizable run in the next few months so that the chickens can free range.
Being part of the SEF programme has truly transformed our journey as a cooperative. With SEF’s support, we were able to formally register Olea Bloom, giving us the legal status and recognition needed to operate confidently and professionally. The partnership brought us not only credibility but also valuable mentorship through a dedicated business advisor from the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEFDA), who continues to guide us in strengthening our operations and strategy. Thanks to SEF, we’ve also received critical equipment like an industrial sewing machine, overlocker, materials, and sewing tools, which have improved our production quality and capacity. We're now working towards compliance for funding to grow even further, including building an online store and developing marketing materials to reach more customers. SEF’s support has empowered each member of Olea Bloom, helping us grow our business and uplift our community.
Since joining the SEF programme in 2022, we’ve been able to make meaningful improvements to our ECD centre. With the support of the stipends, we focused on enhancing our learning environment, building a new toilet facility to improve hygiene and expanding our classroom space to welcome more children into a safe, nurturing space. SEF also provided us with essential resources like tables, chairs, mattresses, and toys, which have brought us closer to meeting the requirements for registration with the Department of Basic Education. This support has truly empowered us to grow, serve our community better, and give young learners a stronger start in life.
Jenevive Folose’s journey with the SEF programme is a testament to the power of opportunity and growth. During her time with the programme, she gained valuable experience and support that helped her develop both personally and professionally. As a result of her development, Jenevive recently secured full-time employment and made the decision to conclude her contract with SEF. In a heartfelt message to the team, she expressed her sincere gratitude for the guidance and empowerment she received. "The experience I gained has been invaluable," she shared. "I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity to grow and thankful for the support throughout my time in the programme." Jenevive’s success reflects the core impact of the SEF initiative, opening doors to meaningful employment and lasting personal advancement.
Zandile Ngubane, a dedicated volunteer from Alexandra, began her journey with the SEF programme at Carter Primary School. From the outset, her passion for education and natural ability to support learners stood out. Though she started as a volunteer, Zandile embraced every opportunity to assist with lessons and classroom management, quickly proving her potential as an educator. Her growth through the SEF programme gave her the confidence to pursue a formal teaching career and it paid off. Zandile was recently hired as a Grade 7–9 teacher at JW Saints Technical College in Tembisa. She shared the following heartfelt message with the team upon her departure: "Good afternoon, Sir. I went there, they say they’re hiring me, I'm starting tomorrow. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Thembalethu for giving me a wonderful opportunity and the experience that I have through Thembalethu. I really appreciate it. It pains me to leave just after you gave me a second chance, but because I have to support my career, I have to take this opportunity and gain another experience. Ngiyabonga kakhulu mphathi." Zandile’s story reflects the core purpose of SEF empowering individuals to grow, gain experience, and pursue meaningful career opportunities.
Thembalethu changed my life. They believed in me, gave me the tools I needed, and now I run my own car service business. I’m even training others!
With just a few essential tools and a vehicle, our business transformed. We’re now serving more clients, creating jobs, and growing our impact. Thembalethu’s support took Deep Clean Radiators to the next level.