Latest news with #Raizcorp
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Third successful round for Thuthukani
Thuthukani, Thungela's Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) programme, hosted a graduation ceremony for 61 local entrepreneurs from communities surrounding its operations. This marks the third cohort of entrepreneurs to successfully complete the programme since its launch in 2022. Thuthukani is designed to build resilient businesses by offering tailored business skills training, technical enablement, and one-on-one mentorship to entrepreneurs from host communities. The programme is grounded in a detailed gap analysis and enables support in areas such as finance management, marketing, sales, project strategy, leadership, ISO certification, and personal development. The programme is delivered in partnership with business development service provider Raizcorp. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Crown Publications (@crownpublications) Of the 61 entrepreneurs graduating this year, 29 are supplier development beneficiaries – Small Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) that currently provide goods or services to Thungela, while 32 are enterprise development beneficiaries, comprising SMMEs that are not vendors but have potential for future integration into the mining value chain or in other industries. Notably, 50 of the 61 graduates also achieved technical enablement qualifications with the following accreditations ISO or whichever one, lets share a couple of them, boosting their compliance and competitiveness for procurement opportunities. 'Thuthukani is more than a business development initiative. It is a catalyst for local economic resilience. Each graduate represents a point of impact that causes a ripple effect, creating jobs and opportunities that uplift families and communities. We are proud to support the growth of these entrepreneurs and help them realise their potential – as they contribute to the growth of local economies, said Mpumi Sithole, executive head, corporate affairs at Thungela.' The graduation highlights Thungela's commitment to inclusive socio-economic development and transforming small businesses in in host communities. As the programme grows, its impact continues to spread, with entrepreneurs not only formalising their businesses, but also entering new markets, gaining critical certifications, and becoming active contributors to the regional economy. Julliet Mahlangu a beneficiary of the programme said, 'Before Thuthukani, I lacked the systems and structure to manage and scale my business. The mentorship and technical training helped me implement better financial controls, and I now feel more confident approaching new clients and bidding for contracts.' Breaking news at your fingertips … Follow WITBANK NEWS on our website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or TikTok Chat to us: info@ At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Zawya
24-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
4 common errors to avoid in your small business pitch
A great pitch can open doors — but a weak one can close them just as quickly. Here are four of the most common errors entrepreneurs make when pitching for funding – and what to do instead if you want your pitch to land. Allon Raiz, CEO at Raizcorp | image supplied 1. You're leading with the deal Too many entrepreneurs open their pitch with, 'We're asking for R3m for 20% equity,' without first making a case for the value of the opportunity. This kind of thumb-sucked valuation – unbacked by evidence – instantly undermines credibility. Investors want to understand the market, your experience and the probability of success before they hear your ask. And when you do get to the numbers, they need to be grounded in real, researched assumptions – not fantasy maths. Lead with substance, not speculation, and leave the deal discussion until the investors are actually interested. 2. You're selling the idea instead of your team Ideas are everywhere. What investors want is execution and that comes down to the people behind the pitch. Many entrepreneurs focus solely on their concept, forgetting to highlight their own experience or their team's capabilities. But investors are backing you, not just your product. Emphasise your team's relevant expertise, why you chose them and how they'll help you navigate challenges. Investors would rather invest in a mediocre idea that has a robust team behind it, than in a great idea that has a mediocre team. Show you've got the people to make it happen. 3. You're claiming you have no competition Saying, 'We have no real competitors,' is one of the fastest ways to lose investor confidence. Every product or service competes – for attention, money or time. Smart entrepreneurs show both direct and indirect competitors, and position themselves clearly using tools like a competitor map. What makes you different? Where do you sit on the price vs. quality or benefit scale? A thoughtful competitive analysis proves you understand your market and gives investors confidence that you're ready to win in it. 4. You're not being specific 'If we just get 5% of the market…' is vague, lazy and unrealistic. It glosses over how hard it is to gain even a tiny bit of market share, especially against dominant incumbents. Instead of speculative percentages, talk specifics. Who are your target clients? How many units will you sell, to whom and at what cost? Investors want to see clear, grounded thinking – not hopeful back-of-the-napkin maths. Precision builds trust. Generalisations break it. Pitching isn't just about confidence – it's about preparation, clarity and strategy. Avoid these four missteps, and you won't just sound like a better entrepreneur – you'll be one. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
