Alexandra BEST Game (Charity funded training)

Partner(s):

Communities from various parts of South Africa benefit from SAIE’s business development training administered by Laura Baylis autonomously. Laura Baylis is a free lance instructor involved in the administration of SAIE’s training programmes. Laura trains members of the community at grass-roots level to learn how to start and run their own businesses. This project took place in the Johannesburg area of Alexandra (sometimes nicknamed "Alex"). Alexandra is a township located in Gauteng province, South Africa. It is situated on the outskirts of Johannesburg, close to the wealthy suburb of Sandton and is bounded by Wynberg on the west, Marlboro and Kelvin on the north, and Kew, Lombardy West and Lombardy East on the south. In contrast, Alexandra is one of the poorest urban areas in the country. Alexandra is situated on the banks of the Jukskei River. The township covers an area of more than 8 km² and has an estimated population of 470,000 people. In addition to its original, reasonably well-built houses, it also has a large number (estimated at more than 20,000) of informal dwellings or "shacks". Alexandra has been home to a lot of South Africa’s notable personalities names: Nelson Mandela, Zanele Mbeki (wife of President Thabo Mbeki), Mark Mathabane (Tennis player and author of the autobiography Kaffir Boy), Samora Machel (former Mozambiquan President), Alfred Nzo (South African Minister of Foreign Affairs 1994-1999), Joe Modise (South African Minister of Defence 1994-1999), Hugh Masekela (musician and trumpeter), Jack Lerole (musician and penny-whistle player), Wally Serote (poet), Annie Twala (the "Mother of Alexandra"), The late Simon Mahlathini Nkabinde (groaner/lead singer in Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, 1938-1999), Irvin Khoza (boxer), Sam Buti (Reverend), Joe Mafodi Manana (Freedom Fighter) and Jingles" Makgoti (poet)

Our Involvement:

Beyond the regular, formalized long term programs like BEST Game and BusinessVENTURES, SAIE business development expertise is also leveraged through independent agents as “exclusive projects”. Because of the irregular character of the exclusive projects, they do not have an established, ongoing program implementation mechanism, thus “exclusive projects.” In most cases, independent agents conduct the training after receiving master trainer training from SAIE. In other cases, SAIE service providers and staff may conduct the training on behalf of the firm. The training is usually customized to meet the unique characteristics of the recipient groups.

Project Progress:

Kwa-Bhekilanga High School in Alexandra was the site for two BEST Game trainings by Laura Baylis: 1st Group – 8th - 9th & 22nd - 23rd November and 2nd Group – 12th - 13th & 26th – 27th November. 15 completed the training and two people (Alex and Julie Paniagua) have been trained as facilitators. The first group of training went very well, high energy, enthusiasm and commitment. This was reflected in their practical time businesses. Of all those doing their practicals from this group only one person did not complete the training. It was intriguing how they allocated specific titles to each person in the team… like Chief Negotiator, Chief Quality Assurer, Chief Finance Officer etc.

The second group was more challenging, but some of them applied themselves to learning from the training and from their practicals. They gained an understanding of the basics of business and discussed ways that they can apply them into their own businesses.

Funder:

Product:

Special Projects

Location:

Gauteng