A Khayelitsha entrepreneur could see her small business catapulted to new heights after being selected by Sunlight to be one of its More Than You Expect Heroes and receiving business support to the value of R200 000.
The Covid-19 pandemic could have destroyed her poultry farming enterprise, but 27-year-old Ncumisa Mkabile made the choice to pivot her business offering by growing, harvesting and selling home-grown spinach. It wasn’t her first choice, but Mkabile knew a winter crop would be the best way to use the land at the time.
It was only in May 2020 that Mkabile set out on her new business venture, but soon she had seven people working the farm to keep up with the unprecedented demand. It’s all part of the travel & tourism graduate’s long-term ambition to create and run her own independent farm to supply stock to retailers around South Africa, while creating employment opportunities for those in her community.
Ncumisa already heads up a farming sector for the Khayelitsha Business Forum which aims to empower and educate local people on farming.
“My Community has been really supportive ever since I started my business,” she says, “They make sure that I get all the support from them first, before getting it from the world.”
Now that Sunlight has chosen Ncumisa to benefit from a substantial business support package, her dream could come true faster than she ever anticipated. Her investment includes; a Brownsense Business Training course, an irrigation system, an agricultural course, marketing services, farming supplies and a cash injection of R50 000.
“When I was told I was being selected, it felt like a dream. I actually had to ask myself multiple times if this was really happening to me. I feel like it still hasn’t sunk in, even though I’m starting to see things happening!”
Sunlight has been supporting women in their homes for generations and the More Than You Expect Heroes campaign is an extension of that ethos. As part of the brand’s mission to deliver more than you expect, Sunlight launched the initiative to identify and support women entrepreneurs and small business owners who have shown strength and innovation in redirecting their businesses during this difficult time.
Women-owned businesses make up approximately 23% of the South African economy, but many have struggled due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. However women like Ncumisa and her fellow More Than You Expect Heroes Carin Rhoode and Bontle Tshole have used creativity and ingenuity to pivot their business offering.
“This investment has already boosted my business,” explains Ncumisa, “Sunlight has helped me to install an irrigation system on my farm to kickstart my new project. The marketing has been amazing because I’ve been getting a lot of recognition. Soon I’ll be going on some courses to improve my knowledge in agriculture. I’d like to thank Sunlight for giving me this opportunity because now I can do more!”
“Hardworking, innovative and optimistic women like Ncumisa and our other Heroes play such a big role in our society. Not just through their businesses, but through the communities, families and individuals they support,” says Sunlight brand manager, Lerato Dumisa, “Just like Sunlight’s hardworking and innovative products, these women always seem to deliver more than you expect and we wanted to reward and support them to ensure they can keep being the bright lights in their communities.”
Sunlight is inviting South African women who own their own businesses to share their stories and stand a chance of taking their place alongside Ncumisa, Bontle and Carin as More Than You Expect Heroes. Five additional Heroes will be selected. Each will benefit from business support and resources to the value of R200,000. This includes market access opportunities, training and mentorship through Sunlight’s partners, BrownSense. As in Ncumisa’s case, a tailored approach will be adopted to meet each winner’s unique business needs.
To stand a chance of receiving more than you expect, enter the competition at https://www.sunlight.co.za/gives-you-more
How can women entrepreneurs enter the competition?
- Visit the Sunlight website https ://www.sunlight.co.za
- Click on the enter and win tab in the website menu.
- Complete the form on the Gives You More page and submit in order to have a valid participating entry for the competition. Participants must complete the required fields on the competition application page (by submitting all the required information including their name and mobile phone number) as well as the answer to all the questions.
- Once they’ve submitted their entry, share a post on social media, tag @sunlightza, and tell their followers they’ve just entered using #MoreThanYouExpect
Participants stand a chance to win R200 000 worth of resources, support, training and cash to support their business venture. Each winners profile will be looked at individually and support will be tailored for their business needs.
Competition Duration
This promotional competition runs from 1st September 2020 to 31 November 2020 at 12pm (the closing date). Any entries received after the closing date will not be considered.
How will the winners be selected?
The finalists will be selected by the promoter based on how interesting and worthy their story and entry is, as well as if they meet the above criteria mentioned in section 8a of the T&C’s. Winners will be notified telephonically by the 15 December 2020 where the Winner will be required to verify their details.
T&C’s https://www.sunlight.co.za/sunlight-gives-you-more-terms-and-conditions
Criteria for winning entries includes:
- Did this entrepreneur pivot their business offering in light of COVID-19 restrictions?
- How is she helping her community and those around her?
- Does her business need support to take it to the next level?
- Can Sunlight support her efforts in a way that aligns to their brand purpose?
Find out more by visiting: https://www.sunlight.co.za/gives-you-more or follow the brand on social media: https://www.facebook.com/SunlightZA and the hashtag #MORETHANYOUEXPECT
– ENDS –
Issued on behalf of Sunlight South Africa
For additional information please contact:
The Hardy Boys PR Department (formally known as Verve):
Sihle Mthethwa: 031 533 9000 | 078 019 8374 | [email protected] / [email protected]
*Stats SA Reference: http://www.sbp.org.za/uploads/media/SBP_Alert_-_Understanding_Women_Entrepreneurs_in_SA.pdf.
Brandstories Disclaimer:
Brandstories is not liable for the contents of the information published on this platform. The information which subscribers publish on this website is for general information purposes only and Brandstories facilitates the ability for viewers and subscribers to access this platform. Subscribers who publish their content on Brandstories are held responsible for their own content. This includes ensuring that it is factually accurate, grammatically correct, free of spelling errors, and does not contain unsavoury content that could result in legal action. In the case of linguistic translations, the onus is on the client to ensure that the translation is accurate. In no event does Brandstories make representations or warranties of any kind, expressed or implied about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the information supplied and published. This website includes links to other websites, including third party websites. Brandstories does not recommend, endorse or support any views that are held by subscribers publishing information, and within these links provided. Furthermore, Brandstories does not have control over the nature, contents and availability of information contained on these sites. Any form of reliance readers and consumers may place on information published on Brandstories is strictly at their own risk. Brandstories makes every effort to ensure that the website is up and running smoothly at all times, however Brandstories does not take responsibility for, and will not be held liable for times when the website is temporarily unavailable due to technical glitches that are beyond our control.