Ithuba, Regenesys to help uplift SA women
NATIONAL lottery operator, Ithuba, has joined forces with Regenesys Business School in an attempt to uplift women in the retail industry.
Ithuba said on Friday that 18 of their top performing female national lottery retailers were being equipped with knowledge that would turn them into skilled proficient businesswomen. Many of Ithuba’s top performing retailers were budding entrepreneurs and business owners who had a bold vision.
The retailers come from very diverse backgrounds with varying levels of education and business experience.
Ithuba’s head of human resources and enterprise development, Joy Diphokwana, said: “Our enterprise development programme is aimed at transferring skills as well as nurturing the sustainable growth of small businesses. The principles which underpin the Ithuba business are synonymous with the work ethic upheld by its retailer partners – values that pitch excellence, hard work and a customer-orientated mindset as its success pillars.”
Regenesys has partnered with Ithuba, through its corporate social investment programme, in this initiative to develop a quality one-week programme that will empower the retailers with critical business administration and retail management expertise.
Selection
The nationwide selection of these 18 participants is modelled around a programme that will enable the provision of future finance and marketing support including help in business development and sustainability. The programme’s objective is to teach entrepreneurs how to build a sustainable business that will grow and generate jobs.
The participants include Ithuba’s top performing retailer, Shahn Jeffries from Taronga Motors, Cape Town.
Jeffries said that before she launched into the world of business she was very comfortable in her 24-year corporate job. “Never in my life would I have imagined to excel in one of the biggest yet rewarding risks of my life. I am proud of the success I have made.”
Ithuba said it was aware of the impact businesses had in driving a more inclusive and sustainable growth for the country’s economy.
This was why the operator is committed about improving and growing development by including small businesses and impacting communities in its value chain strategy.
Ithuba chief executive Charmaine Mabuza said: “This programme is very close to my heart as it shows Ithuba’s commitment to developing women in business and upskilling them to claim a meaningful space within the South African economy.”
Regenesys Business School Dean, Dr Penny Law, said the company believed that nurturing future business leaders was vital for the growth of our country.