Ikamva is the future

It seems there is always something we are working on behind the scenes that I either forget to share on the blog or try to be patient with until it comes to fruition. This time it is perhaps the biggest development yet (at least in regards to skills training, job creation, and sustainability). Nicolas Marsay, the Director of Fusion Business Consulting, (and close friend of our team lead, Allan Greig) knew about our progress in skills training in Mamelodi and contacted our team with an idea about six weeks ago…but it wasn’t just an idea. Nic backed it up with a lot of energy, vision, and resources.

The idea: A Web-Design Cooperative offering website design and maintenance to small businesses in South Africa
Who makes up the Cooperative?
5 of our most talented web-designers and leaders chosen from the graduates of Nate’s web-design class
When will it start?
The constitution has been signed by the 5, and the legal entity will be recognized as an official business in South Africa as of next week.
What is the cooperative’s name?
Ikamva Web Development Services (“Ikamva” means “future” in Xhosa). They are busy designing their own website right now, and they hope for it to go live in the next 2 weeks.
Where is the start-up capital coming from?
2 of Fusion Business Consulting’s clients have given a grant and an interest-free loan to get the business off the ground.
How will we ensure that it is sustainable?
I would bore you if I explained in full, but for now, Nic is tasked with managing/mentoring Ikamva and giving monthly reports back to his clients. So in that alone, he has a huge incentive to promote its success…and, South Africa is his home, unlike Nate and I who will be leaving in June. Nic and I are working on the business plan in conjunction with the business manager in Ikamva, while Nate is working diligently to set up the processes/systems and continue training the web-designers in their technical skills. I am also setting up weekly training for business management, finance, accounting, client service skills/communication, etc. Nate and I have a lot of work to do in the next three months, but are fully motivated and excited to work with these 5 talented individuals who have become our dear friends.