Her weekly visits to Mdantsane for the last five years have sparked an exchange which has uplifted, motivated and empowered East London businesswoman Heidi Vermaak and 100 unemployed residents in the area.
Vermaak, 50, is an accredited wholesale and retail Seta trainer and runs her own business, Poimen Training and Motivation.
She spends her spare time offering business forums and training sessions for Mdantsane’s NU3 community.
“About a year after I started Poimen I met the most amazing lady, Mamma [Florence] Gadi, and I became deeply involved with an HIV/Aids centre she runs in Mdantsane, called Siyazakha.
“I saw a real opportunity to uplift people,” said Vermaak, who grew up in Molteno, but has lived in East London since she was 18.
Vermaak has more than 25 years experience in the corporate world, but decided to quit her managerial position six years ago and follow her passion for motivating others.
“I love people, and meeting new people is the most exciting part of my day.
“I think that getting people to believe in themselves is my purpose,” she said.
Vermaak has become an integral part of the Siyazakha Centre, which is an NPO, and is the chair of the board.
Apart from creating HIV/Aids awareness, the centre runs a daily feeding scheme that provides nutritious meals to 650 people every day, much of it from their vegetable garden.
The centre is supported by 30 volunteers who assist bed-ridden residents by washing their clothing and feeding them.
While Vermaak is involved in all of the centre’s programmes and projects, her main role is that of a mentor and trainer.
From business plans to banking, Vermaak teaches local entrepreneurs and the unemployed how to make the most of the skills they have and the basics of running a successful businesses.
Her aim is to turn the many hand-to-mouth businesses in the area into thriving sources of income which will provide jobs in an era of burgeoning unemployment.
“I’ve seen someone go from selling cigarettes and sweets on a cardboard box in the street to opening up her own spaza shop.
“I’ve seen car washes, a perfume maker and even a chesa nyama food truck come out of this,” said Vermaak.
She said the scariest part for most people was taking that first step and starting their small businesses, but she said she was there to encourage them.
“Getting start-up cash and a cash flow is problematic, but I try to help them find ways to generate that cash, mainly by forming co-ops and putting their skills and resources together to start a business,” said Vermaak.
“I also teach them how to do their financial statements, the importance of banking their income, and I emphasise avoiding doing business on account [credit].”
Vermaak wants to establish a Siyazakha Business Incubator and create a container park where small business owners in the area can rent out a cost-effective space.
“I’ve designed a three-phase plan and we’re hoping to get funding to make it a reality.
“It’s no good training people and then leaving because they fall right back into unemployment,” she said.
“They need a space where they can run their businesses and continue to grow.
“Even if it takes me the next 20 years, I know it will happen and I’ll keep going until it does.”
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