Supporting a variety of businesses including tuckshops, barbershops, saloons, nail technicians, hairdressers, farmers-crop and poultry, seamstresses, traditional dress outfitters, car washes, maintenance, cellphone repair shops, internet cafes, fruit and vegetables sellers and transportation.
Wild Impact, a conservation and community development organisation assisting rural entrepreneurs, has secured funding for the next three years to significantly expand its entrepreneurship programme to boost economic opportunities for rural entrepreneurs in the Greater Kruger and Lubombo conservation landscapes.
The initiative delivers integrated programmes locally and internationally through conservation, education, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, climate resilience and youth development.
The entrepreneurs, known as Hustle-preneurs, operate a variety of businesses including tuckshops, barbershops, saloons, nail technicians, hairdressers, farmers-crop and poultry, seamstresses, traditional dress outfitters, car washes, maintenance, cellphone repair shops, internet cafes, fruit and vegetables sellers and transportation.
“The funding was secured from the Jobs Fund and the Singita Lowveld Trust, enabling Wild Impact to significantly expand its successful entrepreneurship initiative, the Hustle Economy Programme, to boost economic opportunities. This builds on existing support from ‘andBeyond’, the Sabi Sand Pfunanani Trust and the Entrepreneurship Development Trust,” said Dr. Andrew Venter, CEO, Wild Impact.
Launched in July 2021, the Hustle Economy Programme was developed in response to growing demand from rural communities for entrepreneurship training, enterprise development, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
To date, Wild Impact has supported 2,207 Hustle-preneurs across the Greater Kruger landscape and the Lubombo District in KwaZulu-Natal. Of these, 1,757 entrepreneurs have successfully completed the Wild Impact Enterprise Foundation and Enterprise Growth programmes.
“The results speak for themselves. Collectively, participating businesses have increased their annual profit by more than R100 million per annum, demonstrating the transformative power of investing in local entrepreneurship. Women continue to be at the forefront of this success, with 79% of participating Hustle-preneurs being female, highlighting the programme’s significant contribution to women’s economic empowerment and inclusive community development,” Dr Venter said.
The new funding will enable Wild Impact to support an additional 1,800 aspiring entrepreneurs in these conservation landscapes, building on a model that has already demonstrated measurable impact in rural communities.
“By investing in micro-entrepreneurs and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities, the Hustle Economy Programme reduces poverty and strengthens household resilience and unlocks meaningful economic opportunities for communities living alongside Africa’s most important conservation landscapes,” Dr Venter added.
Wild Impact’s vision is to expand its Hustle Economy Programme support to over 10,000 hustle-preneurs by 2030, scaling the programme across the conservation landscapes it works in covering Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya.
What is a Hustle-preneur?
Hustle-preneur is an emerging micro-entrepreneur who earns an income through the informal economy by using their skills, creativity and determination to build a small business, often in rural communities where formal employment opportunities are limited.
About Wild Impact
Wild Impact is a conservation and community development organisation delivering integrated programmes across Southern and East Africa, Asia, and South America, creating lasting impact through conservation, education, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, climate resilience and youth development. Wild Impact delivers community-led programmes through its Listen, Learn and Co-create approach, helping build thriving communities alongside some of the world’s most important conservation landscapes. Learn more at www.wildimpact.earth.
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Author: Tarryn Macaskill from Wild Impact on behalf of Wild Impact.
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