Roggeveld Gives Women-owned Catering Businesses the Recipe for Success

Equipping communities with the tools they need to prosper is one of the numerous ways that Roggeveld Wind Farm continues to make a difference. Across the Karoo towns of Laingsburg and Sutherland, many communities continue to struggle under the weight of poverty, unemployment, and low educational outcomes, hindering their ability to thrive.

According to the Laingsburg Municipality Integrated Development Plan (2022/2027), over the last decade, the unemployment rate in the town has fluctuated between 18.6 percent in 2010 and 15.8 percent in 2020. Currently, Laingsburg has an unemployment rate of 17 percent.

To help address these challenges, Roggeveld Wind Farm initiated an Enterprise Development Programme with a focus on the catering industry. The programme aims to empower black women entrepreneurs in the region by offering them tools to build successful, sustainable businesses within the food and hospitality sector.

Through the programme, local women received targeted support that combined practical culinary training with business development skills. The courses included instruction in cooking and baking, food management, and business operations, ensuring participants gained both the technical know-how and the entrepreneurial mindset needed to run successful catering businesses. What made the programme particularly effective was its hands-on approach. Each participant benefited from personalised mentorship and one-on-one coaching to address their specific needs and challenges.

The programme impacted a total of 30 women-owned small businesses, offering immediate and tangible results. Many of the participants had their businesses officially registered, while others received assistance with marketing, digital, and culinary skills development. In addition, 20 small enterprises applied for additional support and will receive catering equipment and branded marketing material.

The women selected a range of items to help launch or expand their businesses, including large appliances such as gas and electric stoves, refrigerators, and freezers, as well as small but essential kitchen tools such as food mixers, deep fryers, urns, and chafing dishes. Some also chose crockery, utensils, and decor to improve presentation and service quality, and one opted for a laptop to support business administration.

The programme put smiles on the faces of the participants, who walked away with certificates and industry insights, further adding value to their services. With the businesses now having a new lease of life, the entrepreneurs can look forward to increased returns and more ways of contributing to the local economy.