Bophelo ba Nnete Building Co-operative is doing well and keen to expand its customer base
An emerging construction cooperative is ready to take the building industry by storm. Bophelo ba Nnete building project primary cooperative from Diretsane Village in the Tswaing Local Municipality is living proof that once a collective set their minds into something, it becomes easy to achieve.
The cooperative was established in 2008, by a group of 18 people and offer services ranging from building construction, renovations, maintenance and brick making to neighbouring communities, local hardware stores and building contractors.
Bophelo ba Nnete cooperative was assisted by the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, through the Empowerment Fund initiative in which they received an operational tool to increase their production. This is part of the government’s intervention aimed at building sufficient capacity to create sustainable enterprises.
Ms Happy Mokone, the Director for Enterprise Development highlighted the kind of assistance the cooperative received from the Department which includes amongst others funding for material, training in bookkeeping and financial management and controls. “We started with this cooperative to conceptualise their idea into a fully-fledged business so they can contribute towards job creation and economic development within their area of locality”.
The Department also facilitated in-depth training to ensure that the cooperative complies with criteria as outlined by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) of which they have completed recently.
“We realised that producing bricks without meeting the required standards of SABS might jeopardise our work and end up not being progressive, we then requested the Department to link us with relevant institutions”, explained Weleminah Lekgethiso: Chairperson of the cooperative.
After the Department’s intervention, we started with the training, which was very overwhelming. We had to mix the right material and quantity correctly to produce the quality bricks. “Our products went through various SABS testing process which took approximately 18 months. Through our patience and dedication we finally passed as our bricks had the required strength”, said Lekgethiso.
According to Lekgethiso, the group has initiated the project to improve their living conditions by reducing poverty and unemployment rate within their area.
“The cooperative has since created 10 temporary job opportunities in Diretsane Village, of which nine (9) works in the production line and one (1) as security. Our intention is to grow into a factory that will supply the communities within Tswaing Local Municipality with quality bricks”.
“Even though our village is primarily rural in nature, with very little economic and business indicators, there is potential for our cooperative to grow because we do not have any competitors around, except for the other brick making company which is approximately 45kms away from us,” said Lekgethiso.
SABS Manager for Small Medium and Micro Enterprise(SMME), Mr Dumisani Mngadi said the SABS certificate will be a testament that their products have been tested and certified to comply with the South African National Standards (SANS) 1215 for the concrete masonry units and SANS 1058 for the concrete paving blocks.
“This means that the cooperative will be audited every year to verify if they comply with defined procedures and stipulated standards. The certificate further ensures that their product is consistent in quality and follow national and international standards.
The cooperative aims are very high to meet large quantity customers or agents for their products as well as to conduct the market intelligence and most importantly to know more about the current challenges within the manufacturing sector especially in their area of operation.
By knowing these challenges, she says, we will be able to produce bricks according to the customers’ needs as opposed to using a one size fits all.
The department will continue to provide aftercare support to emerging enterprises and link them to bigger market opportunities.
For enquiries:
Dumisa Seshabela
Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 079 522 7375
E-mail:dseshabela@nwpg.gov.za
