FEDHASA (Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa) has launched a non-profit programme to stimulate job creation in the hospitality sector at the Africa Travel Indaba. This exciting initiative is a collaboration between FEDHASA, enterprise development and impact specialists Sigma International and Natalia Rosa, CEO of Big Ambitions.
“We believe that the hospitality industry has immense potential to contribute to South Africa’s economic growth and job creation, particularly in light of the current unemployment crisis,” says Rosemary Anderson, National Chair of FEDHASA. “Our incubator programme will help empower entrepreneurs and support businesses throughout the value chain, thereby fostering the growth and resilience of the South African hospitality sector.”
Transformation in the hospitality sector
The initiative is aimed at supporting SMMEs with at least 51% black ownership, advancing transformation in the hospitality sector. The model will allow FEDHASA to redirect a percentage of their Enterprise Development (ED) or Supplier Development (SD) investment spend. This will broaden transformation buy-in and reach.
In each financial year a set number of beneficiaries will be sponsored by FEDHASA members. The members will provide needs-based programmes for each beneficiary and their businesses. Staff of FEDHASA members will be allowed to select beneficiaries, or alternatively FEDHASA will select them on behalf of a business.
Proven track record
Sigma International, FEDHASA’s partner in this innovative initiative, is an award-winning company with a proven track record in establishing successful business incubators in various sectors. These include tourism, forestry, mining and paper. All these incubators are ISO 9001:2015 accredited.
“Our collaboration with FEDHASA will build on the success of our existing business incubators, which have already impacted in excess of 300 beneficiaries across the entire tourism value chain nationwide,” says Akash SIngh, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Sigma International. “We are excited to expand our reach within the hospitality sector and look forward to seeing these make a difference within the sector in the years to come.”
FEDHASA members and other hospitality providers who would like to participate can contact Akash Singh at +27 83 680 5759.
