With South Africa’s small business sector offering untapped potential for growth and job creation, the Delicious Festival Trader Academy powered by FoodBev SETA was launched today in Johannesburg with the first intake of 50 SMMEs in the food,beverage, and hospitality sector.
According to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2023 State of the Nation Address, there are up to 3.5-million small, medium, and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa, mostly in the informal sector. However, most of these need exposure and access to market opportunities to realise their full potential.
With this in mind, the DStv Delicious International Food and Music Festival, in conjunction with founding partner FoodBev SETA (the Food and Beverages Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority), has developed a 5-month accredited theory and practical training programme that will provide business development skills, safety and licensing, new business development, finance andmarketing, alongside mentoring from the “Delicious All Stars” (successful traders drawn from the Decade of Delicious)
The impetus for the Trader Academy was driven by the fact that every year the festival must turn down scores of small food businesses applying to trade because they fall short of the minimum standards. “It’s heart breaking to do so, and we have a responsibility to not just constantly say ‘no, no, no’ but rather, through guidance and accredited modules in entrepreneurship, compliance and health and safety, to get these traders to a standard where they can start attendingfestivals and events in their own communities and eventually trade at major festivals like DStv Delicious” Jean Huddy, the CEO of the Delicious Festival Trader Academy Powered by FoodBevSeta.
“There was a missing ingredient. The academy is for informal traders, micro-businesses that wouldn’t otherwise have been able to participate in events like DStv Delicious. They need access to the market and guidance in complying with industry standards, but they have the passion for operating in the food industry and are looking to grow their brands.”
FoodBev SETA is providing accredited modules which are being taught through the Trader Academy’s partnership with the Johannesburg Culinary and Pastry School.
The FoodBev Seta accredited modules alongside a work-integrated learning program consists of classroom studies being combined with real-life, on-the-ground experience to power up the selected SMME food enterprises.
“This partnership between FoodBev Manufacturing SETA and Delicious Trader Academy underscores the shared commitment to fostering economic growth and nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit within the food and beverage manufacturing sector in Gauteng. By supporting these SMEs, will provide them with invaluable exposure, networking opportunities, and access to potential investors, local and international distributors, and buyers”, CEO, FoodBev Manufacturing SETA, Nokuthula Selamolela.
“This milestone achievement by FoodBev Manufacturing SETA and Delicious Trader Academy marks a significant step towards promoting South African SMEs and highlighting their excellence, innovation, and potential for growth. The collaborative effort also showcases the vibrant and diverse food and beverage manufacturing industry in South Africa, underscoring the nation’s rich heritage and entrepreneurial spirit,” added, Selamolela.
Jean Huddy (CEO of the Delicious Festival Trader Academy Powered by FoodBevSeta) and Tom Pearson-Adams (MD of the Academy) joined by the student Traders at the launch in Johannesburg.
Gauteng Tourism Authority has sourced the first 50 candidates from the TISH (Townships, Informal Settlements & Hostels) sector, the majority are female youth owned businesses that have traded for at least 12 months in the sector.
All candidates will be getting their first festival experience at this year’s DSTV Delicious International Food and Music Festival powered by Lottostar, at The Trader Academy activation, before they embark on their five-month program from October 2023. “We’ll be providing the students with a real-life look at what it takes to create something special,” says Huddy, who has been in the food and beverage industry for more than a decade and has been responsible for all food at Delicious since 2015.
She says during her years of working with food traders on branding, entrepreneurship, basic business practice and marketing, she has observed how it’s possible for small businesses to grow, formalise – and blossom. It’s a cause that’s very close to her heart: “With a small amount of guidance and support, these businesses can be sustainable. I have many close relationships with businesses that have started from nothing, and through sheer determination and passion have built thriving and successful brands. In the spirit of ‘paying it forward’ some of these (The Wing Republic, Sumting Fresh and Johannesburg Culinary and Pastry School) have agreed to mentor our candidates.”
The DStv Delicious International Food & Music Festivalhas not only grown in size and stature over the past decade – it has significantly increased its food offering. From 15 food traders in 2013 to 60 stalls and food trucks in 2023, it provides unmatched opportunities for established and up-and-coming culinary brands – and the organisers are always eager be at the forefront of flavour and food trends.
The Delicious Trader Academy would like express thanks to FoodBev SETA, Gauteng Tourism Authority, Gauteng Enterprise Propeller and CATHSETA who are all supporting this project.
The DStv Delicious International Food & Music Festival Powered by LottoStar takes place over the weekend of 23 and 24 September 2023 at the Kyalami Race Track. The festival offers two stages (Main Stage and the Drip Stage) with over 30 artists on the bill, including Maxwell, Tems, Shalamar, Incognito, Arrested Development, Robert Glaspar, Zakes Bantwini and more.
The 10th annual DStv Delicious Festival is brought to you by DStv and LottoStar, as well as Mercedes-Benz, Sasol, Drip, Windhoek Beer, Flight Centre, Proudly South African, Coca-Cola, FoodBev SETA, Gauteng Tourism Authority, CATHSSETA and Gauteng Enterprise Propeller, in proud association with Primedia Broadcasting radio stations 947 and 702. Thank you to our partners for making our 10thanniversary celebration one to remember!
General admission tickets are R950, while DStv Rewards members get 25% discount on their Delicious Tickets. Visit Rewards on DStv.com or the MyDStv App and look out for this LIMITED offer, only available to active DStv Rewards members. Or treat yourself to Delicious Terrace Lounge tickets at R3 600 or Zuri Luxury Suite tickets at R7 300 per person. Visit www.ticketmaster.co.za to secure your tickets.
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