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 At Project Gateway we believe that acquiring a job skill alone does not have an ongoing impact in the lives of people trying to make a living in the economic context of South Africa.
Our aim is to empower entrepreneurs with skills that will release them from dependency and enable them to generate income through the running of their own sustainable businesses.
 The Business Development Programme is aimed at local people who have previously earned little or no income, but who show clear entrepreneurial potential. Long term training incorporates business start-up skills, marketing support, mentorship and where needed, basic job skills.
The Programme takes entrepreneurs from pin-pointing a viable business idea through to running their own business independently. After completing start-up training, they are allocated a local business person as their personal mentor, and meet with them on a weekly basis.
Small business loans are available for participants in the Programme, with the condition that they are paid back under the supervision of the mentor.
 Project Gateway further supports young businesses by offering the Zandla shop as a distribution channel. Entrepreneurs also have the option of initially operating on the Project Gateway site, moving into their own premises when they reach independence. The Programme is supported and facilitated by a team of qualified artisans, skilled facilitators and local, experienced business people.
The aims of the Business Development Programme are:
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To raise up well equipped entrepreneurs with sustainable small, medium and micro enterprises through dynamic business start up and business improvement programmes.
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To provide continuous holistic support and mentoring, tender and franchising awareness of trained entrepreneurs and other businesses.
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To provide networking opportunities to contacted businesses with other institutions in the community and beyond for more business opportunities.
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To assist young entrepreneurs with business planning.
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