Stories
IMPACT STORY Hollard Money fo Sho Financial Skills Training for Business Owners. Kimberley, Northern Cape | 24 – 27 March 2026 In the bustling SMME landscape of Kimberley, Northern Cape, 54 small business owners took a bold step towards transforming not just their enterprises, but their futures. Over four intensive and engaging days in March 2026, Avocado Vision (Pty) Ltd — in close partnership with the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) Francesbaard Office — delivered the Hollard Money fo Sho Financial Skills Training for Business Owners. This initiative brought together entrepreneurs from diverse sectors, united by a shared ambition: to build financially stronger, more sustainable businesses. The training emerged from a recognised need. Many SMME owners across Kimberley operate with drive and determination, but without the formal financial knowledge to translate that energy into long-term business success. Without understanding how to manage cash flow, access funding, plan strategically, or meet regulatory obligations, even the most motivated entrepreneur can find themselves stuck — working hard but not growing. This training was designed to change that. Under the skilled facilitation of Mr Ishmael Hangula, and made possible by the tireless coordination of Mr Mvuyo Madondo of SEDFA, participants were immersed in five powerful learning modules delivered in a practical, accessible, and culturally relevant manner. The result was not merely a training event — it was a turning point for 54 entrepreneurs who left with sharper minds, clearer plans, and renewed confidence in their ability to build better businesses. Small and medium enterprises are the backbone of South Africa’s economy, yet they face a disproportionate number of barriers to growth. Among the most persistent of these is limited access to financial knowledge and business management skills. The SMME owners who attended this training represented a cross-section of the Kimberley business community — from food vendors and informal retailers to construction subcontractors and service providers — and many shared common challenges: • Mixing personal and business finances, making it impossible to accurately measure profitability • Limited awareness of the funding landscape available to small businesses in South Africa • Operating without a formal business plan, relying on intuition rather than structured decision-making • Anxiety and confusion around compliance requirements, including business registration, tax, and UIF • Little to no knowledge of financial products specifically designed to support and grow small businesses These were not unique challenges — they are systemic barriers faced by entrepreneurs across the Northern Cape and across South Africa. But for these 54 individuals, the Hollard Money fo Sho training offered something rare and invaluable: clarity, tools, and the confidence to do things differently. The training programme was delivered across two cohorts, each spanning two full days, to allow for smaller, more intimate learning groups and a more personalised facilitation experience. The training was built around five carefully selected learning modules, each chosen for its direct relevance to the everyday challenges faced by SMME owners: • Financial Management for Small Businesses — bookkeeping basics, cash flow, separating business and personal finances • Understanding Business Funding — DFIs, government grants, microfinance, and how to become funding-ready • Planning and Goal Setting — SMART goals, business roadmaps, and translating ambition into action • Compliance and Basic Business Administration — CIPC registration, SARS obligations, UIF, and record-keeping • Understanding Financial Products Relevant to Small Businesses — business accounts, credit, insurance, and SMME investment tools. Facilitation was conducted in an interactive, practical, and participant-centred manner. Mr Ishmael Hangula drew on his extensive experience as a multilingual trainer and SMME development specialist to deliver content in a way that was accessible, engaging, and immediately applicable. Real-life examples drawn from the South African SMME context were woven throughout the sessions, and participants were encouraged to share their own experiences — creating a peer learning environment that enriched the formal curriculum. The most powerful measure of any training programme is the voice of those who experienced it. Across both cohorts, participants shared candid, heartfelt reflections on how the Hollard Money fo Sho training had shifted their thinking and renewed their commitment to building stronger businesses. The following are direct accounts from SMME owners who attended: “I never knew that mixing my personal money with my business money was the reason I could never see my profit. This training opened my eyes completely. I am going home to open a separate business account today.” — Participant — Group 1 Spaza Shop Owner, Kimberley “The funding module was a game changer for me. I always thought government funding and grants were only for big companies or people with connections. Now I know there are options for people like me and I know what documents I need. I am starting my application this week.” — Participant — Group 2 Catering Business Owner, Kimberley “I have been running my business for four years but I have never written a single plan. I was just hoping things would work out. After this training I realise that hope is not a strategy. I am writing my business plan this weekend.” — Participant — Group 1 General Dealer, Kimberley “SARS used to scare me. I would hear the word tax and just shut down. But the facilitator explained it in a way I could understand. Now I know what I need to do to be compliant and I am not afraid anymore. I will register my business and do things properly.” — Participant — Group 2 Construction Subcontractor, Kimberley “The training gave me a new lens through which to see and run my business. I came in not knowing what I did not know. I am leaving with real tools that I can use tomorrow morning.” — Participant — Group 1 Graphic Designer Owner, Kimberley “I appreciated how the facilitator used examples from businesses like mine. It was not textbook stuff — it was real. He spoke our language and made us feel that growing our businesses is possible, not just for big people.” — Participant — Group 2 Food Vendor, Kimberley “The module on financial products was something I had never thought about. I did not know there were banking products and insurance options made specifically for small businesses like mine. I will be going to the bank next week to ask about these.” — Participant — Group 1 Farming Business Owner, Kimberley “What I loved most was that this training was practical. We did not just sit and listen — we discussed, we asked questions, we shared our own experiences. I felt heard and I learned so much from the other business owners in the room too.” — Participant — Group 2 Cleaning Services Provider, Kimberley Impact in SMME development is not always immediate or easily quantifiable. But the seeds of transformation planted during the Hollard Money fo Sho training in Kimberley are visible in the commitments made, the questions asked, and the mindsets shifted across four powerful days of learning. The following outcomes were observed and reported: Immediate Commitments Made by Participants • Multiple participants committed to opening dedicated business bank accounts to separate personal and business finances • Several SMME owners pledged to begin the CIPC business registration process within 30 days of the training • A number of participants expressed intent to apply for SMME funding, with specific mention of Development Finance Institutions and government grant programmes • Participants from both cohorts committed to drafting their first formal business plan within 30 days • Multiple attendees indicated they would approach SARS to register for tax compliance following the training Mindset Shifts Observed: Beyond the practical commitments, the training produced significant shifts in how participants perceive themselves and their businesses: • From reactive to proactive: Participants moved from managing crises to anticipating and planning for them • From excluded to included: Many arrived believing that formal funding and financial products were ‘not for them’ — they left knowing otherwise • From fearful to informed: Compliance, once a source of anxiety, became a manageable and understood responsibility • From informal to formal: Multiple participants committed to formalising their businesses, recognising formalisation as a gateway to growth • From surviving to building: Participants articulated a shift from short-term survival thinking to long-term business building. Broader Community Impact: The ripple effect of financially literate SMME owners extends well beyond the individual. Fifty-four empowered business owners means fifty-four enterprises with the potential to grow, create employment, serve their communities more sustainably, and contribute to the economic development of the Northern Cape. When a business owner learns to manage their finances properly, that knowledge cascades into every corner of their operation — from how they pay their suppliers, to how they manage their staff, to how they invest in the future of their enterprise. “Financial education is not a luxury — it is the foundation upon which sustainable enterprises are built. These 54 business owners now carry that foundation with them.”
M J’s Journey: A Glimpse Into a New Financial Future. In the resilient community of Bisiesvlei (Itekeng) near Lichtenburg in the Ditsobotla Local Municipality Northwest, where many families face unemployment and daily service delivery challenges, M J’s story is beginning to shift from survival to vision. For 18 years, M J worked steadily but without financial direction. Income came and went, loans piled up and no assets were built. When the job ended and reality hit hard: debt remained but security did not. Then just one week ago everything changed. M J attended a Financial Skills Seminar by Avocado Vision led by Charles Mokoena. In just six session, Savings and Investment, Boosting My Income, Money Safety, Young People and Money, Buying High Ticket Items, and My Money and the Taxman a new mindset was born. Now M J sees money differently. Instead of asking “What can I spend?”, the question has become “What can I build?” A simple savings plan has already begun. Ideas for additional income streams are taking shape. Old habits of careless borrowing are being replaced with disciplined decision-making. Even future purchases are now viewed through one lens: Does this grow my life or drain it? Though it has only been a week, the future already looks different. M J is mapping out a path toward owning assets, clearing debt step by step, and becoming financially stable not just for personal benefit, but for community impact. As part of the leadership of the Save Ditsobotla Movement contesting the 2026 elections, M J now connects financial empowerment with community transformation especially as the next municipal elections approach. In a place where hope is often tested M J carries a new kind of confidence, not based on money already gained but on knowledge newly discovered. Because sometimes the biggest change doesn’t take years. Sometimes it begins in just one week with the right information, the right guidance, and the decision to never go back. Thank you once more to Avocado Vision Supported by Coronation for changing lives one South African at a time. *(MJ's Full name- Mothusiemang Johannes Bereng)*
On 27 February 2026, I facilitated a Sanlam Worksite Financial Literacy training session at Robert Sobukwe Hospital in Kimberley, Northern Cape. This impactful engagement formed part of a broader financial wellness initiative aimed at empowering employees within the South African public health sector with the knowledge and skills to make sound financial decisions in their everyday lives. The training brought together a diverse cross-section of healthcare professionals employed at Robert Sobukwe Hospital, one of the key public health institutions serving the Northern Cape province. The multidisciplinary audience ensured that financial literacy conversations were enriched by a wide range of personal and professional perspectives. Participants included: • Medical Doctors and Clinical Staff • Registered Nurses and Professional Nurses • Administrative and Clerical Personnel • Support and Auxiliary Health Staff • Pharmacy and Allied Health Professionals Healthcare workers, while often highly qualified in their clinical fields, frequently face significant financial pressures, including heavy student loan burdens, irregular overtime compensation, and limited exposure to structured financial education. This makes financial literacy interventions in the health sector particularly impactful and timely. Saving and Investing (Module 2) opened important conversations around one of the most fundamental yet often neglected aspects of personal financial management: the discipline of saving and the power of investing for the future. Many participants acknowledged that, despite earning a regular income, they had little to no structured savings in place. The module also struck a powerful chord with participants, many of whom had never formally considered the difference between simply keeping money in a bank account and actively investing it to grow wealth over time. The discussion around economic forces such as inflation revealed to many that not saving or investing effectively is, in fact, a form of financial loss. Participants were encouraged to assess their own financial timelines and set realistic, goal-oriented savings plans aligned to life stages, from short-term emergency funds to long-term retirement preparation. One of the Nursing Staff said "I always thought saving meant just not spending money. Today I learned that there is a big difference between saving and investing, and that time is one of the most valuable resources when it comes to growing my money. I am going to start small, but I am going to start today". Module 4 generated animated discussion and visible moments of realisation among participants. Many were surprised to learn about the long-term impact of their credit scores on their ability to access financial products, housing, and even certain employment opportunities. The segment on over-indebtedness was particularly relevant, with the facilitator presenting structured, step-by-step options for those who may find themselves in financial distress — including the role of the National Credit Regulator, debt counselling, and the importance of proactive communication with creditors. One of the administrative staff participants said "I did not know that my credit score affects so many things in my life. I have been using credit without fully understanding the consequences. This session has changed the way I think about borrowing money, and I now know what steps I can take if I ever feel overwhelmed by debt". Facilitating this session at Robert Sobukwe Hospital was a deeply rewarding experience for me as healthcare workers give so much of themselves in service to their communities, yet they often receive very little in the way of personal financial guidance. Watching participants connect the dots between their income, their spending habits, and their financial futures was both humbling and inspiring. Participants indicated that they are grateful to Avocado Vision and Sanlam for making this possible and recommended that similar sessions be extended to other departments and facilities within the region, and that follow-up engagements be scheduled to reinforce the lessons learned and track participant progress toward their financial goals.
The SEF training has clearly had a profound impact on both the participants and stakeholders. It's great to hear that the importance of contracts and clear expectations resonated with everyone involved. Empowering participants to recognize the value of their skills and explore opportunities within their current environment can lead to sustainable income streams and community benefits. Key takeaways from the training: - Contract awareness: Highlighting the need for clear expectations in business relationships - Skills valuation: Participants now recognize the lifelong value of their acquired skills - Opportunity recognition: Encouraging exploration of growth opportunities within current roles The SEF programme's impact extends beyond employment – it's equipping participants with skills and business owners with tools for sustainability.
Training was conducted at Metagenics offices on the 13 February to a group of African Language speaking group. The presentation was done in isiZulu , all the participants they said it was the first time for them to be introduced to Financial Education aswell as to learn about a personal Budget planning, to learn about different types of insurance, aswell as to learn about different types of bank account. 90% of the attended people enjoyed the program, participating 😀 writing, setting their Savings Goals that they will be saving starting in things month. Every one enjoyed the activities and mostly the TV activity 😀 the session started at 8:30 am and finished around 16:40 pm . We had tea breaks aswell as a lunch, during the session I gave my group ice breakers aswell as smoking ntakes
I conducted a Sanlam worksite financial literacy training on 17 February 2025 for the department of education in Springs. The intention of the session was to equip the participants with knowledge and tools to help them make sound financial decisions. The participants arrived with great expectancy, they were a mixture of the elderly and the young. As we began the room was filled with energy as most of the elderly were a few years before retirement age. The investments and retirements was the subject of the day. Most participants were excited to discuss about endowments .This group was very interactive and engaging, Time seemed to be moving fast as we came to the end of the session the participants stayed and started chatting by themselves in groups about what was learned in the session and spoke of their gratitude to have had a chance to attend such a session.
on the 09th february 2026, i had some budgeting basics sessions. the session helped the participants realise that they have been spending most on wants which lead them in to debts , they where excited to relook at their budget and pririotize needs over wants and also use snowball methods to pay off debts they currently have.
On the 08th of February 2026 i ran some budgeting basics webinars. in the begining i could the participants still wondering what they are going to gain on the session, but as the session goes they realised that this is a great space to learn. some thing that stood the most is the pay yourself first as they noticed that it can help them to save a portion of their income before spending because if they spend first they end up saving too small or not save at all
On 07 February 2026 I had Budgeting Basics sessions, it was great to see how enthusiasic the participants where. and the fact that they where learning from each other made the session great as some they where free to share even their personal experience. some never saw the importance of having a budget but at the end of session they where looking forwad to using a budget as they saw the impact it have on financies
