Isinkwa Sethemba Primary Cooperative was formed in response to the scourge of youth unemployment facing South Africa. Youths in South Africa continue to be disadvantaged in the labour market with an unemployment rate higher than the national average.

To address youth unemployment, five young people from Ehlanzeni who were between the ages of 21 and 25, at the time, came together and formed a cooperative in 2020. The cooperative specialised in bread and confectionaries production. Through the cooperative, they sell bread to the broader community and supply local spaza shops. They have since started to diversify the production of bakery products ranging from bread to scones and fat cakes.

The freshly baked loaves of bread of Isinkwa Sethemba Primary Cooperative made the cooperative a great success for the community of Mataffin. The cooperative gained traction because it was beginning to generate income and empowering young people and encouraging them to come together in their community and find ways in which they can generate income for themselves.

Part of the milestones and achievements of Isinkwa Sethemba Primary Cooperative include: To have a fully equipped bakery, they moved from six single deck oven to three proofers, a spiral mixer, and one cake mixer and from baking trays to a fridge. The cooperative was able to help two young people to write their learners licences and other two to obtain their drivers licences whilst the other two are pursuing distant learning through UNISA. Due to the accessibility challenges, the Cooperative has now moved to a better location which is conducive for its operations and its clientelle.

The NDA grant funded Isinkwa Sethemba Primary Cooperatives with an amount of R95 100, which was used to buy all the required material inputs which will cover a period of 12 months. The materials will assist the project to increase productivity and save the profits to ensure sustainability of the business. SEDA assisted with Capacity building through NDA linkages to ensure that they are compliant with the food, health and safety standards. Other stakeholders brought on board are Motswako and Mbombela stadium who brought them additional machinery.

The cooperative wishes to hire more youth and ensure that they capture the market, provide an uninterrupted supply of products and have different branding that will make them stand out from their competitors. They also wish to create strong brand loyalty and lastly they would like to see their bakery supplying 1000 to 1500 loaves a day. 

“The NDA, in working with youth through cooperatives such as Isinkwa Sethemba Primary Cooperative, is determined to change the narrative of youth unemployment. These cooperatives and others like it will not only create employment for young people in remote areas, but also create an environment in which young people are active agents of creating development opportunities in their immediate environment.

We want young people to be part of our solution to the question of development in South Africa and specifically in Mpumalanga. The NDA is available and ready to work with other stakeholders to assist young people in Ehlanzeni District and other parts of South Africa to create Youth Economic Emancipation, and this can be attained through strategic partnerships,” Mr Maxwell Mathebula – NDA Mpumalanga Provincial Manager.

This youth cooperative aims to promote social inclusion, create opportunities for the youth of Mataffin in Ehlanzeni District Mpumalanga, promote sustainability and social entrepreneurship that enhances access to resources for young people to progress in their economic endeavours.

Project details:

Insinkwa Sethemba Primary Cooperative

Ehlanzeni District, Mbombela Local Municipality, Ward 14

Mattafin village- Meshack Mbewe, 0761060772 / 0810626386/ Chrisants26@yahoo.co.za

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Media inquiries may be forwarded to Mr Lonwabo Ganelo 073 295 0547 lonwabog@nda.org.za  

ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY