Incubating success in SA

The 19 members of the South African Business and Technology Incubation Association (SABTIA) consist of businesses, academic and non-profit organisations with diverse focuses and which operate in a broad cross-section of industries to foster talent and skills transfer and help create sustainable businesses from viable concepts.

Odette Potter, SABTIA chairperson, says: "Incubation in South Africa has already started to reap significant successes. A remarkable example of the success of incubation efforts can be found in the Timbali Technology Incubator near Nelspruit. An SMME development programme, Timbali is the largest hydroponic gerbera and lisianthus cut-flower project in South Africa."

Established in March 2002, the not-for-profit company was fully operational just a year later, boasting cultivation tunnels filled with the vibrantly coloured Maxi Gerberas, Lisianthus and Mini Gerberas. This, says Potter, was testimony of the planning, comprehensive activities and technological advancement that preceded the development.

Timbali CEO Louise de Klerk says: "The cut-flower market is viciously competitive and quality is non-negotiable - success therefore depends on a good understanding of the flower trade, skill, knowledge and experience in growing flowers.

"The Timbali Incubator concentrates on helping emerging farmers to overcome the technological, market, financing and skill barriers in order to become globally competitive flower cultivators."

29 agri-enterprises, with one production unit, exist on 3.3 hectares of tunnels with 29 entrepreneurs occupying them. An amazing 73 permanent jobs and 208 indirect jobs were created within 24 months of receiving funding, while it is estimated that over the next five years, 220 direct and 660 indirect employment opportunities will exist within their framework, particularly since the farmers are exploring diversification into new markets.

The role of Timbali is typical of that played by many of the other SABTIA members - it provides infrastructure and ongoing support services with mentorship, including market access, financial administration, know-how and the latest state-of-the-art technology, in return for nominal payments of levies and rental.

SABTIA is hosting an international conference entitled "Incubation - the key to creating economic wealth" on 21- 22 September at the Misty Hills Conference Centre in Muldersdrift, Johannesburg. Sponsored by the GODISA Trust, the conference will promote learning, networking, best practice development and other activities critical to successful business incubation.

For more information about the conference please contact Nicoli Koorbanally on +27-12 349-2355 or e-mail or visit www.sabtia.org.za.