The Ekurhuleni Jewellery Project recently welcomed business wiz Samuel Manyisa as its new centre manager. While his predecessor Colin Campbell’s extensive knowledge of jewellery manufacture ably led their stable of trainers and moderators, Samuel’s appointment injects a new level of entrepreneurial know-how.
A graduate from CIDA City Campus with a Bachelor of Business Administration and a BBA Honours, Samuel’s experience includes a position in that institution’s finance department, after which he was appointed as a finance manager at The Business Place. The nature of the work required him to wear many hats, and the insights he gained there over the years inspired him to design and implement a programme that enabled SMMEs access to affordable office space as well as opportunities to collaborate among themselves.
Thereafter he joined Anglo American Zimele where his responsibilities and focus included funding support, business coaching and mentorship. The skillset Samuel brings to the EJP offering will ensure the institution’s long-term stability, and his knowledge is sure to supercharge the support provided to the SMMEs emerging from the incubator.
He is energised by the potential he sees for the industry to create generational South African jewellery brands who in turn will expand to become stable and productive employers. His role will include securing funding partners both for the institution and who pledge support to its graduates, and to enable access to market opportunities for the incubator’s SMMEs.
He has set his sights on the biggest challenge to the industry – inferior and cheap imports, and believes that local jewellers can dominate particularly the tourist market through a strategically driven marketing narrative, combined with quality of workmanship and the expression of our vibrant cultural heritage. The role of digital platforms will be crucial in this mission, which is bolstered by Mzanzi’s spirit of tenacity and resourcefulness.
“The greatest opportunity is that we are African and our product is always telling a story of who we are, where we come from and where we are going.”
~ Samuel Manyisa
In terms of advice for up-and-coming jewellers, Samuel cautions: “Business is not an easy thing. It will require your full commitment and dedication”. The passionate team from the Ekurhuleni Jewellery Project is committed to preventing their protégés from becoming one of the 80% of small businesses that statistics predict will fail within their first three years. The incubation programme provides crucial support and business training during that most vulnerable time, on top of the technical and practical skills imparted to the jewellers under their mentorship.
Intake is open throughout the year, and EJP are always considering new applicants. For further information about the programme, see:
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Instagram: @ekurhulenijewelleryproject
Website: https://ejewellery.org.za/
