STRUGGLING restaurants, catering and accommodation establishments that have been hit hard by the devastating impact of COVID-19, now have an opportunity to get back on the road to recovery with the Sekela Hospitality Support Programme.
In an effort to bring some relief and lift the spirits of business owners within the hospitality industry, well-known professional food service brands Marvello and Meadowland owned by Siqalo Foods have partnered with RCL Foods, Your Food Partners and Bidfood to launch the programme.
Valued at a R2 million investment per year, the Sekela Hospitality programme is a holistic, phased programme that provides current black-owned hospitality businesses with back of house training, business coaching, access to capital and business stimulus packages.
“The industry has endured blow after blow during the COVID-19 pandemic with the international travel ban, curfew, recurring alcohol bans, maximum capacity and social distancing restrictions all coming into play,” said Edwin Ukama, Channel Marketing Executive at RCL Foods, Your Food Partners.
“Like most countries, South Africa can’t afford for its hospitality industry to fail. We wanted to do our part and bring a solution to the fore where we can help drive a positive change and see business owners and entrepreneurs achieve their true potential.”
The first phase will allow up to 50 successful applicants to join the programme and receive a 10% purchase discount on any food order placed through Bidfood. In phase two, qualifying beneficiaries will receive relevant top-class back of house training and business coaching, followed by essential financial assistance / support planning and business profiling.
Perpetua Ngulube, Brand Manager of Marvello and Meadowland, said, “We look forward to hearing from motivated applicants who are eager to turn their establishments into professionally-run and financially viable businesses. With this programme we aim to bring much-needed life, passion and positivity back into the hospitality industry and help shape dynamic business leaders.”
To qualify, applying businesses must meet a particular set of criteria. The programme recruitment drive started on 1 March and businesses have until the end of April 2021 to apply by visiting www.sekelahsp.co.za.
