Palace Group

It has been a rigorous yet fulfilling experience to reach the stage that the project is currently at. The bakery enterprise is an initiative by Palace Group to empower parents and guardians at the Alexandra Child Care and Support Centre (ACCSC), an NPO based in Alexandra. The bakery is intended to create an income for the parents and guardians as well as to provide a sustainable source of financial support to the ACCSC itself, which support the growing population of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) resulting from HIV/AIDS and other poverty related causes within its location.

The selection of this centre was encouraged by the Group's commitment to improving lives of ordinary citizens especially in the areas within which it operates. Alexandra is an area where Grinpal Energy Management Pty (Ltd), a subsidiary of Palace Group, is actively involved through the pre-paid smart metering technology project whereby numerous local contractors have been appointed since it commenced. Grinpal also has Community Liaison Officers (CLO's) in each ward from within Alexandra for this project. Palace Group's commitment is therefore rooted in good governance, local empowerment and sustainability of the projects it embarks on.

Training of the participants

The parents and guardians of the ACCSC completed an extensive two week training programme at the bakery site in Alexandra. The training, which was conducted by Siyabonga Africa, covered a wide range of topics including business management skills, gas safety skills, bread making theory and practical as well as the production of confectionary goods. The participants were also trained on various equipment and accessories they will be using in the bakery. At the successful completion of the training session, all participants were awarded certificates. Siyabonga Africa will continue to monitor the progress of the participants over a period of time to ensure successful implementation of learned skills during the training session.

Site renovation and other support

Amongst the many milestones reached in the set up of this enterprise is the completion of renovations of the bakery site which involved minor construction work. These works were also funded by Palace Group in preparation of the commencement of operations.
Palace Group further donated a computer and printer to the project, to be used in the daily running of the enterprise.

Conclusion

Constant monitoring will be conducted by Palace Group to ensure that the bakery enterprise is a success and achieves its founding goals and objectives. The success of this project will also be able to benefit more parents and guardians as Palace Group wishes to expand the current operation to benefit more individuals.

Palace Group wishes to thank the project team which includes representatives of Palace Group, as funders, ACCSC board, parent's representatives as well as other entities such as Sediba Tshepo, from which it occasionally draws expertise and experience of setting up such projects.