Hustle Economy
The Hustle Economy Programme, led by Wild Impact, and supported by Singita Lowveld Trust (SLT) as an anchor financial partner, along with other partners, responds to the challenge of youth unemployment in South Africa.
Small and medium enterprises play a significant role in South Africa's economy, contributing approximately 20% to its GDP and employing around 47% of the workforce. These statistics serve as clear evidence that the nation is filled with enterprising individuals, with millions of South Africans surviving by “hustling” to make ends meet and provide for their families.
Hustle-preneurs use their skills to make a living and include herders, farmers, artisans and micro-business owners.
The Hustle Economy Programme, facilitated by community-based coordinators, focuses on empowering emerging micro-entrepreneurs to establish sustainable ventures. The range of entrepreneurial opportunities being explored by these hustle-preneurs are diverse. The most common opportunities are spaza shops, hair-care services, informal restaurants, poultry farming, clothing, and accessory retail.
The Hustle Economy Programme is structured around the following processes:
- The identification of local “hustle-preneurs” – community members who have demonstrated a commitment to developing their own micro-enterprises.
- Phase 1: The facilitation of an initial three-month capacity building process aimed at building basic business and financial literacy skills and refining enterprise concepts through a peer review process.
- Phase 2: The facilitation of a nine-month mentorship process aimed at helping the hustle-preneurs to implement these insights in their businesses and work towards a minimum net income target equal to the South African minimum wage.
- Phase 3: Graduation from the programme.
Key Successes
Since the programme was initiated in 2021, a total of 818 hustle-preneurs have been enrolled in seven cohorts.
Key Successes:
- Strong financial stability, with participants consistently staying above key poverty thresholds for sustained periods
- After completing the foundation phase, 96% of participants are earning above minimum wage for three consecutive months showing consistent business growth and resilience.
- Employment impact: Collectively, these hustle-preneurs employ 200 additional staff.
The clear impact that the programme is having is highly inspiring. Supporting the development of local hustle-preneur networks will strengthen the "entrepreneurial ecosystems" in the communities that we partner with and guarantee their sustainable development.
How can I support this project?
SLT programmes are supported by donors, sponsors, and guests, allowing the scaling of our reach and impact and developing meaningful long-term community partnerships.
Donate to the Wild Impact Hustle Economy Programme and become part of this ongoing success story that changes lives and to support enrolling additional cohorts of hustle-preneurs.
