May 2025.
A development initiative in the Western Cape’s Theewaterskloof Municipality is gaining momentum thanks to increased support from Klipheuwel Wind Farm, which has committed additional funding to expand skills development for young entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Now in its tenth year, the Biggest Deal Plus programme equips unemployed youth with vital business skills through six weeks of training in areas such as business planning, financial management, and marketing. In 2024/2025, Klipheuwel Wind Farm joined the initiative for the first time as a funding partner, working alongside the Theewaterskloof Municipality, the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), and Standard Bank.
Recognising a need to strengthen post-programme support, Klipheuwel Wind Farm has provided additional funding to ensure the top five participants from the 2024 programme receive accredited business development training. This training—delivered through Elgin Community College—began in April 2025 and is currently underway.
“We believe that investing in skills enhances productivity and business resilience,” said Nonini Makhothe, Economic Development Specialist at Klipheuwel Wind Farm. “Our support aims to help local businesses grow, create jobs, and meet the needs of their communities—without forcing people to seek opportunity elsewhere.”
All beneficiaries identified a need for deeper training in business fundamentals such as financial management, sales, and marketing. These gaps have been key barriers to business sustainability and profitability. The specialised training aims to close those gaps and foster long-term success.
Stalin Govender, Senior Development Officer: LED at Theewaterskloof Municipality, acknowledged the critical role played by local businesses, “The Biggest Deal Plus programme is an essential platform for youth and small business development in our region. Support from partners like Klipheuwel Wind Farm strengthens the initiative’s reach and impact, helping us build a more resilient local economy.”
The programme invited applications in two categories—New Businesses and Existing Businesses—and the winners, announced in mid-2024, now stand to benefit from both the core six-week training and Klipheuwel Wind Farm’s extended support.
By forming constructive partnerships, the wind farm has effectively enhanced the impact of its economic development funding and met its own development goals in a way that is locally relevant and impactful. Furthermore, having identified a specific gap in the programme, the need for accredited business training has since been addressed through targeted funding, reinforcing support for local enterprise and sustainable growth.
