25 spaces are available to Gauteng-based entrepreneurs as part of the intensive programme offered by MEDO, starting after Global Entrepreneurship Week. There will be two learning modules: Foundation Business Skills and International Trade.

"UKTI is focused on growing the economies of the UK and South Africa by facilitating more connections between small and micro businesses. This programme will also focus on skills transfer and job creation in South Africa. We also want to use our funding to leverage support from government-funded bodies and corporate South Africa," says Duncan Hill, Deputy Trade Commissioner at UK Trade and Investment.

Last week in Johannesburg, the British High Commissioner to South Africa hosted His Royal Highness Prince Charles, together with His Majesty Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi, King of the Royal Bafokeng Nation, to showcase a vehicle retrofitted to contain 10 free Internet stations that MEDO is currently using in the Bafokeng region as a mobile training centre to engage with hundreds of micro and small enterprise owners in this largely rural area. The royals also met with some of the entrepreneurs taking part in the MEDO-UKTI programme to learn about their businesses plans for the future.

"MEDO’s relationship with UKTI is about expanding the capabilities of local micro and small businesses in order to conduct more trade between themselves and UK-based organisations, with a particular focus on sustainable business practices," adds Judi Sandrock, CEO of MEDO. "We recognise that entrepreneurs often times need emotional and technical support, even more than funding; so each MEDO Centre that we establish will not only be a physical location to offer business services, but also a place for fellow entrepreneurs to meet, discuss and learn from one another."