On 31 August 2026, the Port St Johns Development Agency (PSJDA), in partnership with the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEDFA) and Yakhani Cooperative Ltd, co‑facilitated a Business Compliance Workshop as part of the 2026 Cooperative Resilience & Youth Enterprise Activation Programme.
This initiative builds on the UNISA Scholarship Engagement Programme (October 2025) and responds to systemic weaknesses in rural cooperatives, including governance gaps, poor financial literacy, and limited youth and women inclusion..
Key Achievements.
- SEDFA Registration: All participating enterprises were formally entered into the SEDFA registration process, positioning them for ongoing non‑financial enterprise development support.
- Compliance Desk Utilization: Participants were conscientized on the importance of actively using the Compliance Support Desk within PSJDA, which provides technical assistance and mentorship.
- Governance Training: The workshop reinforced that structured governance training is non‑negotiable. Cooperatives must undergo the full five‑day Cooperative Governance Training to ensure sustainability and accountability.
- Differentiated Pathways: Non‑functional cooperatives, which demonstrated limited understanding of cooperative principles, will be redirected to the Village Economy Programme, while operational cooperatives will continue with compliance and governance interventions.
Lessons Learned.
- Compliance must precede access to funding opportunities.
- Practical engagement, such as document reviews and enterprise assessments, adds immediate value.
- Collaboration between PSJDA, SEDFA, and Yakhani strengthens credibility and impact.
Looking Ahead.
The most significant recommendation arising from the workshop was a formal request to SEDFA to convene a five‑day Cooperative Governance Workshop in Port St Johns. This will ensure that all cooperative members and youth enterprises undergo comprehensive governance training.PSJDA remains committed to supporting cooperatives through compliance guidance, mentorship, and enterprise activation. By combining compliance support, governance training, and differentiated pathways, the municipality is positioning youth and women cooperatives as drivers of inclusive local economic transformation
Press Release Port St Johns Development Agency Strengthens Cooperative Compliance through Workshop Issued: 31 August 2026 | Port St Johns, Eastern Cape
The Port St Johns Development Agency (PSJDA), in partnership with the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEDFA) and Yakhani Cooperative Ltd, successfully convened a Business Compliance Workshop on 31 August 2026. The workshop formed part of the 2026 Cooperative Resilience & Youth Enterprise Activation Programme, aimed at addressing governance gaps, poor financial literacy, and limited youth and women inclusion in rural cooperatives.
The event brought together 27 participants, including youth and women cooperative leaders, municipal representatives, and institutional partners. Senior officials from PSJDA and SEDFA provided direct input, ensuring that local enterprises gained clarity on compliance obligations, registration pathways, and governance responsibilities.
Key Outcomes:
- All participating enterprises were formally entered into the SEDFA registration process, positioning them for ongoing non‑financial enterprise development support.
- Participants were encouraged to utilize the Compliance Support Desk within PSJDA, which provides technical assistance.
- The workshop reinforced that compliance must precede access to funding opportunities, with SEDFA assisting cooperatives to achieve full compliance before pursuing grants or blended finance calls.
- Structured governance training was emphasized as non‑negotiable, requiring cooperatives to undergo the full five‑day programme.
- Non‑functional cooperatives will be redirected to the Village Economy Programme, better suited to foundational support and activation.
The workshop reaffirmed the value of multi‑stakeholder collaboration in preparing youth and women cooperatives for sustainable enterprise activation. By combining compliance support, governance training, and differentiated pathways, PSJDA is positioning local cooperatives as drivers of inclusive economic transformation in Port St Johns.
For media enquiries, please contact: Port St Johns Development Agency (PSJDA)
Tel: 047-564-1188
Email: info@portstjohnsdev.org.za