Discover how Netjies Leather partnered with Bighearts Africa to grow their business, transfer valuable leather craftsmanship skills, and create meaningful opportunities for young people through subsidised youth placements
At **Bighearts Africa**, we work alongside small businesses that believe growth should create opportunity — not only for the business itself, but for the people and communities around it. **Netjies Leather** is one such business, where traditional craftsmanship meets purposeful employment and skills transfer. Their journey with Bighearts Africa shows how subsidised youth placements can strengthen an SMME while opening doors for young people eager to learn and grow. --- ## A Partnership Built on Shared Values Netjies Leather partnered with Bighearts Africa during a period of growth where expanding capacity was essential — but taking on new staff carried financial risk. Through our youth hosting programme, Netjies Leather was able to onboard young employees whose stipends were sponsor-funded, creating space to focus on **training, mentorship, and hands-on learning** without the usual financial pressure. This partnership allowed the business to invest in people first — confident that systems, compliance, and youth support were handled through the Bighearts ecosystem. > BigHearts made it possible for us to invest in people without the financial strain that often comes with training new staff. --- ## Passing on the Art of Leather Craftsmanship Leatherwork is a skilled trade that requires patience, precision, and time. At Netjies Leather, youth placements were not treated as temporary labour, but as learners entering a craft with a long-term future. Through daily on-the-job experience, young people were trained in: - Practical leather craftsmanship techniques - Workplace discipline and consistency - Quality control and attention to detail - Pride in producing handcrafted goods By combining real work with structured support, Netjies Leather ensured that skills transfer was meaningful — equipping youth with experience they can carry forward into sustainable employment. --- ## Strengthening Small Businesses Through Youth Hosting This is the essence of the **Bighearts Africa Absorption Journey**. We collaborate with SMMEs to create environments where businesses can grow while youth gain real work experience. For host businesses like Netjies Leather, this means: - Access to **subsidised labour**, reducing financial risk - Ongoing **youth support and tracking** - Compliance and administrative oversight - A pathway toward long-term absorption and sustainability For youth, it means more than a placement — it means becoming part of a working team, learning skills that matter, and building confidence through contribution. --- ## A Growing Family, Not Just a Workforce What stands out most in Netjies Leather’s story is not only the skills transferred, but the sense of belonging created. The youth placed through the programme became part of the **Netjies Leather family**, contributing to both the culture and the productivity of the business. This kind of integration is what drives real absorption — where youth are not simply placed, but welcomed, mentored, and valued. > We are deeply grateful for the difference BigHearts has made — not only in our business, but in the lives of the youth who are now part of our Netjies Leather family. --- ## Why Stories Like This Matter Across South Africa, many SMMEs want to grow but are constrained by the cost and risk of training new staff. Partnerships like the one between Bighearts Africa and Netjies Leather show what’s possible when systems, funding, and values align. By supporting small businesses and creating structured youth opportunities, we contribute to: - Sustainable SMME growth - Practical skills development - Increased youth employability - Stronger local economies This is how impact scales — one business, one placement, one skill at a time. --- ## Be Part of the Journey If you’re an SMME looking to grow your business while developing young talent, or a partner interested in supporting youth employment through real work experience, we’d love to walk the journey with you. Explore how the **Bighearts Dashboard** connects businesses, youth, and opportunity — and how hosting youth can strengthen your business from the inside out. 👉 Visit bighearts.africa or email info@bighearts.africa to learn more about becoming part of the Bighearts Africa network.