Priscilla and Lucia General services
| Business Location: | Rural area - Villages |
| Province | Northern Cape |
| Branch: | ZF Mgcawu |
| Business Start Date: | |
| Busniess Type: | Company |
Business Dynamics and Challenges
Business Activities:
1. Cleaning Services
Corporate and office cleaning
Industrial and mine-site cleaning
Deep cleaning and sanitation services
Window and carpet cleaning
Pre- and post-occupation cleaning (residential & commercial)
Event and venue cleaning (before, during, and after events)
2. Event Management & Catering
Full-service event planning and coordination
Venue setup and décor
Catering for corporate functions, weddings, funerals, and private events
Supply of catering equipment and utensils
Staff hire for events (waiters, cleaners, ushers, etc.)
3. Supply & Support Services
Provision of cleaning consumables and equipment
Hiring of marquees, tents, tables, and chairs
Provision of mobile toilets and related facilities for outdoor functions
4. Corporate & Government Support Services
Conference and workshop setup & management
On-site hospitality services for official functions
Election-related support (e.g., cleaning, setup, catering for IEC projects)
Challenges/Needs:
Priscilla and Lucia General Services operates in a competitive cleaning and events management industry, which presents several challenges. The company faces strong competition from both established firms and informal service providers who often undercut pricing. Access to finance remains a constraint, limiting opportunities for expansion, equipment upgrades, and working capital.
Human resource management also poses difficulties, with high staff turnover and the need for continuous training in health, safety, and hygiene standards.
Operational challenges such as rising supply costs, supplier delays, and transport limitations affect efficiency, while compliance with labour, tax, and health regulations requires constant attention. Client retention is another key challenge, as larger competitors may attract recurring clients, while broader economic pressures, load shedding, and water shortages directly impact service delivery. Furthermore, limited integration of modern technology and digital platforms restricts the company’s ability to enhance efficiency and expand its market reach.
Intervention Insights and Results
Intervention Details:
The following interventions were proposed and implemented to address the challenges faced by Priscilla and Lucia General Trading (Pty) Ltd:
1.
Business Assessment (Assessment of Company’s Operation – ACO):
SEDFA conducted a thorough business assessment using its Diagnostic Tool, known as the Assessment of Company’s Operation (ACO). This process provides a detailed analysis of the client’s current business operations, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement. The assessment helps business owners better understand their operational efficiency, financial health, compliance status, and overall readiness for growth.
2.
Capacity Building and Training (Basic Business Skills Training):
To strengthen entrepreneurial capacity, SEDFA offered targeted training programmes focused on essential business skills to the client. These include financial management, record-keeping, marketing, customer service, compliance, and operational planning. The training equipped the entrepreneur, with the knowledge and skills needed to manage and grow a sustainable enterprise.
3.
Facilitation of Access to Finance (Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme – TREP):
Through this facilitation process, SEDFA supported the businesses in accessing much-needed funding opportunities. This was achieved via the Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP), which provided financial assistance tailored to the unique challenges faced by client through the funding application process, ensuring that they meet requirements and are well-prepared to secure finance for growth and development.
1.
Business Assessment (Assessment of Company’s Operation – ACO):
SEDFA conducted a thorough business assessment using its Diagnostic Tool, known as the Assessment of Company’s Operation (ACO). This process provides a detailed analysis of the client’s current business operations, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement. The assessment helps business owners better understand their operational efficiency, financial health, compliance status, and overall readiness for growth.
2.
Capacity Building and Training (Basic Business Skills Training):
To strengthen entrepreneurial capacity, SEDFA offered targeted training programmes focused on essential business skills to the client. These include financial management, record-keeping, marketing, customer service, compliance, and operational planning. The training equipped the entrepreneur, with the knowledge and skills needed to manage and grow a sustainable enterprise.
3.
Facilitation of Access to Finance (Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme – TREP):
Through this facilitation process, SEDFA supported the businesses in accessing much-needed funding opportunities. This was achieved via the Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP), which provided financial assistance tailored to the unique challenges faced by client through the funding application process, ensuring that they meet requirements and are well-prepared to secure finance for growth and development.
Outcome Details:
The interventions yielded the following results for Priscilla and Lucia General Services (Pty) Ltd:
1.
Business Development Training: The client successfully completed business development training, equipping her with essential skills to enhance her business operations and management capabilities.
2.
Finance and Legal Support: Through our SEDFA services and business development services, the company managed to get assistance to develop, 2-year Annual financial statements, to assist them with the funding application and to do an assessment of company’s operations.
3.
Turnover: Upon improvement assessment conducted, there has been a turnover increase from R 839 880 in the 2024-25 Financial Year to R 1 242 360, for the current financial year 2025-26.
4.
Employment: There is an increase in employment, from 1 employee to an additional 3 permanent employees. The business has 4 permanent employees, including the director.
1.
Business Development Training: The client successfully completed business development training, equipping her with essential skills to enhance her business operations and management capabilities.
2.
Finance and Legal Support: Through our SEDFA services and business development services, the company managed to get assistance to develop, 2-year Annual financial statements, to assist them with the funding application and to do an assessment of company’s operations.
3.
Turnover: Upon improvement assessment conducted, there has been a turnover increase from R 839 880 in the 2024-25 Financial Year to R 1 242 360, for the current financial year 2025-26.
4.
Employment: There is an increase in employment, from 1 employee to an additional 3 permanent employees. The business has 4 permanent employees, including the director.
Client Feedback
Client Comments:
“Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.”
