What started as a training opportunity for nine community members has grown into a fully operational business that is creating jobs, strengthening local organisations, and supporting community development across the Witzenberg area. Witzenberg Excellence, a registered small business specialising in research, monitoring and evaluation, and event implementation, is the first of its kind to successfully launch a data collection-focused enterprise in the Witzenberg district.
The company was established four years ago, following a Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (MER) learnership funded by Perdekraal East Wind Farm and implemented with support from the Africa Foundation for Sustainable Development (AFSD). The nine team members were selected from communities including Nduli, Bella Vista, Ceres and Prince Alfred’s Hamlet, and within just four months of practical training, they successfully established their own SMME.
“The support we have received from the wind farm has played a significant role in the growth and development of Witzenberg Excellence. We are truly grateful for the opportunities that have been created through this partnership and for the trust placed in our company. This support has assisted us in strengthening our business, improving our skills and systems, and giving us the opportunity to grow while delivering quality professional services. It has motivated us to continue striving for excellence and has given us confidence in our vision and the services we provide,” said Marcquin Prins, Managing Director of Witzenberg Excellence.
Today, the company employs nine local individuals, eight of them women, and provides services including monitoring and evaluation of community-funded projects, support for Asset-Based Community Development initiatives, event planning, procurement, and business support. Their work helps ensure that development funding is effectively used while strengthening local organisations.
Since its establishment, Witzenberg Excellence has expanded its services, strengthened its internal systems, and achieved key milestones, including moving into its first office in April 2026 after three years of remote work.
“We were inspired to invest in programmes like the Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting training to strengthen the effectiveness and sustainability of its social investment initiatives. Through this initiative, we are also contributing to job creation and skills development by building local capacity in data management and programme coordination,” said Rouchet Daniels, Economic Development Manager for Perdekraal East WInd Farm.
Looking ahead, the company aims to expand beyond the Western Cape while continuing to create opportunities within local communities.
“Our future goal is to grow Witzenberg Excellence into a recognised and trusted company. We want to create more opportunities through job creation and skills development, especially for first-time job seekers. In the long term, we want to build a lasting legacy, a business that continues to benefit future generations while making a meaningful difference in our communities,” added Prins.
