Small business development roadshow rolls into town
Small business owners get educated.
Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda), Small Enterprise Finance Agency (Sefa) and the Lesedi Local Municipality held a roadshow in the Ratanda Multipurpose Hall on March 8.
Minister of Small Business Development Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, Gauteng MEC Economic Development, Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development, Parks Tau, executive mayor of Sedibeng District Municipality Lerato Maloka, director-general of Small Business Development Lindokuhle Mkhumane, PEC Member of SAYC Ben Mkhabela, Vaal SEZ programme director Xola Sithole, CEO Gauteng Enterprise Propeller Saki Zamxaka, finance MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, Local Economic Development and Planning MMC Themba Motsepe and executive mayor of Lesedi Local Municipality Mluleki Nkosi were in attendance.
The roadshow was aimed at educating small business owners on the practices from the government’s side, as well as informing them about financial agencies and applying for grants and loans from Seda or Sefa.
The small enterprise development programme is geared towards obtaining more finance and creating jobs in the rural and township areas. The idea is to unlock job opportunities and job creation within the rural and township areas.
“Covid-19 has destroyed industries, communities and the economy on a huge scale,” Nkosi said.
“We want to turn the economy around and capitalise on opportunities in the small business sector. It is the local government’s responsibility to create job opportunities for the local community.
“We need to think out of the box, take on the challenges and make them work.”
Tau said, “The government is introducing a new programme aimed at economically small businesses.”
He mentioned that Sedibeng has extra economy zones focusing on new and green energy resources.
“The main business sectors in Sedibeng are retail, agriculture, steel, energy and construction areas.
“We are hoping to have all sectors operational in eight years to have all the businesses linked to being as energy efficient as possible.
“Some of the energy sources that the Gauteng government is looking at for Sedibeng is forms of alternative energy and green hydrogen. Hydrogen can be used to produce cleaner steel for local as well as the export market.”
Ndabeni-Abrahams remarked, “We are embarking on a nationwide roadshow to communicate with business owners and small businesses and to find out where we can help them. We want to provide opportunities for businesses to grow their trade and create employment.”
Abrahams said, “We are hoping to create around 30 million jobs by 2030. It is your responsibility to report illegal trading as it is against the municipal by-laws.”
Abrahams concluded with a quote from President Cyril Rhamaphosa, “It is high time that we grow our small businesses in South Africa and to get the economy back on track”.
Questions were asked by the small business owners to the dignitaries.
