Business owners invited to empowerment programme at Mehlareng

The City of Ekurhuleni has intensified its efforts to increase economic participation by the traditionally marginalised sectors of society through a community empowerment programme called Mintirho ya Vulavula, which means actions speak louder than words.

The city will conduct regional roadshows to heighten the empowerment programme which is scheduled to start on November 27 and will run until December 5. The aim is to help business entities and cooperatives owned by designated previously disadvantaged groups to become economically competitive and to participate effectively in the mainstream economy.

In Tembisa, the community empowerment programme will take place at Mehlareng Stadium on December 5.

The aim of the roadshow is to provide the local business fraternity with valuable information.

Thes participants will be exposed to application procedures necessary to include them in sub-contracting processes for the city’s preferential procurement programmes.

The programme is part of the city’s 10-point economic plan, which, among its key focus, is to support small and medium enterprises.

The programme is a legislative requirement the organs of state have to apply to facilitate preferential procurement system in designated economic areas with the aim of supporting previously disadvantaged groups.

The city invites members of designated groups for the purpose of contracting bidding processes.

The targeted enterprises and cooperatives for the roadshows are those that are at least 51% owned by:

• black people.

• black people who are youth.

• black women.

• black people living with disabilities.

•black people living in rural or underdeveloped areas or townships.

• black people who are military veterans.