Midrand’s economic group regains stability post-Covid-19 pandemic
"The highlights were to see local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME's) in our membership flourishing this year," said Tele.
Midrand Local Economic Empowerment’s (MLEE) secretary general believes the economic group regained much-needed stability in 2022 after the effects of Covid-19 pandemic.
Lisa Tele said they saw their members recovering in their businesses after being hit by a hard lockdown.
“[2022] has been a year of growth. The highlights were to see some small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME’s) in our membership flourishing [last] year. The Analyticus founded by Muriel Mbedzi received the prestigious inaugural co-operatives and presidential award. The Breadbox Bakery founded by Hlogonolo Ledwaba received the prestigious 702 SMME’S award,” said Tele.
She said their low point was not having any of the construction developments finalising their commitments of allocating at least 30% of the contracts to the local communities.
Tele added that this year, 2023, they were planning to start early to mobilise all the forces and get all the big businesses in Midrand to partner with local SMMEs.
“This will also ensure that we engage all the developers to commit to the allocation of work to local SMMEs. We will collaborate with all parties involved in ensuring our mission is fulfilled. MLEE will take a lot of initiatives to empower youth and women, particularly those who have graduated this year and are not getting employment. We also plan to work with Provincial Government and municipalities in their socio-economic initiatives within Region A.”
The economic empowerment was established in July 2017 and has over 300 small businesses as affiliated members. They encompass various industries such as construction, catering, events management, security, project management and engineering.
Tele said their commitment was to drive their objectives of fighting for economic empowerment and emancipation of small business from exclusion.
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