Call for government to support SMMEs
NORTHGATE - Small business experts and aspiring franchisors flock the business exhibition at the Dome.
Aspiring small businesses and franchisers flocked the Dome on 11 September for the Business Opportunities and Franchise Expo (Bofe).
Economist Dawie Roodt, one of the business and financial experts that were on the panel during the opening of the Bofe, criticised government’s strategy of focusing on job creation rather than creating revolutionary economy.
“The single most important thing is the right to private property. The right for businesses to trade, have contracts with anyone that they want to do business with. Current labour legislations in South Africa are not friendly to the businesses,” argues Roodt.
Lebo Gunguluza of Gunguluza Enterprise and Media challenged Roodt’s assertions and stated emphatically that aspiring small business need more government support, especially with the infrastructure.
“People should stop thinking about funding before they start their businesses. You can start a business without funding, if you are going to create a service that is needed by people. I’m the example of that. I started my business without funding or tender and today I have a multi-million company,’’argues Gunguluza.
This business expo also celebrated 21 years of existence and according to Lynn Chamier GM of Thebe Reed Exhibitions. “Next year we are planning to hold such a business expo in Ghana, to ensure that we give deserving people business opportunities and knowledge that they can use to start their businesses,” explains Chamier.
