Empowerment unit launched

Some 200 established and emerging businesspersons in the province converged at Peter Mokaba Stadium for the official launch of Limpopo Small Business Empowerment Unit (Sbeu) last Thursday.
The organisation reportedly aims to unlock enterprise development and procurement of opportunities both in the private and public sectors. When addressing the crowd, Sbeu Capricorn district chairperson Tshepho Mathabatha indicated that some critical areas in the business industry have not been fully explored by small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) because of lack of an effective strategy.
She went on to say the organisation also aims to address the historical challenges that impede development of SMMEs such as access to information, finance, markets for services and products and access to skills development and training. Mathabatha stressed that businesspeople put their money in various financial institutions but the majority of them fail to do business with those particular banks.
The gathering was addressed by Sbeu President Nape Khomo, Provincial chairperson Tsakani Nkambule, and Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (Ledet) Head of Department Solly Kgopong.
When welcoming the attendees, Nkambule emphasised that partnership plays a pivotal role in organisations and reiterated that creativity and innovation were some of the best elements in business. She added that Sbeu was a great platform that SMMEs should use to boost their businesses and compete in a global market.
Kgopong reminded the audience that the department has several programmes that aim to assist businesses in the province, adding that small businesses should make use of these programmes to grow. The department can also help emerging entrepreneurs to access relevant information and apply for funding, he stated. Kgopong further explained that there were programmes where young people were trained in different fields for them to get employment or start businesses and urged everyone to make use of such programmes.

Story and photos: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za