All systems go for inaugural rural business summit

First Rural Industrialisation Summit brings entrepreneurs, government and private sector partners together to unlock opportunities for rural businesses.

1 minute ago

Mbuso Kunene 1 minute read

Nana Zulu, MD of Bhekithembi Enterprise Development NPC Photo: Supplied

The region is ready for the first annual Rural Industrialisation Summit to be held at the Port Durnford community hall this week.

Running from tomorrow (Tuesday) to Thursday, over 250 entrepreneurs are expected to participate, with the aim of unlocking new opportunities for rural businesses.

Symposium organiser Nana Zulu, MD of Bhekithembi Enterprise Development NPC, confirmed to the Zululand Observer on Friday that over 100 interested business owners have been registered.

“All the speakers have confirmed their attendance and more entrepreneurs are coming for registration on the first day of the event,” said Zulu.

The three-day information-sharing and exhibition programme is bringing together business leaders, government stakeholders, development organisations and private sector partners.

Some of the topics to be unpacked under different sub-themes by various speakers include mindset coaching, entrepreneurship, starting and growing a business in your community, marketing your products and services through branding, customer service and digital marketing, leadership for business growth, building resilient and sustainable enterprises, as well as business compliance.

“The central message is clear. Rural communities should not only consume products and services; they should manufacture, build, supply, trade and own businesses that contribute meaningfully to the economy,” said Zulu.

Among the speakers and organisations expected to present useful information at the summit are the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA), municipalities, the Department of Agriculture, Moses Kotane Research Institute, the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZCCI), the Department of Communications and Technologies, National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) and private financial institutions.

Don’t have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: