All systems go for eagerly awaited launch of South Africa’s first bulk buying programme aimed at uplifting small businesses
History will be made tomorrow when the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) unveils its much-anticipated bulk buying and warehousing programme aimed at dramatically benefitting emerging businesses in the retail sector.
As part of the launch, EDTEA MEC, Mr Sihle Zikalala and mayors from various municipalities around the province will officially open a state of the art warehouse in the Mandeni Municipality.
Warehouses will be built throughout the province to ensure that small traders do not travel long distances to purchase goods and that they get them at drastically reduced rates to maximise profits.
Tomorrow’s launch follows several bulk buying roadshows in the eThekwini Metro, Amajuba, UMgungundlovu and King Cetshwayo Districts.
Mr Zikalala says the bulk buying and warehousing programme marks a significant achievement by the KZN provincial government and the people of KwaZulu-Natal at large.
“Over the past few weeks, we have been on various roadshows educating our communities and KZN traders about this ground-breaking initiative which we will ultimately launch on Tuesday. It marks a new chapter in our ongoing efforts to support small enterprise development which we see as key in the fight against poverty, unemployment, and inequality."
MEC Zikalala added that the provincial government viewed the bulk buying programme as a crucial pillar of economic transformation and an important step in revitalizing township and rural economies.
Members of the media are cordially invited to cover the official launch which will take place as follows:
Date: 26 March 2019
Venue: Isithebe Industrial Estate, Pink Street
Time: 9h00
After the launch, the MEC will also engage with hundreds of small traders at Sibusisiwe Hall in Mandeni on the same day.
The bus shuttle for journalists will leave the Playhouse at 7:30 am.
For more information:
Bongani Shisa Tembe
Cell: 082 327 2600
Nathi Olifant
Cell: 060 970 5113
