Supporting small business is big business
MEC Limakatso Mahasa took small business support to another level when she directly engaged more than 120 small businesses supported by DESTEA recently. Her message to Free State business community during the DESTEA Service Delivery Day was that DESTEA supports economically viable and sustainable enterprises for the development, growth and transformation of the provincial economy.
The entrepreneurs have received both financial and none financial support from DESTEA and its entities. At the listening session were business people and individuals supported by small business development section with equipment, youth assisted from Tabalaza, others in agro processing, environment and consumers who were saved millions through the department’s Consumer Protection Programme.
The highlight of the day was the listening session where the focus was the testimonies by beneficiaries about how they were assisted by the department and how their businesses have improved since the intervention by DESTEA.
One of the testimonies came from Mr. and Mrs. Pearce from the Stick and Stones Antiquity Company situated in Parys. They specialize in space saving furniture made from pallet wood, recycled and made into nice new useable furniture for all households, indoor and outdoor designs. They had the opportunity to exhibit their products at one of national exhibition shows. Since the exposure through DESTEA’s assistance at these exhibitions, the demand for their product has grown, they said.
Serasengoe Moodie and Sehularo Selaledi from Amity Development Solutions have a biltong producing company. The company is based in Thaba Nchu. Amity development solutions received assistance through agro-processing development fund pitching session. They have testified that since the intervention by DESTEA, their business has now expanded to owning livestock. This means that they no longer have to buy their raw material elsewhere to produce biltong.
Responding after listening to the good stories of beneficiaries, MEC Limakatso Mahasa said SMMEs should make use of opportunities granted to them by the department and government in general. She further encouraged SMMEs to participate in discussions with the department in an effort to ensure that nothing is done without their inputs. One of her commitment she made is that the closed clothing factory in Kroonstad will be re-opened to create jobs. Among others she would like to see the casino licence coming to Kroonstad.
Some of the SMMEs exhibited and sold their products to their counterparts, exhibitions consisted of design wear, beauty products, relish sauces and low energy saving mechanisms.
As part of the day’s activities, the MEC announced the establishment of the Smouse Container Park Development. This container park in Phomolong will provide opportunities for several local businesses.
From the Smouse Park, MEC Mahasa accompanied by Acting Mayor of Moqhaka Local Municipality; Councillor Brandon Rooikrans interacted and engaged more than 500 community members of Maokeng township at Constantia Hall about services offered by the department. Community members had an opportunity to voice their challenges, amongst the issues raised was the need to open DESTEA offices in Kroonstad and DESTEA Environment office to assist the local people to clean the grave yard. Generally, people were making business conversations.
MEC also indicated her plans for food festival and to open a shopping centre in Kroonstad. The MEC concluded by saying that people with viable business ideas should be assisted. She additionally handed over productive equipment to 21 emerging and deserving entrepreneurs. Equipment handed over ranged from laptops, fridges, lawn mower, hoover and trollies.
This was a true testimony that DESTEA Small Business support is a runaway success.
Enquiries:
Elsie Makhasane
Tel: 051 400 9573
Email: ntsane@destea.gov.za
Buko Gcolotela
Tel: 051 400 4725
Email: colotelab@destea.gov.za
