The Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu says her department will promote a co-ordinated and integrated support across government spheres and institutions for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in order to upscale the support provided. Minister Zulu was addressing more than 700 delegates at a Small Business and Cooperatives Summit that was hosted by her department in partnership with the provincial Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development Department in Matlosana, Bokone Bophirima, today.
The theme of the Summit was Unlocking of the Potential of SMMEs, Cooperatives, Township and Rural Enterprises.
“Government is keen to ensure coordinated support to small businesses and cooperatives because each government department or agency across all the three spheres has something to offer to small businesses and cooperatives. Our department will enter into transversal agreements with other government departments and government supported agencies across all spheres to implement requisite support measures for SMMEs and cooperatives,” said Minister Zulu.
She emphasised that critical benefits of transversal agreements were that they would assist government to avoid duplication, utilise scarce resources optimally and give concrete expression to coordinated and integrated governance and service delivery.
“As we continue to seek better ways of supporting small businesses and cooperatives, we must appreciate the need for synergy between national, provincial and local government programmes. Policy harmony is critical if we are to unlock the potential of SMMEs and co-operatives. We will ensure that the work of our funding agencies is informed by our vision of radical economic transformation,” added Minister Zulu.
She also announced that the Small Enterprise Finance Agency’s migration to the Department of Small Business Development is meant to ensure a more integrated approach towards extending support to SMMEs and cooperatives. This move will ensure that there is access to finance for small businesses and cooperatives throughout the country.
“Our department will also develop a business rescue strategy aimed at supporting SMMEs and cooperatives in financial distress. We will also adopt policies that respond to the economic aspirations of the historically oppressed and marginalised. This we must do because our struggle for liberation was for the economic emancipation and empowerment of our people,” said Minister Zulu
She emphasised the importance of creating a symbiotic relationship between big and small businesses to add impetus to the growth and sustainability of SMMEs and cooperatives.
“We acknowledge that working on our own, we will not be able to see the optimal potential of the SMME sector. In this regard, we are adopting an approach of collaboration and partnership with both the public and private sector. We will also mobilise the private sector to support SMMEs and cooperatives. We will pursue partnerships with the private sector to ensure that small businesses and cooperatives are assisted and empowered to grow into viable and thriving enterprises,” pledged Minister Zulu
Speaking at the same event, the MEC for Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development in Bokone Bophirima, Ms Wendy Joy Nelson, said the provincial government has decided that 60% of procurable items should be sourced from the entrepreneurs based in villages, townships and small towns with total bias to SMMEs and cooperatives.
“The province’s Village, Township and Small Dorpies Enterprise Development Strategy will provide practical interventions for all types of business which would include tuckshops and taxi rank economy. We recognise the fact that small businesses should create jobs and contribute in changing the apartheid legacy patterns of business ownership,” said MEC Nelson.
Nelson further said that the Provincial Small Business Strategy will be reviewed. In addition, the province will also fast track finalisation of the Cooperative Development Strategy so that they are aligned with the priorities of government.
Issued jointly by Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) and Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development Department in Bokone BophirimaMEC for Finance Economy and Enterprise Development in Bokone Bophirima, Ms Wendy Joy Nelson and Minister for Small Business Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu at the Small business and Cooperatives Summit in Matlosana today.
Enquiries:
Cornelius Monama (Department of Small Business Development (DSBD)
Tel: 012 394 3027
Cell: 082 578 4063
E-mail: CMonama@dsbd.gov.za
Ms Baabua Thukubi (Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development (FEED)
Tel: 018 387 7710
Cell: 082 374 7161
E-mail: BThukubi@nwpg.gov.za
