Small businesses must take advantage of a host of opportunities provided by government. This was the central message Minister Rob Davies conveyed to small businesses and cooperatives in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg today.
“Small business support is a vital life-line for areas like Orange Farm, which is plagued by one of the highest unemployment figures and poverty levels within Johannesburg.”
“Cooperatives must be effectively used as a model to empower South African communities by creating employment and helping to eradicate poverty,” said Minister Davies.
Briefing local businesses about the programmes, Minister Davies also said that there was a need to ensure that empowerment programmes reach the targeted beneficiaries.
“We will be very stringent on empowerment aspects such as supplier development and skills development, especially among women. We have also made strides in ensuring that fronting is classified as a criminal offence,” said Davies.
Reflecting on the importance of enterprise support and development in townships, Minister Davies said “we come from a history where enterprise among black people was actively stifled by the apartheid regime. This was a deliberate strategy to push black people to the margins of economic development and prosperity, in this regard Davies emphasised that the orientation of B-BBEE was aimed at ensuring that black enterprises are elevated to effectively get business opportunities.’
Addressing local businesses, Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Nkosiphendule Kolisile said small businesses and cooperatives are the bedrock of Gauteng’s vision to inclusively grow its economy and create decent jobs.
“Small businesses must occupy their place in our economy and in the fight against unemployment and poverty,” he said.
Kolisile also highlighted the role of the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller which provides financial and non-financial support to businesses across a range of sectors including construction, wholesale and retail, agriculture, ICT, automotive and manufacturing sectors.
The local business community called on government to strengthen business incubation programmes in order to build sustainable and prosperous businesses within the township and reduce red tape and access to funding.
The event was also attended by the Gauteng MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Nandi Mayathula-Khoza and Member of Parliament Sisa Njikelana.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe – Department of Trade and Industry
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Follow us on Twitter @the_dti
Ms Phindile Kunene- Gauteng Department of Economic Development
Tel: 011 085 2538
Cell: 082 494 2409
E-mail: Phindile.kunene@gauteng.gov.za
Follow us on twitter @GautengDED
