The news of the passing of Ms Violet Siwela has left us devastated. Her sad passing marks the end of a life that was selflessly dedicated to serving the people of South Africa, in particular the informal traders, cooperatives, micro, small and medium enterprises ecosystem.
At the time of her passing, Ms Siwela was serving as Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development. She discharged this huge responsibility with admirable distinction. She was a tireless and uncompromising champion of accountability, quality service delivery and clean governance.
Inspired by her proud legacy, we pledge to continue working tirelessly to ensure the growth and sustainability of small businesses. In her name and in honour of her legacy, we commit to ensure that the National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill is passed. This progressive Bill seeks to amend the National Small Enterprise Act to provide for the establishment of the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEDFA) and the subsequent disestablishment of the Small Enterprise Financing Agency (Sefa), the Co-operative Banks Development Agency (CBDA) and the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda); and for the establishment of the Office of the Small Enterprise Ombud Service. The Bill further enables the Minister to declare certain practices in relation to small enterprises to be prohibited as unfair trading practices and to make regulations with regard thereto. The successful passing of this Bill will be a fitting tribute to her commitment, dedication and passion for small business development.
On behalf of the department and the entire DSBD family, I convey our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, comrades and her political home, the African National Congress. We wish them strength and fortitude during this moment of grief. We hope they will find comfort in the knowledge that the entire nation shares in their pain.
Enquiries:
Cornelius Monama
Tel: 082 578 4063
Email: cmonama@dsbd,gov.za / cmonama@gmail.com
