Big benefits for small businesses at supadrift
The third Supadrift Series Extravaganza gave small businesses extra edge to succeed. The Sportainment was hosted by Department of Economy and Enterprise Development in partnership with Ultrapex Communications managed by Rolance Molapisi, drifter from Mahikeng from 25-26 September 2015 in the parking area of Mmabatho Stadium.
The initiative is part of departmental mandate to support the small business sector as one of trajectories of economic growth through encouraged job creation and economic inclusion initiatives.
"By supporting Mr Molapisi, we are inculcating the culture of entrepreneurship with a possibility of aspiring young entrepreneurs being exposed not only to driving in this crowd pulling sporting activity, but exposure to opportunities in the niche markets of mechanization and textile industries within the sporting arena."
The event further provides a platform to activate vibrant economy for the realization of the Mahikeng Rebranding, Repositioning and Renewal Plan (MRRRP) as was launched by Premier earlier this year to put Mahikeng back in the spotlight as the capital city of Bokone Bophirima.
Addressing people of Mahikeng and visitors from other places who were full of excitement MEC said the partnership was forged to mitigate the challenge of youth unemployment and to showcase that government can work closely with entrepreneurs with the view of improving ordinary life of our communities in general.
The crowd puller sport brought the spinoffs to trickle down entrepreneurs both in the formal and informal business sectors, and thus created direct economic benefit through consumables.
"Young people should take advantage of available skills in areas of mechanics, driver development, textile and related activities which cannot be ruled out". The event can also be considered a composite sector that contributes to hospitality, tourism and transport, said the MEC.
Young aspiring entrepreneur like Naledi Tsetse, 33 year old and mother of three (3) residing in Motlhabeng Village was afforded an opportunity to sell food and fizzy drinks during the event.
Naledi is the owner of the gazebo that is selling food daily in Mmabatho Stadium Parking lot. She started her business three years ago with Lesley Tlholatlung from Rooigroond. They sell pap and meat to government employees and taxi drivers during lunch time.
"We have not yet registered a company but after making a profit of R1000 in a day we are surely going to accept the assistance from the department to register a cooperative so that we can formalise our business and make more money for our kids" said Naledi who was excited about the experience at the Drifting.
MEC urge young people to use untapped opportunities like this kind of an event to come up with innovative initiatives that can enable them to venture into and participate in the mainstream economy of the province without re-inventing the wheel.
"We have also established an economic empowerment fund to assist qualifying enterprises with equipment and raw material and to date we have offered assistance to approximately 30 businesses inclusive of women and young people across all the sectors,” she said.
The event attracted close to 8 000 people from Mahikeng and surrounding areas. To bring more opportunities to boost the economy the department will engage with Supadrift in identifying possible opportunities that may be tapped into to empower young people having interest in drifting in all the districts of Bokone Bophirima which includes Driver development, Motor mechanics and Textile industry.
MEC mentioned that this year marks the third year of pulling crowds from different corners of the country, and with the interest created through this endeavour, the department is hopeful that Mr. Molapisi will also transfer skills to young and aspiring drifters across the province whilst being able to sustain his business as a young person.
Enquiries:
Dumisa Seshabela
Cell: 079 522 7375 or 018 387 7860
Email: dseshabela@nwpg.gov.za
