South Africa has made progress in transforming Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and affording them the opportunity to contribute to the economy. This was said by the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe. She was speaking at a gala dinner hosted last night in her honour, by SMMEs who worked with her during her term in office. In her speech Thabethe pledged her continuous dedication to transforming SMMEs and broadening participation in the South African economy.
"South Africa is now a better place to invest in, do business and for small businesses to flourish. However, there is still a lot to be done. The challenges are still there and are addressable when we work together," she said.
Thabethe, who shared tears of joy, thanked the SMMEs for their willingness to contribute to job-creation and positioning South Africa as a better place to do business. She encouraged them to further take advantage of the opportunities that government has provided to support them.
Thabethe cautioned the SMMEs of forever emerging.
"While government is supporting you as small businesses, you need to be able to sustain your businesses, grow them, and employ more people. You cannot be emerging forever," she advised.
She acknowledged all those who took the challenge of positioning South Africa and showcasing what the country can offer to the world and at the same time contributing to the economy.
The Chief Executive Officer and founder of Unique Holding, Lebogang Moepeng who previously participated in the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti's) Investment Trade Initiatives (ITI) led by Deputy Minister Thabethe, described her as a mother and a caring leader. Moepeng said Thabethe's leadership had opened doors for his company in Nigeria and other African countries.
The dinner was also hosted to thank the dti for affording a number of youth based small businesses opportunities, through the ITI programme, to go all over the world building international relations and creating platforms for SMME's to expand their businesses.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe, Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 079 492 1774
Tel: 012 394 1650
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Twitter: @the_dti
