The Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Destea), with municipalities, have taken an initiative of exploring means to reviving the economy.
This is done through a roadshow led by MEC Limakatso Mahasa with a team of both the department and municipalities in the Free State.
Led by the department, the roadshow commenced on 14 June in Botshabelo in the Mangaung Metro Municipality and is set to continue till 13 December.
The roadshow is conducted under the theme “Tsebo e Matla”, meaning knowledge is power. It covers various topics that include intervention plans by Destea as the main driver.
It also looks at product and service offerings and technical assistance. The department also involves the Free State Development Corporation and the Free State Gambling Liquor and Tourism Authority.
Other strategic government partners involved, include the National Youth Development Agency (Nyda), National Empowerment Fund, Department of Labour of South Africa, Small Enterprise Finance Agency (Sefa), Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Home Affairs and the South African Revenue Service (Sars).
The department states that the roadshow aims at finding turn-out strategies to advancing the development of economy, tourism, environmental affairs, market public services and products provided by Destea.
Stakeholders are expected to make presentations on the provision of relevant on-site services on the advancement of Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) as the catalyst to achieve economic growth and development.