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SMALL, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) from Kouga gathered at Mentors Country Estate for a Business Opportunity Workshop hosted by the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) on Tuesday.
The event saw government departments and agencies, together with their partners in the corporate sector, sharing information on opportunities such as enterprise development finance, tax and other legislative compliance and services offered by the institutions to emerging businesses.
The theme was: “Innovation for Sustainable Development”.
The day was also used to mark Global Entrepreneurship Week, which is celebrated worldwide between 12 and 17 November and is aimed at inspiring people to engage in entrepreneurship while celebrating innovative individuals who have initiated business ventures that help to create jobs.
Kouga Planning, Development and Tourism Portfolio Councillor Bryan Dhludhlu said the session was also meant to help local business people to network while they learnt about the latest developments in their different sectors.
“For our economy to grow and in helping people improve their lives, we have to create an enabling and inclusive environment for them to participate meaningfully in the broader economy.
“We trust that everyone in attendance was able to take something back home with them that will help them grow stronger in their business ventures.
“More importantly, we would like to see people knocking at the doors of these institutions so as to make use of the opportunities they offer,” he said.
Dhludhlu said the municipality would continue playing its role of facilitating empowerment platforms for its residents.
The workshop also included a motivational talk by someone from humble beginnings who made a success of her venture.
Francine Zana is a director of Exclusive Hospitality Concepts, a hospitality industry consulting company that she started with her meagre salary.
Zana, a Motherwell resident, has managed to grow her company to such an extent that she now does consulting work for national and international establishments.
“This workshop is a very good initiative and government support of this nature needs to be encouraged.
“I would, however warn against over-reliance and over-dependence on the state, but for us to try to be self-sufficient.
“You sit here today as SMMEs, but that should not be the ultimate. We must go out and enter the space of big business as well,” said Zana.
