Calls made for improved black business support

Conversations about youth involvement in strategic sectors aligned with broader calls for improved black business support topped the agenda at the Pieter Rademeyer Hall in Algoa Park this week.

The venue became a cauldron of activity for SMMEs, government entities and other stakeholders at a business support activation seminar.

It followed an appeal to trade, industry and competition minister Ebrahim Patel for increased youth and informal trade access to government support instruments during his working visit to businesses in Struandale, Kariega and Algoa Park on April 16.

The call resulted in participation by the National Empowerment Fund (NEF), Industrial Development Corporation of SA, Small Enterprise Development Agency and Services Sector Education and Training Authority in a community engagement.

Requester, activist and UN youth advisory panel member Luyolo Dwesi welcomed the initiative, also attended by representatives of the Small Enterprise Finance Agency, National Youth Development Agency and Companies and Intellectual Property Commission.

“As a fundamental economic driver, it is important [to have] youth participation in the trade sector, given their lack of involvement,” Dwesi said.

“The current status quo sees young people at the centre of high rates of socioeconomic issues, including unemployment, crime and poverty. 

“Though an information-sharing platform, the [programme] provides a pathway for young people and others who have fallen behind due to a lack of knowledge.”

Trade, industry and competition strategy partnership and customer care regional manager Andre le Grange said his department espoused bridging the gap between the community and government entities. 

“We are planning this as a major driver for the coming year,” Le Grange said.

“Such events help us engage directly with people.

“We want to do away with static workshops and make the platform more dynamic.”

On whether the platform was solely information-based, he said the intervention was aimed at “unblocking” — addressing the information gap through the introductions.

“We are trying to be more practical in our engagements instead of only passing out information leaflets.” 

Community stakeholder Sabelo Nkuhlu said the government should expand opportunities to small businesses. 

“The platform will offer an opportunity for small businesses to interface with the government on a broad scale,” he said. 

“Beyond that, it will change the lives of ordinary people in terms of skills transfer and employment opportunities. 

“However, the government can do more to address the community’s needs and historical deficiencies.” 

National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nafcoc) Eastern Cape deputy president Mlungisi John said his entity was concerned about the lack of involvement of black business in the organised labour market. 

“We have not benefited from [formal] business structures in Gqeberha, among them Coega, VW and Transnet programmes. 

“As black community businesses, we want to be part of the development.” 

NEF investment analyst Viwe Nqebe agreed government agencies could do more in employing support and development mechanisms for small-scale and informal entrepreneurs.

“We are not doing as much as we should, and there is still room for improvement,” Nqebe said.

“Hence, we deemed it necessary to form part of the event, to be heard and seen and do away with the perceptions about the extensive red tape found within government entities.

“However, it’s not necessarily red tape but administrative requirements for businesses to be sustainable and employ more people.

“We’re here to listen to the concerns and challenges and assist, to the extent we have a business planner tool kit for entrepreneurs to take advantage of.”

Activist Nolubabalo Putuma-Sifali called for the government to turn unskilled labourers in the community involved in sewing, gardening and other informal trades into a consortium.

“It will ensure their businesses are viable and can access the necessary support tools, including financial and non-financial assistance.”

Dinisokoti Trading construction SMME owner Linda Destile said: “The government should do away with all the red tape.

“As businesswomen in Gqeberha, we struggle on many fronts, from calculating tenders to reading documents.

“We are asking the government to assist us to be better [equipped].”

HeraldLIVE