Minister of Small Business Development, Lindiwe Zulu, earlier today visited Kimberley in the Northern Cape Province to evaluated the performance of the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda).
Zulu says the agency in the province has reached great achievements and assisted many business owners in past year.
She, however, points out that community members in some parts of the country are still not aware of services provided by the agency. Zulu applauded small, medium business owners in the Northern Cape province for creating employment for others, and contributing to the country’s overall economic development.
“It was exciting to see young business woman presenting their business success stories without relying on the government. We came here to Kimberley to prove that rural areas can also make meaningful financial contributions.  Rural provinces also need the government’s attention,” she said.
Zulu says the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) helps the public with non-financial support. It helps upcoming business owners to structure and plan their businesses.
She says small business development is the future of this country. Zulu says SMME’s create employment and contribute to the country’s GDP. Zulu says the 2015/16 financial year alone saw more than 18 000 registered small businesses, and this proves that the country is heading in the right direction.
Zulu mentioned that the time has come to develop businesses in impoverished communities.
She urges business owners to work harder and encourage the broader public to engage in activities that improve their financial status and that of the entire country.
The 2016 Annual Stakeholder Forum which took place on the 7th of October 2016 in Kimberley, Northern Cape, and was preceded by the Minister, by the Premier of the Northern Cape, Ms Sylvia Lucas, and MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Mr Mack Jack.
Katleho Morapela/Courant News
katleho@centralmediagroup.co.za
