Gauteng Premier David Makhura recently launched a campaign aimed at registering 10 000 township Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) with a turnover of less than R1 million.
Premier Makhura made this announcement during his two-day Ntirhisano Community Outreach Programme in Mogale City. Throughout his interaction with communities, Premier Makhura revealed that Gauteng Provincial Government is going to roll out a massive programme to boost SMMEs.
Addressing the community at Chief Mogale Community Hall in Swanieville and Munsieville Sport Complex, Premier Makhura and Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development, Lebogang Maile said the campaign is aimed at giving township businesses economic muscle to compete with well-established businesses.
“This campaign was initiated last year throughout the province. Qondis’ ishishini lakho (Fix Your Business) Campaign is aimed at changing perceptions about business registration and awakening township businesses to the benefits of business formalisation such as opportunities for funding, credit lending and greater market access,” Premier Makhura said.
“Township economy is at the centre of our programme for radical economic transformation. We must work towards conditions where every rand generated from township economy circulates within the township economy and benefits township residents,” Premier Makhura added.
He said the campaign is part of Gauteng’s efforts to integrate township businesses into the value chains of big industries and sectors of the economy.
The campaign will bring together various government agencies that deal with taxation, registration, funding, water and electricity as well as liquor licenses under one roof to provide immediate onsite assistance to businesses across Gauteng townships.
MEC Maile said the campaign responds to challenges outlined by entrepreneurs during the Township Economic Revitalisation Roadshows conducted across 65 Gauteng townships last year.
“During the township economy revitalisation roadshows, entrepreneurs complained about the red tape involved in getting a business off the ground, especially about issues related to registration and permits, zoning, operational space, electricity and water connections. These challenges stifle the growth of many businesses,” MEC Maile said.
The provincial government has committed to giving qualifying township-based businesses all contracts that are under R500 000. He said the provincial government had taken a decision that 30% of its budget will be spent on township entrepreneurs.
“From now on, there will be no excuses for any government department or agency to overlook township businesses in procurement processes. We are determined to demonstrate that our actions regarding township economy match our words,” MEC Maile said.