The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) in partnership with the European Commission is leading the EU – South Africa Matchmaking Event at the Constitutional Hill in Johannesburg, Gauteng.

The event which is hosted with the support of the EU Delegation to South Africa and facilitated by the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP) and the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) comes at the backdrop of the Manufacturing Indaba which will be held on 24 to 26 October 2023.

Minister for Small Business Development Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams is in Sandton's Balalaika Hotel to address the 2023 Franchise Association of South Africa Conference this morning.

Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams is expected to engage the CEOs of South Africa’s leading franchise.

Franchising has of late developed into a major source of employment as well as investment.

Currently, South Africa has more than 850 franchiser brands that are active in South Africa with 4000 franchisees and 35000 units.

Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams made emphasis on the importance of simplifying processes for small businesses to strive.

“It is equally important for us as the government to design the support instruments based on what we see in the ground. It is our responsibility to create a conducive environment for small businesses to succeed. It is of paramount importance to indicate that entrepreneurs take interest on the development of policies that governs their business operations as this will improve both the work of government and business,” said Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams.

“South Africa and Spain also cooperate in various multilateral institutions, and often agree on mutual support for our respective candidates. South Africa, as the current Chair of the BRICS Group, aims to also engage with Spain, and the current President of the European Union, on working together to uphold the principles of the United Nations Charter and a rules-based international order,” said Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams.

The Minister for Small Business Development Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams is participating in the International Migration Workshop taking place at Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre, Boksburg, Gauteng.

The workshop seeks to find common understanding on initiatives that are aimed to manage international migration effectively in line with the National Development Plan and deliberate on the impact of migration in various communities.

“The National Development Plan is unequivocal about the importance and centrality of small business in job creation and the growth of our economy. Investment in small businesses is not an option, but an economic imperative.

“I wish to congratulate all entrepreneurs who participated in today’s competition! I hope none of the ideas we heard today will go fall by the wayside. There is no dustbin for business ideas. Business only needs to be refreshed, refined and updated to respond to the market realities and challenges,” said Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams.