The Department of Small Business Development led by Deputy Minister Dipuo Peters is handing over business tools and equipment to 59 informal traders in Mafikeng Local Municipality, North West province.

The beneficiaries are part of the Informal Micro Enterprise Development Programme (IMEDP), a 100% grant aimed at improving the competitiveness and sustainability of SMMEs, Cooperatives and informal traders.

The benefiting 59 informal and micro enterprises are from villages and townships, mainly in Mahikeng Local Municipality and surrounding areas.

"The Informal Micro Enterprise Development Programme (IMEDP) is a specially designed programme that aims to empower and develop informal traders to become skilled and adequately equipped to manage their businesses," Deputy Minister Dipuo Peters.