18 Feb 2019
Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) together with its agencies; the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) and Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NAFCOC) on Friday the 15th of February 2019.
President of NAFCOC, Mr. Sabelo Macingwane said “As the chamber, we are excited about this partnership because it will encourage sourcing of locally produced products. We also aim to increase exports of South African made stuff. We as Nafcoc campaigned for the creation of this department and we have no doubt it will be retained in the reconfigured cabinet as black small businesses have no other home”, continued Macingwane.
In his 2019 State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that there is much needed entrepreneurial service to small and medium enterprises in the rural areas and townships but more especially to young people who want to start their businesses.
Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu stressed importance in the reinforcement of this mutually beneficial partnership. “We have similar aspirations in the promotion of entrepreneurship, enhanced productivity especially amongst SMME’s and Cooperatives as well as economic growth that leads to jobs, our concerted efforts will revive rural and township enterprises” explained Zulu.
As stated, NAFCOC was amongst the first black business formations to lobby for the establishment of a dedicated Ministry for the promotion and development of small businesses and cooperatives in the country. The Chamber sees the Department as a strategic partner to work with, towards creating a conducive environment for small businesses including critically reviewing national, provincial and local government legislation that hinder the growth and success of SMME’s in South Africa.
DSBD and NAFCOC shall cooperate through Seda and sefa to execute outreach programmes aimed at exposing the products and services of the Department and its agencies. They will also co-locate where these agencies have offices and the same will happen at all NAFCOC offices countrywide.
DSBD and NAFCOC through sefa and other DSBD instruments shall facilitate the funding of qualifying members of NAFCOC especially for their buying group initiative for the retail sector aimed at giving buying power to small retailers and traders all over the country through a credit guarantee programme and other relevant funding instruments such as incentives from the department.
Acting Director General of the Department, Mr. Lindokuhle Mkhumane said that they are working very closely with their agencies through a portfolio approach because the objective is to ensure that SMME’s are capacitated to compete successfully both domestically and internationally. “It is without doubt that our task would be much more difficult without partnerships like NAFCOC” disclosed Mkhumane.
Enquiries:
Noko Manyelo
Spokesperson: Department of Small Business Development
Cell: 060 972 5221
E-mail: nmanyelo@dsbd.gov.za
