By Kwanele Ntombela and Mendy Mtshali
The Department of Small Business Development was in town to give Durban small business owners much-needed equipment at The Station in Durban yesterday.
The Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, together with eThekwini Municipality, the Small Enterprise Development Agency, the Small Enterprise Finance Agency and the National Development Plan joined forces to support small enterprises.
Ndabeni-Abrahams underscored the significance of promoting collaboration between the government, the private sector and civil society for economic growth and development during the handover event.
“Today, as the Department of Small Business Development, we are here to hand over the equipment to the small businesses that we are supporting. Many entrepreneurs are struggling. They do want to start businesses and others have started, but they want to scale up, but they are running short of equipment and this is the intervention that we provide as the department for the different segments that we are responsible for,” she said.
She expressed her hope that the support provided to small business owners will contribute to economic growth significantly.
“We have informal and micro traders that we provide equipment in terms of support that goes up to R15 000’s worth. We have handed over sewing machines, baking ovens and other things people have asked for.
“There is a category that falls under small businesses that make less than R3 million a year, where they request support of up to R250 000, then there are those that say they want to work with others, so we have formed a co-operative and those we support up to R5 million, depending on the size and what their request is. We have handed over trackers, trucks and bakkies that they have asked for,” said the minister.
The beneficiaries, representing various sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and construction, expressed gratitude for the government’s support.
Thobekile Makhoba, one of the beneficiaries, expressed her gratitude for the support. “Today, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. As small business owners, we are grateful for the help in simplifying our operations and improving our livelihoods through this essential equipment.
“I have a kitchen in Mansel (Road), where I cook traditional meals every day. So far, I employ eight people to work in my kitchen. I am grateful for (the business) support and encouragement. I would like to encourage my fellow entrepreneurs to engage with the local council to access similar opportunities.”
Cebo Hlubi, a driving instructor who provides specialised driving lessons to people with disabilities, believes that their motorised car donation will impact on the lives of his clients significantly.
“This car will allow me to reach more students and make a real difference in their lives. I am grateful to Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams and all the stakeholders for recognising the importance of inclusive mobility,” he concluded.
