Current Edition >> Archives Section >> SMME Information >> Dec / Jan 2003
Matjhabeng Nywerheidspark : Die Matjhabeng Nywerheidspark in Welkom ter waarde van R2,4 miljoen is in November 2002, drie jaar nadat daarmee begin is, geopen. Die park is in 1999 deur die Dept. van Handel en Nywerheid, in samewerking met Ntsika en die Dept. van Openbare Werke, begin om werkloosheid en armoede in die streek aan te pak. Dit is een van drie nasionale projekte van sy soort en die een in Matjhabeng is die enigste een wat nog aan die gang is. Die plan met die park is om 'n geleentheid vir klein ondernemings te skep om op die been te kom. Sowat 49 mense is in diens geneem en 75 indirekte poste is geskep. Die park bedien Welkom, Odendaalsrus, Virginia, Hennenman, Ventersburg en Allanridge.
Business applications by blacks few : According to statistics from The Enterprise Organisation (TEO), a division of the Dept. of Trade and Industry (DTI), applications for support from small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME's) owned by previously-disadvantaged people constitute a paltry 3% of the applications being received. Altogether, there are about 70 incentive schemes offered by government which businesses in various sectors can take advantage of. The TEO says that it strives that about 50% of the applications should come from previously disadvantaged people. The low uptake of incentives by small black-owned businesses is believed to be due to lack of awareness and the fact that not many black businesses can afford the relatively high capital outlays required for qualifying businesses, especially those in the manufacturing sector.
Upgro now Loreda : On 16 September 2002 Upgro, the Local Business Service Centre in Upington, was taken over by Loreda (Lower Orange Economic Development Activator). Loreda is the result of lengthy negotiations between the UNOPS-SEHD (United Nations Office for Projects - Small Enterprise and Human Development), DEAT (Department of Economic Affairs and Tourism), central, provincial and local government as well as international donors and other organisations with the same objective. Loreda will operate within the national and provincial framework and policies for economic development to inter alia promote local economic development, SMME expansion, job creation, etc. Mr. M.D. Mouton has been appointed Senior Manager of Loreda. More info from (054) 332-2822 of fax (054) 332-2835.
Developing Farmer Project : According to a media release by Grain SA, the success of its Developing Farmer programme was reflected this year by the award of the Developing Grain Producer of the Year. While Grain SA realises that developing farmers can make a contribution to grain production in SA, problems are restricted access to financial help, high quality inputs and no ready access to training and information. GSA presents courses and information days that focus on practical principles such as financial management, production methods, machinery management and marketing of grain. Accordingly, GSA has arranged additional funding by the Maize Trust to expand the programme to Mpumalanga, Kwazulu-Natal, Free State and Eastern Cape. More info from (056) 515 2145.
Franchise World : Franchise World offers prospective and existing franchisees and franchisors an overview of the franchise industry, providing news, opportunities and a variety of specialised resources. Content of the site includes online banking applications, an entrepreneurial quiz to test suitability to franchising, a franchise opportunities database, established outlets for sale, posting questions to a panel of franchise experts, or search for a franchise property.
Website: www.franchiseworld.co.za
In a media release, Proudly SA says to take the sting out of employment creation in rural areas, which accounts for 2,5 million unemployed South African under the age of 34 years from the total figure of 4,7 million, the organization recently established in conjunction on with other stakeholders the Bee-keeping for Poverty Relief.
Empowering them to use natural resources for food security and sustainable employment, 35 communities have become involved in this project to start their own businesses - producing some of the country's purest honey. All participants are using the Proudly SA logo to market Inyozi honey, bee wax, propolis, pollen and bee wax candles. As bee farming is not labour intensive, it is particularly ideal for women, youth, elderly and disabled people. The beneficiaries are start-up SME's who own all the hive products they produce, using it either for home consumption or for sales to the public - many beekeepers are selling their products to local supermarkets.
An example of a very successful bee-keeping project is Marang Women in Agriculture, who started farming with bees three years ago and has since increased from four hives to 75. Today these women supply chain stores with honey and train other communities in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
More information from website www.arc.agro.za or Elzaan Engelbrecht at (021) 448 2020.
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