David JoshuaTHE Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry (dti), Elizabeth Thabethe, led a delegation to pay Mbekweni a visit this week. This formed part of the “Taking the DTI to the people” campaign that was held in the Western Cape during this week.
The campaign aimed to create awareness about the dti’s products and services and strengthen government’s commitment to work with communities to ensure progress and sustainable improvement of the lives of all South Africans. It took the form of information sessions to advise existing and aspiring entrepreneurs on how to start, grow and sustain their businesses.
Almost 200 people packed the Mbekweni Community hall to listen to the deputy minister and other speakers. Drakenstein Mayor Charmaine Manuel, Gershwin Fouldien, head of Drakenstein Local Economic Development, and some councillors attended.
“People go to the wrong institutions to get help. Much information does not reach ordinary people on how to go about in starting a business - some of them do not understand and few take advantage of the different programs that are now available to them,” Thabethe remarked.
She went on to say that there are 18 agencies available to assist people.
“We want to engage with the market. I know there is still a long way to go and that people will take time to get accustomed. If they really cannot find anyone to help them, they must feel free to call me.”
Dti agencies which provided information on how to access their services were the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), Company and Intellectual Property Registration Office (Cipro), South African Micro-finance Apex Fund (Samaf), Khula, The Enterprise Organisation (TEO), Consumer and Corporate Regulations Division (CCRD), Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Cooperatives Unit, Gender and Women Empowerment Unit and The South African Women Entrepreneurs’ Network (SAWEN).
For more info, contact Kgothatso Chene on 021-394-1681, cell 072-571-9885 or kchuene@thedti.gov.za
