REPORT OF THE DTI ANNUAL SMALL BUSNESS SUMMIT

PIETERMARITZBURG)

The annual small business summit was held in Pietermaritzburg from 31 July 2008 to 02 August 2008. This year the theme of the summit was consolidating partnerships and linkages for sustainable small enterprise development.

The Department of Trade and Industry invited the North West Department of Economic Development, the North West Development Corporation (PTY) Limited and two Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME). This was mainly to exhibit and get the corporation the necessary exposure as we have embarked on a turn around strategy to position the corporation in its appropriate setting.

The summit got off to a fairly difficult start, due to some unforeseen circumstances. The venue was not ready on time, most of the delegates were not registered and this led to further delays. We started setting up late as can be expected, however we managed to set up and carry on with our work. It was a very important exhibition with regard to the networking, as it gave us a chance to meet with other government officials who are focused in the development of SMME’s. For instance KHULA offer SMME finance, the National Economic Fund etc.

Our main business was to showcase what the corporation generally does. To a large extent we managed to attract a number of potential investors who were interested in expanding their businesses to the North West Province. The main interest is in the manufacturing of tents, manufacturing of window frames and stainless steel product manufacturers.  The DTI seeks to strengthen policy and strategy dialogue, and forge networks among role players in the small business development sector of South Africa via the 2008 small business summit. The meeting will also serve as a platform for the National Small Business Advisory Council (NSBAC) to interact with stakeholders and receive public inputs within their specific focus areas. In turn, delegates were also given the opportunity to make inputs on the work of the NSBAC, which mainly focuses on strategies to address identified market failures affecting the sector and the impact of current and new legislation on small enterprises.

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Mandisi Mpahlwa, also shared his perspective on the department’s achievements and how the DTI and its partners have been responding to small business sector development challenges. Later the Minister took a tour around the stalls interacting with different exhibitors.

A highlight of our week was meeting Mr Blade Nzimande, the General Secretary of SACP. We interacted with him and his party and gave them the Corporation’s Business Card holders as a gift for which he was very grateful.

Our marketing material made a huge impact at the Summit and our interactions with Ms Onika Sithole and the rest of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism was strengthened and fruitful. We have been requested to attend various SMME meetings to add input into this important area.

We have also been approached by Wits Business School for them to conduct an interview with both Tshireletso and myself from a Mentor- Mentee point of view. They were very impressed that the NWDC was exposing our intern to the business sector to such a large extent and they are keen to build relations with us.

Tshireletso, our intern, thoroughly enjoyed himself and his confidence grew as the days proceeded. He interacted professionally and asked relevant questions and his knowledge regarding the industry has improved dramatically.

All in all, it was a fruitful day which could have been even more fruitful was everything organized correctly.

Compiled by the Marketing & Communication Department: Karen Poley & Tsireletso Nkalese