The MEC for the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Mme Motlalepula Rosho recently handed over equipment to 18 women cooperative projects across all four districts of the North West Province. The initiative came as a result of challenges raised by small businesses through their interaction at the Departments’ women month campaigns, which took place last year. The handing over was done in partnership with all affected municipalities.

‘’We have observed that small business plays an important role in growing the economy of the North West. Government, with assistance of the private sector, have to create a conducive environment for small businesses to operate effectively. By doing this they will be in position to create jobs, especially among the youth,” said MEC Rosho.

The challenges that are faced by most small businesses are centred around access to finance, obtaining favourable markets and resources. Of all the businesses which had attended the campaign, a handful of projects that have the potential to grow were identified, and a needs analysis was conducted thereof. As a start, 18 cooperatives were chosen and assisted with equipments based on their foremost needs. The costs for the equipment purchased, amounted to a substantial R700 000. The equipment includes stitch industrial machines; embroidery machines and over lockers; bakery and catering equipment; chemical manufacturing machines and cold storage room.

MEC Rosho explained that the department will lobby big businesses, especially mining companies, to procure the products offered by these cooperatives. The department is preparing these cooperatives and SMME’s to produce quality products and the quantity thereof, which might then be exported to countries like China, as they have shown interest in doing business with the North West Province.

She further emphasised that the Provincial government, as part of its plan to link local businesses with their counterparts in the BRIC countries, should concentrate on areas around agro-processing and manufacturing. The Department would like to take along some products ready for exporting, during their second visit to China in May 2013.

“All these initiatives are done in partnership with municipalities with the common goal of improving the lives of the people of the North West. We will further link these projects with relevant institutions in support of women programmes, from both the public and private sector, and lobby them to procure their products,” said MEC Rosho.

MEC Rosho urged the cooperatives to take care of the equipment and transfer skills to young people. She further informed members of the cooperatives that she will be conducting unannounced visits during the course of the year, to check on the progress of these projects. The Department is extremely enthusiastic about these projects and will further monitor and evaluate them, and intervene, when a need arises.