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Durban SMME Opportunity Roadshow helps unlock economic potential of South Africa

South Africa’s highly anticipated SMME Opportunity Roadshow hosted more than 200 Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) at the Durban ICC on Tuesday, 26 July 2016. The second leg of the four-part educational event provided SMMEs from KwaZulu-Natal with the coveted recipe for implementing successful business models for growth, based on job creation and skill improvement.

“Durban’s rising entrepreneurs had the chance to learn about the importance of incorporating sustainable business approaches at the SMME Opportunity Roadshow,” says Abigail Botha, Event Manager at Cape Media, organisers of the SMME Opportunity Roadshows. The Durban Roadshow’s master classes covered: The Fundamentals of Sustaining and Growing SMMEs; Enabling Funding for SMMEs and; Scaling up SMMEs for future growth. The next stop for the Roadshow will be the ICC in Cape Town, before ending off the tour at the Boardwalk Hotel & Conference Centre in Port Elizabeth.

The programme director for the Durban event, Lynette Ntuli, Founding Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Innate Investment Solutions (Pty), kicked-off the proceedings on a motivational note. She encouraged the young leaders and entrepreneurs in attendance to make the most of events like the SMME roadshow, and to tap into the knowledge and guidance on offer from seasoned industry experts. She explained that entrepreneurship holds the key to unlocking the economic potential of South Africa and that there is a responsibility on the shoulders of young and up-and-coming SMME’s.

Botha adds that entrepreneurs have a major role to play in addressing the country’s social-economic issues and that they are extremely happy that so many of the province’s SMMEs attended the event. “Durban entrepreneurs jumped at the opportunity to gain valuable insight and knowledge on how to run a successful and sustainable business,” says Botha.

 

Delegates at the Durban ICC had the opportunity to learn from an exciting line-up of speakers including the young and charismatic Xolani Gumede, Founder and CEO of Ballitoville strawberry farm, Cappeny Estates; Claudette Sigamoney, Vice President of Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Tshidi Mahlangu, Manager of the SMME Business Sector at South African Airways (SAA).

“Durban is not only one of South Africa’s favourite tourist attractions; it is also a logistical hub for the rest of the country, boasting Africa’s busiest shipping terminal. The city has a unique import and export business model built around the Durban Harbour, which gave rise to enthusing and insightful exchanges between the speakers and the SMMEs from the region,” says Botha.

In addition to the wealth of knowledge shared, attendees had an opportunity to engage with different stakeholders and interact with exhibitors during the break-away sessions.

“The atmosphere was electric as exhibitors and entrepreneurs, young and old, made the most of this wonderful learning and networking opportunity. They were hungry for more insight from the array of speakers present at the Roadshow,” concludes Botha.

Registrations for the next two Roadshows are still open. Visit http://www.smmesa.co.za/registration, select your preferred city and your free registration will be approved. The next SMME Roadshow Opportunity segments will continue in the following cities:

  • Cape Town on Tuesday, 06 September 2016 – Cape Town International Convention Centre; and
  • Port Elizabeth on Wednesday, 16 November 2016 – Boardwalk Hotel & Conference Centre.

 

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