Durban entrepreneurs to gather at SMME Opportunity Roadshow
The second of the four highly acclaimed SMME Opportunity Roadshows in South Africa heads to Durban on Tuesday, 26 July 2016, at the Durban ICC from 08:00 to 17:00. SMMEs (small, medium and micro enterprises) in Durban and the greater KwaZulu-Natal Province are invited to register for free to attend this educational event which will help them discover how to implement a winning business model that will create jobs and improve employee skills.
Durban is the second city, after Johannesburg to host the SMME Opportunity Roadshow, which will then move to Cape Town and Port Elizabeth respectively. According to the recent Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) for the first quarter of 2016 released by Statistics South Africa, employment decreased in all industries except for community services, construction, and electricity. The largest percentage decrease was recorded in trade (-1,8%), followed by transport (-1,1%), mining (-0,9), manufacturing (-0,7%), and business services (-0,4%)* These statistics are yet another grim reminder of South Africa’s need for more entrepreneurs that can create sustainable job opportunities.
Hiking petrol and food prices, service delivery strikes, as well as narrowly missing a junk status rating are just some of the most obvious reasons entrepreneurial businesses struggle; these and other factors leave business owners with tough decisions to make that will ultimately affect business growth. Now, more so than ever before, they need the guidance of seasoned industry experts.
“We are passionate about growing SMMEs, as we recognise that more successful entrepreneurs equals a stronger, more prosperous economy,” says Abigail Botha, Event Manager at Cape Media, organisers of the SMME Opportunity Roadshows.
“We also recognise that even though SMME owners and their employees have the drive, ambition, and intelligence needed for success, they may lack access to networks, industry expertise and support. Events such as the SMME Opportunity Roadshow can provide these vital resources.”
Participating SMMEs will be empowered through master classes in:
The Fundamentals of Sustaining & Growing SMMEs
Enabling Funding for SMMEs; and
Scaling up SMMEs: The Future Growth Drivers of the SA Economy.
Businesses are also invited to exhibit on the day and network during the engaging break-away sessions. The Programme Director for the day is non-other than the inspirational founding director and chief executive at the property, asset and infrastructure development and solutions firm; Innate Investment Solutions (Pty), Lynette Ntuli. Other invited speakers include young and charismatic Xolani Gumede, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ballitoville strawberry farm, Cappeny Estates; Vice President of Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Claudette Sigamoney; and Tshidi Mahlangu, Manager of the SMME Business Sector at South African Airways (SAA).
“Durban is one of the favoured tourist destinations in South Africa. The city also plays a pivotal role in the importing and exporting of goods through the Durban Harbour – the largest and busiest shipping terminal on the African continent,” shares Botha. “South Africa may be deemed as an industrial economy, and the fact is skilled labourers and small businesses are the driving force behind this. Each city has its own business dynamics, and we look forward to learning from and assisting the SMMEs that KwaZulu-Natal will raise.”
To RSVP and for information about exhibition opportunities, please contact Chenica Williams | chenica.williams@capemedia.co.za | 021 681 7000. To book your seat, please visit http://www.smmesa.co.za/registration, select your preferred city and your free registration will be approved.
Registration for the next two Roadshows is 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.
If you can’t be at the venue, don’t miss out – watch the live stream on http://www.capemedia.tv/. You can also join the discussion on Twitter @SMME_Roadshow and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/smmeor.
*http://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=7965
