August 24, 2007
By George Matlala
ENTREPRENEURS are being targeted at a roadshow that focuses on how to start up businesses. The Economic Opportunities Roadshow, hosted by the Gauteng provincial government, was in Meadowlands, in Soweto on 23 and 24 August.
Information on economic opportunities forms the core of the two-day event. Dozens of officials from various government departments and agencies, including Gauteng Economic Propeller (GEP), Umsobomvu Youth Fund and Gauteng Tourism, have swamped the Multipurpose Community Centre in Zone 10, teaching people ways of starting up businesses and how to benefit from government services.
Part of the Gauteng government's five-year programme to fight unemployment and poverty, the roadshow is aimed at empowering people with information about income-generating opportunities, tendering, small business support and training.
Residents get information on how to enter the labour market
Paul Mashatile, the MEC for finance and economic affairs; Norman Ngwedzeni, the councillor for Ward 44; and Makhosana Msesana, the director of spatial economic development and area region in the City's department economic development, were at the roadshow on Thursday, 23 August.
Welcoming the hundreds of people who had gathered at the event, Msesana said the City was committed to supporting small businesses. He noted that it had established a number of programmes, including training projects, to help the informal economy.
The provincial government vowed to help entrepreneurs to secure land, where they could start their own businesses – suitable land was one the biggest challenges faced by people wanting to start their own businesses.
"People need a proper piece of land [from which] to run their businesses," Mashatile said, calling on residents to see business as a way to fight poverty.
The Gauteng Economic Propeller would help people to get funding to start their businesses or to grow those that were already up and running. The agency would also teach skills in business management to ensure these ventures were sustainable.
"If you are determined, we will help you," Mashatile said, urging participants to start their own businesses. "Stop complaining about getting funding from banks; come to us - we will help you."
Between this year and 2009, at least 30 percent of the provincial government's tenders would be awarded to companies run by youth and women. Black economic empowerment companies would get 70 percent of the tenders.
"We want to give contracts to local companies, especially women in construction. Come and tender to supply the government with services."
According to Mashatile, Soweto had grown into a city, attracting tourists from all corners of the world. Given this, residents should establish businesses that would accommodate, entertain and transport people visiting the area. "For people from the outside, sleeping in Soweto is an experience."
The economic opportunities roadshow was also aimed at recognising women's contribution to Gauteng's economy. "Gone are the days when the role of women was confined to the kitchen. The role of women is now in business," he emphasised.
Presentations were also made by representatives from Umsobomvu Youth Fund, Gauteng Tourism, Gauteng Youth Commission, Gauteng Shared Services Centre and national departments of Labour and Public Works, among other organisations.
The roadshow, an opportunity for governments and their agencies to talk directly to people, includes exhibitions, information kiosks and service desks. Part of the commitment by Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa to promote shared growth and access to economic opportunities, it has already visited Sharpville, Poortjie, Newclare and Danville.
"We know that unemployment is a problem in our townships, but together we can do something to address the problem," Mashatile stressed.
The next road show is on 27 and 28 September in Thokoza.
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