27 June 2006 Joburg informal traders exhibition a success Approximately 400 informal traders braved the cold on Sunday 25 June 06 to attend a special exhibition on entrepreneurship at Wits University. The exhibition hosted by the City of Joburg's Economic Development Unit and Wits Enterprise Unit was well supported by various exhibitors like the Post Office, Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market (JFPM), The Wholesale and Retail SETA (WR SETA), ABSA, Standard Bank, The Business Place, Umsobomvu Youth Fund and Metro Trading Company (MTC). Chairperson of the WR SETA, Mr Richard Mogatse says, " We are all excited at being here and you must visit all the exhibitors to get immediate access to information that will guide you and help develop your business". Ningi Nkabinde from Joubert Park who has a stall at Metro Mall says, " I'm very happy at Metro Mall, they even helped me get advertising boards so people know exactly where I am". Continuing she says," Now I am getting even more information here to run my stall better". Most of the traders had enrolled for a skills development course called "Grow Your Own Business" facilitated by the City and run by Wits Enterprise Unit (WEU). "I want to grow as much as I can selling clothes and maybe open a shop like Edgars one day", says Ester Mametja from Phiri in Soweto. Pointing to the Business Place stand she says, "They have invited me to attend a workshop on drawing up business plans and with what I have learned on the course, I cannot go wrong" ABSA, Standard Bank and the Post Office helped traders complete application forms for business accounts and offered suitable banking products. Umsobomvu Youth Fund attracted huge numbers of traders interested in accessing loans. MTC representatives patiently explained the process of acquiring stalls, the various markets run by MTC and rentals. Traders wanting to know more on how best to display their goods and attract customers surrounded James from the Fresh Produce Market. Enselem a street trader from Senegal who also attended the course says, "This exhibition is good for us to get business information because I am trying to save money to rent a shop rather than being on the street". Three ladies, Maria, Julia and Gloria who run a small cleaning and construction company said that they found the exhibition very useful. "We want to grow our business and create jobs for others as well", says Maria. Most of the traders were confident of passing the course attended and expressed there thanks to the City for giving them the opportunity to learn and run their businesses professionally. Exhibitors ran out of information brochures and pamphlets as enthusiastic traders quickly snapped these up. In closing proceedings for the day, Professor Johan Swarts from the WEU said, "I do not think that there is another City in this country that invests and creates as much opportunities as the City of Joburg". Virgil James Spokesperson Communications Telephone: 407 7226 Facsimile: 403 3494 Cell: 082 467 9415 Email: virgilj@joburg.org.za