eThekwini launches helpdesk roadshows for business people
The helpdesks have been set up for small, medium and micro business enterprises in order to accelerate all payments of unpaid invoices, to manage unresolved queries and to provide a platform to lodge queries.
THE eThekwini Municipality’s Business Support, Tourism, Markets and Agri-Business Unit will kick off SMME Helpdesk Regional roadshows this week, aimed at providing on-site assistance to suppliers and business people seeking various support and empowerment information and opportunities. The SMME Helpdesk is located at SEDA Office Park in Greyville at 127 Johannes Nkosi Street. SMME stands for small, medium and micro enterprises.
The SMME Helpdesk was established as the City’s integrated and central approach to accelerate suppliers’ payments which will grow SMMEs and assist in ensuring their sustainability. To date, the SMME Helpdesk, since its inception in October 2021, has resolved approximately 600 cases through walk-ins, telephone queries and emails, and about 580 cases are now in progress.
The SMME Helpdesk’s core function is to accelerate all payments of unpaid invoices within 31 days, to manage unresolved queries, and to provide a platform to lodge queries.
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Sbonga Xaba of Zivela Onyazini Trading Pty Ltd said the SMME Helpdesk is of great help and has proven to be beneficial to his company numerous times.
“It is indeed the City’s central payment office. As long as you have all the required documents, there is no need to go via the department that you directly worked with for payment.”
Suppliers are urged to attend the Regional SMME Helpdesk roadshows for more information. There is a roadshow on October 12 and then at Amanzimtoti Civic Centre on October 20. The last roadshow will be held on October 26 at Umlazi D Hall. All roadshows start at 09:00. Suppliers must bring their official letter of appointment and invoices to the roadshows in order to be assisted on-site. Information on several other municipal programmes that seek to support and develop businesses will also be shared on-site. Suppliers can email Accountspay.Statement@durban.gov.za or call 031 322 9971 for assistance.
