Lending a hand to small businesses
The eThekwini Municipality has embarked on a road show where they will be going around communities to help small businesses.
IN an attempt to help small businesses thrive, the eThekwini Municipality’s Business Support, Tourism, Markets and Agri-Business Unit kicked off their SMME Helpdesk Regional Roadshow in Claremont.
According to the City, The SMME Helpdesk was established as their integrated and central approach to accelerate suppliers’ payments which will grow SMMEs and assist in ensuring their sustainability.
“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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“To date, the SMME Helpdesk, since its inception in October in 2021, has resolved approximately 600 cases through walk-ins, telephone queries, and emails. About 580 cases are now in progress,” said the City’s spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela.
Starting the first roadshow at Claremont on Thursday, October 5, the aim of this programme is to provide on-site assistance to suppliers and business people seeking various types of support, empowerment information and opportunities.
Mayisela said these roadshows are also aimed at bringing services closer to the City’s suppliers to ensure timeous payments. “It is important for suppliers to 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,” said Mayisela.
The roadshow is to continue at KwaMashu G Hall 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 are urged to attend the Regional SMME Helpdesk roadshows for more information.
