SMMEs exchange ideas at a business breakfast

MIDRAND – Challenges faced by SMMEs is lack of market access and capacity building.

October 21, 2018

Lungile Dube 1 minute read

Noko Manyelo from the Ministry of Small Business Development speaks at the business breakfast event.

The Midrand Local Economic Empowerment non-profit company held its first business breakfast on 13 October at the Piatto restaurant in Carslwald.

Chairperson of the organisation, Thulani Mabhena said the aim of the gathering was for small medium and macro entrepreneurs (SMMEs) to meet and share ideas, frustrations they encounter and come up with solutions.

Mabhena said the major challenges faced by small businesses in Midrand was a lack of funding and gatekeeping by big companies. “The idea is to have the breakfast on a monthly basis. We want to create a platform where we could also do an introspection, forge ways of penetrating the market and improving in our various trades,” he said.

WIS Group CEO speaks at to SMMEs at the event.

WIS Group CEO Tshego Mpete speaks on issues of capacity building at the business breakfast.

Guest speakers included property entrepreneur Rali Mampeule, Noko Manyelo from the Ministry of Small Business Development, the chief executive officer of VBS Mutual Bank Andile Mavhunga and the chief executive officer for Wis Groups Tshego Mpete.

“Market access and capacity building in terms of resources and funding is a major challenge for SMMEs. Gatherings such as this breakfast gives us an opportunity to network, exchange ideas and receive mentoring,” said Mpete.