Indaba gives local business a kick-start
"Ultimately, the objective is to enable aspiring entrepreneurs to turn their creative concepts into fully operational businesses, by providing the necessary business support to help them launch, manage and run their businesses successfully," explained Andile Mabaso, Ithala's CSI Co-ordinator.
The My Business Indaba meeting took place at the Cecil Emmett Hall on Thursday and Friday last week.
Acting mayor, Mncedisi Maphisa was there to represent the municipality.”We want to assist small business owners to correctly register their businesses and create an avenue where they can receive funding assistance,” he said.
Cllr Maphisa said the municipality’s main focus was on the youth, and it aimed to resolve issues of unemployment.
To this end, the National Youth Development Agency and Ithala Bank had availed themselves to assist with training, and he hoped this would help residents become dependent on themselves.
A representative from the Consumer Protection Services, Siyabonga Makhatini was also there to address current and potential business owners, and encouraged anyone seeking consumer affairs advice to contact him on 066 487 8163.
At the conclusion of the indaba, Ithala submitted a press release summarising the kick-off of this annual roadshow programme:
“It is against the back drop of an increase in unemployment, especially the high rate of youth unemployment, that Ithala kicks off its annual My Business Indaba roadshows, which seek to stimulate entrepreneurship with a special focus on youth and women empowerment. The roadshows brings together Ithala’s three main empowerment programmes, specifically designed for SMME Development in KwaZulu-Natal.”
Imbokodo Iyazenzela Women in SMME – a province-wide female focused development programme, focusing mainly on the rural areas and townships, with the aim of offering inspirational talks, advice, direction and opportunities for women who are in business or who want to get into business. Imbokodo Iyazenzela has a competition element, in which entrepreneurial excellence is rewarded. The competition is open to 100 per cent women- owned, registered and compliant businesses operating in KZN, with a community impact and promoting job creation. Winners are nominated by their communities.
Inkunz’isematholeni Youth in Business Competition – the key focus is driving innovation, specifically within the green economy and to promote entrepreneurship and skills development among the youth. The programme attracts youths who reside in both rural and urban areas of KZN, with innovative and sustainable business concepts, and provides start-up support in their journey to becoming seasoned entrepreneurs. The overall winner will be rewarded with up to R200 000 worth of business support.
Siyasebenza Entrepreneur Development – a platform for SMMEs to interact with various stakeholders, who are roleplayers in the SMME development space, featuring presentations from various stakeholders. Business owners get the chance to interact and ask critical questions affecting their businesses directly with representatives from the key roleplayers in the small business arena development. The two-day business clinics will be rolled out in various communities, offering inspirational talks, advice, direction and opportunities for youth, women in communities, those who are currently in business and those who aspire to get into business. Communities from around eMpendle, eDumbe, Vryheid, Mbazwane, Mtubatuba, Kokstad and eThekwini will benefit in the 2019 roadshows.
“My Business Indaba encourages the efforts of upcoming small businesses, and puts the emphasis on what the entrepreneur can actively do to progress their businesses. This is one of Ithala’s initiatives to rustle up economic activity and to encourage entrepreneurship to boost economic development,” added Mabaso.
The competition is also intended to serve as a platform to ‘drive the spirit of entrepreneurship and creativity, and catapult youth in KZN to become problem solvers and business owners’.
Both competitions are open until September 30, with nomination forms available at Ithala branches and online on www.ithala.co.za
“Ithala strives to play a catalytic role in nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit and promoting enterprise development.”
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