Business empowerment in Alex
JOBURG – Economic development was at the forefront of the discussions at the opening of the Alexandra SME Hub.
The Business Place, a non-profit organisation which assists entrepreneurs to grow their business, has partnered up with the City of Johannesburg.
This partnership has launched five entrepreneurial hubs across Johannesburg and has become known as the Jozi SME Hub Programme. The programme seeks to develop entrepreneurs and the launch was held in Alexandra on 7 June.
Keynote speaker, councillor Ruby Mathang, who is a part of the Economic Development sector of the City of Johannesburg said, “The hub is officially now open and this event is an opportunity for like-minded institutions, who care about South Africa, to come together.”
Mathang highlighted the importance of empowering and encouraging entrepreneurs and said that the key to economic growth and development lies in small businesses.
Read: Former Aussie PM, panel talk education and entrepreneurship
He expressed his concerns with regards to the imbalance of wealth in the country. The Gini co-efficient measures imbalances of wealth in an economy, and South Africa’s measurement is one of the highest in the world.
“Sandton and Alex are worlds apart even though they are situated closely together. We need to improve housing and stage an urban intervention. The government has to work to improve our economy,” stressed Mathang.
He highlighted that the key to facilitating entrepreneurship lies in skills development and access to finance, financial, marketing, tax training and basic business support.
“We are launching the Alex SME Hub to develop businesses in a historical place. Alex is the oldest township. It is significant that we have gathered here in Alex and we have to develop this township. We have to show growth from the ugly past of apartheid.”
Mathang said that he believes that the youth need to be encouraged to be the best that they could be as they are the country’s greatest asset.
A symbolic cutting of a ribbon was done to represent the opening of the hub. Mathang was joined by City of Johannesburg’s Council Speaker Constance Bapela; chairperson of the Business Place, Donny Nadison; and chief executive officer of the Business Plan, Shawn Govender.
The same group cut a cake, which boasted icing that read Jozi SME Hub, to celebrate the occasion.
Read more:
