Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) participated in the 5th annual Ray Nkonyeni Municipality Mayoral Business Fair held at the Southcoast Mall recently.
Small business owners showcased their merchandise which ranged from fashion boutiques, information and communications technology, beauty products, catering and deco facilities, tourism and agricultural businesses, among many more.
Various stakeholders and sponsors such as the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), SmartXchange, the banking fraternity and other funding providers gave tips to the SMMEs to secure funding, skills development and putting together a viable business plan for a profitable enterprise.
RNM municipal manager, Khetha Zulu said the business fair is a two-fold programme which the municipality introduced four years ago, to create a platform for the new generation of business owners to showcase their skills and talents while networking with each other.
“The fair aimed to encourage foot traffic to the businesses, that is why we brought it to the mall where people come together. This will make it easier for the SMMEs to get customers. Plans are in the pipeline to find a permanent home for the fair to be hosted annually, “Zulu added.
“In the past few years that we have held the fair, we have given over 200 business owners an opportunity to exhibit their stalls, to be able to make a living. Last week we had the People’s Parliament at Ugu Sports and Leisure where the people made a point that unemployment is a huge challenge in our communities,” said RNM mayor, Sikhumbuzo Mqadi.
“It’s great that this year we had 50 more SMMEs participating in the fair. We know of many businesses that are growing in our communities and this will create more job opportunities for the unemployed youth,” added Mqadi.
He also said the municipality will continue to keep track of these businesses after the fair as well, and introduce them to programmes which will assist them to grow.
Southcoast Mall manager, Jane Munro was also in attendance. She said the businesses are more than welcome to approach mall management with any queries on how they can open stalls inside the mall, or when they have ideas to share.
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