Small business get government boost

WITH small enterprises continuing to struggle through the economic effects of the devastating coronavirus pandemic, Operation Vula last week brought a sigh of relief to many.

Over 100 small businesses within the King Cetshwayo district benefitted from the programme in eSikhaleni on Friday morning.

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Held at the Hlanganani Community Hall, the programme was rolled out at by KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental

Affairs (Edtea) Ravi Pillay, working with MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Bongi Sithole Moloi.

Recipients were empowered with equipment worth R28-million.

According to Pillay, once fully disbursed, the operation will benefit over 1 000 SMMEs throughout the province with business equipment worth
R300-million.

Speaking at the event, MEC Pillay congratulated the beneficiaries, emphasising that this will provide them with post-grant support.

‘We are specific that there must be post-grant support. That means, as the department, we are going to be visiting you to see how you are doing,’ said Pillay.

‘We are going to assist you in financial management skills and maintenance skills, but most importantly, with market access. It is our job to help you access the market.’

As the King Cetshwayo District Champion, MEC Sithole Moloi echoed Pillay’s sentiments, saying the government wants to see small businesses succeed.

‘It’s through growing small businesses that we can create black industrialists. We want you to grow beyond just supplying your neighbours, to supplying even those beyond our country’s borders’ she said.

King Cetshwayo District Municipality Mayor Lindo Phungula also said the disbursements of Operation Vula in the district is bound to boost the district’s economy.

‘Covid-19 has negatively affected many businesses within the district, but through this fund we believe we can help some of them recover, and create more jobs,’ he said.