By OBAKENG MAJE
More than 60 informal traders received equipment from the Small Business Development on Thursday. The Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Sdumo Dlamini said these Small Micro Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) and Cooperatives, received these trade of tools as support measures geared towards the upliftment and empowerment of their businesses.
Dlamini further said, his visit to Taung was part of a provincial roadshow in Taung earlier in the year.
“This is my second visit to the area after I was here in June 2022. Amongst some of the issues raised by SMMEs and Cooperatives were difficulties in accessing tools and machinery to help sustain businesses mainly owned by informal traders.
“In response to this impediment, we handed over working tools to traders in Mamusa and Greater Taung Local Municipalities. It is our intention to decisively tackle the lack of employment and productive economic activities in society, especially amongst informal traders,” he said.
Dlamini added that, the treble challenges such as unemployment, inequality, and poverty propelled them to revisit the area as they seek to improve socio-economic development in the province. He said business people play a crucial role in economic growth.
“I want to acknowledge the SEFA and Seda entities, in particular in their work. This is the district that has produced giant leaders like mme Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, who is also Seaparankwe. Taung needs to be recognized for its cultural aspects.
“This is where the Taung Skull was discovered and that has assisted the world to have a better understanding of humanity. The discovery also confirmed that, Africans have long settled in this area. Taung is a large rural area and its economy lies heavily on community developments, agriculture and tourism,” said Dlamini.
He said they will also come up with other avenues to ensure that they expand the economy of Taung. Dlamini also said this equipment will ensure that the informal traders execute their work properly.
The chairperson of Local Economic Development (LED) at Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), Thandi Sebe shared the same sentiments.
“We highly appreciate you for honouring our invitation on short notice. It was in June 2022, when our SMMEs and Cooperatives raised their grievances during your visit.
“You are now here to give them support because you want to see informal traders grow their businesses and take part in economic growth. This will not only assist in growing the economy of Taung, but it will also ensure that SMMEs and Cooperatives grow,” Sebe said.
The Member of Parliament at the National Assembly (NA), Bridget Tlhomelang said: “Today, you are our most important people as beneficiaries. Let me take this opportunity to send a token of appreciation to Dlamini for being a man of his word. You are committed to assisting the people, especially in deep rural areas.
“There is a skill and capacity in Taung, so let’s continue to capacitate them. Our role is to play oversight of the executive and we are happy to see Dlamini coming back to Taung. Let’s ensure that this initiative does not benefit the same people over and over again.”
Tlhomelang also urged beneficiaries to use their equipment sparingly. She said they will embark on unannounced visits to various businesses of beneficiaries to monitor them.
“The aim is to ensure that you are self-efficient and ensure that you use this equipment accordingly. You are capable of creating more job opportunities and that will assist our government in fighting the high rate of unemployment.
“We will visit these businesses unannounced to ensure that, this is not a fruitless exercise. When I look at the list of beneficiaries, 70% are women, so let’s continue to work hard and ensure that there is growth,” said Tlhomelang.
One of the beneficiaries, Fuziwe Sokupha welcomed the donation. Sokupha, who is a nail technician said, this will assist her business to grow and reach a bigger market.
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