SDB SMME Fair A Huge Success

06 May, 2008

Mega-City was the venue when hundreds of Small Businesses displayed their products and services to existing and potential clients during the SDB SMME Fair. The purpose of the Fair was to provide Small Businesses with an opportunity to showcase their successes and inspire up and coming entrepreneurs by sharing ideas and forging partnerships.

Different departments from all spheres of government and South Durban Basin (SDB) companies also took part in what has been dubbed the most successful SMME Fair to be held by the South Durban Basin Area Based Management Team in conjunction with Business Support Unit at the same venue in two successive years.

In his keynote address James Nxumalo, Speaker of eThekwini Municipality said, “the City is taking the issue of economic emancipation very seriously, hence we hold these annual Regional Fairs. He said over the years our people have been excluded from economic activities and this cannot be allowed to continue. As the eThekwini Municipality we will continue to support and capacitate Small Medium and Micro Enterprises as mandated by the Integrated Development Plan, added Nxumalo.

Lee D’Eathe, SDB Area Manager said, “As we look back we are confident that we have provided SMMEs with an opportunity to establish strong and sustainable business and skills linkages with other companies and institutions”. He said that through workshops, exhibitors and members of the public were exposed to information on how to start, develop and sustain their businesses. In addition, they were given information on how to improve business operations, such as access to finances, opportunities, government tenders and general business management related information.  “I would like to thank all the sponsors who contributed to the success of the Fair”, added D’Eathe.

Philip Sithole, Business Support Unit Acting Head said, “This prestigious event was another way of affirming eThekwini Municipality’s commitment to SMME promotion and development”.  He said the Fair gave SMMEs an opportunity to be capacitated in various ways of marketing and selling their products.

When the time to announce winners for the best stands came, Nothose Crafters could not believe to learn that their stand scooped the first prize and the second prize went to Biocorp followed by Cell C.
 

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