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Women in Business Given a Boost At _DBF21
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Date: 2021-10-03 22:39:04

Women in Business Given a Boost At _DBF21

NEWSFLASH
 
26 SEPTEMBER
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Women in Business Given a Boost At #DBF21
 
Durban women were treated to an inspiring morning at the Women's Economic Empowerment session on day two of the Durban Business Fair.
 
Guest speakers included media personality and businesswoman Gerry Rantseli Elsdon; Africa Become managing director Dumile Cele; Nomfundo Mcoyi, Chief Executive Office of Icebolethu Group; Elizabeth Khumalo, founding member of KZN Ladies Cooperative Bank and Eleni Kwikana, executive head of Vodacom. The session was facilitated by broadcast journalist Iman Rappetti.
 
Rantseli Elsdon told women that they needed to rise above the circumstances they found themselves in, and not let criticism get the better of them.
 
"We think that other people need to empower us. Women empower themselves by not depending on anyone. You need to implement the things in your life that will make you independent," she said.
 
Several women-led businesses were given a chance to advertise their businesses during the session.
 
Rantseli Elsdon also urged women to teach and uplift other women.
 
"You can teach without having to use a book. You can teach from your lived experience and there is someone who can learn from your experiences," she said.
 
Meanwhile, Local businesses also benefitted from interactions with business people from other African cities at the International Trade Seminar.
 
Local businesses, mainly youth led, were encouraged to find out what locally-made products they could export to other countries.
 
Head of International Relations and Governance, Eric Apelgren, said the City would be able to facilitate the networking of businesses.
"Africa is open for business and the continent is full of opportunities. We have a database of SMMEs in Durban and we can provide a platform for linkages and provide aftercare facilities," he said.
 
Bongiwe Mkhize, senior manager international relations facilitated the presentations from Durban sister countries such as Cameroon and Ghana.
 
Furthermore, in a bid to facilitate the skills development needs of the wholesale and retail sector, the DBF platform for the first time, hosted a seminar which had a positive turnout and empowered entrepreneurs to the maximum level, resulted in the entrepreneurs requesting for a follow-up Indaba.
 
The seminar hosted by Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSETA), presented several training programmes and grants to drive skills development to grow and sustain small businesses.
 
Programmes presented set to advance small businesses includes informal traders and micro enterprises development programme where the Seta will train 1 500 informal traders and micro enterprises across the country this year.
 
Martha Shingange, Marketing Manager at W&RSETA said: “Out of the 1 500 traders, 200 of them will be from KwaZulu-Natal. We will be appointing service providers in all the provinces to work closely with Municipalities in ensuring there is community consultation when identifying trainees.”
 
Shingange further communicated another opportunity called an “entrepreneurship and new venture creation”, where W&RSETA will be aiding 250 emerging entrepreneurs to establish a business and offer support in the form of mentorship and coaching as well as infrastructure provision.
 
In addition, she encouraged businesses making a turnover of more than R500 000 annually to obtain a skills development levy number through the South African Revenue Service to benefit from the R18 000 business development grant from Seta each year.
 
Members of the media and the public are encouraged to visit the exciting business exhibition and street markets, which both open from tomorrow, Friday 27 to 29 September to access unique and innovative products and services showcased by local businesses.
 
ENTRANCE TO THE DURBAN BUSINESS FAIR EXHIBITION AND CLASSES IS FREE!!.
 
For more information about the Durban Business Fair, visit our digital platforms www.dbnbusinessfair.com; Facebook page: @Durban Business Fair; Twitter: @DBNBusinessFair or Instagram: Durban_Business_Fair.
 
ENDS
 
Issued by the eThekwini Municipality’s Communications Unit. For media enquiries contact Msawakhe Mayisela on 060 966 4220