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1 February 2021 Media Release: Invest in our region – Message by Mayor Booysen and a background of the Garden Route

Garden Route District Municipality Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen

Media Release: Invest in our region – Message by Mayor Booysen and a background of the Garden Route

Growth and development is a key strategic pillar for the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and the GRDM has therefore compiled a Garden Route Growth and Development Strategy (GRGDS) to facilitate development in the Garden Route district (GRD). Local Economic Development (LED) Departments in each municipality plays a pivotal role. LED is globally, but especially in developing countries, seen as the solution to improved quality of life, unemployment, poverty and inequality. Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen said: “Through a local economic development process, the GRDM seeks to empower local participants in order to effectively utilize business enterprise, labour, capital and other local resources to achieve local priorities, including promoting quality jobs, reducing poverty, stabilizing the local economy and generating municipal taxes to provide better services”.

“The result is that more and more local businesses are now geared and ready for South African, African and international investments. The GRDM Planning and Economic Development Department encourages the public, private and civil society sectors to establish partnerships and collaboratively find solutions to common economic challenges,” said Booysen.

According to Booysen, the GRDM is approaching growth and development in a holistic nature looking at all sectors of the economy and how they are interlinked to achieve socio-economic growth. In doing this, the GRDM is looking at achieving the following:

  • Attraction of both outward and inward investment
  • Investment in both hard and soft infrastructure
  • Making the business environment more conducive to business
  • A participatory approach to LED
  • Public Private Partnerships (PPP)
  • A move towards community-based LED.

The GRDM has developed a Garden Route Investment Prospectus containing regional catalytic investment opportunities across the Garden Route. The purpose of the prospectus is to display the region’s investment-friendly climate and its economic activities and opportunities to the national and international business community and in so doing, attracting new investments and retaining and expanding existing investments in the Garden Route region. The prospectus includes the investment opportunities of all seven (7) municipalities within the boundaries of the region, as well as the District Municipality’s specific opportunities.

Download the  Garden Route Investment Prospectus.

A background of the Garden Route District

The GRDM is one of five District Municipalities (DMs) in the Western Cape Province of South Africa and the second largest economy outside of the Cape Metro. The Garden Route district (GRD) covers an area of 23 331 km² in the south-eastern part of the Western Cape, covering the regions known as the Garden Route and the Little Karoo. The N2 is a valuable transport route for goods and tourists alike and connects the GRD to the Overberg District and the Cape Metro area in the west and the Eastern Cape Province to the east, while the N12 and the R62 links the GRD with inland areas to the north.

The GRD is the Western Cape’s largest and most significant rural district. The area covers one of the country’s best-known scenic tourism areas and boasts a relatively broad-based, steadily expanding regional economy. Agriculture, tourism, wholesale and retail trade, business and financial services, construction and manufacturing are key sectors of the regional economy, in terms of value addition, The largest sectors of the GRD economy are finance, insurance, real estate and business services, followed by wholesale and retail, and manufacturing. Combined, these three sectors contributed 60, 07 per cent to the total Gross Value Added (GVA) generated by the GRD economy in 2015, an increase from 57,78 per cent in 2001. The increase in the GVA is attributed to a sharp increase of 104, 2 per cent in the contribution of finance, insurance, real estate and business services to the GVA. Over the same period, the contribution of the manufacturing sector to GVA decreased from 16, 19 per cent to 13, 96 per cent. Wholesale and retail trade contribution to the GVA of the GRD economy remain relatively stable over the period, hovering between 17 per cent and 18 per cent from 2001 to 2015.

The economic growth and development of the GRD depends on monopolising on its competitive advantages. The GRD has a wide range of competitive advantages namely the coastal line, with opportunities of ocean economy and coastal tourism; large forestry; arable land for agriculture and farming, and effective natural resources.

The GRDM is pursuing projects that include the establishment of a development agency, bulk infrastructure provision, products value chain development, renewable energy, enterprise development, integrated waste management and other projects as identified within the GRGDS. These projects and programmes will enable the GRDM to fulfil its constitutional mandate and also address the UN-SDGs, but above all address the three critical issues of poverty, unemployment and economic growth.

The district is well-known for its tourist’s attractions and natural beauty. Pristine beaches (many with ‘Blue Flag’ status) and warm waters dissolve inland into picturesque lagoons and lakes, tropical forests, rolling hills and, eventually, the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma mountain ranges. The GRD hosts two of the three biodiversity hotspots that have been identified in South Africa. These are the Cape Floristic region (CFR) and the Succulent Karoo (SK) region.

The Garden Route is ideally located in terms of its competitive advantages of a diverse economy expanding towards a technologically apt and industrialised district, attracting investors and industries because of its location, existing infrastructure, good governance and growth potential.

Key contact person for investment opportunities

Are you interested in investing in any of the investment opportunities offered by Local Government in the Garden Route District? Contact the Manager: District Economic Development and Tourism, Ms Melanie Wilson, melanie@gardenroute.gov.za

 

19 November 2020 Media Release: Garden Route unemployed youth commences 12-month telecommunication network operations training

Media Release: Garden Route unemployed youth commences 12-month telecommunication network operations  training

19 November 2020
For Immediate Release 

Garden Route youth between the ages of 18 and 25 yesterday, 16 November 2020, received induction training for a 12-month telecommunication network operations learnership which will officially start today. The programme is a strategic partnership between Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), Muja Media, Long Ships and MICTSeta. GRDM Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen; GRDM Portfolio Chairperson for Roads and Transport Planning Services, Cllr Rowan Spies; Training and Development Committee Chairperson, Cllr Stephen De Vries; and Acting GRDM Municipal Manager, Ms Trix Holtzhausen, were present at the engagement with all the relevant stakeholders, including the 25 beneficiaries.

Mojo Media offers television products, outside broadcasting, content creation, audio-post production branded content, channel management, graphics, video editing and facility rentals. The training will take place at Bethesda in Rose Moore where they will be attending classes under the supervision of their Facilitator Mr Limbani Maxwell.

The Garden Route youth are ready to embark on their new journey with Mojo media. During the induction session it was evident that the learners are passionate about the road ahead of them, i.e. learning about Telecommunication. When they were given opportunity to meet the Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen, their faces lit up with smiles of hope for a positive change to their careers.

During Mayor Booysen’s address he said, “If the chance comes your way grasp it. I encourage all of you to shine in your work and to become the best you can be”. In his speech he focused on his own background too and how he progressed in life and where he finds himself now.

Learners were given the opportunity to thank all the stakeholders who made it possible for the learnership to exist. Two learners were chosen to share a word of thanks, Riaan Van Schalk Wyk and Akhona Ncaphayi. Akhona Ncaphayi displayed confidence in her speech when saying, ”On behalf of other learners, I would like to thank service Seta partnering with Garden Route District Municipality for giving us this opportunity to be a part of this learnership; this will help us to learn new skills.

Ms Yonela Ncaphayi ,  one of the Moja learners sharing a word of thanks to the organisers of the learnership.

GRDM frequently rolls out learnerships and internships to assist the youth to enter the job market. Many youngsters struggle to get work because they lack experience, which is why such interventions are of great value. Visit www.gardenroute.gov.za/vacancies to see what jobs and opportunities are currently offered by the GRDM.

ENDS

 

 

 

19 October 2020 Media Release: GRDM SMME Development Programme benefits SMMEs of the Garden Route

Media Release: GRDM SMME Development Programme benefits SMMEs of the Garden Route

For immediate release
19 October 2020

Representatives from small businesses in the Garden Route, on 14 October 2020 received essential business products from the Executive Mayor of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), Ald. Memory Booysen. This handover formed part of the GRDM Small Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) Development Programme.

Executive Mayor of GRDM, Ald. Memory Booysen, during his keynote address to all stakeholders and beneficiaries of the SMME Development Programme at the event.

The objectives of the initiative are to assist small businesses with equipment, stock and other necessities to strengthen, improve and expand their businesses to create more employment opportunities within the Garden Route district. A total of R400 000 was made available in the 2019/2020 financial year for this project. As of now, this initiative will assist these businesses that have been challenged in various ways – even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, as a result of the weakened economy.  The SMME sector is also the cornerstone of the economy and is a key priority of the GRDM. SMMEs support and restore the economy in line with the municipality’s Economic Recovery Plan. The Plan is therefore one of the interventions of the municipality to revive its economy.

To qualify as a beneficiary, businesses had to be in operation for at least one year within the boundaries of the Garden Route district.

During his keynote address, Executive Mayor of GRDM expressed a word a gratitude to the GRDM Council, Municipal Manager, Mr Monde Stratu, and the Economic Development team for their continued efforts to ensure that SMMEs from the District are sought after. Although Alderman Booysen admitted that the COVID-19 lockdown has turned everything upside down, it also presented many opportunities to the GRDM. He said:  “COVID-19 has given us an opportunity in terms of what we can do and it made us realise what we are not doing. During this time we realised as Government, what we are not doing so well when holding hands with the informal sector. We focus a lot on big businesses, and COVID-19 has shown us that we have to reach out now more than ever to the informal sector”.

Alderman Booysen said to the entrepreneurs present:  “The President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa and the Premier of the Western Cape, Mr Alan Winde, are all looking for innovation and for us to turn the economy around is to be innovative – we thus have to walk the talk with you as small businesses. When we walk with you, we would be fully informed about your operations. When you would need help, we would be able to open up more doors for you,” Mayor Booysen added.

After Alderman Booysen highlighted that the GRDM has embarked on some big developments, he further encouraged all entrepreneurs to be ready with their products when these developments fall in place. “For us to beat what the lockdown has caused to the economy of the Garden Route,” he said: “We need to create jobs and more jobs. We must stop thinking that we only have to stand in queues to apply for jobs, “what we need is to create entrepreneurs and jobs”.

Mr Quinton Coetzee, Regional Manager of Seda (left) and Mr Alex Qunta, Provincial Manager of Seda (right), thanked GRDM, Mayor Booysen and Municipal Manager, Mr Monde Stratu for the municipality’s relationship with Seda.

While addressing the entrepreneurs at the event, Mr Quinton Coetzee, Regional Manager of Seda, said, “Business entrepreneurs sometimes feel alone, but you need to understand that you are part of the bigger team”. He further said that with the support of partners it becomes easier to stay in business and to keep the doors of the business open. While elaborating on their role in the partnership to assist SMMEs becoming successful exporters of their products, he said, “We looked at the needs of the entrepreneurs and how to fill those gaps. Mr Coetzee stated:  “For the past twelve months we trained the entrepreneurs in exporting and pricing, and now these entrepreneurs are in a position to price their products correctly. Training, information and access to information are therefore critical in the success of any business,” he emphasised.  Mr Alex Qunta, Provincial Manager of Seda, thanked the leadership of GRDM, Mayor Booysen and Mr Stratu for the municipality’s relationship with Seda.  To the SMMEs, Mr Qunta said:  “There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done, one being yesterday and the other day is called “tomorrow”.  He added:  “Today is the right day to love, believe in yourself and mostly live your idea and passion”.

Words of appreciation from Beneficiaries

Two of the entrepreneurs Hendrik Tiemie from Hendrik’s Wire Art and Ms Sherrelle Swartbooi from Pure Niqua (Pty) used the platform to share special words of gratitude to the all stakeholders involved.

Mr Tiemie said: “I thank our Heavenly Father for making these contributions possible”. He also thanked the GRDM Team, Mayor Booysen, the GRDM Council and Economic Development team for investing into his business and for their support. He also expressed his appreciation to the relevant Seda business advisor, for her assistance in support of his business. To his fellow SMMEs he said:  “Do not give up; stand firm and you will eventually see the results – you will indeed see it was all worth it”. 

When addressing the audience, Ms Swartbooi highlighted, “Whenever you see a successful business, someone once gave birth to a decision that traveled from the mind, through the heart and into the world to be nurtured by sacrifices, hard work, by innovation, by mistakes, small and large wings, determination and triumph. On behalf of all SMMEs she said: “Thank you to GRDM for this initiative and for assisting our businesses during these difficult times. You have made our dreams a reality and also if you don’t build on your dreams, someone will hire you to build their dreams. Always dream and build your own dreams,” she added.

Municipal Manager, Mr Stratu, in his closing remarks, said that this event came at an opportune time, while the country is facing an economic crisis. After sharing his views with all present and saying that our main role is to ensure that we create an environment for business to thrive, he also conveyed a special word of thanks to all stakeholders for making the event possible and for giving entrepreneurs of the Garden Route another opportunity for their businesses to succeed.

The event was directed by Mr Lusanda Menze, GRDM Executive Manager for Planning and Economic Development and successfully organised by the Economic Development Unit of GRDM in collaboration with the Seda and the Department of Agriculture.

ENDS

Media Release: Garden Route students graduate after completing Cater Care Training Programme

Media Release: Garden Route students graduate after completing Cater Care Training Programme

For Immediate Release
5 February 2020

Friday, 31 January 2020, marked another prestigious highlight for representatives of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and the Francois Ferreira School of Culinary Art, when they witnessed the graduation of seventeen (17) Cater Care students from the Garden Route, in the presence of their parents. The ceremony took place at the Francois Ferreira Academy, which is located at the Mount View Resort in George.

Councillors and Management of Garden Route District Municipality and Mr Francois Ferreira, Head of the Francois Ferreira Academy of Culinary Arts, with the Cater Care students who graduated on Friday, 31 January 2020 in George.

The purpose of this collaborative programme between GRDM and the Francois Ferreira Academy is to address the high rate of unemployment within the Garden Route district through the Cater Care Training programme.  The course commenced on 4 September 2019 and concluded on 29 November 2019. During this period, the programme required all students to attend classes from Mondays to Thursdays from 8:30 to 15:00. It was expected from each student to attend class in uniform supplied to them while in training at a wing of the academy which is based in Oubaai, George.

“Take your eagle wings and fly”

Executive Deputy Mayor of GRDM, Cllr Rosina Ruiters, during her keynote address at the event.

During her keynote address at the event, Executive Deputy Mayor of GRDM, Cllr Rosina Ruiters, said: “A total of R350 000 was funded by the GRDM to train previously disadvantaged individuals in the Cater Care Programme with the intent to equip people to access jobs in the local Hospitality industry and Tourism sector”. She furthermore shared a motivational message with students and referred to the story of the eagle that was raised by a chicken and explained: “The chicken found a lost egg not knowing where it came from and then brooded the egg to become like a chicken”.  With these words Cllr Ruiters encouraged all students: “Take your eagle wings and fly – do not become a chicken”.

At the event, it became evident, that this journey was not only for students to be awarded with another certificate, but it served as proof of their overall passion and enthusiasm for the industry. This became known when two former students, Jackson Lencoe and David Griffins, shared their personal stories with the audience. Lencoe encouraged the students with the words: “If you want something, you have to be relentless and creative.” He furthermore shared words of appreciation to the Academy and GRDM who helped him discover the chef in him.  David Griffins furthermore said:  “I appreciate the opportunity provided to me” and shared these words with the students: “When I entered the academy, I knew nothing about being a chef, but with positive attitude and determination, everything else will follow; I learned, practised and never gave up,” he concluded.

Head of the Francois Fereirra Academy, Mr Francois Ferreira, focused predominantly on work ethics when entering the workplace, during his speech.

Adding to the words of Cllr Ruiters and the former students, the Head of the Academy, Mr Francois Ferreira, applauded all members of the team for their sheer commitment and congratulated them with the following words: “All of you worked very well throughout the course. We could see it in your theory and practical marks, with the lowest class percentage of 67% and the highest at 91%. Very well done”, he cheered. Mr Ferreira also sensitised all students and said that now becomes the harder part of finding permanent employment. To all who are not employed, he said: “Search for opportunities who fits your skills set and to students who are already employed, he said: “Look after your jobs as it is so skaars soos hoendertande”. He concluded: “You must have the right attitude and the right work ethic. Work hard at creating your career with the opportunity provided to you by Garden Route District Municipality”.

The ceremony concluded when Mr Ferreira extended a word of gratitude to the representatives of GRDM when he said:  “Thank you for taking hands with us to improve the lives of our youth in the Garden Route”.

Media Release: LED & SCM Indaba underway in Mossel Bay

Media Release: LED & SCM Indaba underway in Mossel Bay

For Immediate Release
20 July 2020

A two-day Local Economic Development (LED) and Supply Chain Management (SCM) Indaba is currently underway in Mossel Bay.

The theme of the Indaba is “Utilising procurement as a lever to enhance local economic development – Maximising citizens impact”

A myriad of topics will be discussed over the next two days, which include some of the following:

  • Public Procurement as it links the government’s development and strategic agenda and public financial management system with social, economic and environmental outcomes” (Western Cape: Economic Procurement Policy);
  • Context of supply chain management on the limitation hampering service delivery and the effects SCM has on local economic development;
  • How do we navigate economic opportunities in a rule driven environment to maximizing citizen impact;
  • The inclusion of the LED statement in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) that propels SCM to become a strategic enabler for economic development: Aligning IDP, SCM and LED”; and
  • Exploring creative mechanisms and/or solutions to address economic impact through procurement and deal with the economic challenges within various localities.

 

Media Release: Local Content and Production (LC&P) Workshop hosted in George

Media Release: Local Content and Production (LC&P) Workshop hosted in George

For Immediate Release
4 November 2019

The Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) in partnership with Provincial Treasury, the Department of Trade and Industry, as well as the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), recently, held a Local Content and Production (LC&P) workshop at the Outeniqua Research Farm in George.

Municipal Manager from Garden Route District Municipality, welcomed all stakeholders present and contextualised the municipal environment in relation to local content and the local economy, during the event.

The workshop formed a part of road show that was conducted in various districts within the Western Cape.  Discussions focused on the issues that impact on the progression of LC&P, specifically in the Garden Route district.  For this reason, local business representatives from various sectors and municipal officials from the local economic development and supply chain managements units attended the engagement to share their experiences and address issues in terms of local content and production.

During his welcoming speech and overview of the district, Municipal Manager of the GRDM, Mr Monde Stratu, spoke about the challenges of local content in a broader context and said: “When we talk about local content and production, it means we have some form of competition”.

He also referred to the economic instabilities internationally and narrowed it down to local challenges, including issues relating to the national electricity provider, unemployment, corruption within a municipal context. These challenges have become sophisticated because of globalisation etc. and we need to look at protecting our local industries.  Mr Stratu also mentioned that when South Africa’s economy opened its markets to international businesses, “it had to have some mechanism in place to protect our own economy, hence we talk about protection of the local industry and growing our own economy, creating sustainable jobs…”.  With these issues in mind and more specifically the issue of unemployment, he asked: “How successful were we in creating sustainable jobs in our district?” To which he further added: “Our sheer unemployment statistics are telling us that something is extremely wrong”. Mr Stratu advised that perhaps the Government should not explore new regulations, instead we should perfect what we already have and analyse it to determine what we are doing wrong”.

GRDM SCM officials who also attended the workshop, were (fltr): Manager of Finance, Mr Tebello Mpuru, Senior Accountant: SCM, Ms Deidre Raubenheimer, as well SCM Officer, Ms Sandisa Gologolo, SCM Administrator, Ms Melantha Botha and SCM Officer, Ms Bukelwa Ndzinde.

Various other vital issues were raised at the event, such as the issue of support and the development of SMMEs to be able to respond to tenders, as many of the tenders received from SMMEs are non-responsive. Manager in Finance at GRDM, Mr Tebello Mpuru, responded with his concerns about practical issues experienced by a supply chain management practitioners, as well as bidders and suggested that DTI, should make guidelines available to accompany regulations in order to reduce these administrative issues.

Ms Patricia September, from the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) advised SMMEs to make use of the services offered by SEDA and all other resources available to develop themselves. Ms September also emphasised: “When the need for training arises SMMEs must approach Government to fill those skills gaps within industries”. She furthermore acknowledged that government institutions and industry do have best practices and advised that those best practices be shared with one another.

All inputs gathered at the workshop will be discussed at a LC&P Summit and Exhibition for Government that is scheduled to take place this year. The purpose of the Summit and Exhibition will be to formulate a policy for the acceleration of local content and production of local commodities.

National and Provincial Government officials, as well as municipal officials from the district including Local Economic Development and Supply Chain Management (SCM) officials, representatives from SMMEs, local corporates, including the SABS, business associations and industry representatives from the LC&P sectors attended the workshop.

What is Local Content and Production?

 “Local Content” means that in terms of the manufacturing process the materials and labour in the manufacturing of the designated sector goods, are produced within the borders of South Africa. Therefore “locally” refers to “proudly made in South Africa” and does not begin to ring fence procurement from only people within the town or region, but for all South Africans irrespective of location.

Leap Entrepreneurial Development / ABSA Accelerator Programme

URGENT

Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) situated in the Garden Route are invited to register and participate in the Leap Entrepreneurial Development / ABSA Accelerator Programme.

Criteria – must be in business for more than two years with a turnover of more than R 500 000.

Introduction – Government has prioritised entrepreneurship and the advancement of Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) as the catalyst to achieving economic growth and development. With the assistance of other government departments and institutions, the Department of Trade and Industry takes the lead in implementing SMME-related policies, to ensure that adequate financial and non-financial assistance is provided to the sector, for its long-term prosperity and that of the country as a whole.

The importance of SMMEs on the South African Economy – According to the 2015 World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects, six of the fastest growing economies in the world are in Africa: Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mozambique, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Cote d’Ivoire. Whilst South Africa offers a business-friendly environment, out of 189 economies listed by the World Bank in terms of the ease of doing business, it has slipped six places – from 37th (2014) to 43rd (2015).

According to Gideon Nieman in his book Small Business Management: A South African Approach (2006), SMMEs in South Africa have become an important focus for policy makers because:

• The labour-absorptive capacity of the small business sector is higher than that of other size classes
• The average capital cost of a job created in the SMME sector is lower than in the big business sector
• They allow for more competitive markets
• They can adapt more rapidly than larger organisations to changing preferences and trends
• They often use local resources
• They provide opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those who are unemployed, under-employed or retrenched
• Workers at the smaller end of the scale often require limited or no skills or training; they learn on the job
• Subcontracting by large enterprises to SMMEs lends fertility to production processes
• They play a vital role in technical and other innovations

SMMEs are expected to function as a driving force in South Africa’s social and economic stability. The country is experiencing an expansion in the middle income segment with its increasing access to buying power. Consequently there have been mounting pressures on existing infrastructure such as healthcare, security systems, services, supply of electricity, clean water and recycling, all of which offer opportunities for SMMEs to service them as well as markets around the globe. The growth of the Internet offers prospects for small companies to grow through becoming e-commerce enabled – and geographical boundaries have therefore become porous.

Government policy such as that of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, particularly its Enterprise or Supplier Development pillars, can facilitate the realisation of increased economic growth coupled with appropriate tax policy to result in SMMEs making a considerable and important difference to the South African economy. The small businesses sector in South Africa does already make a significant contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP).

According to South Africa Web, small businesses contribute 30% to South Africa’s GDP – which is less than small businesses in developed countries that contribute around 50% to the GDP and those in Asia that contribute around 40%. With regard to employment, SMMEs in South Africa absorb about 70% to 80% of the employed population and contribute less than 4% to export earnings, leaving a large margin for growth.

The government, particularly with the championing by the Ministry of Small Business Development, Minister Lindiwe Zulu, has committed to a high level of support for small business through a mix of tax concessions, grants and free advisory services.

“We live in a time where jobs are no longer secure or abundant. We are increasingly called upon to be self-reliant, to take risks and initiatives and to generate our own income,” says Bev Moodie in her book, Entrepreneurship Made Easy (2000). Thus entrepreneurial activity has to become the cornerstone of economic growth in South
Africa and can be an important source of net job creation which the country sorely needs.

What impedes business growth?
• Burdensome regulations
• Lack of skills
• Local economic conditions
• Cost of labour
• Lack of finance
• Municipal cost & services
• Increased competition

In their 2015 SME growth index headline results, the business environment specialists SBP, who conduct an extensive annual study, analyse the challenges small businesses face in South Africa. They survey 500 established companies employing less than 50 people in manufacturing, business services and tourism. The 2015 survey listed the following factors that are constraining growth and which need to be addressed: burdensome regulations (40%), lack of skills (38%), local economic conditions (37%) and the cost of labour (32%).
This important research maps the way forward in terms of issues that need to be addressed in order for this crucial sector to burgeon and grow the economy so that South Africa joins the list of the fastest growing economies in the world.

Accelerator Programme Objectives

The Absa Accelerator Programme will be versatile with multiple delivery styles that are all suited to provide an interactive experience which covers the key business management elements of your business. These may include: (1) Financial management/Financial literacy, (2) Costing and pricing, (3) Sales and marketing, (4) Legal and compliance requirements for SMEs and Business systemisation.

Programme Structure

The programme was designed and delivered by experts and it has been extensively peer reviewed. It is mindful of the time pressures faced by SMEs and therefore the delivery method offers flexibility for you to participate at your own pace without compromising the quality of the outcomes. It will provide a structured, interactive experience which covers key elements of your business, supported by tools and resources for easy application. Also key is that you will be able to share experiences and form strong networks with like-minded entrepreneurs, building useful connections for your business.

COURSE OUTLINE

Purpose of Module 1: Marketing
This Unit Standard is aimed at learners who wish to develop an understanding of the way market mechanisms operate in a new venture. It will also address the economic realities of South Africa and the role new ventures play in job creation.

Outcomes
On achieving this unit standard, the Learner will be able to:
✓ Explain the free market system in terms of perfect and imperfect competitive markets.
✓ Discuss and illustrate the interaction of demand and supply in price determination
✓ Identify and discuss the factors that drive economic activity.
✓ Describe the development and significance of markets with particular reference to South Africa.

Purpose of Module 2: Costing &Pricing
This Unit Standard is for learners who want to be competent in applying the principles of costing and pricing in determining profit margins for a new venture. The Unit Standard will assist the learner to determine the future profitability by establishing whether the costs involved will generate sufficient profit to justify the launching of the new venture.

Outcomes
On achieving this unit standard, the Learner will be able to:
✓ Identify and apply the criteria of a price setting policy for a new venture
✓ Identify and analyse internal and external factors that impact upon pricing decisions
✓ Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between costs, revenue and profits

Purpose of Module 3: Financial Management
This unit standard is intended for learners who have to manage the finances of a business venture. Learners who achieve this Unit Standard are able to manage the income and expenditure of their own business and base financial decision-making on financial data.

Outcomes
On achieving this unit standard, the Learner will be able to:
✓ Explain financial aspects involved in running a business.
✓ Establish accounting systems.
✓ Analyse elements of an income and expenditure statement.
✓ Analyse elements of a Balance Sheet.
✓ Use the evidence in financial statements to make decisions.

Purpose of Module 4: Human Resource Planning
A learner achieving this unit standard will be able to analyse policy, procedures, agreements and conditions of employment applicable at the workplace environment and take the full responsibility to optimise and maintain efficiencies in policies. The learner should be able to identify trends and have the ability to implement acceptable systems to deal with this.

Outcomes
On achieving this unit standard, the Learner will be able to:
✓ Be responsible for the development and maintenance of effective human resource policies and practices.
✓ Be responsible for the drafting of job descriptions, recruitment, selection panels, and employment contracts
✓ Be responsible for the institute and facilitation of disciplinary policies, actions and hearings
✓ Develop, facilitate and monitor disciplinary policy, process and procedures
✓ Institute performance evaluation committees and manage the performance evaluation process.
✓ Participate in the implementation of applicable labour legislation

Ideal client profile
• Client should ideally be an Absa banking client (personal account holder may also be considered).
• Trading for at least two years
• Have a turnover of at least R 1 Million per annum (minimum of R 500 k per annum may also be considered)
• Black owned enterprise
• Operating within the Eastern Cape

Conclusion
The programme is structured in such a way whereby SMMEs don’t just get the necessary knowledge to improve their current business operations, but they are guides step by step taking into consideration their own business operation.
The proven success of the programme which was held in Bloemfontein and Kimberley attest to the value of the programme whereby people went from not banking with ABSA to being clients, whereby their knowledge about their financials increase and where they can now pose questions to those assisting them.

How to register

Interested SMMEs are requested to send their company registration documents, BBBEE affidavit and ID copy to Ricardo@leapskills.co.za before close of business on 5 November 2018.