The highly recommended SMME Opportunity Roadshow heads to Durban on Tuesday, 18 August 2015, at the Durban ICC from 08:00 to 17:00. SMMEs (small, medium and macro enterprises) in Durban and in greater KwaZulu-Natal Province are invited to register for free to attend this educational event and discover how to implement a winning business model that will create jobs and improve employee skills.
Durban is the third City, after Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth to host the SMME Opportunity Roadshow. The Edge recently reported that levels of entrepreneurship in South Africa remain low and only account for 55% of employment, compared to 90% in China, India and Indonesia. South African SMMEs also battle with a high failure rate of 70% to 80%. Wage increases above inflation, hiking petrol and food prices, as well as the inflation rate that accelerated to 4.7% in June 2015 ** are just some of the most obvious reasons entrepreneurial businesses struggle; all these factors leave business owners with tough decisions to make that will ultimately affect business growth, thus they need the input and guidance of seasoned industry experts.
“As a bank, we are passionate about growing SMMEs, as we recognise that more successful entrepreneurs equals a stronger, more prosperous economy,” says Ethel Nyembe, Head of Small Enterprise at Standard Bank. “We also recognise that even though SMME owners and their employees have the drive, ambition, and intelligence needed for success, they may lack access to networks, industry expertise and support. Events such as the SMME Opportunity Roadshow can provide these vital resources.”
Participating SMMEs will be empowered through master classes in HR, financial management, information and communications technology, as well as sales and marketing. Businesses are also invited to exhibit on the day and network during the engaging break-away sessions. Invited speakers include Minister of Small Business Development Lindiwe Zulu; KwaZulu-Natal Premier Edward Mchunu; and CEO of National Youth Development Agency Khathu Ramukumba.
“Durban is one of the favoured tourist destinations in South Africa. The city also plays a pivotal role in the importing and exporting of goods through the Durban Harbour – the largest and busiest shipping terminal on the African continent,” says Greg Penfold, Head of Events Division at Cape Media. “South Africa may be deemed as an industrial economy, and the fact is skilled labourers and small businesses are the driving force. Each city has its own business dynamics, and we look forward to learning about the ones SMMEs in Durban will raise.”
To book your seat, please visit http://www.smmesa.co.za/registration, select your preferred city and your free registration will be approved.
Event details of the SMME Opportunity Roadshow:
Date: Tuesday, 18 August 2015
Venue: Durban ICC
Time: 08:00 – 17:00.
RSVP and exhibition opportunity: Zama Hlekani | zama@capemedia.co.za | 021 6817000
If you can’t be at the venue, don’t miss out – watch the live stream on http://www.capemedia.tv/. You can also join the discussion on Twitter @SMME_Roadshow and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/smmeor.
*: http://www.durban.gov.za/Resource_Centre/edge/Documents/SMME’s.pdf
**: http://www.fin24.com/Economy/Kganyago-Sarb-will-stay-sensitive-to-fragile-economy-20150731