MEC Padayachee opened the SMME Business Week in Mpumalanga

The provincial SMME business week is aimed to create awareness about the Small Business Development Support that is available in the Province.

Mr Mazibuko also noted the significance of hosting this week during the women’s month saying it is a reminder of more work that needs to be done to empower women economically.

“We are grateful that the organisers elected to host this SMME Business Week during this momentous month. This is very significant because the SMME Business Week on its own draws our attention to the real work that needs to be done if we are serious about steps that we take to ensure that we emancipate women from the shackles of poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment; it draws our attention to the real work that needs to be done if we are serious about steps that we need to take to ensure that the spectre of discrimination, patriarchal domination and hurdles to business opportunities are eradicated. It draws our attention to the maxim that we still need to do more,” said Mazibuko.

The HOD also commended the provincial SEDA for its commitment to its founding objectives of “promoting service delivery networks that increase the contribution of small enterprises to the South African economy …. .”

He said the Freedom Charter which was adopted in Kliptown on 26 June 1955 enjoins us to a common purpose of action on shared economic growth.

“The Charter gave us a perspective on how we should distribute the economic wealth of the country. It is a foundation of the economic policy especially on issues of economic development and empowerment of our people. We say this because we know, as the Charter guides us, that all the people must enjoy equal rights and be afforded an opportunity to make contribution to the economic wellbeing of the country and in our case that of this province.”
Mazibuko added that it is important that the various skills that our people have, sheer determination that is shown by some of our young people and women are recognized through financial and non-financial support to ensure that indeed they too make a contribution to the economic development and growth of the province.”
The SMME Business Week comes to an end on Friday.

For more information contact Letshela Jonas on 013 766 4323 / 079 5000 154
Issued by the Department of Economic Development and Planning, Mpumalanga Provincial Government