Promoting small business

Colin Francis, Operations Manager for Seda Gauteng, outlines some of the programmes available to entrepreneurs, from business diagnostics to training.

What is the mandate of Seda Gauteng?

The Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) is an agency of the Department of Small Business Development. It is mandated to implement government’s small business strategy; design and implement a standard and delivery network for small enterprise development and integrate government-funded small enterprise support agencies.

Seda’s mission is to develop, support and promote small enterprises, ensuring their growth and sustainability in coordination and partnership with various role-players, including global partners, who make international best practices available to local entrepreneurs.

Where are your regional branches located?

Ekurhuleni, Kempton Park; Tshwane-Pretoria CBD; Johannesburg, Braamfontein.

Colin Francis, Operations Manager

After gaining a National Diploma in Extraction Metallurgy and Mining Technology from Technikon Witwatersrand, Colin graduated with a BTech from Unisa. After a spell as a learner metallurgist at Vaal Reefs, he worked for Columbus Stainless. He then branched out as a small business owner of a food company before becoming a Senior Industrial Advisor to the National Advisory Manufacturing Centre. He joined Seda in 2006 and was appointed in 2011 to his present position as Operations Manager, Gauteng.

What are the major challenges faced by small businesses?

Access to finance and to business development services. Lack of market opportunities, poor infrastructure, overbearing legislation and lack of information.

What impact has Covid-19 had on small business?

Small businesses have been severely affected by Covid in that restrictions have hampered the potential for sales. Expensive data and digital platforms also stopped entrepreneurs from taking their businesses online. Many small businesses did not survive the hard lockdowns.

Has Seda run programmes to help SMMEs recover?

Seda assisted the Department of Small Business Development and Sefa to roll out the Business Recovery Programme and the Covid Relief Programme.

Where are the best opportunities in Gauteng?

Gauteng is the economic powerhouse of the country and the sectors that flourish include the manufacturing, wholesale and retail, banking, services and ICT sectors. Due to the populous nature of the province, there are opportunities everywhere, from the numerous business parks to the business districts and the townships

Does Seda encourage competitiveness and viability?

Seda offers a wide range of services including business diagnostics, information dissemination and training.

Does Seda assist women and youth?

Seda assists all client on a needs basis. Seda partners with various stakeholders to ensure that these designated groups have access to tailormade programmes.

“We are agripreneurs, supplying equitably sourced and sustainably grown African Indigenous ingredients, including ancient grain and superfoods, connecting ethical producers with conscious consumers”

“Together Advancing Small Enterprise Development”

Info Centre: 0860 103 703 www.seda.org.za

@Seda_dsbd

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Expansion at Ford Motor Company’s Silverton assembly plant will add 1 200 jobs to Ford’s workforce and increase annual installed production of the Ford Ranger to 200 000 units (up from 168 000). The plant also will manufacture Volkswagen pickup trucks as part of the Ford-VW strategic alliance. An overall country investment of R15.8-billion includes R10.3- billion to be spent on upgrades at Silverton to increase production volumes and drive improvements in production efficiency and vehicle quality. Credit: Ford Motor Company