KNYSNA NEWS - The minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni, led a delegation of senior officials from the Knysna Municipality and Garden Route District Municipality to hand over machinery and equipment to micro and informal traders in Khayalethu on Tuesday 10 June.
This was part of the department's informal and micro enterprises development programme, which was specially designed to empower and develop informal traders to become skilled and adequately equipped to manage their businesses.
The Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (Sedfa) Knysna facilitated the process of the beneficiaries applying for the equipment.
The venue was fully packed by small business owners who came to obtain their equipment, while others came to listen to advice from the minister on how to develop their businesses.
Ndabeni advised them of many opportunities that her department has for them. "As small businesses, you must start forming corporations, work together and share ideas. When you work together, you can do more.
"We will support you, as you can see the equipment we have brought here. This is free of charge and you don't have to pay.
"But we need to see there is something you are trying to achieve, but are struggling because of having no resources. Business opportunities are grabbed by people from other countries. You have to think out of the box. We are always open to supporting small businesses."
She advised that people can start businesses by collecting discarded items that can be used and recycled. "You must see an opportunity to make a business when you see rubbish."
Cussidy Morrison, one the beneficiaries, the owner of Stoned Clothing Brand, said she is does her own designs. She received a laptop and a heat press machine. "It's awesome that I have received these two pieces of equipment and that they are going to help me with my business. I want to thank you for this as this will develop my business."
Yandiswa Magqibisa came to collect some equipment on behalf of her sister, Zukiswa. Zukiswa does grass cutting and maintenance on the N2. "She received two grass cutting machines. On behalf of my sister, I would like to thank Sedfa, the Knysna Municipality and the national department for doing this."Mayor Thando Matika expressed his gratitude for these donations. He said he was happy that the venue was full and people who had come out in their numbers even though they were not all beneficiaries. He said that they had come to listen to what was being shared was a positive sign.
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