On Wednesday, 19 June 2019, the MMC for Economic Development, Cllr Leah Knott, and I had the pleasure of opening the City of Johannesburg’s fifth Opportunity Centre in Klipfontein View, north Johannesburg.
This Opportunity Centre will be to the advantage of small businesses and entrepreneurs in Klipfontein View and surrounding areas as a single point of entry for mentorship and holistic guidance on starting and running an enterprise.
This is the fourth Opportunity Centre to be launched following that of the inner city, Roodepoort, and Diepsloot. A business centre also services the Orange Farm community in partnership with Discovery.
The City’s Department of Economic Development understands the reality and consequences of rising unemployment and the desperation for real job opportunities, especially among young people.
Earlier this year Statistics South Africa revealed that youth between the ages of 15 -24 are the most vulnerable within the South African labour market, and the unemployment rate among this group was 55.2% in the first quarter of 2019.
The Opportunity Centre seeks to provide not only resources but most importantly an enabling environment for both new and existing small businesses and entrepreneurs to explore their potential and find creative ways of participating in the economy.
The City has recognised the stumbling blocks faced by young people who want to bring their ideas to life and venture into the world of business. Some of the major challenges for the youth in the townships include the absence of relevant institutions to assist with information.
The launch of the centre is aimed at bridging the gap between services and the people. To this end, the City has roped in various business partners to make this a reality. This includes the South Africa Revenue Service, Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), Innovation Hub, Productivity SA, Small Enterprise Development Agency, South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), ABSA, TUHF, GenAfrica, Discovery, and Smart Procurement World.
Furthermore, the facilities will offer a variety of services including guidance on how and where to source funding to start a business, company registration, tax compliance, business plans, and general information on how to run and manage a business.
Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) will also have an opportunity to register on the City’s supplier database so that opportunities to do business with the City are open for all. These services are provided at no cost to the SMMEs with the City providing the facilitation and space.
The centre also features managed workshops, meeting rooms, and internet access to SMMEs. This will ensure that job-seekers and emerging businesses are able to access vital resources to ensure their future success.
The DA-led multiparty administration is committed to transforming the lives of the forgotten people of Klipfontein View and other previously disadvantaged communities by transforming these areas from places of despair to ones characterised by optimism and opportunity.
In the true spirit of Diphetogo, the multi-party government is actively taking steps to restore hope and ultimately return Johannesburg to a city that overflows with opportunities. We truly believe that the development and support of SMMEs and entrepreneurs plays a critical role in achieving our goal of a 5% economic growth rate by 2021.