In an effort towards cultivating a culture of entrepreneurship in communities, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Management, Alderman Grant Twigg launched a Business Forum in Eerste River on Tuesday, 18 February 2020.
‘Small business play a pivotal role and contribute immensely to Cape Town’s economy. I am pleased to hear that 31 entrepreneurs form part of this business forum,’ said Alderman Grant Twigg.
He was speaking at the launch of the Ward 16 Business Forum at the Eerste River Multi-Purpose Sports Centre, which incorporates the areas of Eerste River, Forest Heights, Greenfields, Hillcrest Heights, Kleinvlei Town, Malibu Village, Rosedale and Tuscany Glen.
The launch of the Business Forum was preceded by a registration drive which took place in December 2019.
Alderman Twigg emphasised the importance of a united front that would assist in creating an economically vibrant community, where people can live with dignity and where entrepreneurs and leaders of the small business community can exchange ideas. They would also be able to promote and improve business in the area, share successes and challenges as well as grow their businesses.
‘I would like to encourage entrepreneurs to assist the City to make the area a more attractive place in which to live and do business,’ said Alderman Twigg.
Managing Director of Bahati Tech, Nobukhosi Dlamini, whose company specialises in IT advisory services, systems development and systems support, was a guest speaker at the launch. The company was part of the Smart Supplier Development Programme by the City of Cape Town in 2018 and it successfully completed the programme.
‘As a City, we encourage and support the creation and development of small businesses and have various support programmes to facilitate training, skills development and entrepreneurship.
‘One tangible example is the walk-in Business Hub that was opened last year by my colleague, the Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, Alderman James Vos. He, together with his department of Enterprise and Investment, is responsible for Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMME) support and is driving to improve the ease of doing business, to grow the local economy and create jobs,’ said Alderman Twigg.
Located in the Cape Town Central Business District in Strand Street, The Business Hub helps find solutions to make small businesses more competitive and resilient. They do this by connecting SMMEs with business partners, funders, support organisations or municipal departments.
‘I am immensely proud of the work done and the success achieved since the Business Hub was established. Of the almost 1 200 enquiries received, 100% have been answered and 98% have been resolved or actioned within two days. Hundreds of companies have been assisted and almost 400 businesses have trained at workshops on how to do business with the City and government as well as costing and pricing. The numbers speak for themselves and show that the services offered are having a positive impact on the growth of business, the economy and employment in Cape Town,’ said Alderman Vos.
‘I encourage any SMME who needs assistance to visit The Business Hub walk-in centre in the Strand Street Concourse, call on 021 417 4043, visit www.capetown.gov.za/businesshub or email their queries to business.support@capetown.gov.za.’