THIS inspiring account by the brainsbehind the thriving, uMlazi-based Sweety-Nu-4u Enterprise, Thandeka Xaba, is justone of many testimonials to just howsuccessful the City’s SMME Fair initiativehas been.

Marking its 10-year milestone this year,the eThekwini Municipality’s BusinessSupport Unit is shifting up its gear inpreparation for the annual Small BusinessFair to be hosted at the Durban ExhibitionCentre from 19 – 21 September.

The main SMME Fair, backed withfunding of R2.5 million, follows fivesuccessful regional fairs hosted jointly withthe Area Based Management teams in theSouth Durban Basin (SDB), INK (Inanda/Ntuzuma/ KwaMashu) and rural areas inwhich some 340 exhibitors and more than6 000 visitors participated.

In celebrating 10 years of success thisyear, the main Small Business Fair promisesto be the best yet. Philip Sithole, Head ofthe Business Support Unit said: “This yearwe have a plan to take the Fair to a higherlevel. We are hoping to increase the numberof exhibitors.

“We have a very exciting small businessconference, business linkage programme,and one-on-one business meetingsbetween small businesses and corporateexecutives planned.”

Sithole said a list of high profile guestspeakers was lined up for the conference,

including Durban Chamber PresidentMoses Tembe, KZN Minister of EconomicDevelopment and Finance, Dr ZweliMkhize, the CEO of Pamodzi InvestmentsNdaba Ntsele, the CEO of McCarthyHoldings, Brand Pretorius and the ZicoCEO Sandile Zungu.

The popular Business LinkageProgramme is on the cards again. Thisprocess enables SMMEs to meet with bigindustry players and introduce theirservices and products to the procurementofficers.

“The meetings between smallbusinesses and big businesses are pre-arranged, so if you would like to participate,please register without delay,” Sithole said.Small Businesses are encouraged toparticipate in the conference. Some of thekey issues to be addressed include the City’sprogramme on 2010, Broad-Based BlackEconomic Empowerment and itsimplications for small businesses,government procurement processes,support programmes and access tofinance, and global trade issues that affectsmall businesses.

Another innovation introduced as partof celebrating 10 years of SMME fairs is thecompetition for best exhibitor. The winnerwill be given the opportunity to exhibitoverseas. The Business Support Unit willalso provide extensive training on how toexhibit, mentorship during the exhibition,

and an after-care programme.The eThekwini Municipality will presentits budget expenditure to give SMMEs anoverview of the projects to be implementedby Council.

The participation of Durban’s sistercities will add another exciting dimensionto the SMME Fair, offering SMMEs theopportunity to network and create linkswith overseas markets. In 2007 the SMMEFair attracted 350 exhibitors, and about3 000 visitors a day.

32

businessbeat

Showcase your business

“Judging by its string of successes over the last decade - I think it’s high time thatthe eThekwini Municipality’s Small Business Fairs initiative becomes a nationaldriving force behind the development of South Africa’s emerging entrepreneurs.For me, there’s no platform that better tackles SMME-related development thanthe City’s fairs!”

words SOHANA SINGH | pictures DERRICK DLAMINI

Register Now

This year promises to be bigger and betterthan before. Businesses are urged toregister as soon as possible for the SmallBusiness Fair to avoid disappointment.Telephone Ikhono Communications on031 266 9937/8 or emailLindani@ikhonokzn.co.za orinfo@ikhonokzn.co.za. Registration formscan also be found at www.durban.gov.za.Registration closes on 29 August 2008.