MEC Bitsa Lenkopane officiated the handover of equipment to co-operatives in the North West on 26 and 27 September 2024. This is an initiative of the Department of Small Business development, SEDA and SEFA through the Cooperative Development support programme, working hand in hand with DEDECT. The Programme offers a number of incentives to Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) to grow their business.
The Cooperative Development Support Programme (CDSP), launched by the Department of Small Business Development, SEDA, and SEFA, aims to empower SMME’s, specifically cooperative enterprises. This initiative, exemplified by MEC Bitsa Lenkopane’s recent equipment handover, offers a comprehensive range of support, including financial assistance and non-financial resources. By providing grants, loans, and technical assistance, the CDSP enables cooperatives to expand their operations, improve their efficiency, and enhance their sustainability. This, in turn, contributes to job creation, poverty reduction, and economic growth in the region.
MEC Lenkopane emphasized that the collaboration between national and provincial government services is crucial for creating a more efficient and responsive administration. “By streamlining processes and avoiding duplication of efforts, we can better serve our people and accelerate development and job creation, said the MEC.
Here are the cooperatives which benefitted from the programme:
Tshireletso Bricks Cooperative,Boikhutso Township, Lichtenburg.
The items being handed over include a Brick Manufacturing Machine, Forklift, Cement, Sand and Crusher.
Founded in 2013, Tshireletso Brick Cooperative manufactures and sells various types of bricks and consists of 6 members. They aim to grow exponentially and create even more opportunities for local communities.
Letshabo Sons Cooperative, Motolong Village, Taung
The Letshabo Sons Cooperative is a small business established in 2011 by Chairperson Jacob Letshabo and his six brothers. The faming enterprise started with no land and has since cultivated 70 hectares of rented land for farming. It primarily focuses on vegetable farming, including maize and wheat, but also strategically rotates crops to optimise yields.
With the addition of a Landini 98KW Toptronic Cab Tractor and a new 24-Disc Orbach plower, the cooperative is poised to significantly expand its operations. These advanced tools will enhance efficiency and enable the cooperative to cultivate more land, ultimately creating additional jobs in the community.
Currently employing 8 permanent staff and up to 35 during peak seasons, the cooperative aims to further expand its land holdings to over 100 hectares, providing even more opportunities for local residents. The new equipment is a crucial step towards achieving this goal and ensuring the cooperative’s long-term sustainability.
Barui Driehoek Cooperative, Farm Driehoek, Lykso, Greater Taung Local Municipality.
Barui Driehoek Cooperative had applied for, and since been approved as a beneficiary of the Cooperative Development Support Programme (CDSP) in collaboration with National Department of Small Business Development and SEDA. The family cooperative received much needed equipment including 12 Bonsmara Heifers, a Delivery Van and a Generator.
The Co-op is managed by Kabelo and Matshidiso Mooketsi, and was established back in 2011 as an agricultural cooperative. They have since gone from renting farmland to occupying their own farm. With a focus on beef, chicken, and eggs, Barui has garnered recognition for its excellence, including the prestigious 2017 National ARC Small-Scale Commercial Beef Producer award. These latest additions to their farm promise to enhance their production capacity and create new job opportunities.