MEDIA STATEMENT
To : All Editors and Journalists
Date : 25 July 2022
MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Kenetswe Mosenogi embarked on an ongoing programme of handing over business equipment and machinery to successful applicants of the Departmental Empowerment Fund for the 2021/2022 financial year.
The programme is part of the department’s interventions aimed at leveraging enterprise funding through procurement of equipment and machinery for start-ups as well as growth and expansion of enterprises which will result in job creation and poverty alleviation. The applicants must have been operating a legally registered business, and be residing in the North West Province.
“In order to reverse the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic on small businesses and cooperatives, we ought to urgently provide some support to these entrepreneurs and through this hardheaded intervention by the department, they will certainly improve their competitiveness and bring up profitability, said the MEC during the handover ceremony.
She added that through this programme, the government is only reaffirming its commitment to support and sustain enterprises through operational tools. This is also proof to all entrepreneurs in the province especially young people that department’s financial assistance is not designed for a certain group of people, but for any entrepreneur who meets the qualifying criteria required for funding.
The MEC started the programme earlier this month by handing over equipment and machinery to (9) enterprises in Dr Kenneth Kaunda Districts and proceeded to Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati. The equipment and machinery that were handed over in both districts is valued at approximately R1, 2 million for enterprises operating mostly in manufacturing, catering, baking, décor, cleaning, and environmental services.
Speaking during the handover, MEC Mosenogi urged the beneficiaries to become agents of service delivery, they should communicate the work that the government is doing, especially to the people who may say the government is not assisting small businesses.
“With this programme, we want to assist small businesses, especially those that are facing financial and operational difficulties to grow and be sustainable to prevent job losses and minimise retrenchment of workers through the provision of machinery and equipment. The focus is on youth, women, people with disabilities and military veterans,” she said.
The empowerment fund assists start-ups businesses which have been in operation for less than a year with a grant worth R100 000.00, whilst existing businesses which have been in operation for more than a year are assisted with a grant of up to R200 000.00 to purchase machinery and equipment.
MEC also expressed gratitude to the beneficiaries for responding to this opportunity presented by government and for their patience and dedication bared in ensuring that they satisfy the qualifying criteria. “Patience is very important in business as SMMEs would usually be sent back for correction and supplement of necessary documents, just to ensure that their applications are being successful.”
The department will be visiting other districts within the province to hand over equipment to other beneficiaries throughout the 2021/22 financial year, to ensure that small businesses have adequate equipment and machinery that will add value to their businesses. This will assist the government in responding to the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality.
ENDS
Issued by Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT)
For media enquiries please contact:
Departmental Spokesperson Mr Jerry Matebesi
Cell: 072 333 0325
Email: JeremiahMatebesi@nwpg.gov.za
Twitter: @nwpg_dedect
Facebook: @nwdedect