Supplier Development workshops for the SMME’s in Gauteng province
The Gauteng Department of Finance and eGovernment has embarked on a series of Supplier Development workshops within key regions of the province, with the aim to engage and educate small businesses on the requirements for doing business with government.
These crucial workshops led by the department’s MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, together with Head of Departments for Finance Ncumisa Mnyani and HOD for eGovernment Cyril Baloyi, provided much needed insights and education when it comes to the procurement processes within the province’s departments – which has become a challenge for many SMME businesses to become compliant in rendering services to the departments.
Topics covered during these workshops included;
How to tender,
Access to finance,
Taxation,
Financial management, and
ICT solutions as some of the crucial areas covered on the second day of the Johannesburg leg of the workshops which took place at the City’s hall.
On the photo: Gauteng MEC for Finance and eGovernment, MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.
Prior to the Johannesburg sessions, MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko began these workshops in Pretora and moving to the East Rand, as part of the province’s interventions to assist the businesses, most especially township-based entreprenuers.
Another milestone highlighted include the Department’s rolling out fibre internet connectivity across the province, including previously marginalized areas like townships and informal settlement. Now, this is the achievement that needs to be applauded as the province connects it’s people and enabling citizens and entreprenuers to access government services at the tip of their hands, using technology solutions.
“We wanted to start with the basic training for the artists because we saw the artists last year we unable to acces opportunities because they do not have ICT skills and the know how to market their businesses on their gadgets. So those are the basic digital-literacy trainings we are providing as the department.”, said MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko on the sidelines of the workshops at the Johannesburg City Hall.
The Johannesburg leg of the workshops focused on the creative sector and the egangements on how the artists can be assisted during and post the pandemic and be equally prioritized for the procurement opportunities that arise in the province’s departments for their growth in the sector.
One of the key startegies the department in the province has identified is the economic recovery as it was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which enabled many sectors of the economy not to function adequately, resulting in job losses and contrained economic growth and activity.
“We zoomed even further to township economy revitalization, focusing on SMME’s in participating in the ecomic activities of the Gauteng Province. And what is key to us is that the economy shouldn’t be owned by a few; ours is to ensure everybody participates. We have seen the unemployment rates and businesses have gone under and it’s not to go out there and look for a job, but by you becoming an employer you use your skills and capabilities and do something for yourself.”, Ncumisa Mnyani, HOD for Finance in Gauteng elaborated during the Johannesburg session.
The Gauteng Treasury department has prioritized economic participation of SMME’s on the available opportunities and has set targets in their budget of about R150 billion rands to be inclusive of SMME participation, including women, youth and people living with disabilities.
MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko will on 30th November 2021 table her adjustement budget for 2021/22 financial year to the Provincial Legislature, which paves way for the budget to be presented in March 2022.
SHARE THIS STORY ANYWHERE YOU LIKE
SHARE THIS STORY ANYWHERE
LATEST NEWS
LATEST NEWS
Analogue NITES returns for a one-night reunion
After more than a decade away, one of Johannesburg’s most beloved music experiences is finally making its long-awaited return. On
Saso’s Marquee experience returns to the Hollywoodbets Durban July
Following its standout success at the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July, Saso’s Marquee Experience officially returns for the 2026 edition, once
Music Business Lab’s class of 2026 building a stronger music ecosystem
If a picture speaks a thousand words, then the sight of 50 music entrepreneurs gathered in celebration after completing the