On Monday 28 June a group of dedicated individuals and organisations met to put a plan together to create more jobs in South Africa.

Robust conversation and insight from the panellists coupled with well thought out input from the audience clearly indicates the urgency around this matter. While some of our current economic woes are linked to the pandemic and the associated lock-down it was interesting to note that this event took place the morning after the country was put into level 4 lock-down. But this was not mentioned once during the event.

The high level of unemployment and excessive barriers to entry have been around for awhile, it was the lock-down that brought to light just how severe the issue is. It is clear that entrepreneurship is the solution to this continuing disaster state. The event looked at identifying the most important hurdles limiting entrepreneurial growth so that we can define the action steps needed to address these hurdles. We are currently compiling the post-event action report which distils the matters raised so that we can implement.

But what makes this different from previous events that dealt with the same issues, often with the same people in the room? This event was called by a soon to be launched industry advisory council with a focus on small business. The partners within this industry body are sector associations and this is where the action happens. This is how we will coordinate our response. 

The event took the format of two panel discussions. The first panel, chaired by SA SME Association CEO Howard Johnson focused on economic recovery and the Sector Recovery Plans of SA Associations. The second chaired by Brennan Williams from GEASA dealt with Strengthening the SME ecosystem by deepening relations between Government, Big Business and Small Business in support of the Economic Recovery plan.

Panellists included CEO of the South Africa Chamber of Commerce and Industry Alan Mukoki, Lesley Wentworth, MD of Tutwa Consulting who is representing the Ecosystem Development for Small Enterprises in South Africa, Khulekani Mathe the Head of Financial Inclusion at Banking Association of South Africa, Mxolisi D Matshamba, the CEO of Small Enterprises Finance Agency, Henro Kruger MP, Vukile Nkabinde who is the Director of Master Plan Development in the Enterprise Development and Entrepreneurship Division of the DSBD, Carl J Lotter the Chairman of the SA SME Association, CEO of the SA Oil and Gas Alliance Adrian Strydom, CEO of The South African Institute of Professional Accountants Faith Ngwenya, CEO of the Plein Chamber Sean Achim and CEO of the  Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association Michel Basson.  

Entrepreneurial intent is regarded as the best predictor of actual entrepreneurial behaviour. More needs to be done to create an environment where entrepreneurship can thrive. The post event report will be out by mid July.

Get Involved, Contact:

Howard Johnson
CEO, SA SME Association
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Carl J Lotter
Chairman, SA SME Association
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For Media Enquiries Contact:
Dylan James
Marketing Director, SA SME Association
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
066 206 2109