By Nangamso Mabindla
7 December 2004

BUFFALO CITY'S Local Economic Development Department has heeded Mayor Sindisile Maclean's call to focus on reviving King Williams Town's economy by opening a centre aimed at assisting the town's emerging entrepreneurs.

Earlier this year Maclean called on business to focus on redeveloping the once prosperous town.

Taking his call to heart, the Department joined forces with Investec Bank, the Steve Biko Foundation and the provincial Department of Social Development to form The Business Place.

The centre helps SMMEs with advice on how to take their business ideas further.

The Business Place has three entrepreneurial apprentices to help prospective entrepreneurs with business plans and other business-related matters.

Apprentice Xola Moni said potential entrepreneurs spoke to them on a one-on-one basis, which helped to brainstorm ideas and ways to develop them into a successful business.

"When we've brainstormed around the ideas, we put together a professional business plan," said Moni. "We then send it to different finance and business support service providers, like Kula Enterprise and the Msobomvu Youth Fund."

The apprentices also act as mentors and guides to their clients. "But we always allow clients to take ownership of their business. We never interfere. We want them to be proud of their own success. We're just guides," he added.

The Business Place provides free Internet access for people to research ways to be successful in their businesses, as well as an agriculture business manager who assists people interested in farming.

Adds Mona: "We also have Rutech - which sells business equipment for farming - and other equipment."

Busisiwe Mneno, chairperson of the Sosebenzasonke Women's Project, said The Business Place was a welcome addition to King William's Town.

"It's always full of people who want to learn more about business," she said, adding: "Here they learn about how to write a business plan and other important facets of starting a successful business."

Recently the Sosebenzasonke Women's Project sent representatives to an international fashion show in New York. "We took our craft work to the show and the response was amazing."

Because the project was not officially part of the show they were not able to sell their crafts, but the organisers were so impressed with the South African products that they invited the project to take part in next year's show.

"I think we'll be the first South Africans to exhibit work at the show and it's all thanks to This Place. We really are grateful that we can now start dreaming big," Mneno said.

The Sosebenzasonke Women's Project works with women who make various traditionally crafted items, runs HIV/AIDS programmes, and operates other community building programmes.

For more information contact the Business Place on 043 642 4477 or visit it at 25 Taylor Street, King Williams Town.