By Nangamso Mabindla
19 April 2007

SMALL business was the focus of a business information seminar held by Buffalo City's local economic development unit in Duncan Village.

The information seminar, for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), was hosted in partnership with the City's SMME support programme, the Mdantsane One Stop Centre. The City's programme manager for SMME development, Vuyani Mbatha, said the aim of the seminar was to inform emerging local businesses about support programmes, initiatives and opportunities.

"We also wanted to create a platform for interaction between local business and various service providers … [and] to provide business information to local aspiring businesses."

The seminar, held last week, offered these emerging businesses advisory services. Presentations were made by the Eastern Cape Development Corporation, the Department of Labour, the Border Kei Training Centre, Khula Enterprise and The Business Place.

Representatives spoke on a range of subjects, including access to finance, business plan development, enterprise development, skills development and job creation, among other business aspects.

"A lot of the people in the audience owned small businesses and the seminar proved to be what they needed to have more understanding about steps that need to be taken when starting your own business," Mbatha added.

Talking about the seminar's success, he said that it was very informative and the people of Duncan Village and surrounding areas benefited from it.

"Some have already phoned our one-stop centre enquiring about contact details for the different organisations that made presentations at the seminar. They really appreciated the seminar."

However, work was not finished for the City's local economic development unit as it planned to open a business hub in Duncan Village.

"We want the hub to provide help to local aspirant businesspeople and contractors. [It] will monitor small businesses in the area and give them advice. We don't want the seminar to be the end of our interaction with these businesses."