Help for businesses in Mdantsane
By Tabisa Mntengwana
17 April 2009
SOME 12 emerging contractors have been trained and registered with the Department of Public Works through the Mdantsane One Stop Shop, which has more than 40 businesses on its database – and most of them are prospering.
The centre, which opened in September 2003, helps aspiring and established small businesses in Mdantsane and surrounding areas.
Seminars and workshops are the order of the day at the centre, which is at the Municipal Works Building in NU 6. Here small, medium and micro enterprises are offered programmes like business counselling and advice, business registration, enterprise development and market linkages.
Business counselling and advice focuses on honing business ideas and on what is needed to start up a business or keep it running successfully. “We already have more than 40 businesses on our database from Mdantsane and most of them are prospering,” said Khungeka Somnono, the project co-ordinator.
As part of the programme, One Stop Shop representatives keep a regular check on the businesses’ progress through random visits. “Municipal officials work tirelessly to see to it that businesses are still operating.”
It also helps with the registration of businesses. “We help co-operatives register their businesses and also refer them to the relevant departments for registration,” Somnono said.
Regarding entrepreneurship and small business management, the centre runs a course that covers all the necessary skills to ensure a business runs smoothly, such as drawing up a business plan, marketing and financial management.
Its market linkages programme includes booking stands at local exhibitions and trade shows, product development and quality assurance. Business skills training looks at basic business concepts, identification of feasible small business ideas, bookkeeping and tax.
“The One Stop Shop also gives some of the businesses the opportunity to be in our stakeholders’ forum,” said Somnono.
The Mdantsane One Stop Shop was established through the Community Entrepreneurship and Business Initiative, a company set up to facilitate the discussions and workshops. It was later merged with the Mdantsane Urban Renewal Programme (MURP), targeting the development of co-operatives.
“The project was formed to create a suitable place for businesses to triumph in the township,” said MURP’s portfolio head, Luntu Bobo.
The co-operatives were assisted with the development of business ideas, and those ideas were nurtured into sustainable businesses.
There are four staff members - a project co-ordinator, administrator, loan officer and office assistant.
As part of the project, 12 emerging contractors had been trained and registered with the Department of Public Works. “We have created these opportunities for locals to grab them and ensure that they use them to empower themselves,” said Bobo.
For more information, contact the Mdantsane One Stop Shop on 043 705 9816.
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