City, Tsogo Sun open up markets for SMMEs

20 September 2015

 

Johannesburg entrepreneurs whose businesses struggle to take off because of the lack of exposure were given a golden opportunity to access bigger markets at Gold Reef City on Friday September 18 when leading hotel group Tsogo Sun hosted a competitive supplier-buyer matchmaking fair.

 

During the fair, held in partnership with the City of Johannesburg, hundreds of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) – mostly township businesses – showcased their products and services to a hospitality group that boasts 90 hotels throughout Africa with a combined total of 14 316 rooms.

 

This is the second time in two weeks that SMMEs in Johannesburg were given the platform to expand their businesses.

 

On August 28 retail giant Massmart made a presentation of its Competitive Supplier Development Programme – an initiative specifically designed to help guide small companies on how to enter the highly competitive retail market – at the Metro Centre in Braamfontein. Massmart, the local division of global retail giant Walmart, is a managed portfolio of four divisions, each focused on high-volume, low-margin, low-cost distribution of mainly branded consumer goods through 400 stores in 12 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

 

On Friday at Gold Reef City, several SMMEs demonstrated their readiness to supply Tsogo Sun with a range of products and services. The SMMEs were from sectors such as food and beverages, homeware, clothing and textiles, and maintenance.

 

Reginald Pholo, the City’s Director of Trade and Investment Promotion, said the fair had provided Tsogo Sun’s decision-makers with the opportunity to screen and source suppliers.

 

“The suppliers showcasing today will be screened and those selected will be informed within the next two weeks,” said Pholo.

 

Qualifying SMMEs will receive business development support and benefits, including coaching and mentorship, software systems support and access to networking opportunities. Ravi Naidoo, the City’s Executive Director: Economic Development, said the fair put small businesses in contact with major buyers and further enhanced Johannesburg’s advantage as a business hub.

 

“Johannesburg is a city of entrepreneurs and as the City we are constantly on the lookout for opportunities to further enhance our advantage. Each year we facilitate commercial relationships for more than 7 500 SMMEs through the City’s various programmes. Today is an example of that,” said Naidoo.