City’s SMME Hub draws big crowds to its stand

11 May 2016

 

The spirit of entrepreneurship was awakened in Alexandra when the City of Johannesburg’s SMME Hub exhibited its services during the Greater Alexandra Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s open day – the first of its kind – on Friday May 6.

 

The event, held at the Altrec Sports Centre to promote entrepreneurship, drew large crowds of residents.

Bonginkosi Ndamane, 27, one of the people who attended the exhibition, said he did not know about the Johannesburg SMME Hub and the services it offered until he visited the expo.

“It was very encouraging to hear about all the great development opportunities the City offers. This expo will enable us to take full advantage of all them,” said Ndamane, who has registered a catering business. He plans to visit the hub for more business advice.

The SMME Hub is located within the City’s Department of Economic Development, under Member of the Mayoral Committee Councillor Ruby Mathang. Director Tsholo Mogotsi said he was delighted that the hub was invited to exhibit at the open day.

“This is something we do all the time as the SMME Hub. We have outreach programmes. This gives us the platform to inform young people about the services we render,” said Mogotsi.

Nomakhaya Mahlaule, the Greater Alexandra Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Sponsorship and Events Manager, said the partnership with the City of Johannesburg had “yielded positive results”.

“This was our first attempt and we’re pleased with the turnout. This is an event that we’d like to host annually. Later this year, we’ll host another event that we hope the City will support, where SMMEs will be showcasing what they do,” said Mahlaule.

SMME Hub representative Raymond Zulu said many people at the open day wanted to sign up for workshops so they could get information to help them grow their businesses.

“The City wants to develop entrepreneurs. The SMME Hub has a number of offices to assist them,” he said.