The City’s Business Hub is on track to help others reach their goals with a series of free supplier development programmes aimed at aspiring and existing small enterprises and entrepreneurs.
The sessions – which started on 28 January – will cover a variety of topics, from social media marketing strategies to step-by-step guidance on how to do business with the City.
Most of the programmes will take place virtually, meaning that business owners will be able to access it wherever they are – or by visiting the library, where free internet access is available.
Since its inception in August 2019, the hub has assisted more than 5 000 SMMEs or aspiring entrepreneurs.
“Cape Town’s small businesses are a lifeline of employment, innovation and our economy. By supporting them with platforms to help them maintain and grow operations, we are fostering an economically sustainable environment,” says James Vos, the City’s Mayco member for economic growth.
In March last year, it launched a mobile helpdesk to go directly into communities and assist enterprises where they are based.
Thus far, the team has gone on the road to assist clients in Delft, Mitchells Plain, Bellville, Athlone and Strand.
This year, the mobile helpdesk is due to go out to Philippi, Durbanville and other areas across the metro.
One of the business owners who used the hub’s services is Glynn Mashonga, whose security solutions business had issues getting off the ground due to a lack of funding.
Mashonga attended one of the City’s Smart Supplier Programmes where she was trained on pitching to clients. The training helped her to land more and bigger local and international clients, and to eventually grow her workforce.
. To see the calendar of events and sign up, go to www.investcapetown.com/news-events/business-events/.
. For data-free access to the virtual sessions, attendees can use the SmartCape services in public libraries or go to one of the 100 City-run buildings in the metro with free Wi-Fi access. Find out more here www.capetown.gov.za/local%20and%20communities/get-online/Public-Wifi-Zones/public-wifi-across-the-city.
. Contact The Business Hub team on business.support@capetown.gov.za or 021 417 4043 if you have any questions.
