Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu, will deliver a keynote address at the third Annual National SMME Policy Colloquium on 27 and 28 October 2016 at the Esselen Park School of Excellence, Kempton Park. Some of the key speakers at this year’s colloquium will include Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Ms  Elizabeth Thabethe, Chief Executive Officer of Small Business Development Institute (SBDI), Mr Xolani Qubeka and  Director General of the Department of Small Business Development, Prof Edith Vries.

After two successful colloquiums in 2014 and 2015, the Small Business Development Institute (SBDI) and the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) are joining hands yet again to host this year’s colloquium.

This year will see the launch and deliberations towards crafting a National SMME Policy Master Plan linked to the NDP.  The Master Plan seeks to create a template that would engender an integrated approach to SMME development across the South African economic landscape through collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Minister Zulu said ‘This Colloquium is a perfect opportunity to remind all of us about the crucial role that small businesses and co-operatives play in economic development and social cohesion. We continue to call on all stakeholders to partner with us in the process of discharging our mandate. We welcome and embrace new innovative ideas that can propel small businesses to new heights”.

The two-day event will be held as follows:

DATE:      Thursday,  27 October 2016 and Friday, 28 October 2016
TIME:       Registration from 7:30am until 8:30am daily
VENUE:    TRANSNET- Esselen Park Conference Centre( School of Rail)
Road 91-1 Off R25;  Modderfontein, Church Street, Tembisa.
RSVP:      Clement Moaga 071 223 9957; CMoaga@dsbd.gov.za /
         Ziphozethu@tcf.co.za | or call 011 463 7550 /

Journalists covering the event should note that Minister Lindiwe Zulu will speak at 9:15.


Media enquiries: Cornelius Monama
Spokesperson: Department and Ministry of Small Business Development
Tel: 060 960 3158 (cmonama@dsbd.gov.za)

RSVP:  Clement Moaga (CMoaga@dsbd.gov.za; Tel: 071 223 9957)