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As part of Nedbank’s Small Business Friday initiative, Alan Winde, Western Cape Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, embarked on a listening tour in Cape Town’s Fringe District to hear the concerns of small businesses operating in the area.

Minister Winde visited The Book Lounge, Truth Coffee Shop and the Laundry Lounge.

Minister Winde said: “80 per cent of new jobs globally are created by Small to Medium Size Enterprises (SMMEs). In South Africa, SMMEs contribute between 52 and 57 per cent to the GDP and provide 61 per cent employment. Small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy. The Western Cape Government is determined to provide support that stimulates the growth of entrepreneurial activity in our Province. We have set aside R 53.5 million during the current financial year for this very purpose.”

“The main concerns raised by the businesses I visited today were red tape related. I directed them to the Red Tape to Red Carpet Call Centre which we set up to remove the barriers that prevent or deter businesses from creating growth and jobs. The Call Centre allows small businesses in the Western Cape to lodge and request assistance for red tape-related issues or for any general information on starting and growing a business. The Call Centre has had an 85% resolution rate thus far. I implore all small businesses and entrepreneurs in our Province to make use of this facility. The call centre can be reached on 0861 888 126 and redtape@westerncape.gov.za <mailto:redtape@westerncape.gov.za> .”

Minister Winde was accompanied by Solly Fourie, the Head of the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism; Craig Alistoun, Senior Corporate Banker at Nedbank Corporate and Yehuda Raff, the Co-ordinator of The Fringe Project.