President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 25 February 2021, address a webinar on Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and Cooperatives supported by the Department of Small Business Development.

The webinar discussion will be guided by the theme, “Open Engagement with a View to Rebuild an Even Stronger Economy”.

The event will be hosted by the Department of Small Business Development together with its agencies, the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) and Small Enterprise Finance Agency (Sefa).

During the early stages of the national lockdown implemented as part of the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department set aside funds to assist SMMEs and cooperatives that were affected by COVID-19 restrictions and disruption to normal business.

The assistance took the form of the SMME Debt Relief Scheme and the Sefa Payment Holiday. 

Tomorrow’s webinar will also reflect on challenges and opportunities presented to SMMEs and cooperatives in the context of economic reconstruction and recovery.

The event will make provision for feedback from beneficiaries on the effectiveness of support programmes and will provide SMMEs and Co-operatives with insights on the role these enterprises can play in the achievement of inclusive economic growth.

The President will be joined by the Minister of Small Business and Development, Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.

Participating entrepreneurs will come from all 44 districts and 8 metros where they are participating in the SMME Debt Relief Scheme, the Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme, the Manufacturing Scheme and the Access to Market Programme. 

The virtual Seminar is scheduled for 14h00 and the opening session and address by the President will be live streamed on major news channels and government social media platforms including Presidency platforms.

Issued by GCIS