The Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED) is proud to announce the launch of the "Qondisa I Shishini Lakho - Fix Your Business" campaign. The idea is that if SME's are regulated and compliant, it serves as a catalyst for their growth and sustainability. Joining CNBC Africa is Raymond Martin, Head, Consumer Affairs, Dept. Of Economic Development, Gauteng Province.
Now up next, the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, the GDED, is proud to announce the launch of the Qondisa I Shishini Lakho- Fix Your Business campaign. The idea is that if SME's are regulated and compliant, it serves as a catalyst for their growth and sustainability. Joining me for that conversation is Raymond Martin, Head, Consumer Affairs, Dept. Of Economic Development, Gauteng Province. Raymond, tell me please, how do you, and sell it to me, regulatory compliance and all those technical things that are difficult for inspired SME's. How are you helping them and why is it important? Good afternoon to you, Zanella, and to the listeners. Look, it's extremely important for businesses to comply. I mean, the regulatory perspective is an important aspect for any business to comply with. We make it very easy. As we speak today, we are all out in numbers with the different entities of the department to ensure that they comply with the registration processes. We are out here to help them because we understand that any business that wants to run and run an effective business must ensure that they comply with whatever laws pertinent to the type of business that they're involved in. And so it's a very important aspect for businesses, especially the small businesses, to ensure that they comply with regulations. You know, if I look at an SME, general SME cooking, you know, cooking and giving food to people, you know, in any informal environment, what's the carrot? What's the stick? What are we giving them that eases this process? And how do we penalize them? Because I think generally, I hear the conversation, but I'm not hearing how we are structuring it so that it makes sense for them to participate. You know, it's so nice that you've just mentioned it, because we've just had an opportunity now with the MEC as we're visiting one of the stores, and the store is actually those that sell food. We were there with the Department of Health as well, one of the departments, Department of Health and people from the food safety sector. And so they were viewing exactly how they were making the food so that they can advise how best to do it. Secondly, we're also saying with the municipality that they need to register their businesses so that they can be assisted both financially and non-financial services that the government is able to provide to them. So it's an important aspect for them to be guided so that they understand that complying with certain prescripts makes it easier for their business to run smoothly and also to deal with issues of reputational damage. Because you know, oftentimes what happens is that people go and buy food and hear that they're suffering from food poisoning. So it is important that we structure it in such a way that they understand what it is that they need to do, comply with all of the regulations that are provided by the Department of Health, one, as well as the municipality. So they are given all of the necessary tools to help them register one through the municipality and ensure that those businesses, as they sell the food and as they make their food, they comply to the various standards as set out by the food safety requirements. You know, Raymond, I'm so sorry to be pedantic about this. I think I'm still not hearing what I need to hear. I'm not hearing what the incentive is or what the benefit is. Because to comply is a painful process of me spending my time, my energy away from my business, traveling to your places to understand what it is that you want me to do. But there's no incentive. If you said we are sponsoring the stores, we are giving you the equipment for you to be able to have access to it easily. We're giving you the data to spend the time on your cell phone, looking at our videos, educating yourself. What is it that you are giving that's saying to people, we're going to hold your hand because here's what we've given you and here's what we want from you. It's give and take. Zanella, we through our partnership with places like Coca-Cola, we've had this very same incentive that you speak about. We have given some of the businesses that run that type of business, what we call the stores from which to sell from. So those that would want to qualify as well would be assisted by being educated on exactly what it is they need to do, what are the requirements for the type of business that they're in. And as I said, through working with partners like Coca-Cola, we've given close to 15, 20 of those stores to some of the small businesses in the food business who want to come and trade and sell food. And as I said, they are educated on exactly what it is that they need to do, the type of requirements, and they're given the certification that proves to everybody that this establishment, as it sells food, it is approved and accredited by the Department of Health, whose responsibility is to ensure that they meet those food standards. So now we're on track to the next question that says, what is the big ambition for the department over the next couple of years that the minister is involved? What is that big number that you are hoping to achieve? And what is the budget allocated? And the next question is going to be, how are you then attracting additional partners? What are the promises you have from your partners for this work that you're doing? Look, I may not give you an exact budget, Zanelle, but I can tell you we are striving to ensure that the majority of businesses who come to us are assisted in whatever way. We don't work as a government alone. We've got social partners that we team up with, who help. Like I said, one is Coca-Cola, and there are other financial institutions that assist us to ensure that we fund these type of businesses. We've got JEP also within the department that helps people who want to start businesses with proper business plans and so on, who are then given the opportunity to start businesses. So it is in that context that we're saying, from all of the financial institutions, the IDCs of this world, JEP, we try and make it as easy and as painless as it possibly is for most of the people who want to start businesses to be provided with the type of assistance. But we don't leave them there. As I said, we're not only giving financial or offering financial services, non-financial services, where we are also holding their hands, training them, educating them on exactly what it is to do, from financial statements, how to run proper books, and all of those which are relevant to running of a business. Those type of services as well are provided to prospective businesses so that in the long run, they are able to sustain their businesses. And obviously, the more businesses that we have, they will be able to create more jobs. And as you asked, so the bigger picture that we have is also to create jobs in the province. So all of this is not just done for the sake of doing. Ultimately, we're also looking at the creation of jobs within these sectors. And I think that's quite a valid point and so important to pull up. We forget about the IDCs and your CIFAs and your Business Connect. So thank you so much for your time and drawing that picture for us. All the best with the conversations later on the Fix Your Business campaign. That was Raymond Martin, Head of Consumer Affairs at the Department of Economic Development for the Gauteng province.
Theme: Supporting SMEs through Regulatory Compliance for Business Growth
The Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED) has announced the launch of the 'Qondisa I Shishini Lakho - Fix Your Business' campaign. The objective of this initiative is to assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in becoming regulated and compliant, thereby acting as a catalyst for their growth and sustainability. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Raymond Martin, Head of Consumer Affairs at the Department of Economic Development, Gauteng Province, shed light on the importance of regulatory compliance for businesses and the support mechanisms being provided. Martin emphasized that regulatory compliance plays a crucial role in enabling businesses, especially small ones, to operate effectively. He highlighted the department's efforts to simplify the registration processes and ensure that businesses adhere to relevant laws. Martin also discussed the challenges faced by SMEs in meeting regulatory requirements and outlined the incentives and benefits available to encourage compliance. The department has partnered with organizations like Coca-Cola to provide support to businesses, offering education on requirements and certification processes. Moreover, Martin underscored the department's broader aim of creating job opportunities through business support initiatives. By collaborating with social partners and financial institutions, such as the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and JEP, the department strives to equip entrepreneurs with the necessary tools and guidance to establish and sustain their ventures. Through a combination of financial and non-financial services, including training and mentorship, the department aims to nurture a thriving business ecosystem in Gauteng. The ultimate goal is not only to promote business growth but also to drive job creation within the province. Partnering with various stakeholders, the GDED is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment for SMEs and contributing to economic prosperity in Gauteng.
"Ultimately, we're also looking at the creation of jobs within these sectors. So all of this is not just done for the sake of doing. Ultimately, we're also looking at the creation of jobs within these sectors."
Gauteng, Department of Economic Development, SMEs, business support, regulatory compliance, small businesses, job creation, Gauteng province