Entrepreneurship in the spotlight this November

The Department of Economic Development and Tourism has expanded Global Entrepreneurship Week into entrepreneurship month, with talks, workshops and the Western Cape Entrepreneurship Expo, Summit and Awards all taking place this month.

The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor's 2017/18 report released earlier this year indicates that entrepreneurial activity in South Africa is at its highest level since 2013, while The Real State of Entrepreneurship Survey conducted in South Africa found approximately half of the country's entrepreneurs are young people.

Minister of Economic Opportunities, Beverley Schäfer said “Entrepreneurs and small businesses in this province have the potential to help us turn unemployment around with the correct support, and an operating environment designed to help them flourish.”

In the 2017/18 financial year, DEDAT assisted over 2000 small, micro and medium enterprises through one of its many targeted programmes. The Red Tape Reduction Unit was established in order to make it easier to do business and do away with red tape which can have a devastating impact on small businesses.

This week, the Department will be holding entrepreneurship discussions at the youth cafes in Villiersdorp and Veldrift while the I-CAN Centre in Elsies River will host events on the 29^th and 30^th of November.

On Wednesday, the Western Cape Entrepreneurship Expo, Summit and Awards will take place. The event will allow 50 small businesses to exhibit their products, while the summit will bring together thought leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, researchers and policy makers.

The awards ceremony, to be held on Wednesday night, will honour small businesses and entrepreneurs in a range of categories, including emerging business, women-owned business, social enterprise, most innovative and township business.

Minister Schäfer said “entrepreneurs act as role-models and encourage others to follow their entrepreneurial aspirations. These awards recognise businesses from across the spectrum, who have worked hard to ensure the success of their ventures, and as a result, have helped to create jobs and grow our economy.”

Members of the media wishing to attend the awards ceremony are requested to RSVP to Bianca Capazorio by 11 am on Tuesday 20 November.

Event details:

Date: Wednesday 21 November 2018

Time: 18:00 until 20: 00

Venue: Old Mutual, Pinelands.

The expo and summit will take place at the same venue, starting from 9am.