The uMgungundlovu District Municipality has launched a small, medium and micro enterprise (SME) support programme to encourage residents to create jobs and reduce dependence on government subsidies.
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This initiative, managed by the municipality’s Economic Development and Planning Department (EDP), aims to support informal and micro-enterprises within the district with the aim of stimulating local economic development and creating jobs.
Enterprises operating within the district’s jurisdiction, including informal enterprises and street vendors, are invited to apply for funding under the program.
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The funding is provided in three stages:
• The first tier offers grants of between R10 000 and R30 000 and is aimed at informal, unregistered businesses with a trading licence or permit, including street traders and vendors.
• The second tier offers grants of between R30 000 and R50 000 and is aimed at registered businesses with a rural and community presence and an annual turnover of less than R500 000.
• The third tier provides funding of between R50 000 and R100 000 for micro-enterprises with an annual turnover of more than R500 000 but less than R1 million.
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Nonhlanhla Gabela, spokesperson for the uMgungundlovu District Municipality, stressed the municipality’s responsibility to promote local economic development, particularly given the high unemployment among youth, women and people with disabilities.
Given the high level of unemployment, particularly among young people, women and people with disabilities, we saw the need to improve people’s livelihoods and create jobs.
She said the program was open to everyone, regardless of whether their business was registered, and stressed the importance of focusing on local economic growth.
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We can do a lot to promote the economy in the district. This support is available to everyone. We want to create jobs.
Gabela also addressed the issue of over-dependence on government subsidies and urged entrepreneurs to seize the opportunities offered by the government and use them for personal and community development.
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“We want to help people so that they are no longer dependent on subsidies. It seems as if we are a society that is heavily dependent on subsidies.
The government wants to promote the development of the people. We would like to appeal to entrepreneurs not to politicize the opportunities provided by the government. Grab the opportunities that are available and use them to develop not only ourselves but also the society and our regions so that we become a successful nation.
Residents who would like further information on funding can contact the uMgungundlovu District Municipal Offices.
