Parliament, Tuesday, 31 October 2023 – The National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill received overwhelming support yesterday from the residents of Lejweleputswa District Municipality in Free State during public hearings on the Bill conducted by a delegation of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development.
Small business owners attended the public hearings at the Ferdi Meyer Hall in Welkom in large numbers to support the Bill and called for it to be implemented immediately. The lack of funding for small businesses, late payments that impact negatively on business operations and staff employment and the non-issuing of lease agreements by local municipalities for emerging farmers, were among the main issues that were highlighted.
The residents expressed their appreciation of the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) for providing small, micro and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) in the district with training and certificates. They said although the entity is unable to provide financial support as that is not its role, it adds value to their businesses. The small business owners fully supported the establishment of the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency, on the grounds that it will address their funding challenges.
Farmers attending the hearings told the committee about stock theft, the unavailability of farming land, lack of financial support and the failure of their municipalities to issue lease agreements for the farming land they are currently leasing. They said financial institutions deny their applications for finance due to the non-existence of lease agreements.
The farmers told the committee they had engaged ward councillors for assistance on lease agreements, but the councillors told them that they are not responsible for the issuing of lease agreements. In spite of that, the farmers expressed their full support for the Bill arguing that its objectives instil hope in their hearts and that they are looking forward to achieving these objectives. They also welcomed the envisaged establishment of the Office of Small Enterprises Ombud Service contained in the Bill.
The leader of the delegation, Mr Faiez Jacobs, said: “We have listened to all your meaningful submissions and taken notes. We will collate all the inputs for submission to Parliament after we have visited all the nine provinces.”
Mr Jacobs further assured the SMMEs that the committee will follow up with the Department of Small Business Development to ensure that some of the issues that require their immediate attention are attended to. “It is our role as the committee to oversee and to keep the department accountable on issues of service delivery,” he said.
He added: “It is our hope that the Bill will unlock all your challenges to create better and successful SMMEs in this country. You are the emerging entrepreneurial people who are not waiting only for handouts and we were listening when you said the Bill is your only hope.”
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE LEADER OF DELEGATION OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, MR FAIEZ JACOBS.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Name: Malentsoe Magwagwa (Ms)
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E-mail: mmagwagwa@parliament.gov.za
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