Interaction between Seda and other small-business organisations as forerunner to integrated service delivery
Fortuin, Christiaan Jacobus (2008-03)
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The need for Small, Micro and Medium Enterprise (SMME) growth in South Africa is
beyond question. Government sees SMMEs as an important vehicle to boost the
economy of the country because of the contribution they make to job creation.
According to recent estimates by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), small
businesses represent 98% of the total number of registered firms, employ 55% of the
country’s labour force and account for 35% of GDP.
Unfortunately South Africa has a low survival rate among start-up businesses
compared to other developing economies. Some believe that the reason for the
failure of government programmes to support small businesses is due to poor
delivery. This is one of the key issues to be addressed by all business support
players. The key to success is to pursue a private sector led approach where
experienced business advisors and mentors can add value to the businesses of customers.
The research focuses solely on support organisations within the Siyanda region. The
findings support the notion that Seda, as government’s small business support
vehicle, will have to utilise support organisations more in order to make a success of
The investigation has identified some recommendations that may lead to an
improvement in the current environment. The first approach is to ensure that people
who render small business support have business experience and understand small
enterprises. Secondly, to ensure that sector programmes are focused on a particular
objective and that the overall strategy remains integrated and focused. In order to
achieve this, the private sector should participate and share the costs.
In recommending measures to improve the promotion of small business support at a
local level, it is important to focus on what works best and that is ultimately privatesector
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die behoefte aan groei van Klein, Mikro en Medium Ondernemings (SMMEs) in Suid-Afrika word nie debateer nie. Die regering sien SMMEs as ‘n belangrike medium om
die land se ekonomie ‘n hupstoot te gee vanweë die bydrae wat hulle tot werkskeppping maak. Volgens onlangse skattings van die Departement van Handel en Nywerheid, verteenwoordig kleinsake-ondernemings 98% van die totale aantal
geregistreerde ondernemings en verskaf hulle werk aan 55% van die land se arbeidsmag, en dra hulle by tot 35% van die bruto binnelandse produk.
Ongelukkig het Suid-Afrika ‘n lae oorlewingsyfer onder nuwe besighede in vergelyking met ander ontwikkelende ekonomieë. Sommige mense glo die rede vir die mislukkig van regeringsprogramme wat kleinsake-ondernemings ondersteun, is
swak dienslewering. Hierdie is een van die sleutelkwessies wat aangespreek behoort
te word deur alle sake-ondersteuningspartye. Die sleutel tot sukses is om ‘n privaatsektor-gedrewe aanslag te volg waar ervare sake-adviseurs en -mentors waarde kan toevoeg tot kliënte se besighede. Die ondersoek het sekere aanbevelings geidentifiseer wat mag lei tot ‘n verbetering
van die huidige omstandighede. Die eerste stap is om te verseker dat mense wat kleinsake-ondersteuning bied wel sake-ondervinding het en die kleinsakebedryf verstaan. Tweedens, om te verseker dat die sektor se programme wel gefokus is op ‘n spesifieke doelwit en dat die oorkoepelende strategieë geïntegreerd en gefokus
bly. Ten einde dit te bereik, moet die privaatsektor deelneem en die kostes deel.
By die soeke na stappe om die bevordering van kleinsake op plaaslike vlak te verbeter, is dit belangrik om te kyk wat (elders) reeds geslaag het. Dit is alte dikwels
stappe wat deur die privaatsektor onderneem word.
Please refer to this item in SUNScholar by using the following persistent URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/880