The Tshwane Economic Development Agency (TEDA), in partnership with the South African Electrotechnical Export Council (SAEEC), Standard Bank, the City of Tshwane, and eKasi Labs, hosted the Tshwane SMME Symposium. The event was aimed at empowering and supporting small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) across Tshwane.
The event brought together SMMEs, corporates, and government stakeholders to explore business opportunities, share knowledge, and foster meaningful partnerships.
City of Tshwane Executive Mayor Nasiphi Moya emphasised the crucial role of SMMEs in local economic development. “SMMEs are the engine room of accelerated job creation, and they need our support,” said Moya. She highlighted the city’s strategic focus on business development, skills support, the formalisation of informal businesses, and preserving the informal sector to benefit the people of South Africa.
The symposium also showcased success stories of local SMMEs that have received support from the City. One such example is Green Scooter, an electric mobility company founded by Fezile Dlamini. Sharing his journey of building the business from the ground up, Dlamini said: “Green Scooter was initiated in the shadows of load-shedding and electricity issues, but we achieved it without selling out or losing.”
Another featured business was Thuto Pele Centre, established by Justice Ngobeni. The centre provides coding, robotics, and entrepreneurship education to high school learners, equipping them with the tools to start their own businesses. “We prepare high school learners not only to survive with an academic degree, but with the ability, network, and mindset to launch businesses,” said Ngobeni.
Also highlighted was Nyamazela Metering, represented by Lehlogonolo Vusa, who shared their approach to innovation in infrastructure. “We provide high-quality meter boxes that serve communities efficiently and reliably,” said Vusa.
The City’s Economic Revitalisation Strategy is targeting new investments between R17 billion and R26 billion, the creation of 80,000 jobs, and a Gross Value Added (GVA) increase of between 3.3% and 4.6%.
Moya urged all stakeholders including financiers, corporates, educational institutions, and experienced entrepreneurs to support and drive the SMME sector forward.
With continued investment and collaboration, Tshwane’s SMMEs are poised to become a key force in the city’s economic development. Visionary entrepreneurs like Fezile Dlamini and Justice Ngobeni represent the potential of this sector to shape a prosperous future for the capital city.
