Cape Town - Information is key when it comes to starting and running your own business which is why the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) will host its second annual Entrepreneurs Day on Wednesday.
Entrepreneurs Day 2009 will be officially launched by the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Bongi Ntuli and Seda Chief Executive Officer Hlonela Lupuwana, in Limpopo.
The event forms part of government's proactive strategy to support, develop and sustain South Africa's Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME's) sector.
"Access to information is one of the biggest challenges facing entrepreneurs in responding effectively to identified opportunities.
"Entrepreneurs Day not only aims to improve this access, but also provide the best possible SMME services and advice, all under one roof," said Lupuwana.
All the agencies of the Department of Trade and Industry as well as a host of other organisations providing small business support and services will exhibit and provide information at the various provincial events.
Participants will receive information on among other things: how to start and run a business; how to register a business; advice on forming a cooperative and access to funding.
Potential entrepreneurs, as well as business owners will also be able to network with exhibitors and other participants.
Angel Hlatshwayo, who runs Impilo Health X-Ray a mobile x-ray unit that serves BHP Billiton and Anglo Coal mines in Mpumalanga, advises would-be entrepreneurs to start a business in a profession or sector that they know well.
Seda assisted Hlatshwayo and her two business partners with a business plan and helped them obtain a R840 000 loan from Anglo Zimele to buy mobile X-ray equipment.
The agency also helped the three to set up a website and develop business cards. The services was valued at R12 000, but she paid just R1 200 to access these interventions.
Following the help from Anglo Zimele and Seda, the three have been able to employ two extra fulltime employees.
"(Seda) helped us a lot, because that is where we started," said Hlatshwayo.
Assistance from Seda also helped a group of five women who own Mintoro Jewellery and Hand Craft Co-operative to secure funding of R930 000 from the National Development Agency to purchase machinery and equipment.
The co-operative's project leader Khomotso Moshugi said: "Our products were exhibited and later exported to China, Brazil and recently to England".
Provinces countrywide will celebrate Entrepreneurs Day during November and December.
On Thursday the day will be celebrated at the Tshwane Events Centre in Pretoria at 9am, at the Thohoyandou Town Hall in Limpopo at 8.30am and at the Transnet Railway Museum in George at 2pm, which runs till Saturday.
Events will also be hosted in Klerksdorp on 18 November at 9am and at Pixley ka Seme in the De Aar District, Northern Cape on 10 December.
Entrance to all the events is free and participants can contact Seda on its toll-free number, 0860 103703 for more information or visit www.seda.org.za.
