Limpopo Business 2019-20 edition

INTERVIEW
Koenie Slabbert
BIOGRAPHY
Koenie Slabbert began his
career as an apprentice in tool,
jig and die-making. Promotion
to Supervisor inspired him
to sign up for training at his
own expense. Courses at
the Production Management
Institute of South Africa led to
a Higher Diploma in Production
Management and a BSc
Honours through the PMI/
University of Hertfordshire. A
Master’s Degree in Operations
Management followed. Before
joining Seda, Koenie was an
industrial engineer at Limac. He
has been Provincial Manager
from June 2007.
Technology Incubation
Centres are spurring
growth
Koenie Slabbert details how the Small Enterprise Development
Agency in Limpopo is helping small businesses.
What is the key business proposition of Seda Limpopo?
The Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) is an agency of the
Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) which provides
non-financial support to small enterprises and co-operatives. Seda
has by far the biggest network of offices in the country. Limpopo has
five branches, one in each municipal districts and three co-location
points. Seda has presence in some townships and rural areas and has
programmes targeting youth and women from all sectors.
Seda Limpopo supports three Technology Incubation Centres affording
start-ups a well-equipped and protected environment in which to develop
and grow for a period of three years. Incubation has been proven to reduce
the failure rate in the first few years of small enterprises’ cycle.
Seda interventions involve exploring possible new revenue streams,
improving competitiveness and productivity in the business.
Are there particular economic sectors in which you
specialise?
Seda assists all types of business and cuts across a number of sectors
that are key to job creation. These include: agriculture and agroprocessing,
manufacturing, engineering, renewable energy and
services (ICT and tourism). Seda has also prioritised small enterprises
and co-operatives owned by youth, women, people with disabilities
and people in townships and rural areas.
What are the challenges and opportunities for small
businesses in Limpopo?
One of the challenges is access to markets; another is access to funding.
There are great opportunities in exporting of primary produce and
value-adding through agro-processing initiatives. Manufacturing and
technology and ICT initiatives are other areas of potential.
Do the branches deal with different kinds of business
support depending on where they are located?
It is very important for Seda to ensure that its branches provide a series
of packaged products and services to assist businesses in various phases
of operation. The dynamics of the economic imperatives will differ from
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