Gauteng Business 2022/23
The 2022/23 edition of Gauteng Business is the 13th issue of this highly successful publication that has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Gauteng Province. In addition to the regular articles providing insight into each of the key economic sectors of the province, a special feature on the growth and significance of the green economy is included in this edition. Every sector from agriculture to transport and logistics is referenced, with several Gauteng companies taking the lead in the field of creating a more sustainable future for themselves and for their clients. The fact that mining companies and others are starting to build facilities to generate power is significant for the country as a whole. Gold Fields’ 40MW solar project at its South Deep mine is one of the first of its kind and it is certainly a precursor of what we can expect to see a lot more of in the future. The unexpected fall from power in the province’s three big metropolitan municipalities in 2021 of the political party that is in charge at provincial and national level, the African National Congress, is noted in the Regional Overview. Whether this presages a change beyond the borders of Gauteng in elections to come remains to be seen, but the huge budgets which now fall under the control of coalition governments in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni will certainly serve to sharpen the focus of ANC election planners for national elections in 2024.
The 2022/23 edition of Gauteng Business is the 13th issue of this highly successful publication that has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Gauteng Province.
In addition to the regular articles providing insight into each of the key economic sectors of the province, a special feature on the growth and significance of the green economy is included in this edition. Every sector from agriculture to transport and logistics is referenced, with several Gauteng companies taking the lead in the field of creating a more sustainable future for themselves and for their clients. The fact that mining companies and others are starting to build facilities to generate power is significant for the country as a whole. Gold Fields’ 40MW solar project at its South Deep mine is one of the first of its kind and it is certainly a precursor of what we can expect to see a lot more of in the future.
The unexpected fall from power in the province’s three big metropolitan municipalities in 2021 of the political party that is in charge at provincial and national level, the African National Congress, is noted in the Regional Overview. Whether this presages a change beyond the borders of Gauteng in elections to come remains to be seen, but the huge budgets which now fall under the control of coalition governments in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni will certainly serve to sharpen the focus of ANC election planners for national elections in 2024.
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INTERVIEW<br />
Promoting small business<br />
Colin Francis, Operations Manager for Seda <strong>Gauteng</strong>, outlines some of the<br />
programmes available to entrepreneurs, from business diagnostics to training.<br />
What is the mandate of Seda <strong>Gauteng</strong>?<br />
The Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) is an agency of<br />
the Department of Small <strong>Business</strong> Development. It is mandated to<br />
implement government’s small business strategy; design and implement<br />
a standard and delivery network for small enterprise development and<br />
integrate government-funded small enterprise support agencies.<br />
Seda’s mission is to develop, support and promote small enterprises,<br />
ensuring their growth and sustainability in coordination and partnership<br />
with various role-players, including global partners, who make<br />
international best practices available to local entrepreneurs.<br />
Where are your regional branches located?<br />
Ekurhuleni, Kempton Park; Tshwane-Pretoria CBD; Johannesburg,<br />
Braamfontein.<br />
Colin Francis,<br />
Operations Manager<br />
What are the major challenges faced by small businesses?<br />
Access to finance and to business development services. Lack of market<br />
opportunities, poor infrastructure, overbearing legislation and lack of<br />
information.<br />
What impact has Covid-19 had on small business?<br />
Small businesses have been severely affected by Covid in that restrictions<br />
have hampered the potential for sales. Expensive data and digital<br />
platforms also stopped entrepreneurs from taking their businesses online.<br />
Many small businesses did not survive the hard lockdowns.<br />
BIOGRAPHY<br />
After gaining a National Diploma<br />
in Extraction Metallurgy and<br />
Mining Technology from Technikon<br />
Witwatersrand, Colin graduated with<br />
a BTech from Unisa. After a spell as a<br />
learner metallurgist at Vaal Reefs, he<br />
worked for Columbus Stainless. He<br />
then branched out as a small business<br />
owner of a food company before<br />
becoming a Senior Industrial Advisor to<br />
the National Advisory Manufacturing<br />
Centre. He joined Seda in 2006 and was<br />
appointed in 2011 to his present position<br />
as Operations Manager, <strong>Gauteng</strong>.<br />
Has Seda run programmes to help SMMEs recover?<br />
Seda assisted the Department of Small <strong>Business</strong> Development and<br />
Sefa to roll out the <strong>Business</strong> Recovery Programme and the Covid<br />
Relief Programme.<br />
Where are the best opportunities in <strong>Gauteng</strong>?<br />
<strong>Gauteng</strong> is the economic powerhouse of the country and the sectors<br />
that flourish include the manufacturing, wholesale and retail, banking,<br />
services and ICT sectors. Due to the populous nature of the province,<br />
there are opportunities everywhere, from the numerous business parks<br />
to the business districts and the townships<br />
Does Seda encourage competitiveness and viability?<br />
Seda offers a wide range of services including business diagnostics,<br />
information dissemination and training.<br />
Does Seda assist women and youth?<br />
Seda assists all client on a needs basis. Seda partners with various<br />
stakeholders to ensure that these designated groups have access to<br />
tailormade programmes.
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