SMD

4. DEPUTY MINISTER STATEMENT

I could not have joined the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) at a more exciting time than during this administration. I come at a time when the Department is tasked with a responsibility to establish a new one-stop shop agency following the President’s assentment to the National Small Enterprise Bill. The agency, which is the amalgamation of Seda, sefa and CBDA into SEDFA seeks to provide streamlined support services to small and medium enterprises, including Co-operatives. We see this as a great opportunity to equally review our processes and systems for efficiency. The journey ahead is certainly promising. The 2023/24 financial year, as per the Department’s performance, was a good year from the feedback I have received since my arrival. I am of the view that this account of every indicator attests to the great management and leadership that is steering the ship in the right direction. I am inspired by the levels of achievement in most of the key performance indicators, with an overall performance of 85%. It is also pleasing to note that the Department has received a clean audit, and it has been paying suppliers within 30 days of receipt of complete invoices. This is one area that leads to most small businesses collapsing because of services rendered but not paid. Ms Jane Sithole Deputy Minister of Small Business Development

It has always been my desire to fight at the right platform for the inclusion of women in the economy and this Department is the most pertinent I could have asked for; it is directly involved and responsible for the championing of women in business across all sectors. It is against this assertion that as the Department we are establishing incubators and implementing programmes to develop entrepreneurship and business skills for women-owned startups. We are working with universities, TVETs and others in the innovation eco-system to ensure that women-owned Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), including co-operatives, have access to technology and can take advantage of the productivity improvements that come with the use of technology-based applications. As far as access to markets is concerned, the SheTrades programme is an ambitious outward looking initiative to propel women owned enterprises to the global stage. We are excited to see more women utilising the digital platform to register their businesses and also to tap unto opportunities emanating from their inclusion in the programme. This is in addition to the various trade and investment missions that the Department together with SEDFA continue to lead.

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Department of Small Business Development • GENERAL INFORMATION • Part A