City-supported Business Development programs propel small and medium-sized enterprises expansion throughout Cape Town
Empowering Local Businesses: Cape Town's High Impact Supplier Development Programme
Cape Town's Economic Growth Directorate is backing the High Impact Supplier Development Programme, an intensive initiative designed to bolster local Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) by providing them with practical business skills, operational strategies, and financial management tools.
The programme, delivered as a focused five-day workshop, selects around 25 diverse SMMEs across sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and automotive services. Over the course of the workshop, participants are taught actionable skills such as managing cash flow, pricing strategies, and cultivating sales pipelines for sustainable growth.
The programme also enhances operational efficiency through modern management techniques to eliminate waste and improve supply chain adaptability. It builds entrepreneurial confidence and a growth mindset, enabling participants to transition from technical expertise to effective business ownership.
Participants receive tailored guidance in business strategy, helping them sharpen their competitive edge and ability to win contracts. The programme's demonstrated impacts include significant revenue growth and workforce expansion for participating firms, as exemplified by the success story of Suku Nikezela, a Blackheath-based construction firm whose revenue grew from under R5 million to over R20 million following their participation in 2022. Their team expanded from five permanent staff to over 50 employees.
Another participating company, Saxonburg Fleet Maintenance, based in Blackheath, reported improvements in financial planning and strategic growth due to the programme.
Alderman James Vos, the City of Cape Town's Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, addressed the businesses at the SMME Showcase, emphasising the importance of SMMEs to economic innovation and resilience. He participated in events supporting local entrepreneurs, visiting JBS Building Company in Heathfield, Gordian Fence SA in Kuils River, and Lion Industries in Parow.
The 10th Annual Smart Supplier Programme and SMME Showcase took place, featuring 50 local businesses. For more information on these programmes, contact The Business Hub team at +27 21 417 4043 or email [email protected].
Research by the South African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies shows that SMMEs account for more than 75% of new job opportunities, underscoring the importance of initiatives like the High Impact Supplier Development Programme in fostering sustainable economic growth in Cape Town.
- The High Impact Supplier Development Programme in Cape Town, a city-backed initiative, aims to invigorate the local economy by nurturing Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in sectors like construction, manufacturing, and automotive services.
- As part of the programme, SMMEs learn practical business skills, including managing cash flow, pricing strategies, and cultivating sales pipelines, which help them achieve sustainable growth.
- In addition to business acumen, the programme incorporates modern management techniques to boost operational efficiency and increase supply chain adaptability.
- Notably, participants in the High Impact Supplier Development Programme have reported substantial revenue growth and workforce expansion, as evidenced by Suku Nikezela's transition from a small construction firm to a thriving enterprise employing over 50 people.
