Small Business ministry widely welcomed

A VOICE for "the little guy" in business – this was the unanimous response of organised business in the Eastern Cape who were asked what they would like the newly established Small Business Development ministry's role to be.

Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber president Mandla Madwara described the establishment of a Small Business Development ministry as a good move that would hopefully grow small businesses in the country and give this sector the necessary support.

He said the ministry would elevate small businesses' status and hopefully also their role in the supply-chain sector.

Border-Kei Chamber of Business executive director Les Holbrook was a bit more sceptical, saying time would tell whether the country could afford to have another ministry in the top-heavy government.

However, he said there was a definite need to have a stronger voice for small businesses and an open-door policy with the government.

Businesswomen's Association Port Elizabeth chairwoman Michelle Brown said the new ministry was great news for members of the association who were entrepreneurs or the owners of small businesses and that it could only do good to have a minister dedicated to emerging businesses.

Eastern Cape Small Business Network director Lwandiso Mpetsheni said he hoped Small Business Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu would be a catalyst for the real development of small business as a major role- player in growing the economy.

"Government has finally realised the need to upgrade the small business portfolio from some obscure corner office within the massive Department of Trade and Industry into a full ministry. It was quite ironic that small business was treated differently to big business whereas small business employs more than 60% of employed people and contributes more than 45% of the country's GDP," Mpetsheni said. - Cindy Preller