Cape Town: Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Growth and Tourism – Alderman James Vos participated in city-supported events that aims at boosting the capabilities and market access of local entrepreneurs.
These included engagements with participants of the High Impact Supplier Development Programme and attendance at the SMME Showcase. It also included the flagship closing event of the 10th annual City of Cape Town Smart Supplier Programme.
These initiatives underscore the City of Cape Town’s commitment to empower Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), a vital engine for economic growth and job creation.
As part of a five-day, hands-on workshop, 25 selected SMMEs participated in the High Impact Supplier Development Programme. This initiative is designed to sharpen business strategy and operational capacity, enabling participants to become suppliers of choice within their respective sectors.
Alderman James Vos acknowledged this and said that he participated in the launch of the CEO Guide to the Circular Economy as an initiative by Wesgro and partners. He said, “My message was clear: Circularity isn’t a side project, it’s central to the City of Cape Town’s growth strategy.”
Vos further added that they are modernizing services, by launching bold initiatives like the new Waste Strategy, and investing in innovation that helps local businesses thrive. “Why? Because when we cut waste, we create work. When we design for reuse, we unlock revenue,” he added.
He considered some essential points, such as:
- New opportunities for SMMEs
- Market access and support services
- Infrastructure that powers circular innovation
He urged to take their partnership with Greencape South Africa WISP (Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme): Over 1,000 businesses connected. 200+ synergies. And up to R5 billion in potential value every year, all from materials they had usually discard.
He said, Let’s turn waste into worth. Let’s design a Cape Town that’s cleaner, fairer, and more circular.
Notably, the programme covers key growth drivers such as:
- Building a strong sales pipeline
- Diversifying products and services
- Improving operational efficiency
- Enhancing pricing strategies
- Strengthening balance sheets to unlock financing opportunities
- Reducing business waste
- Establishing better market linkages
Considering this, Alderman James Vos also reconnected with past programme beneficiaries to conduct performance evaluations and gather feedback on business progression post-participation.
The participating enterprises span a wide range of industries, including construction, manufacturing, and automotive services.
Vos said that according to research by the South African Journal of Inter-Multidisciplinary Studies, SMMEs accounted for more than 75% of new job opportunities. This highlights the critical importance of supporting these businesses, and ensured that support is tailored to the unique realities of the South African economy.
One of the notable success story is ‘Blackheath-based construction firm’ – Suku Nikezela, whose turnover 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.