Today marks a significant milestone for the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber as it celebrates the three-year anniversary of its Entrepreneurship Desk, a platform that has become integral in supporting and growing Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Metro. The Desk, in proud partnership with Standard Bank, MTN, Borbet SA and Engie, has made tremendous strides in fostering entrepreneurship and contributing to the local economy, with a particular focus on inclusivity and sustainable development.
Since its launch, the Desk has registered over 350 MSMEs, with 69% of these businesses being black-owned and 54% female-owned. This growth underscores the Desk's pivotal role in nurturing local businesses and creating an environment conducive to sustainable economic development.
Denise van Huyssteen, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, remarked: "This growth reflects the Desk's effectiveness in fostering entrepreneurship development and providing practical support to local MSMEs. It plays a critical role in driving business sustainability, which, in turn, stimulates economic activity and job creation across the Bay. It’s exciting to see that the Desk now supports over 350 businesses, collectively employing over 2,000 people. This is a testament to the Chamber’s commitment to inclusive economic growth and its role as a key enabler of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem."
The Desk serves as a central hub where business support, growth and sustainability initiatives are provided through four strategic pillars: access to funding and professional banking advice, entrepreneurial and business skills development, one-on-one advisory support, and market access opportunities.
Through these pillars, the Chamber has been able to ensure that businesses in the region have the resources and guidance needed to succeed. A prime example of this is the Entrepreneurship Desk Accelerator Programme, designed to enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of MSMEs. The programme assesses business needs to identify critical pain points and gaps such as financial management and controls, leadership, business compliance, digitization of operations, sales strategies and, positioning businesses to be funding-ready and better equipped to face the challenges of growth.
Van Huyssteen highlighted the importance of the support provided to the Desk through its action partners. “We greatly appreciate the support of all our partners who aside from their financial resources, are also bringing their expertise to the table which enables us to continue to strengthen both impact and reach,” she emphasised. “I would like to especially thank Standard Bank, who are our anchor partner and were the first to commit to partnering with the Chamber to establish the Desk as an action arm. This had led to other valued partners such as MTN, Borbet SA, and Engie coming on board, and beyond this, it has led to the establishment of other Desks including a Trade and Investment Desk and a Skills Development Desk.”
“We would further like to thank our pro bono service providers namely Joubert Galpin Searle (JGS), South African Revenue Service (SARS), uYilo, Entsa, Sustainable Seas Trust, and SMartins who provide their time, expertise and networks for the growth and sustainability of these MSME” says Van Huyssteen.
Standard Bank Eastern Cape’s head of enterprise banking Jonty Bouw expressed his company's continued support: “Partnering with the Chamber’s Entrepreneurship Desk allows us to empower local entrepreneurs, especially within historically disadvantaged communities. It is our belief that these entrepreneurs will be the driving force behind the future of the economy, and our role is to ensure they have the tools, resources and opportunities to succeed.”
Brenton van Vuuren, Managing Director of Borbet SA, also highlighted the importance of the partnership: "Supporting MSMEs through this programme aligns with our values of nurturing sustainable businesses. We understand the importance of creating a supportive environment for small businesses to thrive, particularly in our region which is currently facing a high unemployment rate."
Solly Mbindela, MTN’s Head of Enterprise Business Unit in the Eastern Cape Region said of their partnership: "We are proud to support the Entrepreneurship Desk in its mission to uplift and empower entrepreneurs, particularly in underserved communities. Through this initiative, we believe we are creating opportunities for small businesses to flourish, ultimately contributing to the socio-economic development of Nelson Mandela Bay and the country at large."
“The growing importance of MSMEs cannot be overstated, especially in light of Nelson Mandela Bay’s high unemployment rate, particularly among the youth. With local businesses being at the heart of economic activity, it is imperative that the necessary support systems are in place to help these businesses thrive and contribute to the creation of sustainable employment opportunities,” said Natasha James, Procurement Manager at Engie.
Brenda Matshego, Managing Director of Atlega Women, a participant in the Desk's programmes, shared her personal experience: "The support I received through the Entrepreneurship Desk has been transformative for my business. From access to mentorship, branding assistance, and business-to-business linkages, I’ve been able to expand my reach and enhance the sustainability of my company. This programme has provided me with the tools I needed to grow in an extremely competitive environment."
The continued success and growth of the Desk underscores the Chamber’s commitment to driving inclusive and sustainable economic development in the region. With a focus on supporting diverse and emerging entrepreneurs, the Chamber continues to ensure that local businesses have the tools, resources and guidance needed to be sustainable and to create much-needed employment opportunities.
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