Editor’s Note: SASMEF is an important initiative. I have agreed to post this announcement, because it amplifies the voice of small business. You can read an interview with Carl J Lotter – one of SASMEF funders – here. It is wondeful to see this initiative grow from strenght to strenght.
It is with honor and on behalf of Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town, Chancellor of the University of Cape Town and Patron of the South African Small and Medium Enterprises Federation (SASMEF) that and I invite you to become a member of SASMEF and attend in the 2nd Annual convention and to participate in directing SASMEF. It will be held at the DBSA 17 March 2016.
Three red flags stand out in the South Africa SMME sector:
- The NDP records that the SMME environment is fragmented and The government and big business response is inhibited by the fragmentation
- Lack of access to markets and money which leads to the exceptional high failure rate among SMME’s
- The inability of government to respond to the SMME sector due to the lack of capacity to deliver on the intent of the Department of Small Business Development
SASMEF acts to resolve these dilemmas. For this reason SASMEF was formed in 2011 and has become the national private social enterprise that develops a vibrant environment where IMSME’s are able to significantly contribute to a healthy economy
SASMEF’s presentations have been validated by Senior Economist in the Presidency, Chairperson Ms. Fubbs; The Parliamentary Portfolio committee on Trade & Industry; the National Small Business Advisory Council (per SME act 204); Economic and Management Business Faculties of several universities.
The opening speaker will be Mr. Saki Macomoza, Chairperson of Business Leadership South Africa and the Key note address will be by the Director General of Department of Small Business Development, Prof Vries (below) and will include a panel discussion on SMME led by a senior reporter from the Business Report. Furthermore, the UNDP will present best practice with regards to SCM and procurement from Mexico and the European Investment Bank will present their findings on microlensing in South Africa.
The program concludes with the election of the board of directors, office bearers and the Advisory committee.
The invite is extended to 150 senior SMME stakeholders, ED practitioners, bankers and thought leaders who are able to shape the “micro and macro” economic environment in South Africa using the SASMEF platforms.
The participation fee is R1250, which will avail of the following befits:
- Membership of SASMEF
- Membership of the movement #IMSME
- Eligibility to be nominated as board member
- Eligibility to be nominated as member of the SASMEF advisory council
- SASMEF board of directors: Eligible to vote for a delegate to the SASMEF board of directors.
- SASMEF Advisory Council: Eligible to vote a delegate to the SASMEF advisory council.
- Access to members login page on website
- Participation and networking with other SME’S and new economy programs
- Discounted services from participating service providers
- Subscription to the SASMEF Annual IMSME Health Monitor
In line with SASMEF’s commitment to Triple Bottom Line business frame work, a portion of the participation fee will be donated to the Patrons Development Trust, in empathy with the economic difficulties experienced by many, – details to be announced at the convention.
Kindly accept this invitation by registering on www.sasmef.org.za.