MOSSEL BAY NEWS - About 50 women-owned SMMEs in Mossel Bay will converge at a supplier development workshop hosted by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) Mossel Bay in partnership with the Mossel Bay Thusong Centre on 30 August.
The workshop is in response to the capacity challenges faced by SMMEs in managing and growing their business in the Western Cape region.
It will also focus on educating SMMEs on opportunities within Transnet. Participants will include small businesses and organised bodies such as Mossel Bay Business Chamber, SARS, SEDA, FNB and the Department of Labour, among others.
Mossel Bay Port Manager, Shadrack Tshikalange said TNPA remained committed to Enterprise Supplier Development, with the aim of strengthening current suppliers and growing enterprises.
He said it was encouraging to see more women making their mark in previously male dominated industries such as shipping, exports, manufacturing, transport, freight logistics, maritime, marine and engineering. Supplier development workshops serve to enhance this growth.
“This workshop is an opportunity for professional women to learn key tips to own, manage and grow a sustainable business. We will unpack our Supplier Development Programme and share information on how women-owned businesses can best equip themselves to work with us and work better in their own capacities,” he said.
Tshikalange added that as a state-owned company, Transnet remains at the forefront of empowering black-owned and women-owned small, medium and large enterprises.
“TNPA realises that it is critical that we accelerate progress in women’s access to enterprise and supplier development opportunities, because women are central to our economic and business growth, as well as our social impact,” said Tshikalange. “The financial inclusion of women has been identified as a critical tool that will result in quicker poverty elimination and reduction of inequality, and will contribute towards achieving the National Development Plan’s set targets of 2030.”
The port held several other initiatives in commemoration of Women’s Month including a "doek"-themed Women's Day breakfast on 8 August, a women’s personal change management employee workshop on 21 August and one week’s First Aid training for three-women owned SMMEs from Mossel Bay.
'We bring you the latest Mossel Bay, Garden Route news'
