MONGEZI Mtati of Netweb Event own refreshments at the venue. truly is an “ideas guy” and is He also started NetwebTV an determined to help entrepreneurs online channel on Zoopy at run their companies effectively and http://www.zoopy.com/NetwebTV become more successful. where he interviews other Mtati hosts a monthly net- entrepreneurs, asking them about working dinner for emerging how they built their companies. entrepreneurs who are in their first This is designed to showcase five years of business. South African business talent and He targets entrepreneurs with make more entrepreneurs, instead businesses with a turnover of of more people who own jobs. between R100 000 and R1m. “Bring your business cards and It is an opportunity for an open mind,” says Mtati. entrepreneurs — experienced and Contact Mongezi Mtati on emerging — to rub shoulders while 083 757 3163. sharing information on how best to Book your seats at http://netweb- be your brand, woo strategic part- event.pbwiki.com. ners and raise finance. Read more by Mongezi on Most of all, according to Mtati, he http://brainskan.blogspot.com. wants to help business owners to make their business systems fund themselves. Speakers range from consultants and entrepreneurs to service providers. “The Netweb Event focuses on assisting business owners to become resourceful; when you are the busi- ness then capital is not a hindrance,” says Mtati. These sessions are hosted on the first Wednesday of every month at Doppio Zero in Newtown at 6.30pm. They are free, but you need to book your seat in advance and buy your Mongezi Mtati says he is an “ideas guy”.
Keeping SMEs afloat
BY THAMI MZWAI. ............................................................................... estimates that between 30% and business policies and institutions 80% of SMMEs collapse in the first work better. MUNICIPALITIES and state-owned few years of operation. Hence I suggest that when paras- entities have quite a problem on However, there are small busi- tatals give business and contracts to their hands as it appears that many nesses that make it and this is black-owned small enterprises, they black-owned small businesses end because of several factors, three of must also provide support services up on the rocks when their contracts them being the exclusive rights to to ensure that these entities survive come to an end. selling specific goods or services, in the long run. Two municipalities and a serving niche markets, or having an In my view, it should be a period state-owned entity have confirmed advantage that no other entity has. that allows the contractor to sta- that some of their black contractors One or two have darn good man- bilise and others can then get the ended up deeper in debt than when agement that knows the industry contract. There is no point in giving they started out, and then pleaded while others could have a big hitter a contract to the next person when for extensions to their contracts. in the industry as investor. the incumbent will collapse on For how long must black entities However, they are getting there losing it. One or two terms are not have contracts so that these help — but need help. After all, govern- enough as the new contractor could them to be sustainable? ments all over the world have special also collapse if he or she is a Small businesses operate in the policies and institutions to help completely new player. same environment as big businesses small businesses survive. ❑ Mazwai is director of the Centre and they find it hard to hold their SA is also doing quite well in for Small Business Development at own. Hence, the University of small business support, but we must the University of Johannesburg. Thami Mzwai, directorof the Centre for Small Business Development. Pretoria’s Prof Marius Pretorius just make sure that our small -Business Day