KZN SMEs In The Property Sector Encouraged To Enter Growthpoint’s Incubation Programme

Updated on 4 August 2017

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This year, for the first time, Growthpoint has opened its incubator programme to KwaZulu-Natal entrepreneurs.

Property Point is an enterprise initiative founded by Growthpoint Properties, the leading international property company listed on the JSE. It has grown to collaborate with partners across the property industry, like Attacq, to drive enterprise development forward for the sector.

So far, it has created 1669 jobs and R453 million in procurement opportunities generated for the 124 SMEs that have participated in its two-year incubation programmes. These small businesses have reported 61% growth in revenue, which is significantly above the national average.

Now, it is taking its positive impacts to KwaZulu-Natal and looking for go-getters with entrepreneurial drive and a hunger for business success who are a good fit for the programme.

As part of its latest intake, Property Point is seeking motivated individuals running SMEs working in the property industry, that specialise in areas such as electrical work, cleaning hygiene services, plumbing, landscaping, pest control, air-conditioning, fire protection services, security, waterproofing and damp-proofing, waste management, renovations, and painting.

To be considered, entrepreneurs need to be based in or around Durban. Their businesses should at least be 51% black-owned, have operated for no less than two consecutive years and offer services in the property industry. They must have a track record of projects completed and be able to provide a minimum of five references.

However, Theunissen encourages businesses who do not qualify for this intake to put goals in place to meet the requirements to be considered for future intakes. Application forms are available from www.propertypoint.org.za.

Cape Town Tourism eKasi Sessions To Help Boost Tourism SMEs

This week Cape Town Tourism has embarked on an ongoing engagement project dubbed the ‘eKasi Sessions’ in Langa.

The ongoing project seeks to engage communities to explore tourism opportunities, encourage local tourism and boost local businesses.

According to The Weekend Argus, the sessions offer a platform for listening to what locals and their representatives are saying, and facilitating practical and creative discussions.

“The objective is to develop the potential for tourism in areas that are either not traditionally known as tourism hotspots and to maximise the potential of what already exists. This could be achieved through the creation of large events, ongoing regular events or by encouraging partnerships in existing business offerings to add value for visitors,” a press release by the organisation states.

The ‘eKasi Sessions’ will be taking place in neighbourhoods such as Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha and across greater Cape Town. (via Bizcommunity)

SAA Appoints Vodacom’s Jarana As New CEO

Vuyani Jarana, the CEO of Vodacom Business, has been appointed as the new chief executive of troubled national carrier South African Airways (SAA), National Treasury announced on Thursday.

Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba said he believed Jarana could successfully implement the agreed turnaround strategy for SAA, given his track record of growing Vodacom Business’s contribution to the group’s revenue by 15 percent in three years.

“Given that Mr Jarana has turned around a loss-making subsidiary of the Vodacom Group, Vodacom Business Africa, into a profitable and growing business, we believe he will be key in turning around SAA.”

Jarana would start at SAA as soon as Vodacom released him, the Treasury said. It has been rumoured for some time that he was the preferred choice of several board members but that SAA chairwoman Dudu Myeni had another candidate in mind.

SAA has not had a permanent CEO since November 2015.

The debt-laden airline was due to brief MPs on its first quarterly report on Friday. It emerged this week that the company was technically bankrupt, with a net cash outflow of R568 million in July and that figure was expected to rise sharply this month and the next.

The appointment of a permanent CEO was one of the key issues listed in a 14-point action plan released last month.

Gigaba said National Treasury was also making a priority of implementing preferential procurement regulations and engaging other government departments on private sector participation. (via African News Agency)

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