Finance minister Tito Mboweni revealed a hefty budget of R481.6m would be allocated to the Small Enterprise Development Agency to expand the small business incubation programme.
However, this raised concern for the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), which did not hear any special mention of youth development.
NYDA chairperson Sfiso Mtsweni said they needed clarity on the issue.
“We are concerned that there has been no emphasise on youth development even though as the agency we have been appealing for an increase in our budget, but there was no mention of this and no clarity with regards to where the youth stands,” Mtsweni said.
“R481.6m allocated for the Small Enterprise Development Agency and with more than 19-million youths economically active in our country, that is not enough to support and develop them and others.”
Mtsweni said 60% of the South African population were youths and were in dire need of funding and mentorship to turn them into job creators to curb the high unemployment rate.
“To fight unemployment we need to upskill youth, provide sufficient funding and support SMMEs, remove red tape and help them access the funding that is said to be available.”
Eastern Cape Regional Busineswomen’s Association chairperson Ruth Troskie said the association welcomed the budget speech, but was looking forward to its implementation.
“As a business association which works closely with municipalities, we welcome the notion of national Treasury opening their door to municipalities to pay service providers within the 30-day period, which has been a struggle for municipalities.
“This has destroyed a lot of entrepreneurs and taken a lot of strain on business.
“We are pleased with the monies that will be made available for manufacturing and industrialisation, particularly in the textile industry as we believe this will boost local designers and create more jobs.”
Gompo Hawkers Association chairperson Lungiswa Zoli said although she did not hear Mboweni present his budget speech, prices of goods were sure to increase.
When asked if she had applied for funding from the Small Enterprise Development Agency to grow her business, Zoli said it was difficult for people like her.
“People don't take our business seriously and we are not trained as to how to professionalise our business and grow it, instead we are always told to join co-ops and that's not easy because we all want to retain our independence,” she said...