Grahamstown entrepreneurs attended a workshop on how to tender for government contracts at the City Hall on Tuesday 25 November.
Grahamstown entrepreneurs attended a workshop on how to tender for government contracts at the City Hall on Tuesday 25 November.
Owners of small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) were given technical hands-on skills and training to improve governance, controls and financial management.
This is intended to equip them to tender for government contracts. Makana Municipality is one of 10 municipalities chosen by the Eastern Cape Treasury for such workshops.
The decision to intervene in these municipalities comes after an analysis to identify the municipalities' weaknesses. This workshop was aimed at educating the owners of SMMEs about the requirements and technicalities needed before one is able to become a government supplier.
Representatives from the South African Revenue Service explained to participants how important it is to keep detailed financial records in order to claim tax rebates and prove their financial status. Only government registered businesses were the only ones considered for tenders, the entrepreneurs were told. They were advised to register.
Also present was Eugene Faka from the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC). He advised the different stakeholders on how to go about applying for funding from the ECDC. Some business owners told him that they have tried to apply but the service rendered at the Port Elizabeth branch was inadequate.
The owners claim that, while the ECDC's doors are always open when people go there, no one is available to help them out. Faka left his phone numbers and said they should also try the East London offices. Officials from Makana Municipality were not present at the workshop.
