What do you do in a country ravaged by unemployment?
The short answer: invest heavily in supporting entrepreneurs.
This year, the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry launched its Uplift Hub, offering dramatically reduced membership fees to small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).
The chamber is determined to help entrepreneurs and bolster a culture of innovative problem-solving through skills transfer and access to market-connected opportunities.
The new membership tier, available at R100 a month or R1 200 per year, offers unprecedented access to business resources.
The Uplift Hub is a powerful platform for growth – an entry point into the world of formalised business with a bundled set of support instruments.
Chamber CEO Palesa Phili says the hub is a cost-effective way to join an organisation that has been at the heart of business growth and economic advocacy in eThekwini since 1856.
The target market for the hub ranges from Grade 10 high school learners to 35-year-old entrepreneurs, and it has already attracted a host of promising, energetic business owners.
The hub has also facilitated several fruitful partnerships with other organisations aimed at supporting entrepreneurs in the SMME sector.
The chamber’s Hub team recently attended a Gagasi youth-in-business camp, where the radio station’s managing director, Minenhle Dlamini, applauded a tough, talented group that persevered and earned their own money.
Minenhle toasted their tenacity in surviving the rollercoaster of challenges that come with being self-employed.
It is a lonely journey, and a struggle to stay motivated – constantly refining your unique selling point while improving pricing, convenience and other competitive advantages.
Minenhle encouraged entrepreneurs to create networks of support.
“And when you are tired and despondent, remember the impact you have on the economy,” she said.
Zanele Khomo, the chamber’s Chief Growth Officer, reminded SMMEs that they are vital assets in South Africa’s economic value chain.
She encouraged them to seek help in formalising their businesses, keeping proper records and following tested processes and good governance.
“We can help you register a business and polish your pitch,” she said.
“Draw up a business plan and take your business seriously.
“Show up on time, be mindful, and let your behaviour be appropriate for the occasion.”
Nokuthula Magwaza from Bloom Marketing gave participants a rousing talk on packaging their businesses.
This involves understanding your business purpose, how it is positioned and how it is promoted. If you understand your brand story, you can communicate it effectively. If not, she suggested doing a quick brand audit.
“Google your business,” she said. “Do the results say what you want them to say?”
Entrepreneurs interested in joining the Uplift Hub can contact Mpilo Ngubane, the chamber’s membership sales specialist, to unlock a host of benefits.
“The chamber is a vibrant, powerful platform packed with partners and practical support,” Mpilo said. “We help make the connections that count – connections that empower you, elevate your business and give you the chance to excel.”
Contact Mpilo: 064 525 6832
