Zululand Chamber - SMMEs Key to Economy Recovery

2016-08-24

A decision to change her career path was the biggest game changer for business mogul and author Patience Mlengana.

Speaking at the Zululand Chamber of Commerce's (ZCCI) Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) summit in Richards Bay last week, she encouraged entrepreneurs to discover their purpose, which is
the key to establishing successful businesses and earn profit.

Sharing her journey to success, Mlengana said she spent seven years studying and achieved her Master's degree in Communication Science. She found her first job working in the archives at SABC,
found it boring and ventured into the marketing field, which appeared to be more interesting and offered her a challenge. After moving up the ranks in several different jobs she took a leap of faith and started her own businesses and ministry.

"One has to love what you do, so when you start up a business it should be something you enjoy so you will see it through."

"'In business you have to dream big, offer excellent service, be honest, avoid cutting corners and don't rob or swindle people." "You have to enlarge your vision and move out of your comfort zone."

Growth

Impressed with the number of attendees at the event, ZCCI Deputy President Thabani Shale said small businesses were the engines of economic growth and employment in the region as many large corporates and companies were now downsizing.

"Since the last ZCCI annual SMME Seminar, 15 companies have created 120 new jobs despite the tough economic conditions.

"Almost 200 entrepreneurs attended the event and while the chamber celebrates its 90th anniversary, we are confident that this organisation is vital and still relevant to businesses."

This article first appeared in the Zululand Observer