The role of SMMEs and Cooperatives in contributing to economic growth in KZN and the country as whole has been emphasized in various platforms. The Department of Economic Development and other role players in the provinces economy such as Ithala and many more social partners in the private sector treat this sector as critical in addressing and finding solutions to the challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality in our society. In this regard, the Department has over the years prioritised the promotion and development of SMMEs and Cooperatives, and we have, in the past year, attained some achievements in this area of our work:

307 Cooperatives were trained through EDTEA’s contract with the Coastal KZN TVET in the management of cooperatives and business management skills, including the good governance of cooperatives.

692 SMMEs received training in business management skills, entrepreneurship, applied innovative thinking, principles of costing and pricing and business plan formulation.

367 SMMEs and Cooperatives were provided with business loans under the KZN Enterprise Development Fund and this resulted in the creation of 2396 jobs.

223 Groups/Associations were assisted to register with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) as cooperative entities.

364 Individuals were assisted to register their business entities with CIPC.

62 Students were provided financial support through the implementation of the Bursary Scheme for the Diploma in the Management of Cooperatives at the University of Zululand.

Of these:

46 Students are in their third year of the Diploma in the Management of Cooperatives.

7 Students are in their second year.

9 Students are in their third year of the Bachelor of Commerce Degree.

This intervention underpins and responds to the need for the establishment of a new wave of Cooperative Development Practitioner cohorts that will contribute to the development and promotion of the cooperative movement in KZN.

The support for SMMEs and Cooperatives is of utmost priority within the 2017/2018 Annual Performance Plan of the Department.

Amongst others, the department will implement the following strategic interventions to promote and develop small enterprises in KwaZulu-Natal:

• In partnership with the National Department of Small Business Development and International Labour Organisation, the Department will prioritise the development of the KZN Small Enterprise Data Register and Information Management System.

This system will assist in tracking and reporting on progress made in implementing the KZN Provincial Growth and Development Plan (PGDP) Strategic Objective Indicators, and
these include the “Increase in the number of SMMEs and Cooperatives established; Increase in survival rate of SMMEs and Cooperatives; Increase in the number of jobs generated by SMMEs and Cooperatives”.

• In 2017/18, the Department will continue providing support to small enterprises, including capacity building and training, funding, mentorship/incubation interventions and business advisory services.
• Radical Economic Transformation Initiatives will be prioritised and implemented in 2017/2018.