Urban advancement plans and business development schemes, under city support, foster growth among Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) throughout Cape Town
Cape Town's High Impact Supplier Development Programme Empowers Local SMEs
The High Impact Supplier Development Programme, a city-backed initiative in Cape Town, South Africa, is making significant strides in enhancing the competitiveness of local small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The programme, designed to sharpen business strategy, improve operational capacity, and enable SMEs to win contracts, has been instrumental in driving sustainable growth for participating businesses.
One such success story is Suku Nikezela, a Blackheath-based construction firm. After participating in the programme in 2022, the company reported a growth in turnover from under R5 million to over R20 million and an expansion from five to over 50 employees [1][6].
The programme's key growth drivers include sharpening business strategy, improving operational capacity, winning contracts, support from the city and partnerships, and a focus on inclusive economic growth and transformation [1][2][5].
CEO Carl Cupido attributes the programme's success in helping him think like an entrepreneur [4]. Alderman James Vos, a Member of Cape Town's Mayoral Committee for Economic Growth, has been actively supporting local entrepreneurs, recently visiting JBS Building Company in Heathfield, Gordian Fence SA in Kuils River, and Lion Industries in Parow during events related to the programme [7].
Other beneficiaries, such as Saxonburg Fleet Maintenance based in Blackheath, have reported improvements in financial planning and strategic growth due to the programme [8]. The programme focuses on key growth drivers such as building a strong sales pipeline, diversifying products and services, improving operational efficiency, enhancing pricing strategies, strengthening balance sheets, reducing business waste, and establishing better market linkages.
The programme is part of a larger ecosystem of enterprise development and transformation efforts in Cape Town, designed to drive sustained economic growth and inclusivity. Beneficiaries receive recognition such as Certificates of Achievement, highlighting active participation and progress in the initiative [3].
Cape Town's targeted programmes for entrepreneurs have contributed to lowering the city's leading unemployment figures among metros [9]. Alderman Vos has been actively engaging with past programme beneficiaries for performance evaluations and feedback on business progression post-participation.
For more information on enterprise development programmes, interested parties can contact the Business Hub team at +27 21 417 4043 or email [email protected].
[1] SMMEs are central to economic innovation and resilience, according to Alderman Vos. [2] SMMEs account for more than 75% of new job opportunities, according to research by the South African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies. [3] The City hosted the SMME Showcase as part of a decade of support for emerging enterprises. [4] CEO Carl Cupido attributes the programme's success in helping him think like an entrepreneur. [5] The High Impact Supplier Development Programme is a five-day, hands-on workshop for 25 selected SMMEs to improve business strategy and operational capacity. [6] Suku Nikezela, a Blackheath-based construction firm, reported growth from under R5 million to over R20 million and expansion from five to over 50 employees after participating in the High Impact Supplier Development Programme in 2022. [7] Alderman James Vos, Member of Cape Town's Mayoral Committee for Economic Growth, addressed businesses at the SMME Showcase. [8] Alderman James Vos recently participated in events supporting local entrepreneurs. [9] The events included engagements with participants of the High Impact Supplier Development Programme and attendance at the SMME Showcase. [10] The participating enterprises span various industries, including construction, manufacturing, and automotive services.
The High Impact Supplier Development Programme, supporting local small and medium businesses (SMEs) in Cape Town, is designed to enhance business strategy, improve operational capacity, and enable SMEs to win contracts. This programme has been crucial in driving sustainable growth for local businesses, as seen in Suku Nikezela's success story, where growth in turnover from under R5 million to over R20 million and an expansion from five to over 50 employees was reported after participation.
The programme's success draws upon key growth drivers such as building a strong sales pipeline, diversifying products and services, improving operational efficiency, enhancing pricing strategies, strengthening balance sheets, reducing business waste, and establishing better market linkages. Moreover, it provides support from the city, participations, and partnerships, with a focus on inclusive economic growth and transformation.
CEO Carl Cupido expresses that the programme has helped him think like an entrepreneur, while Alderman James Vos, a Member of Cape Town's Mayoral Committee for Economic Growth, is actively supporting and engaging with beneficiaries to lower the city's leading unemployment figures among metros. Participating enterprises span various industries, including construction, manufacturing, and automotive services.
Interested parties can contact the Business Hub team for more information on enterprise development programmes in Cape Town.
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