The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) announced last week that it has handed over certificates to 200 Small Macro Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) who took part in the Black Economic Empowerment Competitiveness Improvement Programme (BEECIP).
An initiative identified as a game changer in improving competitive levels of SMMEs. The programme is premised on accelerating transformation in various sectors where SMMEs operate.
“Interest shown by SMMEs has convinced us that the programme is geared in the right direction. The feedback we’ve received has been positive,” said Nolubabalo Pandle, CDC Senior BEE Analyst.
“Participants have shown empowerment initiatives relating to job creation and supporting other small enterprises. The programme also assisted in areas of business administration and record keeping, the certificate allows them to tender for contracts between R5 million & R35 million,” added Pandle
CDC this year also took the initiative to the Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) province where it’s acting as an implementing agent on behalf of government in expediting service delivery. The organisation awarded 300 SMMEs who took part in the programme with certificates.
CDCs growing national footprint has necessitated that its impact is felt wherever it operates, this in turn touches on the objective of socio-economic development, in line with the organisations vision.
“The programme is designed to enhance small business efficiency and build operational capacity of 100% black owned enterprises across all industries,” said Andile Ntloko, CDC SMME Unit Head.
“The criterion followed in selecting the SMMEs is rigorous, followed by a 6 month journey in which they were trained on various business etiquettes. Recipients of the awards must be proud of the hard work they’ve put in,” added Ntloko.
Beneficiaries of the programme are Exempted Micro Enterprises with an annual turnover less than R5 million. Participants undergo a full BEE audit under the Qualifying Small Enterprise (QSE) scorecard as contained in Code Series 800 of BEE Codes of Good Practice.
Participants are measured on 4 out of 7 elements, with each element accounting for 25% of their scorecard and ownership and management control being the priority elements.
According to Dr Ayanda Vilakazi, CDC Marketing and Communications Unit Head, “the organisation has a 35% SMME participation in all contracts awarded by the CDC. Participation of emerging business is consequential to the needs of development and transformation.”
SMME’s have benefited from working on various construction sites, including projects for the Departments of Health, Roads & Public Works, and Education where the CDC acts as implementation agent across the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
Alan Straton
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