Province of the EASTERN CAPE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ___________________________________________________________________________ AN INTEGRATED STRATEGY FOR PROMOTION OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SMALL ENTERPRISES IN THE EASTERN CAPE “A Framework for Creating an Enabling Environment for SMME Support, Promotion and Development” 4th DRAFT OCTOBER 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD: MEC MCEBISI JONAS...................................................................................4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.........................................................................................................6 SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND ..........................................................10 1.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................................................10 1.2 Summary of activities and deliverables.................................................................................................................12 SECTION 2: SITUATION OF SMMES IN THE EASTERN CAPE.........................................14 2.1 Highlights of Findings from the Questionnaires..................................................................................................15 2.2 Highlights of Policy issues from Workshops........................................................................................................16 2.3 Problems and Challenges of the SMME Environment in the EC.........................................................................19 SECTION 3: SMME SUPPORT STRATEGY FOCUS...........................................................21 3.1 Vision for supporting SMMEs in the Eastern Cape.............................................................................................21 3.2 Objectives of the SMMEs Support Strategy.......................................................................................................21 SECTION 4: POLICY AND STRATEGY LITERATURE ANALYSIS.....................................22 4.1 National Policy and Legislative Analysis.............................................................................................................22 4.1.1 1995 White Paper on SMME Promotion.....................................................................................22 4.1.2 National Small Business Act of 1996, as Amended in 2004.......................................................23 4.1.3 Strategy on the Promotion of Entrepreneurship & Small Enterprises..........................................23 4.1.4 National Strategy for the Development and Promotion of Franchises..........................................24 4.1.5 National Industrial Policy Framework (NIPF)...............................................................................25 4.2 Provincial Strategies Analysis...............................................................................................................................26 4.2.1 Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS)...............................................................................26 4.2.2 Draft Provincial Industrial Strategy..............................................................................................................27 4.2.3 Provincial Co-operatives Support Strategy................................................................................................28 SECTION FIVE: STRATEGIC PILLARS...............................................................................29 5.1 Strategy Pillar One: SMME Institutional Framework ............................................................................................. 29 Strategic Priority 5.1.1: Develop Capacity within DEDEA............................................................................................29 Strategic Priority 5.1.2: Establish a Forum for Development Finance Institutions........................................................29 Strategic Priority 5.1.3: Establish a Provincial SMME Working Group........................................................................30 Strategic Priority 5.1.4: Establish an Enterprise Development Agency in the Eastern Cape.......................................30 Strategic Priority 5.1.5: Establish an Innovation Hub for product development and manufacturing..............................31 5.2 Strategic Pillar Two: SMME Programme Design and Support ..............................................................................34 Strategic Priority 5.2.1: Increase Supply of Financial Services.....................................................................................34 Strategic Priority 5.2.2: Increase Supply of Non-Financial Services............................................................................35 Strategic Priority 5.2.3: Access to Markets through Government Procurement.........................................................36 Strategic Priority 5.2.4: Enhance Access to Markets to Industry Opportunities for SMMEs.........................................37 Strategic Priority 5.2.5: Increase Access to Franchise Opportunities in the Eastern Cape..........................................38 2|Page SMME Strategy Framework Strategic Priority 5.2.6: Skills Enhancement of SMME Owners...................................................................................38 Strategic Priority 5.2.7: Support to the Informal Sector and Hawkers..........................................................................39 Strategic Priority 5.2.8: Support to Organised Business Formations of SMMEs...........................................................40 Strategic Priority 5.2.9: Access to SMME Information...................................................................................................40 5.3 Strategic Pillar Three: SMME Regulatory Functions and Services........................................................................42 Strategic Priority 5.3.1: Reduce Small Business Regulatory Constraints and Awareness...........................................43 Strategic Priority 5.3.2: Capacity Building of Municipality Officials on Regulations and By-Laws................................43 5.4 Strategic Pillar Four: Monitoring and Evaluation ...................................................................................................44 Strategic Priority 5.4.1: Conducting Ongoing Research about SMMEs in the Province...............................................44 Strategic Priority 5.4.2: Align all District and Metro SMME Strategies with the Provincial Strategy..............................45 Strategic Priority 5.4.3: Developing Knowledge and Information about SMMEs to inform Policy.................................45 Strategic Priority 5.4.4: Hosting Annual SMME Conferences, Seminars and Summits................................................46 Strategic Priority 5.4.5: Monitoring of the Implementation of the Provincial SMME Strategy........................................46 Strategic Priority 5.4.6: Evaluation of the Strategy.......................................................................................................47 SECTION SIX: IMPLEMENTATION PLAN OF THE STRATEGY .........................................48 3|Page SMME Strategy Framework FOREWORD: MEC MCEBISI JONAS Honourable Mcebisi Jonas MEC: Economic Development and Environmental Affairs Eastern Cape Province 4|Page SMME Strategy Framework EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This Provincial SMME Strategy Framework outlines the intention of the Provincial Government of the Eastern Cape in supporting the development and the sustainability of the SMME sector. To a large extent, it is aligned to national policy and legislative priorities of the dti and to the Provincial Growth and Development Priorities. It is the result of extensive review of literature available on SMMEs development, a high level research exercise with SMMEs through questionnaires was also conducted, workshops with SMMEs 5|Page SMME Strategy Framework in most of the District Municipalities were conducted and finally relevant nationally based institutions that support SMMEs were also consulted. The vision of this SMME Strategy is to mainstream Small and Medium Enterprises into the economy of the province through opportunities created by the industry in order to enhance entrepreneurship and self employment. This is proposed to be done through the process of identifying key growing economic sectors of the province, developing economic sector studies and economic sector value chains. The idea is to provide for an SMME sector that plays a key role into the growth of the provincial economy thereby alleviating poverty and creating employment. Key objectives outlined in this strategy include the following: To provide for the establishment of appropriate institutional support framework in the Eastern Cape for SMMEs to be mainstreamed into the provincial economy; To provide better access to existing and the development of new SMME support programmes in the Eastern Cape; To create an enabling environment for SMME to thrive in the province by conducting continuous policy and strategy reviews in the Eastern Cape; To provide for better collation of information, monitoring and reporting about SMME development in the province through continuous research and knowledge management In order to achieve the objectives listed above, thereby realising the vision, the following strategic pillars and projects are proposed for implementation: Strategy Pillar One: SMME Institutional Framework Develop Capacity within DEDEA Establish a Forum for Development Finance Institutions Establish a Provincial SMME Working Group Establish an Enterprise Development Agency in the Eastern Cape 6|Page SMME Strategy Framework Establish an Innovation Hub to enhance product development and manufacturing in the Province Strategy Pillar Two: SMME Programme Design and Support Increase Supply of Financial Services Increase Supply of Non-Financial Services Access to Markets through Government Procurement Enhance Access to Markets to Industry Opportunities for SMMEs Increase Access to Franchise Opportunities in the Eastern Cape Skills Enhancement of SMME Owners Support to the Informal Sector and Hawkers Access to SMME Information Strategy Pillar Three: SMME Regulatory Functions and Services Reduce Small Business Regulatory Constraints and Awareness Capacity Building of Municipality Officials on Regulations affecting SMMEs and how to manage them Strategy Pillar Four: Monitoring and Evaluation Conducting Ongoing Research about SMMEs in the Province Align and Integrate all the District and Metro SMME Strategies with the Provincial Strategy Framework Developing Knowledge and Information about SMMEs to inform Policy and Programmes in the Province Hosting Annual Conferences, Seminars and Summits on SMME Development in the Province Monitoring and Evaluation of the Implementation of the Provincial SMME Strategy This document is therefore structured as follows: Section 1: Introduction and Summary of Activities 7|Page SMME Strategy Framework This section outlines policy background relating to SMME development in South Africa. It highlights some achievements and challenges that the South African government still face in supporting the growth and development of SMMEs. These challenges are applicable to the environment of the Eastern Cape as well. This section also sketched the process that was followed in developing this strategy Section 2: Situational of SMMEs in the Eastern Cape Two forms of data gathering methods were used during the process of developing this strategy, Questionnaires and Workshops. This section highlights findings that emanated from these methods and those findings are used to structure proposals mentioned above. The questionnaire method was by far not exhaustive and it had its own limitations therefore a detailed process of research about SMMEs in the province still needs to be undertaken. Challenges identified are clustered into SMME specific challenges and government challenges in supporting SMMEs Section 3: SMME Support Strategy Focus The discussions held with SMMEs and Stakeholders in this process resulted in the crafting of a vision that provincial government needs to pursue in order to realise the vision of mainstreaming SMMEs to the economy of the province. This section sketches that vision and the objectives to be pursued to realise the vision Section 4: Policy and Strategy Literature Analysis In order to show that this strategy is aligned to the priorities of national government under the leadership of the dti, a lot of analysis of available literature and policy documents was done. This section delves into the detail of what legislative and policy document underpin the work of SMME development and how it is aligned to this Strategy document. 8|Page SMME Strategy Framework Section 5: Strategic Pillars and Priorities for supporting SMMEs This section carries concrete proposals and projects that the provincial government needs to implement to ensure that there is an enabling environment for SMME development in the province. These proposals are structure into four pillars and proposed projects are listed under each pillar. Section 6: Implementation Plan This section guides the Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs with key activities, deliverables and responsibilities of each proposed project under the pillars. It is envisaged that once approved this section will be used to develop annual performance plan and tracking tools. SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 1.1 Introduction It is generally accepted worldwide that the development and growth of small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) can play an important role in turning the situation of high levels of unemployment in an economy. This is largely because entrepreneurship and small business development naturally bring with it elements of innovation and new venture creation which in turn create new industries that have the ability to create employment. Policies and 9|Page SMME Strategy Framework programmes that support the development of SMMEs should therefore form an important part of any government’s programmes in order to create a better life for all. To date, South Africa has over 13 years experience in providing support to the SMME sector but the challenges that were identified as far back as 1995 are still relevant today. The table below illustrates the point above: The 1995 White Paper on the Promotion of SMMEs in SA Remaining Challenges: Ten Year SMME Review 1994-2004 Creation of an enabling legal framework; Streamlining regulatory conditions; Facilitating access to information and advice; Facilitating access to procurement and marketing; Facilitating access to finance; Facilitating access to affordable physical infrastructure; Providing training in entrepreneurship, skills and management; Improving industrial relations and the labour environment; Facilitating access to appropriate technology; Encouraging joint ventures; Capacity building and institutional strengthening; Introducing different taxation and other financial incentives Source: 1995 White Paper Diversity of SMMEs need serious recognition and attention; Access to SMME support to be same in urban and rural areas; Create a balance between cost, reach and impact of support where government funds are concerned; Lack clarity of roles in SMME support by the public sector thereby making their efforts uncoordinated and less effective; Inadequate representation of evolving business associations and interest groups weakens feedback on specific SMME needs Insufficient interaction between SMME support programmes and other thrusts of Government The dti Chief Directorate: Small Enterprises has been unable to co-ordinate activities of Government on small business nationally and provincially Provinces lack of capacity and human resources have also yielded bad results in providing direction and support to the SMME sector Inadequate and irregular monitoring and evaluation processes Source: 2005 Ten Year Review Report Since the introduction of the 1995 White Paper on Small Business Promotion by the government of the Republic of South Africa the country has seen an emergence of a range of programmes geared at promoting SMME development. Some of them were sponsored by the private sector but certainly most of them were government driven. The 1996 National Small Business Act established two very important institutions in the life of small business in this country, i.e., Ntsika Enterprise Promotion Agency (NEPA) and the National Small Business Council (NSBC). Alongside these two institutions, the dti also established Khula Enterprise Finance and the National Manufacturing Advisory Centres (NAMAC). These institutions formed the 10 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework backbone of all small business promotion activities in South Africa from the late 1990’s to around the year 2004. From the year 2005, government established the Small Enterprise Development Agency (seda) as the lead agent that supports the development of SMMEs in the country. To date, the seda exists in provinces in partnership with the Provincial Departments of Economic Development. The Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs (DEDEA) in the Eastern Cape has deemed it necessary to develop a provincial strategic framework to guide the support to small businesses in the province. Chumisa Consulting was therefore contracted by DEDEA to facilitate the development of the provincial strategic framework through a consultative process with stakeholders in the province. The data gathering process employed different research methodologies that assisted in gathering data that was used to structure proposals advance herewith. This document is the outcome of a process of consultations, especially with SMMEs and stakeholders in the province supporting SMMEs. It also attempts to align to current SMME policy priorities as set out in the 2005 dti Strategy for the Promotion of Entrepreneurship and Small Enterprises together with the 2004 Amended Small Business Act. Most importantly, it captures views and opinions of SMMEs in the province and what their needs are in developing and sustaining their businesses. The most important observation identified in this process is that amongst the 6 District Municipalities in the Eastern Cape only 3 District Municipalities have in place formalised District SMME Strategies, viz, Amathole, Chris Hani and Cacadu. The other 3 District plus the Metro do not have formalised District SMME Strategies. The province as a whole is therefore not moving in sync on SMME development and it is anticipated that this process will assist in guiding all the District Municipalities and the province as a whole. It is the mandate and the responsibility of DEDEA to advise on how this alignment across the province should be done. 11 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework The strategic pillars and interventions proposed in this document are premised on inputs from SMMEs themselves and are most importantly informed by the framework of the national SMME Strategy of 2005 of the dti that has been approved by National Cabinet. To a large extent, this Provincial SMME Strategy is aligned to national policies and legislative framework that govern support to SMMEs nationally. 1.2 Summary of activities and deliverables A series of activities were proposed as a response to the Department’s invitation to conduct this assignment and the following were concluded in the process of developing this document. An SMME Survey through Questionnaires: A total of 204 completed questionnaires were from SMMEs across the province were analysed and the results are captured in a separate report attached herewith as part of this document; Workshops with SMMEs in all District Municipalities: A series of District Consultative Workshops with SMMEs were held in all Districts except in Nelson Mandela Metro and Amathole. A comprehensive report of issues that were raised in the workshops is also attached herewith as part of this document; SMME Literature Analysis: A thorough review of current government SMME policies, strategies and relevant legislations were reviewed during this process in order to align proposals with the current thinking of government on SMME development; One on One Meetings with SMME Stakeholders: a range of relevant stakeholders were consulted at national and provincial level and inputs solicited in the process of developing this document. These stakeholders are in the main service providers, government institutions and private sector organisations that support SMMEs. It is envisaged 12 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework that a Consultative Workshop with provincial stakeholders will be arranged to discuss the draft document once it has been released. SECTION 2: SITUATION OF SMMES IN THE EASTERN CAPE In the process of developing this Provincial SMME Strategy Framework document, analysis of a whole range of SMME related policy documents, research reports, strategies and legislation was analysed. It is worth noting that we were also able to specifically review the SMME Survey reports of both the Amathole District and the Cacadu District. Generally, about 70% of SMMEs fail in South Africa within the first three years with the majority failing 13 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework within the first 12 months. The Cacadu District study makes the following observations about why SMMEs fail within the first 12 months: Most of these SMME’s are owned by people from previously disadvantaged backgrounds with very low levels of skill and experience in running businesses; The majority of SMMEs are based in rural areas, involving largely micro enterprises that have barely grown beyond the survivalist stage, As already mentioned above, a separate detailed SMME Survey Report is attached to this strategy document, as such, only key findings are highlighted in this section as a form of illustration. According to CIPRO, as at September 2008 the number of SMMEs (close corporations and companies) registered and residing in the Eastern Cape province was around 12 246. Data provided below provides a reflection of the trends of registration of entities in the Eastern Cape Province for each year from 2005 – 2008. Table 2: Registration Trends of CCs and Cos. Years Close Corporations registered 2005 2006 2007 2008 Source: CIPRO, September 2008 Companies registered 2045 5088 9309 11758 23 31 148 488 2.1 Highlights of Findings from the Questionnaires A high level research exercise was conducted through a Questionnaire during this process. The purpose of the questionnaire was to unearth concrete data such as the type of SMMEs that exist in the province, the product offering, access to markets issues and level of skills development. It was also meant to generate understanding of what respondents perceive to be the challenges and opportunities they are faced with as well as key suggestions they might have for provincial government to assist them become sustainable. In order to ensure some form of reliability of the research, the same questionnaire was 14 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework administered to all respondents through a participatory process of completing them during the workshops that we held in the Districts. The following limitations influenced this study: Time and financial constraints because the research was not budgeted for in the process of developing the strategy; The province does not have a database of SMMEs which we could have used to select a sample to test the questionnaire with. There was heavy reliance on entrepreneurs who will attend District Workshops to form respondents to this study; Municipalities database of entrepreneurs incorporates both members of co-operatives and individual entrepreneurs; The questionnaires that were used were not initially tested on a small sample in order to allow for amendment to the questions. This was largely because of the lack of available database and the short timeframes to start and complete the project; The other limitation is that only one data gathering instrument was used during this process therefore no inconsistencies were identified up in the process; The completed questionnaires were then loaded on Statistical Package fro Social Sciences (SPSS) software which assisted in providing predictive analytics that is detailed in the report we produced. This analysis assisted by connecting the data from the questionnaires to effective action and by drawing reliable conclusions about current conditions of SMMEs in the Eastern Cape. The following findings came out of the analysis of 204 completed questionnaires: The predominance of SMMEs (58%) are in the services sector (catering, small scale retailers, security, etc) in all Districts, followed by the manufacturing sector. A significant showing of manufacturing SMMEs in all districts is concentrated around the Textile sub-sector, not the automotive sector as it would be expected in accordance with structure of the Eastern Cape economy; 15 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework SMMEs employing 1-5 people were 66%, followed by 21% that employ between 6 – 10 people and only 10% employing more than 10 people; Generally owners of SMMEs surveyed have only a matriculation certificate or Grade 12 (32%), with seventeen percent (17%) having relatively low education levels below matric; The majority of their start up capital is from their own personal savings (66.7%) and mostly from parents and friends. The ECDC has only reached out to 0.5% of the respondents on access to start up finance; Financial requirements of SMMEs surveyed showed that the majority of them (55.6%) is for equipment & materials followed by working capital (22.9%). The above synopsis gives an overview of the profile of an SMME in the Eastern Cape and this sector is as important to government as the formal sector is. These are the types of SMMEs that are not likely to access funds from ECDC because they would not need the criteria. However, they form the fibre of the business society of the province and can play a big role in poverty alleviation and employment creation thereby complementing the work already being done by medium and big business in the province. 2.2 High Level Policy issues from Workshops A total of 5 workshops with about 250 SMMEs were held in District Municipalities across the province of the Eastern Cape. In organising these workshops we were assisted by the officials of the Regional Offices of DEDEA. We also got an opportunity to analyse District IDPs in relation to them supporting SMMEs and also interviewed Officials of District Municipalities. At a policy level, even though the province currently does not have a Provincial SMME Strategy, other District Municipalities are active in SMME promotion. For example, the table below demonstrate the facts: Table 3: District SMME Strategies District Municipalities Policy or Strategy Environment Amathole District Municipality 16 | P a g e A Comprehensive study of the SMMEs in the District has been completed SMME Strategy Framework Chris Hani District Municipality Nelson Mandela Metro Municipality Cacadu District Municipality Ukhahlamba District Municipality Alfred Nzo District Municipality OR Tambo District Municipality District SMME Strategy Completed District SMME Strategy Completed The 2001 Metro SMME Strategy is outdated and still needs to be updated A comprehensive Study of SMMEs in the District has been completed District SMME Strategy does not exist District SMME Strategy does not exist District SMME Strategy does not exist From the table above, it is quite clear that the province is pulling to all sorts of directions around SMME development and this situation needs immediate attention. The following key policy issues emerged out of the workshops: The Regional Offices of DEDEA’s role and function is not clear and needs to be defined in the context of activities of SMME development within each District Municipality; The Chief Directorate: Enterprise Development of DEDEA needs to facilitate a process of guiding other District Municipalities to develop their SMME strategies and/or support programmes and then monitor on behalf of the province; SMMEs that we interacted with and the ones who responded to our questionnaire are not in the mainstream of the economy. The kinds of businesses they operate are not in line with downstream activities of the growing economic sectors of the provincial economy and hence they are not able to access support from organisations like ECDC and banks. SMMEs are not aware of economic opportunities that are available to them within their Districts and therefore are not able to align their activities with such opportunities; The economic opportunities that emanate from the Provincial Industrial Strategy will provide a sense of which economic sectors SMME development should be encouraged and what incentives should be developed to encourage their growth; Research and provision of statistics remains a major problem across the province and we suggests that DEDEA be the central co-ordinating point, through its Regional Offices; 17 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework Procurement opportunities from government remain a problematic area for most SMMEs. A policy statement needs to be made around setting targets, implementing them and monitoring how many SMMEs benefit from government procurement in the province; Accessibility of state support institutions, especially in the rural part of the province also remains a major problem. For instance, it was mentioned in that in Alfred Nzo and Cacadu there are is no ECDC office and that it is DEDEA’s role to ensure that there are offices in these areas; The rural part of the province does not have tangible SMME activities that are based on economic sectors and guided by the PGDP of the province; The informal sector of the economy in the Eastern Cape remains extremely poor with no support at all. We also found out that this is not only the problem of the Eastern Cape, even at the national government level (the dti) there is no policy directive on how the informal business sector should be supported. The province should then develop tailor made support programmes to ensure that the informal sector is sustained. The informal sector is a permanent feature of the provincial economy and provides employment opportunities for a significant section of the provincial population. Most of the other inputs came as challenges that SMMEs face, some of which have been captured in detail in the survey report. The following section will highlight common challenges that SMMEs and government of the Eastern Cape face. It is these challenges that shape the proposed support interventions proposed in the strategy. 2.3 Problems and Challenges of the SMME Environment in the Eastern Cape Problems and challenges of SMMEs are not only inherent but also influenced by the environments that they operate in. SMMEs that attended the workshops and participated in our survey identified the following challenges that affect them directly: 18 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework Lack of access to funding for working capital, equipment and business expansion; Lack of access to procurement and tender opportunities from government and government institutions; Low levels of education of owners of SMMEs; Lack of required technical, business and management skills; Lack of quality of products and services and inability to deliver on time; Lack of access to relevant information for business support. On the other hand, there are environmental challenges that the provincial government, in particular DEDEA faces in its mandate to create an enabling environment for SMME development in the province. The following is a clustered list of the key challenges that DEDEA faces: There is no coordination of activities of government institutions and departments that provide services to SMMEs, everybody works in silos; Lack of staff, direction and capacity at DEDEA to monitor SMME development in the province; The mandate of the implementing agency of the province (ECDC) is too broad and its work needs to be focused towards SMME financing; There is general lack of data, research and knowledge about SMMEs of the province; Government Departments in general are notorious for paying SMMEs very late after the services have been rendered; There is generally no consistency in the existence of SMME strategies and programmes across the Districts, including clarity of roles of DEDEA Regional Staff roles in supporting implementation at District level. 19 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework SECTION 3: SMME SUPPORT STRATEGY FOCUS 3.1. Vision for supporting SMMEs in the Eastern Cape To mainstream Small and Medium Enterprises into the economy of the province through opportunities created by the industry in order to enhance entrepreneurship and self employment. 3.2. Objectives of the SMMEs Support Strategy The strategic objectives listed below are linked to the strategy pillars and their key strategic priorities: 20 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework 3.2.1 To provide for the establishment of appropriate institutional support framework in the Eastern Cape for SMMEs to be mainstreamed into the provincial economy; 3.2.2 To provide better access to existing and the development of new SMME support programmes in the Eastern Cape; 3.2.3 To create an enabling environment for SMME to thrive in the province by conducting continuous policy and strategy reviews in the Eastern Cape; 3.2.4 To provide for better collation of information, monitoring and reporting about SMME development in the province through continuous research and knowledge management. 21 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework SECTION 4: NATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS 4.1 National Policy and Legislative Analysis At a national government level, the work of SMME development and support is the mandate of the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) complimented by a range of support agencies established by government like Small Enterprise Development Agency (seda) and Khula Enterprise Finance. However, there are other policies and legislative imperatives that guide the support to the development of the SMMEs and these policy documents guide SMME support at national level and therefore inevitably inform this Provincial SMME Strategy. Below is a summary of the key documents: 4.1.1 The 1995 White Paper on SMME Promotion This White Paper represented government's thinking about what it can contribute to the process of stimulating small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa. The development of the document was as a result of an intensive process of consultation with key stakeholders in the SMME sector. A number of key challenges that were facing SMMEs in 1995 had been addressed by the government through the establishment of relevant institutions, some of which still exist today. Since then, the most glaring challenge of government in SMME development is in the coordination of SMME support services. Though a lot has been done to date, provinces have not been able to interpret the national policy imperatives on SMME development with the intention of developing their provincial strategies. The dti has since updated the 1995 White Paper to the current 2005 National Strategy on the Promotion of Entrepreneurship and Small Enterprises. 4.1.2 National Small Business Act of 1996, as Amended in 2004 The next important step was the passing of the enabling legislation, the National Small Business Act No.102 of 1996. The Act was developed to provide for: The establishment of Ntsika Enterprise Promotion Agency (Ntsika); The establishment of the National Small Business Council (NSBC); The guidelines for the organs of state to promote SMMEs To provide for the definition of SMMEs in respect to the different sectors of the economy of South Africa This is an enabling legislation whose main purpose was to regulate and define SMMEs in order to elevate their importance to the growth and development of the economy. Through this Act, government also established support institutions at national level whose main purpose was to drive support to small businesses. Ongoing reviews of activities of SMME development in the country necessitated the Amendment to the National Small Business Act in 2004. The current legislation is the amended Act of 2004 and it will also be the overall guiding legislation for the activities of SMME promotion in the Eastern Cape. The definition of SMME in the context of the evolving environment is currently a subject of review within the dti. The Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Codes of Good Practice have since come up with innovative classifications of an SMME in terms of empowerment, Qualifying SMME. The province will be guided by the dti in this exercise. However, a process of aligning the BBBEE classification and the definition of an SMME in terms of the 1996 SMME Act as amended in 2004 is already underway under the leadership of the dti. Therefore, for the purposes of this Provincial Strategy, the definition of SMMEs is aligned to Section 1(XV) and the Schedule as outlined in the 1996 Small Business Act, as amended in 2004. 23 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework 4.1.3 Strategy on the Promotion of Entrepreneurship & Small Enterprises The 2005 National Strategy for the Promotion of Entrepreneurship and Small Enterprises is the current guiding and approved National Strategy document of government. The main thrust is to bring about co-ordination and streamlining of SMME promotion activities across the whole country. It is this strategy document that will also guide the structure of the Eastern Cape SMME Strategy. This National Strategy document is premised on the following 3 Pillars: Increase supply of access to finance and non-financial services; Create demand for small enterprise products and services; Reduce small enterprise regulatory constraints. In line with national government priorities on SMME development, the Eastern Cape SMME Strategy will also be premised on the above pillars and other relevant provincial suggestions that came out during the consultation processes undertaken in developing this document. 4.1.4 National Strategy for the Development and Promotion of Franchises A policy document of the dti called the National Strategy for the Development and Promotion of Franchises in South Africa dated June 2000 was an attempt by the government to elevate issues of Franchising. The Franchise sector which is an integral part of the small business sector, has considerable potential for contributing to job creation, wealth creation and the promotion of economic equality in South Africa. Evidence exists in the 2008 Franchise Survey of the contribution of the Franchise sector to the growth of small enterprises. The Franchise sector is particularly relevant to the Eastern Cape because almost all the SMMEs that we met during consultations are not participating in the mainstream of the growing economic sectors of the Eastern Cape Province. Provincial Government therefore has a role to play in mainstreaming entrepreneurs into 24 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework the economy of the province, and we believe through Franchising the province can easily harness the existing entrepreneurship spirit. At the moment, the Eastern Cape Province does not have a dedicated Franchise Support and Development Programme in place. An opportunity therefore exists through this Provincial SMME Strategy to seriously consider focusing towards franchising in order to encourage entrepreneurship and small business ownership. The existing Franchise Strategy document of the dti can easily be adapted by the Eastern Cape Government in its endeavour to develop a provincial programme. 4.1.5 National Industrial Policy Framework (NIPF) In July 2007 the Cabinet endorsed the National Industrial Policy Framework (NIPF) that sets out in detail key actions and timeframes for the implementation of the current round of industrial policy. This is in realisation of the fact the manufacturing sector can bring employment and enhance entrepreneurship in the country, factors which can only be realised through SMMEs development. The NIPF identifies a range of economic sectors that government is going to concentrate on in order to encourage manufacturing SMMEs, and they include the following: Fast-track implementation of the four lead sectors: Capital/Transport equipment and Metals; Automotives and Components; Chemicals, Plastic fabrication and Pharmaceuticals; Forestry, Pulp and paper, and Furniture. Maintaining momentum on implementation of Business Process Outsourcing & Offshoring (BPO&O), Tourism and Biofuels, 25 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework Implementation of other substantive sector projects in: Diamond beneficiation and jewellery; Agro-processing; Film and Crafts. Other sector strategies that need to be developed include: Mining and mineral beneficiation; Agriculture/Agro-processing; ICT (services and products) and Creative Industries and White Goods (fridges, microwave ovens, washing machines, etc). In line with the NIPF, the province of the Eastern Cape will need to align its sector development initiatives towards these economic sectors in order to encourage SMMEs to take up opportunities that arise from the sector value chains. 4.2 Provincial Strategies Analysis 4.2.1 Provincial Growth and Development Plan (PGDP) The PGDP provides the strategic framework, sectoral strategies and programmes aimed at a rapid improvement in the quality of life for the poorest people of the Eastern Cape Province. To do this, the PGDP sets out a vision with quantified and sequenced targets in the areas of economic growth, employment creation, poverty eradication and income redistribution for the 10year period 2004-2014. In relation to SMME development, The PGDP identifies as one of its focus areas the development and diversification of the manufacturing and tourism sectors within the province. To realise this provincial government needs to clearly understand and articulate the economic competitive advantages of the province and each District Municipality. SMMEs can only be developed and 26 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework mainstreamed into the economy if the above knowledge is made available and utilised appropriately. The PGDP further notes that existing growth in the province is centred on the major urban areas of Nelson Mandela Metro and Buffalo City. These areas are especially high in growth and export-led manufacturing industries. Growth, however, is needed throughout the Province, especially in labour-intensive industries for employment creation. The natural resources of the former homelands provide opportunities for SMME growth through agro-processing industries. Opportunities for processing SMMEs will increase as agricultural production grows in the former homelands. Small enterprises can be successfully established in food processing (fruits and vegetables, dairy products and meat products), leather and leather goods, wood products, furniture production, wool and mohair clothing, crafts and tourism. There is a growing body of information on business opportunities in the districts of the Province, based on proximity to natural resources and links to existing industries. The main opportunities lie in targeting major gaps in the supply chain and processed products. Big businesses can be encouraged to invest in districts, based on their competitive advantages in raw material, skilled labour and market access. Local Economic Development (LED) strategies for each District and Local Municipality need to be included in their IDPs because that is where SMMEs can actively be mainstreamed. 4.2.2 Draft Provincial Industrial Strategy This document is a set of dedicated government-sponsored plans and interventions designed to build the productive capability to place the province on a more equitable and labour absorptive growth path. The strategy is premised on the extent to which it is able to sustain growth, create jobs, and transform the economy in terms of de-racializing and broadening ownership of capital and assets. 27 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework The Provincial Industrial Strategy processes, supported by the PDGP and the Jobs Summit, have identified a number of priority sectors for growth and employment creation as well as retention. Economic growth and labour absorptive sectors include agro-processing (especially biofuels), forestry and timber industries, tourism and cultural industries, business process outsourcing (BPO), construction, chemicals, and metals processing. Sectors important for jobs retention are the auto sector, clothing and textiles. These sectors also provide a whole range of downstream opportunities for SMME development. Mainstreaming SMMEs in the economy of the province would not be such a huge challenge if the Industrial Strategy of the Province was finalised and adopted as policy and also if opportunities for SMME development were clearly articulated within sector studies. 4.2.3 Provincial Co-operatives Support Strategy At the end of the year 2008, the Provincial Government of the Eastern Cape adopted a Provincial Co-operatives Support Strategy. Co-operatives are a legal form of entity that was legislated by the South African government through the Co-operatives Act No.14 of 2005. This piece of legislation recognises different forms of co-operatives, viz, housing, social services, worker, financial services, agriculture, etc. Some of these forms are closely linked to SMMEs in the manner in which they are established and how they function. The support programmes apportioned to these forms of cooperatives tend to be naturally the same as the support programmes geared towards SMME development. A proper alignment between the Co-operatives and SMME Strategy is therefore critical in creating integration across the province on enterprise development activities. 28 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework In order to grow and promote the co-operative movement in the Eastern Cape, the Co-operatives Strategy proposes the following action points which are arranged in four major pillars: Pillar 1: Institutional Capacity for Supporting Co-operatives in the Province; Pillar 2: Support Infrastructure for Co-operatives Development; Pillar 3: Building an Independent Co-operative Movement; Pillar 4: Research, Knowledge and Database Management. 29 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework SECTION FIVE: STRATEGIC PILLARS AND PRIORITIES FOR SUPPORTING SMMES IN THE EASTERN CAPE 5.1 Strategy Pillar One: SMME Institutional Framework Strategic Priority 5.1.1: Develop Capacity within DEDEA The implementation of this strategy is going to require resources, both financial and human resources. In order to ensure effective implementation, provincial government will need to allocate financial and human resources to DEDEA to coordinate all these activities. Our consultations revealed that there are project management challenges at implementation level between Regional Offices of DEDEA and the Municipalities. This is a serious matter because in order to effectively implement this strategy, DEDEA needs full support of Local Government structures. We propose the following: The functions of the Regional Staff should be redefined in line with the implementation of the SMME Strategy; Regional staff need to be trained in Policy Development, Monitoring and Evaluation, SMME Policy and Legislation and Research; DEDEA Head Office should apportion a budget for each Regional Office for SMME projects in order to support Municipalities with matters that relate to SMME research, awareness programmes, information dissemination and monitoring activities of the Provincial SMME Strategy; Strategic Priority 5.1.2: Establish a Forum for Development Finance Institutions Government has established a range of institutions at national level that provide funding for SMMEs. These institutions have since established a footprint in the Eastern Cape but unfortunately they also operate in isolation and their impact is not clearly measurable. These institutions command huge udgets and certainly can benefit SMMEs in the province if their activities can 30 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework be properly co-ordinated in the province and their impact measured. In order to ensure co-ordination of their activities the following activities are proposed: Develop a complete database of all the existing Development Finance Institutions in the province together with their product offerings; Develop a clear Charter for the establishment of the Forum; Develop feedback mechanisms and communication channels for activities of all DFIs in the province in order to track trends on funding SMMEs in the province Strategic Priority 5.1.3: Establish a Provincial SMME Working Group The province has a myriad of SMME activities taking place and run by different organisations and stakeholders. Government has funded SMME support programmes, the private sector also runs its own programmes, some District Municipalities have structured programmes and some don’t. This creates problems for DEDEA whose role is to coordinate all activities pertaining to SMME development in the province. In order to assist DEDEA with the coordinating function, the following proposed activities are suggested: Identify all Departments, Chamber Organisations, Donor Organisations, Private Sector Organisations, Research Institutions, Institutions of Higher Learning, Agencies, etc to form part of the Provincial SMME Working Group; Create a database of all support programmes of these organisations and distribute this information to entrepreneurs in the province; Develop a coordination charter and reporting guidelines to the provincial Legislature on an annual basis and align all these activities to the Provincial SMME Strategy. Strategic Priority 5.1.4: Establish an Enterprise Development Agency in the Eastern Cape Enterprise Development Agency relates to an institution that will facilitate the provision of all other non-financial services to SMMEs other than financing. 31 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework According to the research conducted by the Provincial Treasury in November 2005, an Enterprise Development Agency was proposed to assume the role of the principle coordinating and facilitation agency of SMME services in the province. This proposal is firmly supported by this Strategy. This is meant to eliminate duplication of SMME assistance programmes by establishing an effective network of various government and non-government SMME support and assistance initiatives that will maximize provincial benefits by complementing and/or leveraging their inputs and efforts. SMME support in the Eastern Cape is heavy unregulated with nationally based organisations like seda and UYF setting up offices in the province. These organisations use the same private consultants and service providers that are based in the province. The ECDC itself is involved in non-financial support of SMMEs through consultants and service providers, possibly the same as the ones above. A range of other provincial stakeholders like Coega, EL IDZ, government departments, etc are also providing some form of support to SMMEs. Clearly there is no firm control and full accountability on the quality of services and even the credibility of service providers that deliver such services. This arrangement necessitates that DEDEA takes full control in ensuring that some form of order is brought about in the province. In line with the suggestion advocated below of streamlining the mandate of ECDC to mainly focus of access to finance issues for SMMEs, a case for the establishment of the Agency which will also absorb ECDC’s non-financial services programmes and bring about the much needed control is stronger. This strategy proposes the following activities for medium to long term: Commission a feasibility study for the new Enterprise Development Support Agency; Commission an impact study and audit of all business development service programmes by other state organisations operating in the province including the relevance of their service offerings, this will include activities of seda since its establishment in the province; 32 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework Table both reports in the Provincial Legislature in order to solicit approval and budget for the establishment of the Agency; Develop a business plan and governance structure of the Agency and its relationship to existing organisations. Strategic Priority 5.1.5: Establish an Innovation Hub to enhance product development and manufacturing in the Province Discussions with the EL IDZ revealed that plans are at an advanced stage to establish an Innovation Hub within the IDZ. The Hub is meant to support entrepreneurs to innovate and develop new products linked to the growing economic sectors of the economy of the province in order to enhance manufacturing. This is a much needed service in the province because we discovered that most SMMEs that we interacted with during consultations were not operating into the mainstream of the economy. They are largely survivalist, struggling, with no hope of playing to the economic space of the 21st century. It is up to DEDEA and interested stakeholders like the EL IDZ to resource and finance the establishment of the Hub. The following key activities are proposed to drive this process: Finalise the business plan, budget and governance structures of the Innovation Hub; Finalise the Industrial Strategy of the province in order to highlight opportunities within the economic sectors of the province; Establish the Innovation Hub within the EL IDZ and link it with Industry; 33 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework 1.2 Strategy Pillar Two: SMME Programme Design and Support Strategic Priority 5.2.1: Increase Supply of Financial Services Results of the survey that was done as part of this process revealed that from a sample 204 SMMEs surveyed at least 78% received start up funds from personal savings, family, friends and relatives. A further 21% received funds from a combination of both government and Development Finance Institutions. Specific to the Development Finance Institutions, ECDC only advanced funds to 0.5% of the SMMEs surveyed. At least 78.5% of SMMEs that were surveyed also revealed that their financial requirements are for equipment purchase and daily operations with about 15% requiring funds for land and building. Results of the workshops that were held with SMME in the regions revealed the following issues pertaining access to finance for SMME development in the Eastern Cape: lack of collateral and security, credit bureau & credit worthiness issues of entrepreneurs, high interest rates on loans, the need for alternative to collateral, stringent requirements for access, etc. These issues are the main access to finance challenges that SMMEs in the Eastern Cape are facing. Our interviews with banks revealed similar issues about entrepreneurs in the Eastern Cape including the following: SMMEs have no security or collateral, poor quality of business plans, markets are not well researched, SMME owners are not credit worthy, etc. In dealing with the issues mentioned above, the following is therefore proposed: DEDEA to give a strictly dedicated SMME financing mandate to ECDC in the province through the revision of the ECDC Act of 1997; Design incentives to encourage manufacturing by SMMEs in line with the growing sectors as identified in the approved Industrial Strategy; Develop Memoranda of Understanding with nationally based Development Finance Institutions (Khula, NEF, NYDA , DBSA, IDC) in order to share reports on what kinds of SMMEs they are financing in the EC, what sectors and challenges they constantly experience; Create a Service Level Agreement with local Banks to create an SMME Fund that will cater for Medium to Large Enterprises in the province; Create funding products within the ECDC to finance small and medium enterprises as defined in the Small Business Act of 1996 as amended in 2004; Create a Service Level Agreement with SAMAF to finance enterprise development activities micro and survivalist entrepreneurs in the province; Create a database of Donor Organisations supporting SMMEs in the province and what their service and product offerings. Strategic Priority 5.2.2: Increase Supply of Non-Financial Services Access to non-financial services is one of the most important aspects for any SMME. Non financial services also cover a myriad of needs that SMMEs have and lack of one or the other might be the result of success or failure. The banks lack of appetite in financing SMMEs in a large scale is because of poor quality of business plans that come through their doors and that leaves them with no choice but reject most of them on a frequent basis. SMMEs on the other hand lament about the poor quality of services that they receive on a frequent basis from service providers. The survey that we did showed that SMMEs in the Eastern Cape possess low levels of education and skills, therefore by their very nature they are heavily dependent on government to support them for non-financial support services. The survey also revealed the following as major causes of failure of SMMEs: poor business management (32.8%), lack of finance (29.3%), lack of support from service providers (12.6%), poor business marketing (12.1%). 35 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework Given the above and host of other challenges that SMMEs face, the following proposals are put forward: DEDEA should establish a forum of state organisations that support SMMEs in the province in order to create a co-ordination platform; Develop a grading system for evaluating service providers and consultants that assist SMMEs in order to ensure quality of service provision; Develop a capacity building programme for service providers working with Institutions of Higher Learning in the province in order to assist service providers to improve the quality of their services, In the interim, develop monitoring tools for existing state organisations in order to measure their impact on SMMEs in the province. Review the working arrangement between DEDEA and seda in order to focus on specific outcomes Strategic Priority 5.2.3: Increase Demand for Products and Services of SMMEs (Access to Markets through Government Procurement) It is now a Cabinet decision to procure goods and services from SMMEs. This decision was taken with a condition that all government procurement policies will be modified in line with the targets set out by government. A list of products and services to be procured from SMMEs has already been published and this has also been reiterated again in the 2009 Presidential State of the Nation Address. In order to give full effect to enhancing demand for SMME products and services, the following is proposed: DEDEA and Provincial Treasury to develop and issue a Policy Directive on procurement targets from SMMEs in the province; Provincial Treasury to issues a Policy Directive to modify and review all Supply Chain Policies across all spheres of government to recognise targets set on procuring from SMMEs; Develop a Management Information System to monitor and publish progress and reports on procuring from SMMEs; 36 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework Monitor government spending on general procurement from SMMEs and also set aside products as approved by Cabinet in November 2007; A reliable database of SMMEs in the province needs to be developed by DEDEA working with CIPRO in order to provide information about their existence, capacity and their capability to provide goods and services to government; Strategic Priority 5.2.4: Increase Access to Markets to Industry Opportunities for SMMEs Mainstreaming SMMEs into the economy of the Eastern Cape is the ultimate vision that should be pursued vigorously if the province is to realise mass based self employment creation and broad based economic empowerment of its citizens. This can only be possible if and when the Industrial Strategy of the province is completed and adopted, economic sector studies are completed, economic sector value chains are completed and opportunities for SMMEs in each sector are clearly identified. In order to ensure facilitation of industry opportunities for SMMEs, the following is proposed to be undertaken: Finalise the Industrial strategy, conduct economic sector studies and value chains in order to identify opportunities in the industry for SMME development; Develop products that are informed by market research of each sector and show uniqueness of the Eastern Cape province; Develop a Quality Improvement Support Programme in order to enhance the quality and standards for products of SMMEs for competitiveness; Develop industry manufacturing incentives to ensure that barriers to entry in industry are minimised and encourage industry to partner with SMMEs; Organising Outward Selling and Inward Buying Missions for SMMEs through Investment Promotions; Creating a platform for SMMEs to exhibit their products during the Annual Business Week, Grahamstown Festival, Exhibitions and Pavilions. 37 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework International Strategic Priority 5.2.5: Increase Opportunities in the Eastern Cape Access to Franchise Franchising is undoubtedly one of the best models of owning an enterprise largely because of its proven business model and support that normally goes with acquiring a franchise. The Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) is a more than capable partner to advise and rollout the Franchise Support Programme for the Province. This strategy proposes the following interventions for promoting entrepreneurship through franchising in the province: Organise Annual Franchise Expos in the province in partnership with FASA to expose and market franchise opportunities and encourage entrepreneurs to take them up; Develop a Franchise Fund to finance needy entrepreneurs who would be interested in taking up franchise opportunities; Provide ongoing education, information and advice on franchising through the information centres across the province. Strategic Priority 5.2.6: Skills Enhancement of SMME Owners The managers and owners of SMMEs surveyed were almost split into half between those that have attended one form of training or another and those that have not attended any training at all. On average 48% have not attended training at all and 49% have attended some form of business training. This clearly shows that there is a considerable amount of entrepreneurs who have not been exposed to any training whatsoever and that again can be a determining factor of failure or success. The other main issue is that the profile of SMME owners residing in the largely rural Districts of the province, OR Tambo, Chris Hani and Alfred Nzo shows that they posses matric qualifications and below. The picture is different in the more urban areas Port Elizabeth, East London, Queenstown and so on with owners of SMMEs possessing at least post matric qualifications. This is 38 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework coupled by the lack of technical and business skills required to run their businesses successfully. In order to close this gap, the following is suggested: Mobilise funds from the Setas and National Skills Fund in order to finance technical skills training programmes to be implemented through FET Colleges for SMME owners in the Eastern Cape; Identify the required technical skills in line with the Industrial Policy of the province and institutionalise those within FET Colleges and institutions of Higher Learning; Utilise the expertise available with the institutions of Higher Learning in the province to design and institutionalise SMME skills programmes within their curricula. Strategic Priority 5.2.7: Support to the Informal Sector and Hawkers The majority of attendees during our consultative workshops were owners of small and micro enterprises across the province. It appears that, though this sector is big in the province, there are no appropriate tools and support programmes tailor made to deal with their specific challenges. Furthermore, our consultations with the dti revealed that the informal sector also does not fall within the current definition of SMME as embedded in the SMME Act of 1996 as amended in 2004. As big as this market is in the Eastern Cape, its challenges are not being addressed. The strategy proposes the following: DEDEA conduct a study of the specific needs, challenges and profile of the informal sector in the Eastern Cape, if no such study exists; Develop a Provincial Informal Business Support Programme for the growth and sustainability of the informal sector across the province; Create a Provincial Working Team comprising of DEDEA, Provincial DPLG, District Municipalities, Organised Associations of the Informal Sector to monitor the implementation of the Provincial Informal Business Support; Mobilise District and Local Municipalities to apportion budgets to implement the support programme mentioned above. 39 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework Strategic Priority 5.2.8: Formations of SMMEs Support to Organised Business One of the biggest limitations to the growth and sustainability of SMMEs is their inability to network and support each other. During consultations with SMMEs in District Municipalities it became clear that they do not know each other, are not aware of economic opportunities in their areas, they are not getting access to training and tender opportunities, they are not growing, they do not network, etc. One of the main suggestions made during these consultations was that SMMEs need to start organising themselves and establish Business Associations. DEDEA does support the principle of SMMEs organised but also insists that these Business Associations are to be autonomous of government and fully owned by SMMEs themselves. This Strategy hereby proposes the following support programmes: Co-facilitate networking sessions of SMMEs in the District Municipalities; Develop and Structure Governance Programmes to capacitate members who will manage these Business Associations; Structure a series of networking sessions on an Annual basis between these Business Associations and Private Sector in order to encourage business linkages; Strategic Priority 5.2.9: Access to SMME Information Lack of access to SMME information came out strongly as a major challenge facing SMMEs in the Eastern Cape during consultations. Information needs range from basic referrals to support organisations and where they are, how to tender, how to write a business plan, where to get a mentor, what’s happening in other district and local municipalities, etc. In order to close this gap, the following is proposed: Develop a Web Based Information Management System to assist SMMEs with information on tenders and market opportunities; 40 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework DEDEA to work with Municipalities to establish SMME Information Corners in each Municipality and all Libraries in the province, using the information in the portal to advise SMMEs; DEDEA to finance a project of compiling a Provincial Newsletter about SMME activities in the province. Create SMME Information slots in local radio stations where entrepreneurs can call for advise and information. 41 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework 5.3 Strategy Pillar Three: SMME Regulatory Functions and Services Strategic Priority 5.3.1: Reduce Small Business Regulatory Constraints and Awareness Small Businesses face a myriad of regulatory constraints that impede their growth, functionality and development. Most of these relate to issues of Municipal By-Laws and Regulations. The strategy proposes the following: A study needs to be undertaken to clearly identify and articulate such regulatory constraints that impede the development of small businesses and what measures can be implemented to lower those burdens within the province; An in-depth awareness and capacity building programme is necessary for government officials, working with organisations like CIPRO in order for them to advise small business owners on a continuous basis about regulatory issues; Municipal By-Laws and Regulations also need to be identified and dealt with in order to create an enabling environment for SMMEs at a local level. Strategic Priority 5.3.2: Capacity Building of Municipality Officials on Regulations affecting SMMEs and how to manage them SMMEs also suffer tremendously from the harsh treatment they receive from Municipalities that fall within their jurisdictions. Municipal By-Laws and regulations also impact negatively on the day to day management of SMMEs. On municipal regulations, the Department of Co-operative Governance has developed a set of tools that seek to assist Municipalities ease the regulations and by-laws that impact negatively on SMMEs. The following proposals are hereby canvassed to assist in dealing with this issue: 42 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework DEDEA to work with District Municipalities and the Department of Cooperative Governance to conduct a local Business Climate Surveys. Templates already exist in the dti and the Department of Co-operative Governance; Conduct workshops with all LED Officials of Municipalities on the SMME Local Redtape Reduction Process using manuals developed by GTZ; Compile a list of regulations and laws affecting SMMEs per District Municipality in the province; DEDEA and the Department of Co-operative Governance to develop a set of policy proposals to address the regulatory issues affecting the growth of SMMEs in the province. 43 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework 5.4 Strategy Pillar Four: Monitoring and Evaluation (Policy Coordination and Strategy Implementation) Strategic Priority 5.4.1: Conducting Ongoing Research about SMMEs in the Province The importance of knowledge and access to relevant information cannot be over-emphasised. Currently, DEDEA as a central department mandated to handle issues of SMME development is not able to confidently give reliable information about SMMEs in the province. The strategy proposes the following in the area of research: DEDEA should collate all available research report about SMMEs in the province and establish a manner of ascertaining its relevance and how it could be used to strengthen SMME Policy and Programme implementation going forward; An Information Management System needs to be put in place to store and manage research and other future research agendas; An immediate research exercise on “The State of the Informal Sector in the Eastern Cape” needs to be conducted; An immediate research exercise on “The Regulatory Impact of Small Business in the Eastern Cape” also needs to be conducted; An immediate exercise of developing a reliable Database of SMMEs in the Eastern Cape also needs urgent attention; At the end of each financial year, a “State of Small Business Review” should be undertaken in the province; Lastly, we propose that Institutions of Higher Learning should be engaged by DEDEA in research and long term agreements should be signed with them to produce these periodic research reports for the province about SMME development. 44 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework Strategic Priority 5.4.2: Align and Integrate all the District and Metro SMME Strategies with the Provincial Strategy Framework Our investigations and consultations also showed that the province has a skewed distribution of programmes that provide support to SMMEs. Some programmes are structured and some are not. The most important observation though is that out of six District Municipalities and a Metro, only three District Municipalities have in place structured District SMME Strategies. The inconsistencies created by this anomaly is that SMME largely based in rural areas remain poor and with no access to services, though those based in urban and semi-urban areas are receiving some support or the other. This strategy proposes the following: Develop guidelines for District Municipalities for developing their SMME Strategies and Programmes Partner with the District Municipalities to develop monitoring guidelines across the province on SMME support Partner with the District to identify programmes and projects related to supporting SMMEs for joint funding with DEDEA Strategic Priority 5.4.3: Developing Knowledge and Information about SMMEs to inform Policy and Programmes in the Province Government realises the importance of knowledge management in informing refinement of policy and programme implementation. It is for this reason that this strategy proposes the following: Partnerships with Institutions of Higher Learning (Fort Hare, Walter Sisulu and others) is important because of their capacity to write and document, their ability to research and their importance to educate the society; Knowledge Management Seminars on SMME Development, production of Periodic Papers about SMMEs in the province and Regional SMME Summits and Conferences are critical in informing 45 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework government about the goings on in the province, and these should be outsourced to Institutions of Higher Learning and lessons documented; Strategic Priority 5.4.4: Hosting Annual Conferences, Seminars and Summits on SMME Development in the Province The Eastern Cape is a very big province and most of the time it is difficult to know what the SMME activities of each District are. It is also important to create platforms for networking amongst SMMEs within their own Districts. To encourage this interaction, the strategy proposes the following: All District Municipalities should host District SMME Summits to discuss issues relating to how SMMEs should be integrated into the economies of the Districts; An Annual Provincial SMME Conference should be organised by DEDEA where all District SMME Summit Reports are tabled and common policy issues are discussed and resolutions taken; An Annual Provincial Franchise Expo should be organised by DEDEA in partnership with Franchise Association of South Africa and other interested parties like banks, IDC, Business Partners and so on. Strategic Priority 5.4.5: Ongoing Monitoring of the Implementation of the Provincial SMME Strategy Monitoring is a continuing function that aims primarily to provide early indications of progress, or lack thereof, in the achievement of objectives. Monitoring helps to identify and assess potential successes and challenges and provides the basis for corrective actions to improve implementation and to obtain quality results. The most important issue about monitoring is what needs to be monitored in order to come up with relevant monitoring tools relevant to this Strategy. 46 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework As already mentioned above, what needs monitoring is the objective of the strategy, the achievement of its pillars and its strategic priority areas. In designing a monitoring tool, DEDEA should consider answering the following questions, making an example with only the first objective: Has DEDEA employed the staff of the Chief Directorate? Has the Provincial Legislature Adopted the new ECDC Act? How many times has the Coordination Forum met? Is the Management of the Enterprise Development Agency employed? Monitoring tools are easy to develop is the strategy is clear, the objectives are clear, anticipated outcomes are clear, resources are allocated and the systems are in place. This is the responsibility of DEDEA and its implementing agency to develop, but most importantly the implementation of this particular strategy is going to require political will from the provincial government of the Eastern Cape. Strategic Priority 5.4.6: Evaluation of the Strategy Evaluation is a time-bound task that attempts to assess systematically and objectively the relevance, performance and success of ongoing or completed projects. It is a process by which the project inputs, activities and results are analysed and judged against explicitly stated norms – objectives, work schedule, budget etc. The evaluation of this strategy will take the form of annual evaluations to be contracted out to independent service providers and to be managed by DEDEA. The terms of reference for all evaluations should be in line with the business plans and activities planned for SMME development. The reports should assist in fine tuning implementation activities and identify more challenges and opportunities. 47 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework SECTION SIX: IMPLEMENTATION PLAN OBJECTIVE 3.2.1: To provide for the establishment of appropriate institutional support framework in the province of the Eastern Cape for SMMEs to be mainstreamed into the provincial economy 5.1 STRATEGY PILLAR ONE: STRATEGIC PRIORITIES 5.1.1 Develop Capacity with DEDEA 5.1.2 Establish a Forum for Development Finance Institutions SMME INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK ACTIVITIES The functions of the Regional Staff should be redefined in line with the implementation of the SMME Strategy Regional staff need to be trained in Policy Development, Monitoring and Evaluation, SMME Policy and Legislation and Research DEDEA Head Office should apportion a budget for each Regional Office for SMME projects in order to support Municipalities with matters that relate to SMME research, awareness programmes, information dissemination and monitoring activities of the Provincial SMME Strategy Develop a complete database of all the existing Development Finance Institutions in the province together with their product offerings; Develop a clear Charter for the establishment of the Forum; Develop feedback mechanisms and communication channels for activities of all DFIs in the province in order to track trends on funding SMMEs in the province RESPONSIBILITY Head of Department of DEDEA PERFORMANCE INDICATORS New Approved Performance Contracts MEANS OF VERIFICATION Signed Contracts Training Reports Training Programmes attended Business Plans with Budgets Approved Regional Office Budgets and Business Plans DEDEA Database developed Database Forum Established Minutes of Forum Meetings Reporting Guidelines Developed Performance Reports STRATEGIC PRIORITIES 5.1.3 Establish a Provincial SMME Working Group 5.1.4 Establish an Enterprise Development Support Agency 5.1.5 Establish an Innovation Hub to enhance product development and manufacturing 49 | P a g e ACTIVITIES Identify all Departments, Chamber Organisations, Donor Organisations, Private Sector Organisations, Research Institutions, Institutions of Higher Learning, Agencies, etc to form part of the Provincial SMME Working Group; Create a database of all support programmes of these organisations and distribute this information to entrepreneurs in the province; Develop a coordination charter and reporting guidelines to the provincial Legislature on an annual basis and align all these activities to the Provincial SMME Strategy. Commission a feasibility study for the new Enterprise Development Support Agency Commission an impact study of business development service provision by other state organisations operating in the province including the relevance of their service offerings Table both reports in the Provincial Legislature in order to solicit approval and budget for the establishment of the Agency Develop a business plan and governance structure of the Agency and its relationship to existing organisations Finalise the business plan, budget and governance structures of the Innovation Hub; Finalise the Industrial Strategy of the province in order to highlight opportunities within the economic sectors of the province; Establish the Innovation Hub within the EL IDZ and link it with Industry SMME Strategy Framework RESPONSIBILITY DEDEA Provincial SMME Stakeholders PERFORMANCE INDICATORS MEANS OF VERIFICATION Complete Database of SMME Stakeholders and services developed SMME Working Group Database SMME Working Group established SMME Working Group Guidelines and Reporting Templates developed DEDEA Head Office Feasibility Study Completed SMME Working Group Meeting Minutes SMME Working Group Reports Feasibility Study Report ECSECC Impact Study Completed Impact Study Report DEDEA Head Office EL IDZ Institutions of Higher Learning Industry Organisations and Chamber Organisations Legislature Approval Secured Legislature Memo and Minutes Business Plan and Budget Approved Business Plan and Budget of the Innovation Hub Complete Business Plan Document Business Plan Document Innovation Hub Physical Structure of the Innovation Hub erected OBJECTIVE 3.2.2: To provide better access to existing and the development of new SMME support programmes in the Eastern Cape; 5.2 STRATEGIC PILLAR TWO: SMME PROGRAMME DESIGN AND SUPPORT STRATEGIC PRIORITIES ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBILITY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS MEANS OF VERIFICATION 5.2.1 Increase Supply of Financial Services DEDEA to give a strictly dedicated SMME financing mandate to ECDC in the province through the revision and amendment of the ECDC Act of 1997; Design incentives to encourage manufacturing by SMMEs in line with the growing sectors as identified in the approved Industrial Strategy; Develop Memoranda of Understanding with nationally based Development Finance Institutions (Khula, NEF, NYDA , DBSA, IDC) in order to share reports on what kinds of SMMEs they are financing in the EC, what sectors and challenges they constantly experience; Create a Service Level Agreement with local Banks to create an SMME Fund that will cater for Medium to Large Enterprises in the province; Create funding products within the ECDC to finance small and medium enterprises as defined in the Small Business Act of 1996 as amended in 2004; Create a Service Level Agreement with SAMAF to finance enterprise development activities micro and survivalist entrepreneurs in the province; Create a database of Donor Organisations supporting SMMEs in the province and what their service and product offerings DEDEA Head Office ECDC Act Reviewed New ECDC Act ECDC Manufacturing Incentives Developed Signed Agreements with Banks Memo of Understanding with DFIs signed Approved Incentive Packages 50 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework Local Banks Development Finance Institutions Service Level Agreements signed Donor Organisations database and services developed STRATEGIC PRIORITIES ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBILITY 5.2.2 Increase Supply of NonFinancial Services DEDEA should develop a database of state organisations that support SMMEs in the province in order to create a co-ordination platform Develop a grading system for evaluating service providers and consultants that assist SMMEs in order to ensure quality of service provision Develop a capacity building programme for service providers working with Institutions of Higher Learning in the province in order to assist service providers to improve the quality of their services, In the interim, develop monitoring tools for existing state organisations in order to measure their impact on SMMEs in the province DEDEA Head Office Institutions of Higher Learning 51 | P a g e DEDEA and Provincial Treasury to develop and issue a Policy Directive on procurement targets from SMMEs in the province Provincial Treasury to issues a Policy Directive to modify and review all Supply Chain Policies across all spheres of government to recognise targets set on procuring from SMMEs Develop a Management Information System to monitor and publish progress and reports on procuring from SMMEs Monitor government spending on general procurement from SMMEs and also set aside products as approved by Cabinet in November 2007 A reliable database of SMMEs in the province needs to be developed by DEDEA working with CIPRO in order to provide information about their existence, capacity and their capability to provide goods and services to government SMME Strategy Framework MEANS OF VERIFICATION Database Booklet Grading System Training Programmes Grading System for Service Providers completed Capacity Building Programmes for Service Providers development and institutionalised Review the working arrangement between DEDEA and seda in order to focus on specific outcomes 5.2.3 Access to Markets through Government Procurement PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Database of state organisations and their service offerings developed Monitoring Reports Signed seda Service Level Agreement New seda Service Level Agreement with DEDEA DEDEA Head Office Provincial Treasury Policy Guidelines on Procurement Targets developed Government Gazettes Policy Guidelines on amending all Supply Chain Management Policies developed and issued Provincial SMMEs Database Communication on the policy guidelines across government completed MIS completed Database developed MIS Reports STRATEGIC PRIORITIES ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBILITY 5.2.4 Enhance Access to Markets to Industry Opportunities for SMMEs Finalise the Industrial strategy, conduct economic sector studies and value chains in order to identify opportunities in the industry for SMME development; Develop products that are informed by market research of each sector and show uniqueness of the Eastern Cape province; Develop a Quality Improvement Support Programme in order to enhance the quality and standards for products of SMMEs for competitiveness; Develop industry manufacturing incentives to ensure that barriers to entry in industry are minimised and encourage industry to partner with SMMEs; Organising Outward Selling and Inward Buying Missions for SMMEs through Investment Promotions; Creating a platform for SMMEs to exhibit their products during the Annual Business Week, Grahamstown Festival, International Exhibitions and Pavilions. Organise Annual Franchise Expos in the province in partnership with FASA to expose and market franchise opportunities and encourage entrepreneurs to take them up; Develop a Franchise Fund to finance needy entrepreneurs who would be interested in taking up franchise opportunities Provide ongoing education, information and advice on franchising through the information centres across the province DEDEA 5.2.5 Increase Access to Franchise Opportunities in the Eastern Cape 52 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Industrial Strategy Approved Sector Studies with Value Chains Completed Partnership with SABS approved MEANS OF VERIFICATION Industrial Strategy Sector Studies Reports Signed Agreement with SABS Exhibitions Reports Number of Exhibitions attended by SMMEs Buying and Selling Mission Reports DEDEA Head Office Franchise Association of South Africa Local Banks Annual Franchise Expo held Franchise Expo Report Franchise Fund proposal approved Franchise Fund Proposal STRATEGIC PRIORITIES ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBILITY 5.2.6 Skills Enhancement of SMME Owners Mobilise funds from the Setas and National Skills Fund in order to finance technical skills training programmes to be implemented through FET Colleges for SMME owners in the Eastern Cape Identify the required technical skills in line with the Industrial Policy of the province and institutionalise those within FET Colleges and institutions of Higher Learning Utilise the expertise available with the institutions of Higher Learning in the province to design and institutionalise SMME skills programmes within their curricula. DEDEA Head Office DEDEA conduct a study of the specific needs, challenges and profile of the informal sector in the Eastern Cape, if no such study exists Develop a Provincial Informal Business Support Programme for the growth and sustainability of the informal sector across the province Create a Provincial Working Team comprising of DEDEA, Provincial DPLG, District Municipalities, Organised Associations of the Informal Sector to monitor the implementation of the Provincial Informal Business Support Mobilise District and Local Municipalities to apportion budgets to implement the support programme mentioned above. DEDEA Head Office 5.2.7 Support the Informal Sector and Hawkers 53 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework Depart of Education and Labour, SETAs, etc FET Colleges PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Skills Audit Study completed Skills programmes institutionalised with FET Colleges and institutions of Higher Learning MEANS OF VERIFICATION Skills Audit Report SMME Skills Programmes Institutions of Higher Learning Municipalities Study on the Informal Sector in the Eastern Cape completed Organised Formations of Informal Businesses Informal Business Support Programme Study Report Support Programme Document STRATEGIC PRIORITIES ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBILITY 5.2.8 Access to SMME Information Develop a Web Based Information Management System to assist SMMEs with information on tenders and market opportunities Partner with Municipalities and libraries across the province to establish SMME information corners that will be used to provide information to SMMEs across the province Develop an informative newsletter about SMME activities and programmes in the Eastern Cape Partner with local and provincial radio stations to develop SMME interactive radio slots DEDEA 54 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Website Developed and Functioning MEANS OF VERIFICATION Website Information Corners Information Corners established in Municipalities Newsletter Radio Slots Newsletter Developed Radio Station Programmes Secured and taking place OBJECTIVE 3.2.3: To create an enabling environment for SMME to thrive in the province by conducting continuous policy and strategy reviews in the Eastern Cape 5.3 STRATEGIC PILLAR THREE: SMME REGULATORY FUNCTIONS AND SERVICES STRATEGIC PRIORITIES ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBILITY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS MEANS OF VERIFICATION 5.3.1 Reduce Small Business Regulatory Constraints and Awareness Work with Municipalities to identify regulatory constraints that impede the development of SMMEs in the province Compile these regulatory constraints into a reports in order to review policies that provide constraints and create an enabling environment Train and provide awareness of regulatory constraints to SMME development Develop Policy measures to deal with the Regulatory Constraints DEDEA to work with District Municipalities and the Department of Co-operative Governance to conduct a Local Business Climate Surveys. Templates already exist in the dti and the Department of Co-operative Governance; Conduct workshops with all LED Officials of Municipalities on the SMME Local Redtape Reduction Process using manuals developed by GTZ; Compile a list of regulations and laws affecting SMMEs per District Municipality in the province; DEDEA and the Department of Co-operative Governance to develop a set of policy proposals to address the regulatory issues affecting the growth of SMMEs in the province DEDEA Head Office Regulatory Review process completed Regulatory Review Report Policy development process completed Policy Proposals Document Local Business Surveys for all Districts completed Reports of Surveys 5.3.2 Capacity Building of Municipality Officials on Regulations affecting SMMEs and how to manage them 55 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework Municipalities DEDEA Department of Cooperative Governance District Municipalities Reports of Workshops Workshops with Municipality Officials completed . OBJECTIVE 3.2.4: To provide for better collation, monitoring and reporting about SMME development in the province through continuous research and knowledge management 5.4 STRATEGIC PILLAR FOUR: Monitoring and Evaluation (Policy Coordination & Strategy implementation) STRATEGIC PRIORITIES ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBILITY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS MEANS OF VERIFICATION 5.4.1 Conducting Ongoing Research about SMMEs in the province Commission a thorough study of SMMEs in the Eastern Cape and also collate available research in the province about SMMEs in order to strengthen the strategy implementation process Develop an Information Management System to manage data available about SMMEs in the province An immediate research exercise on “The State of the Informal Sector in the Eastern Cape” needs to be conducted; An immediate research exercise on “The Regulatory Impact of Small Business in the Eastern Cape” also needs to be conducted; An immediate exercise of developing a reliable Database of SMMEs in the Eastern Cape also needs urgent attention; At the end of each financial year, a “State of Small Business Review” should be undertaken in the province Create a partnership with Institutions of Higher Learning in the province in order to produce data and research about SMMEs in the province DEDEA Head Office State of SMMEs in the Eastern Cape Research completed State of SMMEs in the Eastern Cape Report 56 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework Institutions of Higher Learning Service Providers SMME Regulatory Constraints Research Completed A Database development exercise completed Management Information System developed Regulatory Review Report Management Information System Database of SMME Research Reports STRATEGIC PRIORITIES ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBILITY 5.4.2: Align and Integrate all the District and Metro SMME Strategies with the Provincial Strategy Framework Develop guidelines for District Municipalities for developing their SMME Strategies and Programmes Partner with the District Municipalities to develop monitoring guidelines across the province on SMME support Partner with the District to identify programmes and projects related to supporting SMMEs for joint funding with DEDEA DEDEA Head Office Partnerships with Institutions of Higher Learning (Fort Hare, Walter Sisulu and others) is important because of their capacity to write and document, their ability to research and their importance to educate the society Knowledge Management Seminars on SMME Development, production of Periodic Papers about SMMEs in the province and Regional SMME Summits and Conferences are critical in informing government about the goings on in the province, and these should be outsourced to Institutions of Higher Learning and lessons documented Host an Annual Provincial SMME Conference DEDEA Assist the Districts to hold SMME Summits for SMMEs in their District Municipalities and the Metro District Municipalities 5.4.3: Developing Knowledge and Information about SMMEs to inform Policy and Programmes in the Province 5.4.4 Host Annual SMME Conferences, Summits and Seminars DEDEA Regional Offices District Municipalities Institutions of Higher Learning DEDEA Head Office PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Provincial SMME Strategy process completed Guidelines for District Municipalities completed MEANS OF VERIFICATION Provincial SMME Strategy 6 District Municipalities SMME Programmes All District Municipalities SMME Programmes presented in a provincial SMME Summit Annual Paper about SMME Development in the province produced 1 Metro SMME Programme Annual SMME Conference held Conference Report 6 District Municipalities Summits held SMME Papers and Repors 6 District Municipalities SMME Summit Reports Host an Annual Franchise Expo 1 Franchise Expo held 57 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework Franchise Expo Report STRATEGIC PRIORITIES ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBILITY 5.4.5 Ongoing Monitoring of the implementation of the Provincial SMME Strategy Develop Monitoring Guidelines for this SMME Strategy DEDEA Head Office 5.4.6 Evaluation of the SMME Strategy Develop Evaluation Guidelines upfront for this SMME Strategy Produce and present reports on the progress in implementing the SMME Strategy Commission independent Evaluations of the Strategy Develop Terms of Reference for the Impact Evaluation of the SMME Strategy every 3 years Outsource to an independent contractor to manage the process of an evaluation of the implementation of the strategy Manage the service provider to conclude the process and produce a report ; 58 | P a g e SMME Strategy Framework DEDEA PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Monitoring reports produced on an ongoing basis Evaluation of the Strategy is conducted on an annual basis Terms of Reference developed Service Provider Contract signed MEANS OF VERIFICATION Monitoring Reports Evaluation Reports Signed Terms of Reference Signed Contract Final Report Impact Evaluation Reports Completed