Aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners heard how they could grow their ventures and overcome obstacles when government and other industry leaders took to the podium at the third annual Cape Town Cape Town Business Summit.

Over 1 300 attendees filled the auditorium at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on Wednesday, July 31, for the summit and its inaugural business expo.

This year’s summit addressed an array of critical topics for businesses, including better access to funding, cutting red tape, fostering stronger relationships between the small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) sector and government, rebuilding and marketing businesses during challenging times, and the government's plans for dealing with extortion.

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson said as a member of the portfolio committee on trade, industry and competition in the previous administration, he was a vocal advocate for small business support and the creation of a conducive environment for SMMEs to flourish and prosper.

“Exactly one month ago, I was designated by the President to be Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure and I intend to use the mandate I have been given to eliminate any and all obstacles that stifle the participation of SMMEs in the economy,” said Mr Macpherson.

He said as minister, he is fully aware that the bedrock of any country’s competitiveness, prosperity and social well-being is infrastructure.

In order for our country to realise economic success, and the improved quality of life for all citizens, he said, we must pay attention to the issues of infrastructure investment.

He said the implementation of infrastructure programmes must be harnessed to benefit SMMEs.

“I want to make it easier for SMMEs to do business by creating an enabling and supportive environment,” said Mr Macpherson.

He said one of the silent killers of SMMEs is late payment for work completed. However, that payment must be for quality and impactful work delivered.

Mr Macpherson said the department is aware of public concerns over dilapidated state-owned infrastructure. He said it’s time the government recognised the potential for economic growth in state properties and stopped considering them as only tangible assets.

“The department’s new approach to managing and investing in these assets shows our commitment to ignite inclusive economic growth, support SMME development, uplift communities, and protect the environment,” said Mr Macpherson.

He said the department has embarked on initiatives aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of state property management.

He also spoke about the problem of extortion and how it affects building sites. He said the department has adopted a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to extortionists and other rogue actors in this illicit value chain. He said these are sophisticated, well-organised, and well-armed syndicates rather than lone local criminals.

“We will continue to improve and strengthen our response through law enforcement agencies. We will be assessing the work of the Economic Infrastructure Task Teams that have been set up with the law enforcement structures to dismantle this type of crime,” said Mr Macpherson.

He said the department is dedicated to making every effort to provide a strong basis for small businesses to prosper. “It should be highlighted, however, that these jobs will remain a pipe dream if we do not act quickly to address the issues this industry is facing.”

Brigadier Leon Hanana, the provincial head for SAPS’ Western Cape Serious and Violence Crimes Unit, also addressed the summit.

He said extortion is used to obtain money, goods, or services through the use of violence or force. He added that criminal enterprises have seen this method as an easy way to make money.

“This has resulted in dire consequences for the economy, provincially and nationally,” said Brigadier Hanana.

He said the Western Cape has experienced extortion at construction sites where government and private projects have been stopped. Formal businesses such as night clubs and bars as well as informal businesses such as street vendors and spaza shops, have all been targeted.

There have been kidnappings for ransom, violence in the transportation sector targeting long-distance buses and e-hailing services, and extortion has crossed to cyber space, including dating sites, blackmail and cyber attacks.

Brigadier Hanana said they have a team of experienced detectives from provincial organised crime and serious and violence crime units that deal with such crimes.

“For the financial year 2023/24 in the Western Cape, 226 cases were reported, with 136 arrests executed. In the 2024/25 financial year 65 cases have been reported and 35 arrests have been executed,” said Brigadier Hanana.

Other guest speakers at the Cape Town Business Summit included global business speaker Vusi Thembekwayo, Dr Catherine Duggan, director of the UCT Graduate School of Business; Ashor Sarupen, the Deputy Minister of Finance; James Vos, the Mayco member for economic growth and tourism; MTN's chief enterprise business officer, Tumi Sekhukhune-Chamayou; and Santam’s broker solutions chief operating officer, Pauline Pillay.

Sandy Naude, CEO of Africa Community Media, publishers of Cape Community Media, the print media partner of the Cape Town Business Summit, said community newspapers play an enormous role in neighbourhoods. She said those neighbourhoods are exactly where small businesses start. She described community newspapers as an ideal place to market your business.

“The biggest advertiser benefit that we have is that you can pick your market. If you are a hairdresser in Southfield, that's the market that you want, and that's the market that we are going to serve and that is exactly what you get. So our target market benefit is very useful for deals,” Ms Naude.

Dr Catherine Duggan, director of the UCT Graduate School of Business, addressing summit delegates. PICTURE: BHEKI RADEBE

Brigadier Leon Hanana, the provincial head of the Western Cape SAPS Serious and Violent Crimes Unit, at the Cape Town Business Summit. PICTURE: BHEKI RADEBE

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, addressing the summit. PICTURE: BHEKI RADEBE

Sandy Naude, Africa Community Media CEO, speaking at the Cape Town Business Summit. PICTURE: BHEKI RADEBE

MTN chief enterprise business officer, Tumi Sekhukhune-Chamayou. PICTURE: BHEKI RADEBE

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