The SBI SME Indaba held on 17 October 2023 at the Bryanston Country club was a highlight of our year.  Small business owners, Business Chamber and Forum leaders, media and government stakeholders attended to discuss – The real cost of municipal dysfunctionality on SMEs and the Informal Sector – Findings and recommendations.

The programme for the day:

Dr. Thami Mazwai delivered the first keynote address on the findings and recommendations of the SBI research outcome: The real cost of Municipal dysfunction on small businesses in South Africa.

The first panel discussion was on the topic: Initiatives from Corporate SA to fix our ailing municipalities, moderated by David Morobe.  This discussion was dynamic and the audience enjoyed listening to practical initiatives being run to assist municipalities.

Our second keynote address was from Mr Peter Teixeira, Executive Mayor, Midvaal Local Municipality: Lessons from a functional municipality – the case study of Midvaal.  This left the audience inspired with hope.

Our third keynote was from ormer Statistician-General: Dr Pali Lehohla on How to fix our local government, what is required?

The final panel was from an all women entrepteneur panel moderated by Bulelani Balabala on how to turn challenges into opportunities, this panel created new hope in the SMEs that stayed till the end. The feedback was incredible and job creation was inspired and energized.

Programme for the day

As has become a custom for these signature events, we have lined up prime time speakers. Including key notes from the Former Statistician-General, Dr Pali Lehohla, the Executive Mayor of Midvaal Local Municipality on lessons from a functional Municipality, a panel of top-class experts on what is being done to fix our ailing municipalities and, always our much-loved panel of entrepreneurs to talk about their journeys.

INDABA PROGRAMME: