The North West provincial government has handed business start up packages to 105 informal traders from the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, in a move aimed at strengthening small enterprises, expanding economic participation and supporting sustainable livelihoods.
The handover took place on Friday, October 23, 2026, at the Madiba Banquet Hall in Potchefstroom. It was officiated by Maropene Ramokgopa, Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Bitsa Lenkopane, the North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism.
The initiative forms part of the provincial department’s informal business support programme, which seeks to empower traders and improve the prospects of small businesses through a combination of start up assistance, skills development and ongoing support.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Ramokgopa and Lenkopane commended the traders, particularly young people and women, for taking advantage of the programme and pursuing business opportunities that could contribute to economic growth and employment creation.
“Through your determination and entrepreneurial spirit, you are not only creating jobs and strengthening your businesses, but also contributing to the realisation of the National Development Plan’s vision of an inclusive and growing economy for all,” the officials said.
The programme reflects the broader policy objective of strengthening small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) as contributors to economic development. Informal traders form an important part of local economic activity, providing goods and services within communities and creating opportunities for people to earn a livelihood.
However, the long term contribution of such enterprises depends not only on access to start up resources, but also on their ability to maintain operations, attract customers, manage costs and develop stable markets.
Ramokgopa praised the department for adopting what she described as a structured approach to supporting microenterprises, with particular emphasis on aftercare and sustainability. She said SMMEs were central to the National Development Plan’s Vision 2030 objective of increasing employment through small businesses.
The National Development Plan provides a long-term framework for South Africa’s development, including the expansion of economic opportunities, job creation and the reduction of poverty and inequality. Small businesses are an important part of this ambition, although the extent to which support programmes achieve these objectives depends on their implementation and measurable outcomes.
Lenkopane said the informal business support programme was being rolled out across all districts of the North West Province. She stressed that the provincial government’s approach extended beyond distributing equipment and included training, mentorship and aftercare.
The department is also incorporating support for participation in the school nutrition programme, an avenue intended to help eligible businesses access economic opportunities linked to the provision of food services. The precise arrangements and eligibility requirements for such participation were not detailed in the information provided about the handover.
Lenkopane said the progress and outcomes of the programme would continue to be monitored to determine whether beneficiaries were developing sustainable enterprises capable of creating lasting employment.
Implementation is being undertaken in partnership with institutions of higher learning, development partners such as YAEI and the North West Entrepreneurship Hub, as well as private sector stakeholders.
The partnership approach is intended to connect traders with support beyond the initial provision of business packages. Training and mentorship can help entrepreneurs strengthen their business management, while aftercare can identify operational challenges that emerge after enterprises begin trading.
The handover in Potchefstroom marks another stage in the province’s efforts to strengthen informal businesses and broaden participation in the local economy. For the 105 beneficiaries, the longer-term test will be whether the assistance translates into viable enterprises, improved household livelihoods and sustained employment.
The department’s commitment to monitoring progress places the emphasis not only on the number of packages distributed, but also on the businesses that emerge and their capacity to remain operational over time.