Providing dedicated support for small business development

Martin Manmohan, Operations Manager at the maxum Business Incubator, seen here with GEP representatives, Roney Ndala, Regional Operations Manager, Bongani Ookose, Business Relationship Manager and Phololo Morolo, Business Relationship Manager.

The Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP), an agency for the Department of Finance and Economic Affairs (DFEA) in Gauteng, has - since October 2005 - been providing a range of support and advice services to the resident start-up companies participating in the incubation programmes at the maxum Business Incubator at The Innovation Hub.

GEP's involvement with the SMMEs at maxum testifies to a remarkable dedication to developing and growing the small, medium and micro business sector in the country. While the GEP has been establishing its Regional Office in Tshwane, Business Relationship Manager, Ms Mpho Ratshikhopa, has being travelling to Pretoria from the GEP's Sedibeng Regional Office in Vanderbijlpark at least once a week to assist the start-up tenant companies at The Innovation Hub.

maxum is now working directly with the Tshwane GEP team that has taken up office space in Centurion. Recently, maxum manager Jill Sawers, expressed the Incubator's sincere gratitude to the GEP staff and management for their commitment and support, specifically Regional Operations Manager, Roney Ndala, for the willingness to go the extra mile - literally - to ensure that, while the new office in Tshwane was established, there was no delay in enabling maxum tenants to benefit from their services.

Comments received from some of the SMMEs at maxum:

"Having engaged with GEP and Mpho for just over some months, it is evident that they are well capable of offering a range of support services, from basic down-to-earth assistance with printing quality marketing material (vital but often ignored), to introducing us to new opportunities, which is critical to the well-being of any business - especially SMMEs who often have little choice but to develop their markets on less than shoestring budgets. Keep it up, GEP Team."
Dave Lockwood, MD, the Naledi3d Factory

"The idea that someone was interested in the success of our venture and willing to assist to make it work sounded noble. During our first meeting, the GEP suggest that we do a SWOT analysis of our business for them to determine our needs and understand where they can assist.The exciting thing about a SWOT analysis is that it gives one an opportunity to reflect and determine if you still on course. One of the key areas we have identified - even before the SWOT analysis - is the need for processes to help with ISO9000 accreditation, which increase our business leverage. The GEP was keen to help us achieve accreditation and we appreciate their efforts and those of the staff at maxum in making it all possible."
Thabo Mogašwa, CEO of Mohwiti Technologies

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