31 August 2007

By Millicent Kgowedi

APPLICATIONS to take part in the Plato Project are open. The project is a joint initiative between Mogale City and the Voka Chamber of Commerce (Belgium) for Enterprise Development. Through it, development opportunities are offered to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

It was launched in Mogale City in May, and has been operating in Belgium and other countries for some time. The Plato Project brings together businesses and offers professional coaching to SMEs. The aim is to help these companies to expand, with an emphasis on levels of professionalism because that ensures the survival and prosperity of any company.

"This sector is very challenging and we need ways to make this industry more viable," said Vuyani Bekwa, the project co-ordinator at the City. "This initiative is aimed at getting business owners together to discuss their experiences."

The search is now on for qualifying SMEs – to be considered for the project, companies must employ between two and 50 people; must have been running for more than two years; must be located in Mogale City and must have a vision to motivate and grow others.

"We are going to call qualifying businesses for interviews. Some will be called though they don't meet all the requirements because it's not always easy for these businesses to have all of the things we requested. But through the interviews we will be able to determine whether or not they [can] qualify for this initiative," Bekwa said.

Those that are selected to take part will benefit from the initiative in many ways. Entrepreneurs will get a chance to network with other people in the same industry and exchange work experiences; they will be able to consult with experts in their fields; and they will develop business and management skills to enhance their businesses.

"We are going to have an induction day in October. Then there will be workshops that will run for a day or two. A project plan will be run as well and every month a topic will be discussed between the SME owners and experts who will be conducting the discussions. A small fee of R500 is payable for everything that will be done during the 12-month period," he explained.

There would be one-on-one mentorship programmes during the 12 months of the project. "There will be experts working with the entrepreneurs, like Monde Keebine, the brand manager at Plascon, and Yoli Malagas, branch manager from South African Revenue Services in Krugersdorp," Bekwa said.

Application forms are available from the SMME offices at the City's IEC building, on the corner of Ockerse and Monument streets, in Krugersdorp, and from the City's ward offices.

Over 22 000 fliers have been distributed and posters are being put up to notify residents about the project. Pamphlets are available at all ward offices. The closing date for applications is Friday, 21 September at 12pm. Forms must be faxed to V Bekwa at the City's SMME offices on 011 951 2508.

Belgian business model gets Mogale debut

Plato Project offers small firms a hand

Mogale local municipality in partnership with Plato