24 May 2007

By Lucky Sindane

HELP is at hand for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that want to grow their businesses.

Mogale City and the Belgian Chamber of Commerce for Enterprise Development have teamed up to run the Plato mentorship project in the region. The project brings together businesses to offer professional coaching to SMEs and is aimed at helping companies to expand.

It focuses on professionalism, as this is what is needed to ensure the survival and prosperity of any company. Executive Mayor Koketso Calvin Seerane officially launched the project on Wednesday, 23 May at the Banquet Hall in Krugersdorp.

Lien de Zutter, the Plato project co-ordinator from Belgium's Voka Chamber of Commerce, explained the thinking behind the initiative. "The Plato Project is about learning; people learn from each others' success stories and failures - therefore trust is very important between SMEs."

Voka, of East Flanders in Belgium, is working with Mogale City on the project.

The Plato Project relies on professional coaching of SME owners by managers or mentors from corporate companies; it works to create a multi-sectoral, economic and international network that deals with problems facing SMEs.

"We have managers or mentors from Plascon and the South African Revenue Services, who will offer professional coaching," said Khaya Njingolo, the deputy director of the City's small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) unit.

Seerane encouraged all SMEs in Mogale City to take advantage of the opportunity. "Use the Plato Project to [gather] knowledge. Opportunities don't fall into someone's plate - go out there and grab this with both hands."

It has also been implemented in Bitou and Mangaung local municipalities.

Various authorities, representing local, provincial and national entities, believe that setting up a sustainable Plato network in South Africa is an answer to the needs of SMEs. With project partners supported by the local authorities, the initiative aims to boost local economic empowerment.

On an international level, South African companies taking part will be able to grow contacts in the Plato network in Flanders via joint co-ordination sessions, a support group and a South African Club. Through these regular interactions, progress will be shared between the countries.

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