Commander-in-chief,
CIC, the people from my party are accepting, because as we in the ANC Youth League boldly declared in our 24th national congress and on that congress theme that economic freedom is in
our lifetime and this remains a generational mission. Our contribution to that mission is a programme to enable job creators because young people can't continue to be job seekers. [Applause.]
Research has found that small businesses, if sufficiently supported, can play a vital role in economic development and inclusion as the barriers of entry are limited. Therefore, ours are twin tasks: firstly, is to achieving the National Development Plan, NDP, goal for small, medium & micro enterprise, SMMEs, to contribute at least 50% to the gross domestic product, GDP, by 2024; and secondly, is the transforming our economy for inclusive ownership. We shall not allow the ownership of our economy to remain in the hands of a few.
It is for this reason that the ANC in our elections manifesto, we have undertaken to scale up support for SMMEs, co-operatives, townships and village enterprises. To achieve this, we have plans that include the expansion of incubation centres to all 44 districts and eight metropoles that support village and township
enterprises. Linked to this, will be the extension of incubation period to a maximum of five years.
Indeed, Mr President, the scaled up support for SMMEs will require the state to play an entrepreneurial role - a role where the state is able to take some risks and enable the economy to grow. In this regard, we are taking some risks with our SMME funding model.
We are to introduce blended funding facilities that match loans and grants at a particular ratio. The details of the blended funding model will be provided when we table our Budget Vote. On the other hand, an integrated support packages including funding will be finalised with sister departments for co-operatives.
One of the challenges for SMMEs and co-operatives is access to markets. As the President has announced, we will create product- specific market places where SMMEs and co-operatives will trade their products. In this financial year, we will rollout five such markets. The plan is also to use these markets as centres where SMMEs and co-operatives trading in similar goods can
collaborate to scale up their product volumes and gear themselves to support big markets.
As part of our improved support to SMMEs and co-operatives, government will provide technical support to address some technical challenges inhibiting access to market, such as product quality. We will use a similar model when SMMEs and co- operatives operate from the revitalised local industrial parks, business centres and special economic zones.
Statistics SA has reported the resurgence in small business activity. However, the survival rate of both SMMEs and co- operatives is very low. On our part, we have a responsibility to ensure this sector access the incentives available for them.
Hon Maimane, this includes the employment tax incentive and applying for exemption from paying the minimum wages for those SMMEs that cannot afford. It is already there. Our government has thought and planned about that.
It is common knowledge that the business world is moving online, commonly known as digital platform. Without an active role of the state, youth and small businesses in our townships and rural areas risk to be left behind by the digital economy. It is for this reason that government is moving with speed to rollout digital hubs in townships and rural areas. This is to support tech-enabled platforms for self-employed youth and any other small businesses in those areas. This year, we will commence with the roll out of four such hubs in Capricorn in Limpopo, Mangaung in Free State, Ehlanzeni in Mpumalanga and Bojanala in North West province.