Getting a government contract can provide an important source of income and help create jobs for many small businesses in Nkomazi, Mbombela, in Mpumalanga.
But for entrepreneurs unfamiliar with procurement processes, understanding where to start can be a major challenge.
This was highlighted during the Premier’s Imbizo in Nkomazi, where local traders and SMMEs received assistance with government procurement processes, including registering and updating their details on the Central Supplier Database (CSD).
The intervention comes as small businesses continue to face challenges in accessing government markets, including understanding tender requirements, keeping compliance documents updated and following up on payments.
The support could help remove some of the administrative barriers that prevent small businesses from competing for government work for local entrepreneurs like Maria Mthembu.
“Sometimes we hear about government tenders, but we do not always know where to find the information or what documents are required. Getting assistance with the CSD showed us that there are processes we can follow instead of simply waiting for opportunities,” Mthembu told Vutivi Business News.
Understanding tenders remains a challenge
While registering on the CSD is an important step, it does not automatically guarantee that a business will win government contracts. Businesses must still identify suitable tenders, meet the requirements and submit their bids before the closing date.
Avenda Construction business owner Thabiso Mokoena said that without dedicated administrative staff, the language used in tender documents can also be difficult to understand.
“The biggest challenge for us is understanding the tender documents. You can see an opportunity that matches your business, but when you read all the requirements, you are not always sure whether you qualify or what information you are expected to provide,” Mokoena said.
This is particularly important for businesses operating in sectors such as construction, catering, transport, security, maintenance and supply.
A business may have the capacity to provide a service but still lose out because of an incomplete application or outdated compliance information.
SMMEs need ongoing support
The entrepreneurs’ concerns suggest that procurement assistance needs to continue beyond the Imbizo. Regular workshops could help businesses understand how to read tender advertisements, prepare bids, update their CSD profiles and monitor procurement platforms.
For smaller businesses, Nomsa Dlamini, a catering business owner, said assistance with administration could also help entrepreneurs concentrate on running their operations rather than trying to navigate complicated procurement processes on their own.
“We need more than registration. We need someone to explain the process from beginning to end. If government can show us how to find opportunities, submit correctly and follow up on payments, more small businesses could participate.”
