By Noko Mashilo
Soweto baker Busi Sithole has been in the business for the past three years and reckons further funding could help her grow her business and create more jobs.
“I spend R155 on 12,5g flour that produces 25 to 26 loaves. My loaf cost R10 and I have to buy other ingredients like yeast and oil. I do not make that much unless I sell more bread,” she told Vutivi News after the delivery of the State of the Province Address by Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi this week.
Lesufi highlighted the province’s commitment to fostering economic growth and job creation.
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He emphasised the success of the Enterprise and Supplier Development roadshows, which have been instrumental in empowering local businesses and integrating them into the provincial economy.
These initiatives aim to create a more inclusive economic environment by providing support and opportunities to emerging SMMEs.
Lesufi said through their roadshows, 30 local products, including detergents, beauty
products and food, have passed product testing.
But some like Sithole have never heard of the roadshows and hope they will benefit them soon.
“Perhaps I would have been helped because I need funding to operate at ease. I am currently hiring equipment where I pay R1500 a month, and that is too much for me since sometimes I fail to pay,” she said.
Lesufi said through support provided by the Enterprise and Supplier Development roadshows, SMMEs were now being sourced by major retailers like Pick n Pay, Builders Warehouse and Massmart.
“This has seen 26 township bakeries flourishing. Our township bakery businesses in Eldorado Park, Toekomsrus, Westbury and many more were equipped with skills to standardise and improve bread quality,” said Lesufi.
So far, these bakeries could produce 22,000 loaves per day.
“This initiative will create thousands of jobs and supply local communities and government institutions with fresh bread,” he said.
Lesufi also noted that by December 2024, a total of 220 unemployed young people from Gauteng townships completed K53 training which has empowered them to enter the fast-growing last-mile delivery sector.
The premier highlighted a strategic initiative aimed at supporting 40 SMMEs in agro-processing by the end of the term.
Through a combination of technical and financial support, this initiative seeks to equip emerging businesses with the necessary skills, infrastructure and funding to scale up production, enhance product quality and access larger markets.
“In 2023 alone, the food and beverage manufacturing sector generated over R780 billion in revenue,” said Lesufi.
Employment in this sector increased in 2024, with over 10,000 new jobs added.
“Gauteng remains a strong player in agricultural exports, with meat product exports reaching R4 billion over the past year. To further support the sector, we are providing technical and financial support to 40 SME agro-processing enterprises by the end of this term,” the premier said.
Lesufi further said they secured R100 million in infrastructure investment for agro-logistics, including pack houses, cold storage facilities and transport infrastructure.
“To date, 21 refrigerated trucks have been provided to farmers and agro-processors.
Aggregation capacity will be increased through the RandWest AgriPark and Fresh Produce Market to aggregate 3,000 tons of smallholder farmer produce
by the end of the term, said Lesufi.
Maggie Haskins of Maggie’s Kitchen in Meredale, south of Joburg, said it was the first time had learnt about the agro-processing programme and was now interested in exploring the opportunities it offered.
“I would love to see my sauces in the big retail stores. I produce sauces used in cooking like condiments, gravies or dressing. Lack of information and funding is my stumbling block. I wish the government could have more campaigns on these programmes so that they do not pass us. I am sure I am not the only one who learnt about this after Vutivi News asked me to comment,” said Haskins.
