North West Mega Expo to boost small businesses

The annual Mega Expo is an initiative by the North West Department of Economic Development Tourism which aims at providing Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) with an opportunity to showcase their products.

The eight-day event will be held in partnership with the Mmabana Foundation and the Ngaka Modiri District Municipality.

The departmental spokesperson, Dumisa Seshabela told BuaNews on Friday that this year's event will be different from the previous ones.

Event extension

She said they have extended the days of the event from four to eight days to give emerging businesses and young people more opportunity to showcase their products and other talents.

“We have decided to extend the days of this year's mega expo because we want to give small businesses enough time to show and market their own products.

“There will be a lot of activities happening on different days, so we needed to have enough space and time for this event,” she said.

Line-up

Part of the event, she said, will be the International Dance Festival by the Mmabana Foundation which will give aspirant dancers an opportunity to learn more from experienced dancers.

The Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality will also host life memorial celebrations of the renowned Ngaka Modiri Molema.

The event will also be characterised by among other things soccer clinics in Itsoseng, various exhibitions from local, national and international exhibitors, a circus, indigenous games, indigenous food crops and musical shows.

Business seminars

Seshabela highlighted that there will also be a business seminar that will give SMMEs an opportunity to seek advice on how they can develop their businesses further.

She further urged the people especially of the North West to come and support the event.

“We are encouraging people to come and support the mega expo as it is for the benefit and the support of our local businesses.

“This event is for everyone from young to old, so we expect maximum support from as many of our people,” she said.

Exhibitors

One of the exhibitors at the expo will be Nthabiseng Dibakwnane, 41, from Mafikeng who owns a company called Kea-Nthabi African Design which specialises in making traditional wear for weddings and other special occasions.

She told BuaNews that the event will offer her an opportunity to expose her products and also enable her to interact with other successful business people.

“I am looking forward to this year's Mega Expo because it is important for my business which I am so passionate about,” she said, adding that she wanted her business to grow and the expo will give her that opportunity.

Another participant who is looking forward to the event is Joseph Balebanye, 37, from Taung village who has a business called Kopano Wood Making which specialises in making school furniture, tables, chairs and other wood materials.

He told BuaNews that his business needs a bit of marketing and that the expo will give him the opportunity to showcase his business.

“It is a good opportunity for most of us who have small growing businesses, so we can't miss the chance of telling people what we are capable of doing,” he said.

During the opening of the event, MEC for Economic Development and Tourism Darkie Africa is expected to make a key note address.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews