Mobile business hub hits the road to drive entrepreneurship

The City of Cape Town’s new mobile business help desk will be taking its services to where businesses need to support the growth and recovery of our vital Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). The new service was launched today by Executive Mayor Alderman Dan Plato and Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, Alderman James Vos, outside the Cape Town Civic Centre. Read more below:

The Mobile Business Hub managed by the City’s Enterprise and Investment Department, will visit communities and engage with visitors regarding the following services and questions they may have:

• Starting and growing a Business (‘I want to start a business or expand my business and need support’)
• Red Tape (‘I am struggling with a Red Tape issue, which is hampering my business.’)
• City Projects (‘I am interested in finding out more about specific City projects and would like to be connected to the relevant officials and line departments.’)
• Investing in the City (‘My Business/I want to invest in a new business. What regulatory requirements will I be expected to adhere to?’)
• Enterprise & Supplier Development (‘I want to do business with the City/Government and don’t know where to start?)
• Regulatory Compliance (‘I want to do business in Cape Town and don’t know which business processes/registrations to comply with?’)
• Other (‘There is an issue not listed above that I need assistance in and I would like to be connected with an official regarding this.’)

Following the launch, the Mobile Business Hub will hit the road and, over the next few months, will visit a number of communities to offer onsite business support.  The first stop will be the Strand Civic Centre on 15 March 2021.  To view a schedule of where the Mobile Business Hub will be and when residents can visit www.investcapetown.com

‘It is significant that we bring this service directly to residents. Businesses are often operating directly within communities and with the Covid-19 pandemic adding limitations and pressures to the way business is done, we need to be more innovative to assist entrepreneurs with growing their skills and expanding their income opportunities. Now more than ever, we can offer support to enable people to start new ventures and empower themselves. A small business owner is feeding a family, paying school fees and trying to create security for their family. I applaud the courage and determination needed to start a business and with the advice offered by this mobile service, we can help people create their own future. This is another example of our commitment to reduce poverty by implementing policies and interventions that are aimed at supporting the growth of the economy and job creation,’ said Executive Mayor Dan Plato.

While direct job creation is not a local government mandate, it is our responsibility to create the right conditions and environment for work opportunities. The Mobile Business Hub will be able to facilitate programmes that promote investment, trade and sector-specific training skills development. It is also a great example of how the City leverages strategic assets for the benefit of our residents.

‘Since the opening of The Business Hub office in the Strand Concourse in August 2019, we have assisted thousands of businesses and we are very excited that our mobile hub will enable us to take services to more residents, where they are located. The mission of the Mobile Business Hubs is to connect entrepreneurs and SMMEs with city services. By doing this, we aim to grow local business through support programmes as well as provide access to new markets and business development assistance,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, Alderman James Vos.

‘In 2020, The Business Hub received 2 850 service requests and resolved 98% of these within two working days. Over the past six months, The Business Hub has supported 380 businesses with product and supplier development workshops, by cutting red-tape to make it easier to do business and to compete for big business. With the ability to take our service on the road, we will be able to do more to support a thriving SMME eco-system that creates more opportunities for the residents of Cape Town,’ said Alderman Vos.

‘In a time when it felt like I was all on my own in trying to figure out how to operate, retain my workforce as well as to survive, the fantastic and speedy help I received from the City’s Business Hub showed that I was not on my own and that the City was hard at work to help businesses to survive and thrive.  I am immensely happy with and thankful for the support I received.’ said the owner of Custom Office, Gary Styles.

Custom Office, is a Cape Town based office furniture manufacturer and wholesale supplier.

The City is committed to helping our Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises get back on their feet as fast as possible and to create the right conditions for small business to thrive and ultimately, create more jobs.