Learn tools of the trade, apply now for City’s Smart Supplier Programme

The City of Cape Town is calling on City-registered vendors to apply for the Smart Supplier Programme. Applications opened on Monday, 21 February 2022. Read more below:

This marks the programme’s sixth year and sees the City partner with Commerce Edge South Africa who will facilitate the initiative.

‘This initiative supports 150 Cape Town-based vendors with the development of their businesses. From those, 40 are selected and provided with access to markets and introductions to buyers and other new opportunities,’ said Alderman James Vos, the Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth.

As part of the application process, vendors need to specify their needs and will then go through a series of masterclasses.

To qualify, vendors must meet the following criteria:

• Businesses must be based in the metro and owned by a South African citizen
• They must be in operation for a minimum of 18 months
• Businesses must be able to handle increased market demands and have a competitive advantage in the market they trade-in
• Entrants must be a registered supplier with the Central Supplier database and a City Vendor

‘As the Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, everything I do is with a strong focus on building a more equal, inclusive and sustainable economy. A big part of this means maintaining and further developing the foundation for small businesses to continue being the engine room of growth by providing the right mix of smart procurement and supplier development support. This will help build on their recovery and expansion.

‘After a series of sessions, some of the trainees will then be selected for a dedicated one-year access to market linkage programme, where they will be introduced to regional and national corporate buyers and receive a buyer pitch video that can be used in the business’s own marketing material,’ said Alderman Vos.

Commerce Edge South Africa COO, Debbie Tagg, said, in light of the recent economic downturn, the group was more committed than ever to support businesses in an impactful way. ‘This year’s programme is tailor-made to ensure that each session has implementable takeaways,’ said Tagg.

To apply for the programme, businesses need to be registered as vendors on the City’s database at: https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Register/Business-and-trade/Register-as-a-supplier

For the application form, head over to this link: https://www.formpl.us/form/2125976005