Chairperson Mahlangu, members of the NCOP, MECs present, heads of department, officials from the Department of Trade and Industry and the Council of Trade and Industry Institutions, COTII, leaders of organised business and labour, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, this Budget Vote debate takes place at a time when the ANC-led government is increasing its efforts to support the small, medium and micro enterprises, SMME, sector, as we believe that the SMME sector is critical in stimulating economic development and that it is also a critical area in regard to innovation, skills development, entrepreneurship, labour absorption and job creation.
Hon members, as you know, the President declared this year, 2011, the year of job creation, and it is for this reason that they have deployed all tools available at the Department of Trade and Industry to deliver on job creation. In this regard I want to emphasise the pivotal role played by potential small businesspeople, and also co-operatives, in making sure that we can reach our goal of creating five million jobs in 2020.
It is imperative to comprehend that policy instruments such as the New Growth Path are driven by the quest to ensure increased economic redistribution. The growth path also speaks to many social economic initiatives, which include building a stronger co-operative support agency and the possible establishment of a co-operative training academy. We are in the process of finalising the amendments to deal with all of this. We hope that this really will work better, and ensure that we can reach our goals.
These interventions are directed at ensuring that the country has an effective and efficient institutional mechanism to support the social economy initiatives, thus ensuring focused investment on social capital.
For these reasons, our investment going to the small business sector and co- operatives needs to be seen and evaluated within the context of ensuring an inclusive economic paradigm that integrates the participation of marginalised groups. Don't forget that 17 years ago our people were locked into the lowest level of the economy. Groups such as women, youth and people with disabilities should also be included in the mainstream economy. In doing that we are also showing that we don't just promise, as I heard earlier on in this House, but that we, as the ANC-led government, act and make sure that we see progress.
For instance, there are both the co-operatives that we have launched - as hon Mmakgo?i Dikgale said - through the Small Enterprise Development Agency, Seda, and the Community Public-Private Partnership, CPPP, Programme in Limpopo, as well as Mpumalanga. Also, we have guests here from Khondlo, a co-operative from the Mfekayi village in Mtubatuba, as well as Women's Development Enterprise from Zithobeni. We believe that in other provinces where we are doing work, we will see this happening too. We don't promise; we act. The Department of Trade and Industry does exactly that. [Applause.] They are in the gallery today so that we can make sure that we spend their money correctly.
One of the tools we utilise to ensure that we build a viable small business sector is taking the Department of Trade and Industry to the people. Thank you, hon Gamede. This is to report even to the Minister, because at times my Minister doesn't know where I am! That is because I am in the deep rural areas to try to make sure that service delivery can be achieved, and that our people can have access to services. [Applause.] Don't worry, Minister, if you don't see me - I am busy working. [Laughter.] You have the report right here in the National Council of Provinces. That is to make sure you honour the service delivery agreement and that you are not dismissed from work. We will make sure of that. Minister, you are surrounded by two strong women, and we are able to make sure that you sustain this job and can be elevated to an even higher position, so that we can see the ANC working.
We also recognise, as Mmakgo?i has said, Technology for Women in Business, Twib, the South African Women Entrepreneurs' Network, Sawen, and Bavumile. These are programmes that we give to the women, because we believe that if you empower women, you empower the nation. They are then able to look after children and others. So we continue to accelerate them, and the Minister has given us permission to do so. The Director-General, as the accounting officer, is also going to support this - otherwise his job is on the line! The Deputy Directors-General that are here all know that this is a priority for the department. We are going to do it - I am sure, Director-General, aren't we? Good.
Our development as a country remains locked in decentralised economic activity with serious spatial challenges. Furthermore, I think it is better to talk about issues that are recent. It is imperative that we escalate public-private partnerships to contribute towards job creation and skills development.
On Monday, 20 June 2011, I was invited to visit the Atteridgeville Jewellery Project, in which 16 learners were graduating after completing a jewellery design and manufacturing course. I must mention that two of those learners are in the gallery. We have Koketso and Bafana, who come from there. They are part of the Budget Vote today and they are our guests in the gallery. [Applause.] We also have a businesswoman here, Duduma Lebo from Soweto, who is dealing with textile and clothing, as well as the Proudly South African representatives in the gallery today. It is very good to hear this today.
I must also say that in our midst we have Mr Max Dichaba of Dichaba Creations, a young jewellery designer who owns a manufacturing and training company. Dichaba Creations is an SMME that currently employs an overall staff complement of 75 people. This company is also in the gallery today, as our guests and a beneficiary that we can attest to. We don't promise; we act. [Interjections.] This company is also a recipient of Seda's Technology Transfer Fund, to a maximum amount of about R593 973,97, with which it is able to buy bigger machines to employ more people. Thanks to Seda's Chief Executive Officer, Hlonela Lupuwana, for her critical leadership at this institution. These are the beneficiaries of government-facilitated international trade initiatives. We don't just go outside with small businesspeople. Mr Dichaba was able to clinch a deal with Indian businesspeople to provide jewellery to them. Isn't that delivery and not just a promise? [Interjections.]
We hope that our commitment to development is unquestionable. We intend to create more Dichabas in South Africa, as we believe that the SMME sector is a critical vehicle to make sure that we can do it. This has been proved in countries like China and India that are progressing with their economies because they support small business, and we are on the right track, Minister. Don't worry about those after me that I am sure you will hear criticise and say that we don't do anything. We are at work.
The small business sector and the co-operative movement have a responsibility to help us transform the social and economic engineering of apartheid through our current programmes, and there are so many that we've mentioned. We also hope to make sure that we accelerate these and that we can see ourselves in the department assisting people to access our services and ensuring that we can deal with all our work.
In regard to the creative industry, I am glad about the question of exhibitions. We will make sure that we support them through our Deputy Directors-General, as well as the Director-General, who gave the nod in this regard. These are more industries in which we believe we can create more jobs Minister. Count those and make sure that this can work for our people.
Lastly, I want to thank the select committee under the hon Dumisani Gamede, as well as the other parliamentarians, the Director-General and Deputy Directors-General of the department, the COTII agencies, and the members of staff from my office.
I also want to thank our families who are here. My three girls, Anna, Phila, and Patience are seated in the gallery. Those are my three girls who always support me, as well as the other family members that I have. It is through their courage that I can do this job and make sure that services are delivered to the people.
Minister, rest assured that we will make sure that we roll up our sleeves and deliver, especially in the co-operatives. We believe that we must make sure that people understand the concept and what we want to achieve, rather than only getting money. It is not about getting money, although our people do need to get that. For that I want to thank Absa in terms of our partnership through Happy Ntshingila, who is not here today. However, we have Karen, his colleague from the Western Cape, who supported us with the jewellery project, and we want to partner with them to make sure that we can take these projects forward.
Look at the necklace that I am wearing today. It is not a fashion show, Chairperson, but this showcases our work to people who say we just make promises. We don't just promise. It was done by the jewellery project. Am I not beautiful wearing this necklace?
HON MEMBERS: Beautiful!