The SMME Booster Fund is a fund that is currently providing non-financial support to organisations that implement a holistic approach to business development support projects and/or programmes aimed at growing and developing SMMEs. The business development support includes, but is not limited to, mentorship, marketing, coaching, operational support, capacity building and business support training to SMMEs etc.
Bicycling Empowerment Networking (BEN) is one of the organisations funded by the Booster Fund. By supplying impoverished communities and organisations with a reliable supply of bicycles that are donated and reasonably priced, BEN hopes to encourage long-term social and economic development. A portion of the funding enables BEN to provide businesses on the programme with training in mechanics, business skills and social media.
On 11 July 2023, Premier Alan Winde and Minister Mireille Wenger attended the launch of the mobile workshop at one of the businesses on the programme, Ikhaya Le Langa, in Langa. The mobile workshop is being used to transport bicycles, spares and equipment to the businesses and allowing them access to tools when providing mechanical training. The day kicked off with a mechanical and safety training session.
The businesses who were in attendance were Cloudy Deliveries, Langa Bicycle Hub, iKhaya le Langa, and the Langa Pump Track initiative.
The Enterprise Development team continues to support the eco system of our province to create much needed jobs and grow our economy with mechanisms and projects such as the SMME Booster Fund!