MEC Makalo Mohale interacts with future business leaders at the University of the Free State

MEC Makalo Mohale interacts with future business leaders at the University of the Free State

The Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA) MEC Makalo Mohale together with the MEC for Department of Treasury Gadija Brown, addressed the University of the Free State Business Management Students.

Today’s mandate was to make sure that students are aware and get to learn more of the different positions that can be held within the government and plans to boost small businesses and the economy within the Free State Province.

The highlight of the discussion focused on business case study for entrepreneurship and small business in the Free State, why small business start-ups fail in the Free State, what can be done to increase the potential of success and how to do a feasibility analysis on small businesses in the province.

In his keynote address, MEC of DESTEA, Makalo Mohale alluded to the importance of the role that government plays in making sure that education remains relevant to the young people in the province. He further emphasises the long-term plan initiated in 2010 National Development Plan that the government has been working on, in making sure that, the economy of the Free State continues to grow.

The strategies indicated are to reintroduce reindustrialization, boost the agricultural sector so that Free State Province reclaim its status as a food basket of the country, invest/fund innovative small businesses. These strategies are anticipated to be completed by the year 2030.

Anderson Masemola, a student at the University of the Free State said; “the programme was informative and he appreciated the fact that both presentations by the MEC’s touched a lot on structural issues, accessibility of funding for small businesses within the province, and how the youth can play an active role in the growth of the economy”.

Issued by the Communications Unit. Free State Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs.

Source: Government of South Africa