By Mandla Mpangase

The 2025 Tshwane SMME Symposium explored the best ways to prepare small businesses for the industries of the future.

It is important to prepare now so that small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) will be in a position to lead both the country and the continent in the green economy, in technology, and in automotive manufacturing.

The symposium, held on 6 May 2025 at the Innovation Hub, was hosted by the Tshwane Economic Development Agency along with the South African Electrotechnical Export Council and the Innovation Hub.

The Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) featured in a panel discussion on the road map for South African SMMEs to participate in future economies, with a particular focus on the automotive sector, digital technology and the energy sector.

TASEZ CEO Dr Bheka Zulu spoke of the importance of understanding the impact SMMEs made in their sector, rather than simply looking at the numbers.

“We need to know how we change lives, what are the SMMEs taking home?”

He noted that TASEZ had ring-fenced R1.7-billion for SMMEs during the special economic zone’s Phase 1 development.

Dr Zulu also addressed the issue of the skills gap within the automotive sector. TASEZ is now working closely with a number of partners to make sure the gap is closed. Technology can be a vital way to help the informal sector to grow.

Another aspect was that SMMEs needed to be supported with research and development, Dr Zulu noted.

He referred to a Chinese company, BYD, that has only been going for a decade. “They started as a battery manufacturer, but they evolved as the economic environment changed and now build cars. Last year they manufactured five million vehicles.”

South Africa’s SMMEs must be strong enough to follow the same trajectory.

It is vital to make sure that all role players understand the needs of the SMMEs and that SMMEs understand the requirements of industry.

“Partnerships are important so that everyone understands the needs, requirements, constraints and challenges.”

Partnering with established companies and organisations also makes access to markets much easier for SMMEs, who then have a champion lobbying on their behalf with the larger role players, Dr Zulu said.

A key focus for TASEZ as it rolls out its Phase 2 development, is its support for black industrialists.

The SMME symposium involved local SMMEs, representatives from a number of government agencies, potential funders, and industry partners, who all joined forces come up with concrete strategies to integrate township small businesses into mainstream supply chains and future-focused sectors.

The Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane, Dr Nasiphi Moya, summed up the importance of SMMEs to the job creation and innovation: “These enterprises are the lifeblood of our economy, the backbone of local employment, and the heartbeat of township revitalisation.” The symposium focused on how all the economic sector players can support, strengthen, and boost local SMMEs.