On Friday 4 April the Swartland Municipality hosted its second successful SMME Indaba at the Malmesbury Town Hall, bringing stakeholders and entrepreneurs together to share, connect and learn. This annual event has become an essential space for local entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services while connecting with valuable resources, guidance and funding opportunities.
The municipality said in a press statement that this event was made possible thanks to the incredible support from Standard Bank, New Horizon Sars, Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (Sedfa), Western Cape Government, Cape Agency for Sustainable Integrated Development in Rural Areas (Casidra) and Olam Biz, which have shown a genuine interest in supporting real economic growth in the Swartland region.
This year’s Indaba welcomed small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) from every corner of the Swartland, each demonstrating their innovative products and services.
More than just an exhibition, the event served as a space for engagement, building networks and fostering collaboration. Entrepreneurs had the chance to liaise with fellow business owners, industry experts and government representatives, all the while strengthening the foundation for a supportive and thriving local economy.
Collaboration
According to the municipality it is especially thankful for the participation of the Malmesbury Business Chamber, members of which provided mentorship and engaged with up-and-coming businesses. The chamber’s involvement underscores the importance of collaboration between established and emerging businesses, helping to build long-lasting relationships that will foster the continued growth of the Swartland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Standard Bank, a key partner in the success of the day, demonstrated its commitment to continuing SMME support and development by making three prizes, valued at R15 000 each, available to the three SMME’s demonstrating range, impact and sustainability. The winners were announced at the event; Radio 7441fm, for its dedication to serving and uplifting the local community through innovative radio programming under the category Best Community Impact. Also, C-Pact Enterprise, which won for Best Innovation, is a versatile service provider specialising in staff placements, biometric testing and financial consulting. And lastly, Switch Electrical Projects Pty Ltd, an electrical services provider with immense potential for growth and expansion, which won for Best Growth Potential.
“Over the past three years Swartland Municipality has worked tirelessly to establish a community and a network for SMMEs. Its commitment has been recognised by the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (Dedat); on Friday the Dedat representative stated that the municipality continued to be one of the best-performing areas for developing and creating opportunities for small businesses. Over the past year alone 160 participants benefited from six SMME training sessions, and 25 business registrations were referred to Sedfa for further support.
Access to financing
In addition, Swartland has created a comprehensive database of 172 SMMEs, facilitating easier access to resources and support. Recently, Executive Mayor Harold Cleophas also signed a landmark agreement with the International Start-up Tribe Institute, providing free online business training to local entrepreneurs. By the end of March 2025 226 entities had participated in this international-level training programme, equipping the entrepreneurs with the skills needed to succeed in a global marketplace.
“Access to financing remains a critical challenge for many start-ups and expanding businesses, and Swartland Municipality is committed to creating ongoing opportunities to link SMMEs with financial resources. We continue to work tirelessly to bridge this gap, ensuring our entrepreneurs can access the support they need to grow and thrive.”
Swartland Municipality is dedicated to an inclusive and resilient local economy and focus on supporting SMMEs ensuring a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem that drives growth, innovation and job creation.
