Key stakeholders in the South African ICT sector are collaborating to promote SME development in the sector, through a new SME development programme for start-up enterprises, which began early this year.
Dubbed the ICT-sector Diamond Entrepreneurial Excellence Programme (Deep), the programme's methodology provides support for start-up enterprises for a three-year development cycle, says Lauri Elliott, CEO of Shujaa Holdings, the creator of Deep.
The programme aims to bolster the ICT sector's contribution to national economic sustainability through the development of new, successful enterprises that specifically tap into the potential of youth, women and the disabled, she says.
"Sector collaboration is not new in the ICT sector," she adds. "A few years ago, the industry and government came together to formalise the ICT transformation charter. The legacy of this effort is being carried forward into the ICT-sector Deep by the Computer Society of South Africa (CSSA)."
Gabrielle Erasmus, marketing manager of the CSSA, says: "The ICT industry has huge resources it can leverage to make tangible, significant changes in the ongoing economic outlook for South Africa, its communities and its people, if we synergise our strengths."
She says the rationale for establishing Deep evolved from the recognition of both the South African government and the ICT industry that for ongoing economic sustainability there needs to be a much larger base of small businesses.
"There are a lot of opportunities for new enterprises, as well as resources to assist, but connecting to and utilising them is difficult for the majority. New, successful ICT enterprises among the currently disenfranchised, for example youth, women and the disabled, lag significantly behind."
According to Elliot, the Deep methodology incorporates critical elements to the success of emerging enterprises into the programme's framework. These elements include access to investors and various forms of funding and adoption by well-established ICT firms to open doors, champion, partner and resource the new and emerging enterprises.
"Deep also provides business support, administration services and equipment or tools at subsidised or discounted rates, as well as business, technical and leadership training, mentoring and coaching, and key strategic alliances with key institutions and private sector businesses," she adds. "It also gives regular business performance monitoring and feedback."
Elliot cites its emphasis on procuring initial contracts for the new enterprises as one of several strategies that sets Deep apart from most entrepreneurial development programmes.
Israel Noko, Stanlib's institutional business development manager, says: "Cash-flow makes the difference for any company, so what I like about Deep is that negotiating and facilitating contracts for participating enterprises is a key focus."
"On a broader level, firms actively contribute to the alleviation of poverty and unemployment by the establishment of new, profitable businesses," concludes Elliot.
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