The Mail & Guardian‘s 2/10 rating for Ntsika Enterprise Promotion Agency in its assessment of agencies last week does not reflect our reputation as a leading agency that supports small business in South Africa.
We operate as a wholesale agency, which means we use intermediary organisations to deliver business services on our behalf. We do this through a network of service providers known as local business service centres, tender and manufacturing advice centres.
Ntsika was established in an environment where there was little or no support for small business, a factor that must be taken into account when assessing it. Because the entrepreneurial flair of many people was staunched by apartheid, there was a large demand for training, information, advice, counselling and technical support services, and great expectations that Ntsika would provide a range of services to small businesses across many sectors using intermediaries.
In reality, many of these intermediaries could not provide the services required. Despite this, Ntsika has, over the years, built and supported a re- markable network of service providers.
Ntsika has had to recruit new people with little exposure to the demands of such an institution. Amid the difficulties of starting a organisation we have built a core team of capable people.
The agency has recorded numerous quantitative achievements over the past two years. This year, 209 service providers have been supported (93 last year); 282 service providers trained (350); 500 business linkages created (373); 12 research studies conducted (two); 10 213 small, medium and micro firms counselled (26 167); 5 555 entrepreneurs trained (20 300); and 15 343 jobs created (13 333).
Ntsika is to merge with the National Manufacturing and Advisory Centre to streamline public sector services to small business. Ntsika welcomes this. We look forward to continuing our key role in promoting a vibrant sector.
Lefa Mallane is the CEO of Ntsika Enterprise Promotion Agency