Department to help co-operatives, startups to go digital says Zulu

The Department of Small Business Development aims to help startups and co-operatives to adopt digital technology to grow, Small Business Minister Lindiwe Zulu told MPs today.

Presenting the Department of Small Business Development’s budget vote in Parliament today, Zulu said her department will help entrepreneurs to build the right digital capabilities.

“The 4th Industrial Revolution, characterised by digitisation and automation, is gaining momentum. It will fundamentally change the way is which we live, work, transact and trade.

“It thus stands to reason that the small business and co-operatives sector must future-proof their core business offerings and business models, in order to be part of a digitised world and economy, failing which they will fall behind and remain trapped in a survivalist mode,” said Zulu.

‘With 4th Industrial Revolution growing, SMEs must future-proof their business’

She said the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) will continue to provide entrepreneurs with help in digital innovation and product development, and in building digital supply chain and operating systems, digital marketing, sales and service.

Zulu said the recent launch of the French-SA Tech lab in Cape Town, the second of two on the continent would help in this regard. The centre, which was launched in November, helps entrepreneurs to design and test their innovative IT solutions.

Read more: French Tech launches first of its kind incubator in Cape Town

She said the department is also looking to implement a transversal agreement with the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services and its SMME ICT strategy and the Seda ICT incubator in Port Elizabeth.