Call for SMEs to be united

Business Reporter
THE Bulawayo Chamber for Small to Medium Enterprises has called on all SMEs to become members of the organisation in order for them to speak with one voice.
Chairperson of the Chamber Energy Majazi said it was important that SMEs work together at provincial level.
“The problem that we are having is that of SMEs that do not want to join the Chamber. These SMEs are as a result left out on programmes that they are supposed to benefit from,” said Majazi.

He said SMEs should support each other at provincial level instead of waiting for the national chamber to address their challenges.
“SMEs should stop relying on the national chamber but they should instead work together in groups to support each other. For example as a group they can pool resources together and establish a revolving fund that can advance loans to members,” he said.

Majazi said SMEs could play a critical role in the success of the country’s economic blue-print, Zim Asset provided they are united.
Meanwhile, the National Chamber of SMEs will on May 29, hold a luncheon at Maphisa Business Centre to raise at least $25,000 to assist one of the members who was involved in an accident. Uratile Mokoni was involved in a car accident in 2013 and she needs at least $25,000 to meet her medical expenses.

“One of our members Uratile Mokoni who is the secretary for the Bulawayo chamber was last year involved in a car accident and she is supposed to go for an operation which is estimated to cost $25,000,” said Majazi.

He said Mokoni who was in the business of sewing school uniforms, has since been forced to sell some of her sewing machines in order to raise money to pay her medical bills.