GEORGE NEWS - There was great excitement on Wednesday at the Zone 9 community hall in Thembalethu when equipment was handed over to 41 informal business persons. The project was first envisaged three years ago. Originally started by the Department of Small Business Development, it was later taken over by the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda), and has also been rolled out to other provinces.

Among the dignitaries were Melvin Naik, mayor of George, and representatives of different business organisations. The Minister of Small Business Development, Lindiwe Zulu, was to attend but couldn't make it.

When a group of informal business people in George applied for help, the municipality stepped in and acted as facilitator. On Wednesday the informal business owners' wishes came true. Altogether, equipment of about R500 000, including microwave ovens, ovens, wheelbarrows and printers for computers, was handed out.

In his welcoming address Naik said the equipment is an investment in the recipients' businesses, but it is up to them to see that their businesses grow.

Quinton Coetzee, branch manager of Seda in the area, said our country's high unemployment rate has a knock-on effect which leads to people needing assistance. Money is only one of the ways to help. People also need equipment. He said the people who benefited won't be left to their own devices - they will receive guidance and help to keep their businesses on track.

Applications for equipment is closed for now, but will be reopened at a later stage.

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