The SEIFSA Small Business Hub (SBH) is a department of the Steel and Engineering Industries
Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA), created specifically to address the needs of small and micro-enterprises (SMEs) in Southern Africa to contribute to the growth of the economy and the creation of jobs.
Various studies in South Africa and abroad have repeatedly stressed the importance of SMEs in any economy. According to the Department of Trade and Industry, an estimated 2.8 million small businesses that made up the sector in 2012 contributed between 52% and 57% to South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product. During that period, small businessesalso provided about 61% of the country’s employment.
However, these figures are still far less than the average in developed countries where SMEs play a far bigger role in the economy. This can be attributed to various factors, including access to finance and red tape that continue to hamper the growth of small businesses in South Africa. In addition to being an enabling engine designed to assist SMEs to reach their full growth potential through tailormade products, services and solutions, the SBH will also:
â-  Provide cost effective products and services addressing the overall needs of SMEs;
â-  Create alliances with outside partners to strengthen the SEIFSA small business proposition;
â-  Offer cost-effective support services that are sector-focused and related to SME categories (micro and small);
â-  Identify sector- and companyspecific challenges, monitor trends and develop specific interventions to improve SME performance;
â-  Identify, simplify and facilitate opportunities and linkages to business development and financial services in order for SMEs to improve productivity and profits, support job creation and achieve economic growth;
â-  Ensure a reduced rate of failure of SMEs through proper coordination of accessible and cost-effective support services;
â-  Lobbying for and representation of SMEs’ interests on various issues. ASBH website with useful information for SMEs went live on 8 May 2015, the day on which the SBH was launched at a function in Johannesburg. SEIFSA SBH Head and Commercial Manager Mashirane Matheba said that with ‘hand holding’ being paramount to its provision of services, the SBH will be a one-stop shop for SMEs, by providing the following solutions: 1. Accounting and Advisory Services
â-  Monthly management accounts (including detailed reports on performance)
â-  Annual financial statements
â-  Budget preparation (including capital expenditure funding opportunities)
â-  Structuring of reporting systems for optimum decision making
â-  Implementation and advice on appropriate accounting packages
â-  Structuring of accounting/ administration units
â-  Tailor-made financial courses to suit business requirements
2. Statutory Compliance
â-  Monthly filing with SARS (PAYE,SDL,UIF & VAT)
â-  Provisional and annual tax submission
â-  Tax clearance certificates
â-  General tax advice
â-  Annual CIPC returns
â-  Department of Labour Returns Company registrations (CIPC)
3. Information Technology (IT) Solutions for SMEs
â-  Website development
â-  Website hosting
â-  Essential IT products for startups
â-  Business connectivity
â-  Innovative IT solutions for SMEs
» IT convergence 
» IT auditing
» IT budgeting
4. Procurement of Funding
â-  Drafting of comprehensive business plans (including financial model, location analysis, marketing strategy, etc)
â-  Submission of applications for finance to relevant financiers
â-  Liaison with relevant financiers
5. B-BBEE Services
â-  Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) exemption certificates (for entities below the R10 million annual turnover threshold)
â-  B-BBEE consulting services (for entities above the R10 million annual turnover threshold)
» Strategies on how to improve B-BBEE rating
» Assistance with preparation for verification (document review and collection)
6. Cost-effective services from the existing SEIFSA Divisions: Industrial Relations; Economics and Commercial; Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ); Legal, as well as Human Capital and Skills Development.
Commenting on the SBH team, Mr Matheba said that in addition to the internal expertise, the SEIFSA SBH will be entering into strategic partnerships with a number of development finance agencies, public small business development organisations as well as private sector institutions for the benefit of SMEs. 


Kylie Griffin, Regional Manager KZN Cell No: 082 563 0574 Durban | Tel: 031 335 1000 | Fax: 086 510 3539 | E-mail: kylie@seifsa.co.za Head Office | Tel: 011 298 9400 or 0861 SEIFSA
www.seifsa.co.za