The MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr Sihle Zikalala’s (MPP), passion for Small Business Development and Innovation was clearly noted in his Keynote Address at the 2016 SmartXchange MICTe SMME Awards. This sterling event took place on the 23rd November at the Coastlands Hotel, Musgrave. MEC Zikalala expressed great delight in knowing the strides being made by the SmartXchange SMME incubator in the sector of MICTe SMME development and innovation. He congratulated SmartXchange on the innovation programme and projects as a result, and further appealed for an increased delivery of innovations across all sectors. His advice to small business and the private sector encouraged new thinking in the world of business where the monitoring and imitation of good business trends from across countries was a prerequisite.

Mrs Mandisa Tshikwatamba, CEO of Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) complemented the MEC’s address by encouraging and commending the private sectors involvement in supporting SMMEs and incubators. She further enforced that SmartXchange is indeed one of the most impressively performing Seda funded incubators having received eight awards, both nationally and regionally, since the incubator’s inception.

MEC Zikalala and Mrs Tshikwatamba, amongst other dignitaries, honoured and congratulated the graduates and award winners which were; Ndiza Information Systems for MICTe SMME of the Year, Aproface for SMME of the Year runner up, Mshazi Photographers for Best Performing Woman in MICTe, Cwepheshe Computer Solutions for Best Newcomer and Kasi Brothers Events for Best Newcomer runner up. The graduates honoured were Indonsa Consulting, Media Sea, Ndiza Information Systems, Nyachengos and Khula Business Solutions.

The Chairperson of the Board of Directors of SmartXchange, Mrs Precious Lugayeni recognised the year’s (2016) strategic funders and the most supportive corporates which were; eThekwini Municipality, Seda, Mustek, Keyline, Technology Innovations Agency, Mict Seta, Accenture, KPMG and Internet Solutions.

The awards were a true reflection of great results from collaborations between the government, private sector, incubators and SMMEs. The awards served to showcase the SMMEs on a job well done and encourage desire for even greater achievement in the future. 

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