11 May 2023

A clear and robust strategic plan is key to ensuring effective implementation of programmes aligned with the government’s goals of growing the economy and creating employment opportunities, Minister of Entrepreneurship, Mr Karabo Gare has said.

Speaking at the beginning of the ministry’s three-day executive retreat for strategy alignment and annual plan development in Jwaneng on Tuesday, Mr Gare said there were legitimate expectations on the ministry to identify new opportunities that would address challenges such as youth unemployment while at the same time creating export opportunities.

Consequently, he emphasised the need for policies that promoted market-led solutions, through collaboration of the public and private sector.

“Our strategic approach should aim to encourage positive market-led solutions where possible. We should aim to build sound policy foundations and set appropriate standards,” he said.

The minister said the strategy should be aligned with the Reset Agenda to complement government aspirations of transitioning from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy. He said this could be achieved by promoting new innovative ideas with high knowledge intensity.

He said there was need to clearly highlight the ministry’s flagship programmes that would enable them to achieve their mandate as agents of change.

“We are agents of change and that should reflect in us,” he said.

The ministry permanent secretary, Mr Joel Ramaphoi underscored the need to integrate Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) into the formal value chains to create more employment opportunities and promote economic growth. He said this called for new policy interventions that did not only promote innovation but were also tailor-made for the various enterprises.

“We cannot adopt a one-size-fits-all to our enterprises because they have different dynamics,” he said.

In addition to creating an enabling environment for enterprises to thrive, Mr Ramaphoi said they needed to develop joint implementation plans with SMEs which would assist in effective coordination and monitoritng. “We need to have a clear plan on how to deal with stakeholders whose mandate is not aligned with ours.”

Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) Chief Executive Officer, Mr Thabo Thamane said it was important to devise a clear implementation strategy that indicated how they intended to take the ministry to the people and not only confine it to the urban areas.

He said they should reflect on how they were doing regarding the service culture and standards they had set for themselves as a ministry.

“People are hopeful since this ministry was established, because they see it as a solution to their problems and as key to attaining their dreams,” he said. ENDS