05 Aug 2025

Government remains committed to enabling an environment for businesses through supporting policies and partnerships that ease access to capital, promote skills development and open new markets.

Officially opening the Dinokeng Business Expo at City Polar stadium in Ramonaka recently, the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa said the Expo was a growing and dynamic platform that continued to champion the spirit of entrepreneurship and economic inclusion in Kgatleng District. He commended the organisers for their commitment to drive local economic growth and creating a space where ideas meet opportunity.

Minister Motshegwa said Dinokeng Business Expo was more than just a showcase but a movement of empowerment, a celebration of resilience, and a call to action for all who believed in the power of community based enterprise. He further said these were the times where small and medium enterprises were not an option but the engine of economic transformation as they created jobs, fuel innovation and brought services closer to the people.

He added that Dinokeng Expo matters as it is the heartbeat of inclusive development that provides a platform for networking, learning, marketing and most importantly collaboration. Minister Motshegwa called on young people to step forward and demonstrate their capabilities to the world. He stressed that now was the time for the youth to participate in the economy. He also encouraged women entrepreneurs to embrace their roles, asserting that their contributions were indispensable for the country’s sustainable development. 

The minister also reiterated that unlocking women’s potential was vital for building stronger, more resilient communities. He lauded the theme of this year’s Dinokeng Business Expo: Empowering Rural Growth: Building Stronger Businesses, Stronger Communities. Mr Mptshegwa said that the strength of a community was reflected in its commitment to uplift and support one another. The Expo, according to him, stood as a clear example of such dedication toward communal development.

Providing background on the event, Mr Karabo Sename, the Coordinator of the Dinokeng Business Expo, shared that the initiative was born out of a simple idea; to create a space where local entrepreneurs, community organisations and SMEs could showcase He said it started among people who believed that talent, innovation and resilience existed in rural communities but what they needed was a stage or platform to showcase their worth. Mr Sename further said over the years the vision evolved into an organised, well-structured and local initiative well known in Kgatleng District and across the country. 

“This is not just an event, it is a community response to economic inclusion, a celebration of township talent and a beacon for youth enterprise,” said the coordinator.

Mr Sename added that the Expo was created to give visibility to rural and peri-urban communities that deserved exposure as they felt left behind. However, he said there were challenges that hindered their desired output among them lack of funding or sponsorship, which led them to operate on limited budget that restricted the quality and scope of the event. He further said the absence of sponsorship meant organisers had to bear the financial risk alone and therefore called on sponsors to come on board and partner with them.

Mr Sename said they also encountered marketing and promotion challenges as organisers struggle to reach their target audience and promote the event effectively. He therefore called for more sponsors to support the event as it empowered communities, fostered economic growth and created a platform for local entrepreneurs, innovators and businesses to showcase their products and services.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Michael Balebetse of Mmathubudukwane said he was happy that the business expo continued to give businesses a platform to market themselves. He encouraged all to take the event seriously and use it to learn from one another and explore other business opportunities. ENDS