Page 10 - KZN Business Sense - Vol6 No3 - eBook

LAUNCH OF THE SMME CAPSULE SERIES

FREE EXPERT ADVICE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

ith almost the whole “MANCOSA business school
country being put into has decided to address the call
Whibernation by the from SMMEs for bite-sized
government to slow down the content that can be easily
spread of the coronavirus, life for understood and will help answer
small business owners has been the many questions small
upended. business owners have relating to
tax matters, occupational health,
And if the loss of earnings for human resources, how to apply
them has not been bad enough, for relief funding, coping with
the difficulty in finding the latest debts, property rental issues and
information about government’s managing the cash flow.”
emergency rescue package, as
well as relevant advice on urgent Small businesses include
business interventions, is creating hawkers, street traders and all
a major headache. businesses in the informal trading
sector. These are run by the most
Private higher education vulnerable groups in society, most
institution MANCOSA which of whom cannot access bank
has a long legacy as a business loans or state funding. And even
school of repute, is harnessing with the Solidarity Response
the support of subject matter Fund receiving private sector
specialists to provide free expert donations to assist SMMEs, many
advice on a range of important will find it impossible to access
aspects of business management. financial assistance. Small businesses include hawkers, street traders and all businesses in the informal trading sector.
The initiative has the strong “The team of experts in various continuity in an environment individuals and SMMEs across tailor made international
backing of the Durban Chamber fields will share information where the landscape is changing various industries for the past 20 financial reporting standards
of Commerce and Industry as on an easily accessible platform rapidly daily. years. Connecting businesses with solutions to its clients. Riaz will
it aligns with the chamber’s to assist small businesses to “Businesses require support its talent is driven through her discuss cash flow management
intention to provide quality negotiate the minefield of red tape to interpret newly-formulated ability to work closely with leaders and will also provide health and
business support to its members and bureaucracy as they battle legislation and navigating a and individuals. Her passion is safety tips for businesses and
and the broader business for survival under these harsh myriad of disruptions and to embrace every opportunity their employees.
community at this challenging economic times. The information to help individuals develop
Relief Funding Toolbox for
time. will also be useful after the threats to their sustainability, themselves on a personal and SMMEs – Melitta Ngalonkulu is
from cash flow pressures;
lockdown as the nation creeps professional level.
Professor Magnate Ntombela, compromised employee health; a tenacious financial journalist
Academic and Social Purposes back towards normality,” said business operations upheavals; Taxing times: COVID-19 at leading business, financial
Initiative Director at MANCOSA, Ntombela. and limited mobility; to special tax relief – Aneria Bouwer and investment news website,
said, “Small businesses which Durban Chamber of Commerce drastically reduced export is a partner in Bowmans’ Cape Moneyweb, where she reports on
are in ICU are being bombarded and Industry CEO Ms Palesa markets and many more Town office tax practice. She companies, markets, the economy,
with information and advice from Phili said the biggest challenge problems.” advises on all aspects of domestic small businesses and current
all sides. There is information facing leaders in the wake of the “We are proud to be partnering and international tax, and on affairs. She also hosts Small
overload. Some organisations are COVID-19 pandemic, is working with MANCOSA business school exchange controls. Her specialist Business Conversation – a weekly
capitalising on the crisis and want out how to safeguard business areas of expertise include tax podcast on Moneyweb which
to charge a fee for advice.” to fill a key business need at dispute resolution, private equity invites leaders and experts in the
this time for credible quality and venture capital, employees’ SMME sector to provide thought
information that will help guide tax and share schemes, as well as leadership and information on
critical decision-making for the oil and gas tax work. During the how businesses can become
captains of industry in KZN as lockdown, she has been advising lucrative and create jobs in a
well as SMMEs.” various clients on the special developing economy.
tax measures introduced to help
The following are the subject Short audio clips of the advice
experts who will share advice for individuals and businesses during offered by the experts will be
these trying times.
SMMEs: made available on the websites of
Cash is King & Keeping MANCOSA (www.mancosa.co.za)
COVID-19 Survival Tips for
SMMEs – Bruce Macgregor your site COVID-safe – Riaz and Durban Chamber of
Dhai is a chartered accountant
Commerce and Industry
is a practicing lawyer for 25
years with a strong commercial and the managing director (www.durbanchamber.co.za)
as well as their other social
of Sachet Manufacturers, a
and employment law practice,
Macgregor Erasmus, which was leading home and personal care media platforms. They will also
be available to be shared with
manufacturing business with
founded in 2008. As a South brands in the home, hygiene and individuals, other interested
African lawyer and UK solicitor, personal care space. He is also corporates and organisations.
he currently deals with SA the co-founder and director of The experts will also be hosting
investment into the UK, and
hopefully in time UK investment ZKC & Associates, a boutique live Q&A sessions on social
IFRS advisory firm providing
into SA. Bruce will be providing media in the coming weeks. 
advice to help businesses survive
post-COVID-19, including how
to manage employees, accessing
government relief, UIF benefits
and other legal considerations.
Psychology of lockdown:
Adapting to a ‘new normal’ –
Elizabeth Lumley is a Durban
based qualified industrial and
organisational psychologist. She
Melitta Ngalonkulu has worked closely with several

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