|
|
 Overview of Current Strategic Positions
Under his leadership Limpopo Business Support Agency (LIBSA) has moved from strength to strength in the delivery
of business support services to the business community in Limpopo Province.
With the mammoth task of re-positioning LIBSA as the center of enterprise Development in the provision of non-financial
business support services in the province, Reggie Mpe undertook the re branding of the organization as the first process
to align it with its place of origin and purpose. The process culminated in the development of LIBSA's pay off line -
Turning business ideas into reality -the brand's working focus.
Branch network
From six branch offices in 1999 with a Head Office in Polokwane, LIBSA has grown to a network of 20 branch
offices across the five districts of Limpopo Province. This network is LIBSA's nucleus of services delivery
and the institution has covered sufficient ground in terms of reaching out to the target audience. LIBSA
has also incorporated Northern Training Trust (NTT) to augment its capacity building progamme. Situated
in Seshego, Nkowankowa, Lwamondo and Giyani, these technical training centres will provide streamlined
end-to-end solutions to manufacturing businesses and industries in particular.
SMME DEVELOPEMNT
The diverse nature and economic strength of different district of the province call for different approaches
to assisting small, medium and micro enterprises to ensure that all business communities participate in the
economic processes of the province and the country. To that end, LIBSA developed a business incubation
programme to underpin LIBSA's intervention strategies. Under this programme, SMMEs are subjected to 15
month intensive specialize capacity building programmes on various business skill such as access to
bookkeeping, marketing managemenr, stock control, practical pricing and costing and customer care by
industry experts from various economic sectors. In short the objective of LIBSA’s business incubation is: -
• Providing an enabling environment for business development among special groups (women, youth and disabled).
• Build a strong business network among the enterprises, industry expects and government.
• Ensure long term sustainable enterprises post incubation.
CO-OPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT
Our drive to support co-operatives in the province centres on the massive nature of business ownership and employment creation
that this model present. The management of co-operatives businesses and the need to adhere to policy imperatives governing
co-operatives forms of businesses requires collaborative efforts between LIBSA to ensure that co-operatives are well
trained to comply with the dictates of the policies at all the times. To date, LIBSA has facilitated the implementation
of 87 co-operatives businesses in Limpopo Province with an investment in excess of R90 million that collectively
created 120 and sustained 1175 jobs. Over 485 co-operatives were assisted to obtain legal status through the
provision of registration services. Some of the co-operatives that were assisted include Sasekisani Egg Production
Co-operative which distributes eggs to some leading retailers in the province, Thohoyandou Peanut Butter Producing
Co-operative, Setlhatlha Sand Mining Co-operative Baitapishi Brick Making Co-operative, etc. Through linkages with
trade and commerce, these co-operatives do get procurement opportunities from both private and public sector businesses.
STAKEHOLDER RELATIONSHIP
Stakeholders are key LIBSA’s endeavours to reaching out to all aspiring and existing entrepreneurs in the whole province.
Over and above the stakeholder relationship building, LIBSA participates in local radio programmes, publish and distribute
newsletter and brand booklets to educate the business communities about the institution’s range of products and services.
MUNICIPALITIES
LIBSA established relationships with Districts and Local Municipalities in the Province. This sphere of
government is a custodian of broad community development and as LIBSA; working closely with municipalities
is key to reaching out to communities at all levels. To date LIBSA has forged strategic relations with
Capricorn, Mopani and Waterburg districts municipalities whilst relations were also established with Tubatse,
Thabazimbi, Fetakgomo, Aganang and Molemole local mucipalities.
PRIVATE SECTOR COMPANIES
Social Responsibility Programme is gradually changing the economic fate of communities to the better
particularly in the areas where big corporations are doing business. Anglo Platinum one of the mining
house in the Province, has aligned itself to the work that LIBSA does in SMME development. In Sekhukhune
the company, through LIBSA services provided capacity building to entrepreneurs to ensure that
these businesses have access equal access their procurement opportunities. In Waterburg, Matimba,
an Eskom business has contributed much to the establishment of a community bakery that employs 13
permanent employees. The same passion goes to Xstrata whose contribution to LIBSA's Business Incubation
Center cannot be underestimated. LIBSA appreciates the positive contribution from these companies
and will continue to work closely with the broader private sector organizations for the betterment of our communities.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
LIBSA is the implementing agency of the African Ivory Route on behalf of the Tourism Chief Directorate. The route comprises nine
tourism camps that are now in the process of being independently registered as co-operatives. These camps provide tourist with
a mixture of cultural, wildlife and adventure spread across the golden horseshoe, covering 1000 km along the Eastern, Northern
and Western boundaries of the province. The model of co-operatives model to this business is to ensure that local communities
participate in the eco-tourism (CEDA) sector of the local economy. LIBSA would continue to provide capacity building
programmes to all the co-operatives to ensure their long term sustenance.
|
