Limpopo Business 2021-22

OVERVIEW Education and

OVERVIEW Education and training De Beers Venetia Mine is building a new training centre. Venetia Diamond Mine in the far north of Limpopo is in the process of transitioning from surface to underground mining and that requires a new set of skills from employees and contractors. Six simulators will be installed at a new training centre for the mine, covering aspects such as drills and bolters while virtual reality will be deployed for a virtual blast wall. More than 300 training modules will be available. The University of Venda (UNIVEN) has announced a new strategic plan for the five years to 2025. The key thrusts of the plan cover student centredness and engaged scholarship, entrepreneurship, governance, partnerships and internationalisation. Four new faculties have been created from eight former schools of study and a new executive portfolio for research and postgraduate studies has been created, with the university’s new Deputy Vice- Chancellor, Professor Nosisi Nellie Feza, responsible. The university is making strides in the field of waste-to-energy. The Green Technologies Promotion Drive is a multi-disciplinary effort with support from the National Research Fund (NRF) and the Water Research Commission (WRC). One of its goals is to develop the biogas market. The Univen Innovative Growth Company offers professional services to the outside world through four units which cover areas such as statistics and design and editing. This not only creates another revenue stream for the University of Venda but links the academic institution to the commercial world. The Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (formerly part of Limpopo University) is an independent university in Gauteng Province. University of South Africa (Unisa) has a regional support centre in Polokwane and agencies at Makhado and Giyani. Early in 2020, the University of Limpopo received a gift in the form of a R480-million loan from the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) for the construction of a 3 500-bed student residence. Other contributions will come from the National Department of Higher Education and Training and the National Treasury Budget Facility for ONLINE RESOURCES Limpopo Department of Education: www.edu.limpopo.gov.za National Education Collaboration Trust: www.nect.org.za Turfloof Graduate School of Leadership: www.ul.ac.za SECTOR INSIGHT UNIVEN has a new focus on research and postgraduate studies. UNIVEN’s Life Sciences Building. Infrastructure. This is the first phase of a longer-term project to provide 15 000 beds over the next 15 years. There are seven Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in Limpopo: Capricorn College, Lephalale College, Mopani East College, Mopani South College, Sekhukhune College, Vhembe College and Waterberg College. A commitment was made in 2021 by provincial government that 40 schools will have their water infrastructure upgraded within the next two years and that a further 100 schools will receive proper sanitation facilities. There are plans to build 17 more schools, add 295 classrooms across the province for all grades, including 45 for Grade R. Seven new libraries are under construction and a further four are planned. ■ LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2021/22 60

Limpopo United Business Forum The Forum provides local bodies with a single voice to talk to government. Limpopo United Business Forum (LUBF) is an overarching organisation comprising 10 business and professional organisations in Limpopo. LUBF represents a united voice that advocates and lobbies for the interests and aspirations of businesspeople in Limpopo. Members NAFCOC, Black Management Forum (BMF), Businesswomen’s Association (BWA), Progressive Professionals Forum (PPF), South African Women in Construction (SAWIC), Seshego Business Quorum, Forum of Limpopo Entrepreneurs (FOLE), Small Business Empowerment Unity (SBEU), Limpopo ICT Forum and the African Farmers’ Association of SA. Objective To collaborate and partner with public and private organisations in promoting and advancing the interests of members. LUBF further forms part of the social compact comprising business, government and civil society in order to grow the economy of Limpopo, contribute to the creation of jobs, reduce inequality and eradicate poverty. Programme of action Address challenges that affect small businesses. These include access to information, access to finance, access to markets and access to skills development and training. Late payments by government departments are a threat to the survival of small businesses. LUBF is lobbying the Provincial Treasury and the Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism Department (LEDET) to deal decisively with departments that continuously disadvantage small businesses. LUBF is looking forward to the Public Procurement Bill which will create a better legislative framework for local empowerment. In responding to the challenges that are currently facing SMMEs, LUBF has in the past two PROFILE months engaged with the Minister of Small Business Development, Honorable Khumbudzo Ntshaveni, MEC for LEDET, Honorable Thabo Mokoni, CEO for Musina-Makhado SEZ, Lehlogonolo Masoga, and the MEC for Public Works, Honorable Dickson Masemola in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Economic Transformation Unit of the ANC in Limpopo. Survival and opportunity • Businesses are struggling due to the stagnant economy, a situation that has now been exacerbated by the unprecedented pandemic. Limpopo has lower than average household income and low ICT connectivity. Small businesses have to continue creating jobs to save the economy. • LUBF has intensified its programme of action and has recently engaged many relevant stakeholders. The objective is to assist SMMEs to gain access to Covid-19 relief programmes and access business opportunities. • Intervention is vital for the survival of businesses but it is also true that the new economy presents opportunities for small businesses to create new jobs and maintain current ones. • LUBF’s role is therefore to ensure access to available programmes and assist entrepreneurs to take their space in the new normal of digitisation, innovation and manufacturing. • The leadership remain committed to uniting the voice of business. ■ Contact details Address: 1st Flr, Terminal Bldg, Polokwane Airport, Gateway Drive, Polokwane Tel: +27 15 296 0654 Administrator: Abram Luruli Cell: 084 451 9923 Email: Lubfreception@gmail.com Facebook: Limpopo United Business Forum-LUBF 25 61 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2020/21 2021/22