Northern Cape Business 2024-25

OVERVIEW Development

OVERVIEW Development finance and SMME support The IDC is involved in multiple projects, small and large. From one of the biggest financial investments into the energy sector in South Africa, to a scheme to promote small-scale farming on the banks of the Orange River, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is intimately involved in the economic future of the Northern Cape. The Lower Orange River Agricultural Development project that brought more than 200ha under grapes through the Eksteenskuil Agricultural Co-operative was funded by the Jobs Fund administered by the IDC. The co-operative has more than 100 members. More recently, the IDC has joined hands with Saudi Arabian energy giant ACWA Power in constructing the 100MW Redstone concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) plant. The IDC’s minority stake in the R11.6-billion project forms part of the more than R13-billion that the entity has committed to the renewable energy sector in South Africa, much of it in the Northern Cape. Entrepreneurs with smaller budgets can also get help from the IDC, which sometimes manages funds on behalf of other entities, such as the National Department of Tourism in the case of the Green Tourism Incentive Programme (GTIP). This programme will support tourism operators wanting to install technologies that would help them save energy and water. Grants are issued up to R1-million. SME-Connect is an IDC programme that works with large companies, all of which have Supplier Development programmes (SD) and Enterprise Development programmes (ED), to nurture small Small businesses are getting a head start in renewable energy. ONLINE RESOURCES Industrial Development Corporation (IDC): www.idc.co.za Northern Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry: www.nocci.co.za Northern Cape Economic Development, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (NCEDA): www.nceda.co.za Northern Cape Solar Business Incubator: www.nocsobi.org.za SECTOR INSIGHT The Northern Cape Blended SMME Fund has been launched businesses. The IDC looks to support the small business in one of three ways: access to market, access to finance and business development support (technical or compliance). The corporate partner often supplies the market for the small business, which frees up the IDC to provide startup finance and advice. A fund has been launched to provide concessionary funding to local entrepreneurs. The R75-million Northern Cape Blended SMME Fund is a joint initiative of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDaT) and the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) and is part of a broader enterprise development programme. DEDaT is also partnering with the National Department of Telecommunications and Digital Technologies, the National Electronic Media Institute South Africa and the Vaal University of Technology to train unemployed young people in cellphone repairs. The provincial Operation Vala Zonke programme had fixed 23 334 potholes as of February 2024. The Northern Cape Construction Company was launched in 2022 and 50 employees were selected for a CETA learnership programme covering Road Construction Level 3. ■

Northern Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry Your ultimate business connection. Affiliated to SACCI and SBI Our heritage in brief NOCCI was established on 22 February 2000 when the Chamber of Business and the Kimberley Afrikaanse Sakekamer amalgamated. At the time, these two organisations had served the business community of Kimberley for 120 years. Membership advantages A Chamber assesses and evaluates the needs of the local business community, in particular the need for services to small business at a reasonable cost: • Monitors developments at the local level • Mobilises business opinion on local issues • Exerts a positive influence on the environment in which business operates and helps prospective members grow their business • Promotes and encourages the pursuit of a high standard of business ethics • Disseminates information that is useful to the business fraternity • Creates opportunities for improving business skills • Extends business contacts locally, regionally and nationally, and allows individual businesspeople to share in the provincial and national business decision-making processes • Upholds the market economy and private enterprise system • Has committees which are ideal places for members of diverse interests to consolidate and unify their thinking as they work together – committees accurately sense the environment, process information and provide valuable guidance to the member • Holds functions and special events, allowing members to network and learn about interesting topics Can you afford not to belong? The increasingly complex business and social environment requires a comprehensive support structure to ensure the most favourable climate for the continued viable existence of individual businesses in a system of free enterprise. At the same time, the Chamber movement facilitates adjustment by business to those realities that cannot be altered. Involvement in the Chamber movement bears abundant fruit for the wellbeing of each business. ■ Website: www.nocci.co.za HORSESHOE INN – a Kimberley favourite The Northern Cape’s premier conference and function centre Country elegance, lush gardens and friendly personal service are hallmarks of the Horseshoe Inn. • Winner of the best conference and wedding centre in the Northern Cape for four consecutive years. • Close to The Big Hole and the Hoffe Park Stadium. • Safe undercover parking and airport transfers. We are famous for our top-notch pub lunches at the Crazy Horse Restaurant and the ladies’ bar. Guests can enjoy the pool, relax over cocktails or experience a typical Northern Cape BBQ at the Lapa. Accommodation Each of our 63 rooms and two spacious flats, which can accommodate 168 guests, was designed with maximum comfort in mind. Air-conditioning, en-suite bathroom with shower, flat-screen TVs with DStv and tea/coffee-making facilities are standard room features. Weddings and functions We have catered for brides from Namibia all the way to Cape Town. We are affiliated with the best wedding planners and our executive chef always delivers quality. We offer a wide range of services for every occasion from weddings to baby showers. We are the premier, all-inclusive conference, product launch and function centre in the province. Facilities are fully air-conditioned and equipped with TV monitors, video and overhead projectors, screens and flip charts. Our largest conference facility can accommodate 600 delegates cinemastyle and 350 people classroom-style. With more than 20382 functions/conferences behind us, who can do it better? Contact us: Address: 101 Memorial Road, N12, Kimberley | Tel: +27 (53) 832 5267 | Email: recept@hsinn.co.za