Durban – eThekwini Municipality launched the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) Helpdesk today to help small businesses.
The help desk is located at the Seda Office Park in Warwick Junction.
Municipality spokesman Msawakhe Mayisela said the help desk would play a pivotal role in uplifting small businesses.
Deputy mayor-elect Diana Hoorzuk unveiled the help desk which has 10 trained full-time staff.
“The help desk will facilitate late payments of suppliers. Once an invoice has been submitted, it should be paid within 10 days. This office must facilitate the seamless payment of suppliers,” she said.
Hoorzuk said if SMMEs were provided with adequate support, they would be instrumental in growing the economy and creating much-needed jobs.
Mayisela said the help desk would also promote the implementation of radical economic transformation by ensuring that a minimum of 30% of the City’s procurement spend is allocated to enterprises owned by women, youth, people with disabilities, and military veterans.
SMMEs can visit the office, call the toll-free hotline or send an email to lodge a complaint for unpaid invoices 31 days overdue or longer, he said.
To be assisted with payment, business owners can send their outstanding invoice with supporting documentation to [email protected]
Alternatively, they can visit the office at 127 Johannes Nkosi Street or call 031 322 7830.
In addition, the eThekwini Disability Business Chamber was also unveiled on the day.
“This will provide office space for the eThekwini Disability Business Chamber to continue with their work in the City,”said Mayisela..
Chairperson of the eThekwini Disability Business Chamber Mbusi Nzimande said the office has a boardroom and a wheelchair ramp to accommodate people with disabilities.
THE MERCURY