Small, Medium, and
Micro Enterprises in Upington have voiced their discontent with the administration
of the YWPD grant trust fund, managed by Mme Re Ka Thusa in a form of an online petition. The grievances center
around unfair treatment, lack of transparency, and inadequate funding. Mxolisi
Mazibu, a small business owner in Upington, has taken the lead in mobilizing fellow
entrepreneurs, garnering significant support through an online petition that’s currently
circulating. He says despite
repeated attempts to engage with the necessary personnel, he was met with
silence, prompting him to seek legal counsel. Mazibu says this decision led him
to discover that many other business owners, both within and beyond the region,
face similar challenges.... Insert (Mxolisi
Mazibu)
The petition, which
has gained substantial traction, highlights the collective frustration and
disappointment among SMMEs. The concerns raised include lack of transparency
in the funding allocation process, inadequate
communication from the trust fund administrators, unfair treatment and
bias in funding decisions and insufficient
funding, with many receiving less than applied for.Comment and feedback on an enquiry sent to the YWPD is still pending.
Journalist: Murial Meintjies
Email: intern2@radioriverside.co.za