Entrepreneurs must lead Gauteng

Note to editors: The following remarks were delivered by DA Gauteng Premier Candidate, Mmusi Maimane, during a dialogue with Business representatives in Johannesburg today. 

We live in Gauteng where greatness is possible, where our potential is limitless. Here, more than anywhere else, we can unlock growth potential that is greater than South Africa has ever seen.

We must create real jobs! But we must also create a province of entrepreneurs, each with their own job-creating businesses. We know that behind every successful business is a successful entrepreneur.

I believe that entrepreneurs must lead Gauteng. Entrepreneurs are the people at the frontlines of innovation and job creation.

But to support the entrepreneurial spirit that lives in so many of our people, we need a revolutionary plan that will grow the Gauteng economy at a faster rate than we have ever imagined.

Today, I am proud to present that plan. The plan is a product of extensive research, new ideas and proven successes in government that will be outlined in full when the Democratic Alliance launches its manifesto later this month.

The key pillars of this plan for an entrepreneur-led Gauteng are:

Rolling out Small Business Incubators where start-ups can share free basic office resources in a single location

Establishing Opportunity Centres where entrepreneurs can access support services from government more easily than ever before

Pioneering a new system of Opportunity Cards for entrepreneurs as a means to access credit from government; as well as discounted business advisory services like accounting, training and insurance;

Establishing an Academy for Entrepreneurs in Gauteng

We live in a province where change is critical to the growth of South Africa's economy as a whole. Our mission here is to create a Gauteng economy that can grow and become equitable, efficient and stable.

To accomplish this vision we need a new brand of leadership that does not distrust business. We need leadership that is committed to clean governance and selflessly supporting entrepreneurs. And we need a leadership that does not hand out opportunities only to a small group of connected individuals.

If we continue into our immediate future applying the same policies and thinking, we will end up with the same lacklustre outcomes.

Under President Mbeki we had an economy that grew at an average of 4,5% per year - this has dwindled to less than 1% at times under Jacob Zuma's leadership. Unemployment remains stuck above 35%

Under President Zuma, people are becoming unemployed at a rate six times faster than under President Mbeki

As the Democratic Alliance, we have a tested and viable plan that will see the economy reach 8% in the next 10-years - the growth rate we need to create 6 million real jobs in South Africa and halve unemployment.

But further than that, we want to create a space where thousands of entrepreneurs can succeed and be at the forefront of that growth and prosperity.

For a DA administration in Gauteng the plan starts with the entrepreneur.

The problem with the current system is that it disempowers entrepreneurs. Government stands in our way through corruption, red tape, and mistrust - in fact, government today does not believe that the private sector can be at the forefront of change.

I mentioned four key interventions that we foresee as critical to enabling entrepreneurial growth: Small Business Incubators; Opportunity Cards; Opportunity Centres, and an Academy for Entrepreneurs.

Let's talk about how we can make each of these a reality:

We know that government owns 55% of the land in Gauteng. We also know that many buildings on that land are either vacant or under-utilised.

Our vision is to put out a call for the best business ideas in Gauteng, and then rent out government buildings to the most innovative people for just R1 a year. These premises will act as incubators for small business.

We will also subsidise basic resources like internet and phone lines free of charge. Imagine what a difference that will make for many up and coming entrepreneurs with serious plans to grow their business and create jobs?

In other government building we will establish Opportunity Centres that will act as one-stop shops for businesses to get advice and support on their operations.

We also know that one of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face is access to expensive business advisory services like accounting, insurance and training for staff.

That's why for qualifying entrepreneurs, we intend to roll-out Opportunity Cards. We will make a budget available, in partnership with the private sector, to provide credits on these cards to businesses so that they can access support services from accredited suppliers at a discounted rate.

That way established suppliers benefit, and so do start-ups. Everybody wins.

There are so many people with innovative ideas in Gauteng. In fact, this province will be great because of its people. But so many people lack the foundation needed to turn their dreams into a reality.

Besides mere resources, education is crucial. That's why I commit here today, to partner with educational institutions and the private sector to establish an Academy for Entrepreneurs in Gauteng.

This will be a living, working symbol of our intention to bend over backwards to help people succeed. The current government just doesn't understand that approach. The economic progress made under Presidents Mandela and Mbeki is being reversed under Jacob Zuma's ANC.

The current government is too concerned with corruption and self-enrichment to spend time creating a supportive environment where real job creation and opportunities for all are possible.

Gauteng has always attracted inward migration from all over South Africa. This city began when people arrived to look for gold. Today nothing has changed. People come here from across South Africa, in search of opportunity. That was the case for my parents, and it will remain the case for future generations.

Ladies and gentleman, for the first time since 1994, we have a legitimate opportunity to vote for change, and make the dreams of that era a reality for every single citizen.

It is clear that change is needed. Everyone who believes in the potential of Gauteng should wake up on Wednesday, 7 May and vote for change.

I started life as an entrepreneur. And I remain one, even now as a man running for Premier in South Africa's economic hub, in the Province of Gauteng. It is that entrepreneurial spirit which guides me to stand up and fight to make a difference and to bring about change.

Like anyone with an idea for a start-up, I am asking you in this election to take a chance on me and my party. The chance you take on us is less risky than the other options at the ballot box.

Today I am asking you to take a chance on a party with a successful record in government; a party with fresh ideas and an innovative, market-led approach to policy. And a party committed to clean government where the little guy can win just as much as the big guy.

Together we can create jobs. Together we can bring change. Here's to a Gauteng led by entrepreneurs where freedom and opportunity reigns for all.

I look forward to working together with you to create the conditions for that change with a new government in Gauteng.

Statement issued by Mmusi Maimane, DA Gauteng Premier Candidate, February 10 2014

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