Durban Business Fair Has Been Empowering SMMEs for 25 Years

 

By Fred Felton | Aug. 25, 2023

The Durban Business Fair (DBF) has helped out small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in Durban over the last 25 years and this was highlighted during a celebration on 24 August. 

The launch of the 2023 DBF was held at Nto's Boutique Hotel in La Lucia where the 25 year milestones were highlighted. 

A panel of Durban Business Fair success stories shared their jouney of how the platform and other support provided by the eThekwini Municipality elevated their businesses. These business owners included (from left) Nkazimulo Ngidi of Amabheshu Innovators, the co-founder of Afromed Medical Services, Sthembiso Ngubo, Agnes Mhlongo of Switched On Trade CC and House of St Luke founder, Mxo Mkhize. | Photo: ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY

The theme for the 2023 DBF will be '25 Years of building sustainable businesses.' The DBF will be held at the Durban Exhibition Centre from 22 to 24 September. This year previous beneficiaries attended the launch and they shared moving testimonials on how the DBF, and other Municipality support, helped their businesses. 

''What started in 1998 as an arts and craft exhibition with less than 100 exhibitors outside Durban City Hall has grown to become South Africa's premiere business exhibition platform,'' noted Deputy Chairperson of the Economic Development and Planning Committee Councillor Phili Ndlovu. 

Councillor Ndlovu said, ''The event is now a key tool to accelerate the development of SMMEs and showcase a range of locally manufactured goods of over 550 businesses to a wider audience of buyers.''

According to Councillor Ndlovu more than 100 000 people have participated in the DBF over the years with over 20 000 sustainable jobs created. 

Key features to look out for at DBF 2023 include an International Pavilion which facilitates export opportunities, there will also be a Furniture Manufacturing Pavilion, Creative Hub, Fashion Hub, Agri-Hub, Tech Zone, Digital Marketing Masterclass, Wholesale  and Retail Masterclass, Durban Business Fair Street Market, Kiddiepreneur Garden, Durban Business Fair Excellence Awards, the Durban Fashion Fair Recognition Awards and the Lion's Den Business Plan Competition Awards. 

The DBF will also feature the successful Durban Fashion Fair which will take place simultaneously with the DBF. 

At the launch of the 2023 DBF business owners shared success stories. The business owners included Nkazimulo Ngidi, founder of Amabheshu Innovators, Sthembiso Ngubo of Afromed Medical Services, Agnes Mhlongo of Switched On Trade CC and Mxo Mkhize the owner of House of St Luke. 

''The platform has been great as we have gained exposure and established partnerships and clients which helped our business grow. We won the Lion's Den Business Plan competition in 2012 which offered both financial and technical skills as well as mentorship support to kick start our business idea. To date, we have 11 ambulances and employ more than 40 permanent staff and around 80 part-time staff. The company has expanded its base to different areas, and we recently built the Afromed Medical School which will educate the youth about lifesaving skills while creating employment. We remain grateful to eThekwini for the opportunity to develop our business,'' said Sthembiso Ngubo of Afromed Medical Services. 

Nkazimulo Ngidi, of Amabheshu Innovators which manufactures traditional attire, said the DBF allowed her to extend her client base outside South Africa. 

For updates and more information on #DBF25 follow @Durban Business Fair on Facebook.