Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism

1. The Department collaborated with various Western Cape Government Departments (e.g. Infrastructure, Health and Wellness and Provincial Treasury), municipalities and agencies (e.g. SANParks) to host Supplier Open Days in areas such as KwaNonqaba (Mossel Bay), Pacaltsdorp (George) Stellenbosch, Malmesbury, Langebaan, and Plettenberg Bay. The events provided a platform that focused on integrating businesses into formal procurement systems through showcasing procurement opportunities and dealing with systemic barriers to their participation. The sessions aim to (i) help businesses understand compliance (ii) how to register on public procurement databases and transact with government (iii) learn about available economic opportunities and (iv) access to related public sector services. The Department ensured that organisations such as the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) are part of the engagement sessions.

The Department does not operate in isolation but builds an enabling ecosystem through collaboration with the national Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) and its agencies such as the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) to expand reach and deepen impact. To this end, the Department collaborated with DSBD to strengthen alignment and maximise the uptake of national support instruments within the Western Cape. This collaboration focuses on actively facilitating access for local enterprises to key programmes such as the Asset Assist and the Spaza Shop Support Fund. Through targeted awareness, coordination, and referral mechanisms, the Department ensures that Western Cape businesses are better informed and able to access these funding and support opportunities, thereby expanding the reach and impact of national interventions at a provincial level.

The Department will implement the Area Based Entrepreneurship Development and Growth programme. The programme strengthens the growth and sustainability of MSMEs in targeted local areas by providing practical business development support. The initiative will be implemented in collaboration with a strategic partner organisation to broaden the reach and effectiveness of the support offering, ensuring that interventions are both contextually relevant and operationally responsive. Through mentorship, practical training, coaching, and market readiness support, the programme builds management capability, business resilience, and clearer pathways to growth.

The Department is in the process of developing a Township Economic Development Strategy to provide an evidenced-based, coherent provincial framework and implementable strategy that defines the Western Cape Government’s (WCG’s) collective approach aligned to township economies. The strategy will clarify the roles and responsibilities of WCG departments, ensuring greater alignment in how government supports township economies to expand economic participation, unlock opportunities within township economies, and drive inclusive, sustainable growth across the Western Cape.

2. The Department will continue to collaborate with WCG Departments and agencies to roll out the Supplier Open Day sessions during the 2026/2027 financial year. The Department will implement the Area Based Entrepreneurship Development and Growth programme during the 2026/2027 financial year. The Township Economic Development Strategy will be finalised during the 2027/2027 financial year which will inform the Department’s approach towards the township economy. During 2026/27, the Department will continue its collaboration with DSBD and SEDFA to improve awareness and access to national support programmes, to increase uptake and impact in the Western Cape.