SME Investor Editor ’ s Note
SME Investor Editor ’ s Note
SMEs - The Future of Our Economy
Themba A Malashe
Founder and editor of SMEInvetor Magazine ; Registered Accountant and General Tax Practitioner .
What would South Africa be without SMEs ? Let me rephrase it - What would the world be without SMEs ?
Through SMEs jobs are created , goods and services delivered and the economy exist . South African economy is dependent on SMEs to grow and function but SMEs are looking down at their greatness . Having been an SME for more than 15 years , I have learned that no one will take you seriously until you take yourself and what you are doing seriously .
Many times SMEs are established out of boredom , need to survive , and desire to proof someone wrong – there are many reasons why SMEs are established . We have seen many SMEs grow beyond measure , others shutting doors while others survive daily . Out of everything that is seen , the truth of the matter is when one SME closes there are three opportunities that opens for other SMEs . One thing that the world can never run out of is SMEs .
SMEs are the future economy of our world thus it is necessary and compelling for us to launch SMEInvestor Magazine , SMEDailyNews App and establish SMEInvestor Club to ensure that tools and resources are provided for SMEs to be started and grow . A need to bridge the gap between SMEs that are started only to fail and those that succeed is what propelled the establishment of this publication . Out of more than 10 businesses that I started myself , only 1 is still surviving today not thriving . All these other 9 businesses had the potential to succeed but failed because of lack of options to raise capital except through traditional banks and lack of access to information and networks . Sometimes I think and wonder what would have become of me had I had access to
capital , support and information for those 9 businesses ; but rest assured they are not
forgotten and will be resurrected through SMEInvestor platform .
As SMEs , the future of our economy depends on us . Let us stand up from the ground and stop waiting for the government or big corporations . They cannot help us or make our businesses thrive , we are the ones with the power and capabilities to take our businesses to whatever level we may desire .
We have no reason to fail and no one to blame but our self . We started our businesses in the midst of discouragement , discomfort and lack of resources but we managed to take them off the ground . However , a support system can definitely take you a little farther than you can get when you are alone .
In a nutshell , SMEInvestor Magazine and platforms are established to give SMEs the support they need whether financial , nonfinancial or otherwise to start or grow their businesses . Whether you are thinking of starting or expanding , we want to listen to what you have to say and together find ways of making your SME dreams come true .
We don ’ t promise miracles but together if we are willing , we can move mountains and achieve great things .
The future of our economy is in the hands of SMEs and only SMEs can turn around the economic situation of our lovely country . Failure of SMEs causes high rate of unemployment , crime , inequality , poverty , etc . With over 2 million SMEs across South Africa , if they can be developed to grow and have the ability to at least employ 2 people each – they can easily create 4 million jobs and improve lives of about 8 million people .
As SMEs , I beseech you let ’ s unite and make our country a better place for all . Together we can achieve greater things and make the impossible possible . Join SMEInvestor and let ’ s make it our goal to grow our SMEs .
Editor ’ s Welcome Note I would like to officially welcome you to our first edition of SME Investor Magazine . This is the first edition of many more editions to come and hope you too will be encouraged and eager to get your hands on the next edition after reading this one . I know that there are many publications you could have picked and there are lots of things you could have done with your precious time , but I would like to personally thank you for making time in your very busy schedule to browse through this edition . I also hope that you will find it useful and also tell us how we can make it worth your while in the future editions .
Enjoy yourself and don ’ t forget to forward this magazine to one person at least , who really need to read it .
EDITOR
“ Iron sharpens iron , so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend ”. Proverbs 27:17
2 Nov 2016 SME Invest www . smeimag . co . za