By Phiwa Sikhondze
In a stirring call to action, Andrew le Roux, the Vice President of Industrial Relations at Business Eswatini (BE), championed the cause of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as the cornerstone of national economic growth.
During a consultative engagement held at the BE offices at Emafini, le Roux highlighted the transformative power of SMEs, from their deep-rooted impact on local communities to their potential to become the next global giants.
Andrew le Roux pointed out that all big businesses have their roots in SME beginnings, citing examples like Lamborghini and Yamaha, which started as small ventures and grew into global giants. He stressed the importance of SMEs in addressing unemployment and their resilience during economic downturns, as they are deeply rooted in their local communities.
“We often talk about SMEs as if they are some abstract sector. The reality is that SMEs are vital to the growth of any country. There is no big business that didn’t start as an SME,” he said.
A special acknowledgment was given to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Trade for their support in elevating SMEs within Eswatini.
Le Roux highlighted the resilience of SMEs, especially in times of economic downturns, because they are deeply rooted in their local communities. He highlighted the challenges faced by larger businesses in the current global climate, affected by events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine-Russia war, and Middle Eastern politics, and called for greater support for SMEs from larger corporations.
“SMEs are recession-proof because we live here, love Eswatini, spend our money here, raise our children here, and support local businesses,” he stated.
The Vice President called for legislative reforms to facilitate big businesses in mentoring and nurturing SMEs without being hindered by anti-competitive laws. He also called for a cultural shift to celebrate success rather than pulling down those who are thriving.
“We need to have a good look at our Competition Commission legislation. We need to find ways of allowing big businesses to support SMEs,” he urged.
Reflecting on the evolution of BE, le Roux celebrated its transformation from a colonial-era entity to a Swazi-run organization that actively supports the growth of small businesses.
He praised the progress of local businesses that have grown from single operations to running fleets, attributing their success to the nurturing environment provided by BE.
Addressing a cultural challenge, le Roux stressed the importance of celebrating success within the MSME sector. He criticized the tendency to pull down successful entrepreneurs and called for a shift toward a culture of support and encouragement.
In conclusion, le Roux extended an invitation to all stakeholders to engage with BE, break down barriers, and work collectively towards common goals such as favourable tax conditions, cross-border access, and financial inclusion.