SEDA Productivity SA Workshop Press Statement

SEDA  Productivity SA Workshop Press Statement
RE: Mpumalanga SMMEs thrive against all odds

Productivity SA and SEDA Mpumalanga have lauded the great results achieved by Black Owned companies in the Forestry industry in Nelspruit with implementation of Productivity SA’s Workplace Challenge Programme and Kaizen Management Philosophy. According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Productivity SA, Mr. Mothunye Mothiba, there are 47 companies in Mpumalanga that have benefitted from the Productivity SA – SEDA relationship.

Speaking at the SEDA and Productivity SA Mpumalanga Milestone Virtual Workshop held today, Mr. Mothiba says 40 companies in Mpumalanga implemented the Kaizen Programme for three months and the programme has also helped the companies sustain themselves during the Covid-19 pandemic. Seven companies have implemented the Workplace Challenge Programme. The Workplace Challenge Programme is Productivity SA’s flagship programme, funded by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), and it is designed to improve productivity in businesses. 
The implementation of the programme has seen the creation of 16 jobs. The Kaizen Programme is a Japanese management philosophy  characterized by five features; it’s participatory, continuous, scientific, economical and universal. Kaizen activities are designed to improve work quality and productivity, to reduce time and cost, and to create comfortable and safe working environments.
With Kaizen having a human-centered approach, it has six effects; 1) improves quality and productivity, 2)changes managers’ and workers’ mind-sets, 3)develops workers who can think for themselves, 4) builds teamwork and enhances communication, 5)develops strong institutions which continuously and consistently evolve, and 6) creates comfortable and safe working environment
Mothiba says the partnership between Productivity SA, the dtic and SEDA, Is a good start of our dream for a ‘Joined-up Government’, where government departments and State-Owned Entities providing Enterprise Support Programmes are collaborating and coordinating their efforts to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of SMMEs as well as economic performance. It is a good start for implementing South Africa’s Economic Recovery Plan post Covid-19.
The vision of Productivity SA is to lead and inspire a productive and competitive South Africa. It assists companies to improve productivity by diagnosing, advising, implementing, monitoring and evaluating solutions aimed at improving South Africa’s sustainable growth, development and employment through increased competitiveness. SEDA is mandated to implement government’s small business strategy. Its mission is to develop, support and promote small enterprises throughout the country, ensuring their growth and sustainability in co–ordination and partnership with various role players, including global partners, who make international best practices available to local entrepreneurs.
One of the local companies that has implemented the Workplace Challenge Programme, Ngwenya Forestry, says Productivity SA enabled the company to improve its productivity. The Chief Financial Officer of Ngwenya Forestry, Ms. Zodwa Ngwenya says the programme has assisted their company in multiple ways. One of the examples cited by Ms. Ngwenya is that by focusing on eliminating waste during the production process, Ngwenya Forestry managed to  save R127 008 per annum by implementing the methods advocated by Productivity SA programmes.
Ngwenya Forestry is a Black Owned company that is B-BBEE compliant level 1 contributor. It believes in a science of planting and taking care of  small and large trees in Mpumalanga Province at Graskop and Sudwala-Lowveld. Ngwenya Forestry does not just grow trees but also people as well, with job opportunities and internships.  It contributes to the community by helping those who help themselves. The company joined the Workplace Challenge Programme in 2017.
The Provincial Manager for SEDA in Mpumalanga, Mr. Mashiba Kgole, echoed the sentiments expressed by Ngwenya Forestry and urged Mpumalanga businesses to approach SEDA in Mpumalanga for assistance.
For More information, please contact
Mr Tabudi Madisha
Provincial Marketing and Stakeholder Relations Specialist; Seda
Telephone +27 (0) 13 755 6046/ 076 527 7333 www.seda.gov.za 
OR
Mr. Maupi Monyemangene
Media Liaison Officer; Productivity SA
Telephone +27 (0) 11 848 5397/ 082 447 3232 www.productivitysa.co.za