The Economic Development, Tourism, and Agriculture Directorate of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) is currently hosting an SMME workshop at the Kariega Town Hall. The session is being led by Portfolio Head, Cllr Bassie Kamana; Acting Executive Director, Mr Wandisile Makwabe; and Ms Yandisa Jubase from the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA). This workshop forms part of Small Business and Informal Trading Month and is aimed at engaging directly with small business entrepreneurs. It provides an open platform for SMMEs to voice their concerns, share challenges, and identify areas where they need support. Insights from this engagement will contribute to shaping the upcoming SMME Summit, set to take place later this month at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. In his opening remarks, Cllr Kamana emphasized the critical role that SMMEs play in driving local economic growth, creating jobs, and uplifting communities. He reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to building an inclusive economy by supporting entrepreneurs and informal traders with better access to opportunities, infrastructure, and funding. Cllr Kamana encouraged participants to speak openly about their experiences and challenges, assuring them that their input would directly influence future policies and programs. “This is your space,” he said. “Your voice matters, and it will shape how we work together to build a thriving SMME sector that truly reflects the resilience and innovation of our people.” #allhandsondeck #siyasebenza #metroatwork #buildingtheeasterncapewewant #anationthatworksforall