North West, South Africa – Starting from tomorrow, 14 November 2023, the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development will conduct public hearings on the National Small Enterprise Amendment (NSEA) Bill [B16-2023] in various districts of North West, South Africa. This initiative is part of the committee’s ongoing efforts to engage the public on this significant piece of legislation.

According to Parliament of South Africa, the hearings in the Dr Ruth Segomotse Mompati District will take place at Taung Depo Hall from 10:00 am to 14:00. Additionally, in the Ngaka Modiri Molema and Bojanala Platinum districts, the hearings are set to occur at the Mmabatho Civic Centre in Mafikeng and White Hall in Rustenburg, respectively. The North West province represents the 8th region where the committee is hosting these hearings, with Gauteng slated to be the final province for such events.

The conduct of these public hearings aligns with section 59(1)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. This constitutional provision mandates the National Assembly to ensure public involvement in the legislative and other processes of the Assembly and its committees. The NSEA Bill, under discussion, proposes the establishment of two key entities: the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency and the Office of the Small Enterprise Ombud Service. These entities are envisioned to play a crucial role in supporting and regulating the small enterprise sector in South Africa.