Gauteng, South Africa – The Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development has concluded its public hearings on the National Small Enterprise Amendment (NSEA) Bill at the Boksburg Civic Centre in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Gauteng.

According to Parliament of South Africa, Residents of Ekurhuleni participated in these hearings, which were part of a series conducted across 20 districts and four metropolitan municipalities in South Africa. The Bill, which aims to establish the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency and the Office of the Small Enterprise Ombud Services, received broad support nationwide. Participants in Ekurhuleni also suggested including a new clause in the Bill to address the proliferation of foreign-owned tuck shops in townships.

Ms. Violet Siwela, the Committee Chairperson, stated that the committee would next consider oral presentations from individuals who had expressed interest in their written submissions. After reviewing all inputs, the committee will process the Bill clause-by-clause and compile a report for adoption by the National Assembly.