Roundtable opens doors for entrepreneurs living with disabilities
Committee Continues Push for Inclusion of Entrepreneurs Living with Disabilities
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Oversight Committee on The Premier’s Office & Legislature (OCPOL) is investigating procurement practices in the provincial government will hold further roundtable discussions on Thursday, October 19 as part of their efforts to promote inclusion of entrepreneurs living with disabilities.
The committee recently conducted a survey of businesses owned by entrepreneurs living with disabilities that are registered as potential suppliers to the government.
The survey aimed to understand why a provincial government office has repeatedly failed to meet targets to procure 7% of goods and services from these entrepreneurs.
Initial findings from the survey identified a number of barriers faced by these business owners in accessing government procurement opportunities.
These include a lack of awareness within the government office about the capabilities of these entrepreneurs, short timeframes to respond to bids, burdensome paperwork requirements, and criteria that favor larger established companies.
None of the surveyed entrepreneurs had received any business from the provincial government office despite most being registered for over 7 years.
The entrepreneurs expressed a willingness to provide needed services but reported never receiving requests for quotes or bids.
At Thursday’s roundtable, the preliminary survey findings will be presented to participants. Entrepreneurs living with disabilities will also have the opportunity to provide further input directly to committee members about the challenges they face and how the government can become more inclusive.
Led by OCPOL chairperson, Hon. Bonginkosi Dhlamini, the committee aims to use the findings from the survey and roundtable discussions to make recommendations to the provincial government office and other departments.
Their goals are promoting economic inclusion and meeting procurement targets for entrepreneurs living with disabilities.
The committee acknowledges more work is needed to remove barriers these entrepreneurs face in accessing opportunities.