Joburg Tourism Company (JTC) recently scooped the Best Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMME) product and services pavilion award at this year’s edition of the Rand Show. This year, the Rand Show focused on SMME development and partnered with JTC to highlight the valuable role SMMEs play in creating and promoting a vibrant economy. The Rand Show took place between Thursday 6 April and Monday 10 April 2023 at Nasrec and attracted thousands of visitors, making it the perfect platform for SMMEs to showcase their products and businesses.
Lumka Dlomo, JTC Destination Marketing Manager, says its mandate is to promote Johannesburg as a lifestyle and business destination leveraging on activities happening in the City and increasing the number of visitors to the City. She adds that one of the critical things is to support small businesses.
“Small businesses are the backbone of the economy in the City, without small businesses we will not have the businesses we have today,” says Dlomo.
JTC invited 10 SMMEs from across Johannesburg to participate. They ranged from a wine producer, guesthouse, food, furniture to art shops.
Dlomo says it is important to expose SMMEs on such big platforms because it creates market access. “By creating opportunities for SMMEs, they create opportunities for other people. From creating employment opportunities and contributing to local economy.”
The SMMEs were grateful to JTC for giving them the opportunity for showcasing their products. “With this opportunity they are back in the market and exposed to opportunities,” adds Dlomo.
The JCT team were elated when they received the award. “We are a close-knit team who really enjoy our work and endeavour to perform well at every opportunity without being micro-managed. Every team member knows what is expected of them and has a ‘can-do’ attitude to make things happen.”
Dlomo says Covid-19 restrictions caused a tourism slump and it is good to see tourism beaming again. “Receiving that award was such a mood and morale booster.”
JTC have many awards and accolades under its belt. Other awards include Africa’s most-visited City according to the Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index.
In June 2021, 7th Street in Melville emerged as one of the World’s Coolest Cities, ranking 12th and taking Africa’s top spot among the world’s coolest top 30 streets and in February 2022, Joburg was named as one of the world’s best cities for Arts and Culture, achieving a 38th place.
Dlomo says the secret behind the awards is the love and passion for their job. “Love what you do. Do your job with enthusiasm and energy. We always try to add or bring value to every project, partner and stakeholder we work with.”
Written by Brümilda Swartbooi
17/04/2023