The Centre for Entrepreneurship at the University of Pretoria (UP) launched a National SMME Support Portal (NSSP) to support and enhance small-business continuity in South Africa during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The NSSP offers free professional services and resources via an online portal, with all the automated functionality needed to fulfil its objectives. More than 320 professionals are currently offering their valuable and specialised services at no cost on a weekly basis.

Professor Alex Antonites, a member of the Centre for Entrepreneurship’s steering committee, said the centre felt it was important to contribute towards efforts to rescue the country’s economy.

“Our economy can’t afford further failure, as a significant section of our GDP is driven by the SMME sector – not to mention its role in job creation. We saw it fitting for the Centre for Entrepreneurship to dedicate the knowledge and expertise we have to work towards assisting SMMEs to recover from the damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The services that SMMEs will benefit from include a general chatroom to help ease the burden of social distancing through online proximity; professional counselling services that will be provided by UP alumni and will cover a variety of areas; strategy consultants; digital marketing and communication specialists; technical assistance in establishing an online presence; and professional assistance in turnaround strategies and business model innovation during and after COVID-19.

Any registered SMME in South Africa can access the portal. In order to register for access to the free services of the NSSP, visit smmeportal.up.ac.za