Labourers and SMMEs working on MeerKAT+ Project honoured at graduation ceremony
SARAO celebrated members of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and labourers that received skilled training during the MeerKAT+ tender at a graduation ceremony held on Saturday, 15 October 2022 in Carnarvon.
More than 10 SMMEs participated as subcontractors in the MeerKAT+ tender as a result of the Karoo Enterprise Development Program initiated by the SARAO Commercialisation Unit to develop entrepreneurs in Carnarvon, Williston, Brandvlei and Van Wyksvlei. The aim of the Karoo Enterprise Development Program is to promote downstream employment and local economic development.
SARAO formed a three-year partnership with the Northern Cape SMME Trust to support SMMEs in the four towns. This partnership includes a full time resource based in Carnarvon to assist SMMEs with its daily needs. Through the program SMMEs are provided training, assisted with completing tender documents and requests for quotations, costing and pricing, applying for funding as well as all compliance documents. The initiative has a database of over 50 active SMMEs in the four towns from various sectors.
“We wanted to celebrate this important milestone with them as this was the first time that local SMMEs participated in the MeerKAT+ tender. We are proud of all the SMMEs and labourers that persevered,” says Apiwe Hotele, SARAO Senior Commercialisation Specialist.
SARAO celebrated members of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and labourers that received skilled training during the MeerKAT+ tender at a graduation ceremony held on Saturday, 15 October 2022 in Carnarvon.
