MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) – The Soutpansberg Chamber of Commerce’s annual Entrepreneurs Week will be hosted in just over two weeks’ time from September 8 until 10.

This year, the Chamber has taken a new approach towards the hosting of its annual Entrepreneurs Week. It was decided to host several business-orientated workshops as an added bonus towards the local business fraternity.

Starting your own Business will be the topic of discussion on Thursday, September 8, rom 08:30 until 10:30 at the Reformed Church’s hall on the corner of Stubbs and Krogh Street - the venue for all the workshops within town. The workshop will be presented by Henning Viljoen. The second workshop, Make your Business Grow, will be presented by Herman Fick from 11:00 until 13:00. Apart from local businessmen and women, Grade 9 to 12 learners, including the top fifty entrants, will be addressed on the topic of Entrepreneurial Skills by Peter Maphuna. From 09:00, the focus will shift to a rural school (venue still to be finalized) where Peter will continue his talk.

The program for Friday, September 9, kicks off with a workshop on Quick tips and Business Hints, presented by HAP van Niekerk from 08:30 until 10:30. This will be followed by a workshop on the Power of Effective Marketing by Prof Jan Jacobs from the University of Venda from 11:00 until 13:00. SARS and you! will be the topic of discussion during the last workshop from 14:00 until 16:00 presented by George Malan.

Saturday’s program includes a morning market at Café d’Art. Bookings for this market must be made before September 2 at Café d’Art. A R100 cancellation fee is to be paid by all wishing to book a stall. The morning market will take place from 08:00 until 13:30. Included in the cancellation fee is the R10 booking fee school children have to pay for their stalls and the R25 payable by adults. Apart from the booking fee, the rest of the cancellation fee (R90 for children and R75 for adults) will be paid back to exhibitors at 14:00, provided they do not leave early or they show up.

The highlight of the Entrepreneurs Week will be the nomination of the Businessperson of the Year and the announcement of the Entrepreneurs Week winners during a formal gala dinner Saturday evening. The guest performer is Steyn Fourie, a well-known entertainer and song-writer. The theme for the evening is “Spring in the Air” and tickets are available at R150 per person from Proforum, Sophie’s Choice, Homenet, Cook’s Corner and Living Jewels Nursery.