3 November 2026 | Welkom, Free State #AbsaMSME
For an entrepreneur, growing a business often means working through several challenges at once: finding finance, keeping up with compliance, reaching customers and managing the everyday pressures of staying operational. #AbsaMSME
These concerns shape today’s Absa–SACCI Entrepreneur Empowerment Summit at Goldfields Casino and Entertainment in Welkom. The initiative’s first Free State event brings entrepreneurs, business support organisations and industry stakeholders together under the theme “Unlocking Growth. Enabling Opportunity. Transforming Enterprise.”
The programme takes a practical approach, covering financial services, business formalisation, tax compliance, agricultural opportunities and infrastructure challenges. Alongside the presentations, dedicated question-and-answer sessions give business owners space to raise the issues affecting their enterprises.
Connecting entrepreneurs with business support
The opening programme places partnership at the centre of the Summit. Welcome remarks from chamber representative Mimie Jacobs are followed by contributions scheduled from Ronald Nkhumise, Absa Regional Manager for Enterprise Development, and Kgotso Mmadi, SACCI Council Member.
Their sessions frame the purpose of the gathering: bringing entrepreneurs closer to the institutions and networks that can support business development.
The programme also includes a keynote address by Phillip Phaahla, Acting Chief Director for Funding Support and Coordination at the Department of Small Business Development. The planned overview of departmental programmes provides a national perspective on the support available to small businesses.
For entrepreneurs, understanding what support exists—and where to start—is an important part of deciding their next steps.
Finance, banking and investment
Access to finance is a central topic, with Absa presentations scheduled across enterprise development, relationship banking and investments.
The programme lists Zakithi Shange, Enterprise Development Specialist; Lebo Motsitsi, Enterprise Banker SME; and Abongile Langa, Absa Investment Specialist.
Together, these sessions place different aspects of financial support on the agenda. Business owners have an opportunity to ask questions about their needs and better understand the services relevant to their stage of development.
The foundations of a growing business
Growth also depends on how a business is structured and managed. The programme includes a session on how compliance, good governance and intellectual property support SMME growth, alongside a tax compliance presentation scheduled from SARS representative Elmo Fredericks.
These subjects have direct relevance to business owners preparing to pursue funding, supply larger organisations or enter new markets. Keeping records, understanding obligations and protecting business assets form part of building an enterprise that is ready for opportunity.
The allocated discussion time gives entrepreneurs a chance to seek clarity on topics that can otherwise feel difficult to navigate.
Agriculture and infrastructure in focus
The Free State’s agricultural economy features in a session scheduled from agricultural economist Koketso Shakwane on opportunities for MSMEs within the agricultural value chain.
The topic broadens the conversation beyond farming alone, inviting consideration of the businesses and services that support agricultural activity.
Infrastructure constraints also feature on the programme, with a contribution scheduled from Eskom representatives. Including this subject recognises that business growth depends partly on the operating conditions entrepreneurs face each day.
Learning from other entrepreneurs
The afternoon programme makes room for the experiences of business owners themselves, with SMME success stories scheduled from Thulani Zimba of ZT Security Services (Pty) Ltd and TM Mbhele.
These sessions offer a different perspective from institutional presentations: the experience of building and running a business. They create space to consider the decisions, setbacks and lessons behind an enterprise’s progress.
A pitch competition is also included before closing remarks scheduled from Abe Malope, Absa Area Segment Manager for SME Northern Free State.
Making the connections count
With networking, exhibition visits and questions built into the day, the Summit offers several ways for delegates to take part beyond listening to presentations.
Its value lies in helping entrepreneurs identify relevant support, make useful introductions and decide which conversations to continue after the event.
For Free State businesses, today’s gathering in Welkom creates a shared space to address the practical questions behind growth—and to meet the people and organisations that may help answer them.
#AbsaMSME #SACCI #Welkom #FreeState #Entrepreneurship