In the latest episode of Letsema Talks, we speak to Jayde Alexander, a Senior Consultant at Letsema about East Africa’s pharma sector. We further delve into the structural challenges inhibiting the pharmaceutical sector’s growth, the role of international actors within the global pharma market, and the steps countries can take to create an enabling environment […]
What you are hearing is a claxon: loud, unmistakable, and sounding a shrill warning to all in our country, from the SME sector to the public at large: South Africa is in real trouble. Petty parlour games and posturing must be suspended. We need a collective response to the existential threat posed by low growth, […]
The COVID-19 pandemic is not just an existential threat to human health and economic wellbeing but represents the schism of local markets relying on international suppliers for essential goods. When those supply chains are interrupted, the availability of such goods is compromised. Despite significant economic growth in East Africa, averaging 5.8% annually from 2015-2019, the […]
Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are widely recognised as the driving force of the South African economy. The National Development Plan (NDP) has stipulated actions to stimulate the growth and sustainability of the SMME market, envisaging that SMMEs will create 90% of new employment opportunities and contribute between 60-80% to national Gross Domestic Product […]
In the next installment of Letsema Talks, Tafadzwa Mudyiwa, Associate Partner at Letsema, talks about the different relief options available to SMEs within the public and private spheres, and how they can make themselves as resilient as possible in this time of economic crisis. Letsema Talks · Letsema Talks: SME relief strategies in a time […]
In our first episode of Letsema Talks, we speak to Letsema CEO Derek Thomas about what an SME need to become viable exporters, based on his experience working with Cirebelle, a chemicals solutions manufacturer. Our conversation follows Derek’s recent article, Five on how an SME can become a successful exporter. Letsema Talks · Letsema Talks: […]
Pandemics change the way people live in unforeseen ways, whether that change is gradual, or sudden. Ernest Hemingway was responsible for coining the phrase, “Gradually, then suddenly”. It is an apt reflection of what is happening around the world as the coronavirus (COVID-19) wrecks untold damage. States, their citizens, health systems and economies are under […]
To say South Africa is in the middle of difficult economic times is stating the obvious. President Cyril Ramaphosa described youth unemployment as a national crisis, which is sitting at 55.2%. State Capture – Eskom the starkest example – and the private sector’s own regulatory ills are real. However, to further bemoan the regulatory environment, […]
Enterprise and supplier development (ESD) is important to South Africa’s economic future. South Africa requires an economy that create jobs, reduce inequality and alleviate poverty and Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) can play a key role in achieving this goal. They are more conducive to innovation given their organisational dexterity, capable of serving consumer […]
Activities & Initiatives, Approach, Plan & Method, Economic Development, Enterprise Development, Insights, Planning & Strategy, Supplier Development
Crafting an effective enterprise and supplier development (ESD) strategy is a multi-dimensional process where each formulation stage informs the other. A driving thought of developing the right strategy for a chosen supplier is finding the areas where strategic sourcing and economic development can create opportunities for inclusion. Designing a strategy can occur in three distinct […]
