Mabogo Dinku Creates Over 400 Jobs
Monday, June 26, 2017
Thabo Thamane
Mabogo Dinku, which was introduced in August last year, is a loan product with a ceiling of P20 million intended for low micro-businesses that are not able to access the main CEDA development fund.
The product allows micro-entrepreneurs to apply for loans of up to P150,000 payable in three to 12 months to fund working capital and asset purchases. According to the Agency’s chief executive officer (CEO) Thabo Thamane, when establishing the product, their aim was to encourage youth to come in groups and establish businesses that would create employment in return.
Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...