Greetings once again to all our members across the globe, especially the new members.
A great deal is happening amongst us during these unprecedented times. I will just highlight a few of these in my address today.
Let me first express my warm welcome to our new Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, Mrs. Precious Mvulane. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant, Registered Auditor, Facilitator, and Business leader. IBASA is privileged to be associated with such a high caliber of experts and is ready to learn a lot through her leadership.
One of the biggest projects, we had undertaken in the previous financial year was the design and development of an integrated website, with certain amazing functionality that would make the user experience pleasurable. The project was being implemented in phases, but it is, however, incomplete. There is a team led by the Deputy Chair, supporting this process to ensure that it can be completed as soon as possible. I trust that once completed, the website will meet our expectations and standards.
Our drive for new membership has gained momentum. Together with our partners, we have presented to an audience in excess of 250 professionals in the business development field within the last month. We are reaching out to Enterprise Development Professionals and other Business Advisors who currently do not have a professional body they can call home. Let IBASA be your home. Since announcing our Covid-19 SMME Support program, we have been inundated with calls and had talks with other stakeholders and businesses. We believe that collaboration is the best way forward in addressing the challenges faced by businesses in South Africa. We have since formed partnerships with organisations who share a similar interest and operate within the SMME sector.
We are also privileged to participate in the government initiatives led by the Department of Small Business Development under the leadership of minister, Ms. Khumbudzo Ntshavheni. We will continue to keep you engaged and up to date with all the developments in these regards. At this stage, we encourage all our members to register with their local SEDA offices as service providers. The SEDA registration form will also be available from our IBASA offices on request but must be submitted at your local SEDA Office.
I am happy to welcome Ms. Lesego Mokwena as our Acting MD. We wish her well and success in this very challenging role. The contract of our previous MD, Dr. Andre du Preez had ended, and the process of replacement is well underway. The final approval of the process rests with the Board. Thank you to those members who have reached out indicating their ability to assist the organization to make an impact. Indeed this confirms that there is great talent and skill amongst our members. We will keep this in mind to accommodate you when services are needed.
As you continue to stay safe, you can reach me at chairman@ibasa.org.za.
Tumelo Tsotetsi (CBA)
IBASA Chairman
