1. FIRST SOUTH AFRICAN SMME CONFERENCE and SMME AWARDS 26 October 2006 Birchwood Executive Hotel Boksburg, Johannesburg AFRICAGROWTH ACADEMY PRESENTS

2. INTRODUCTION The South African economy has witnessed a sustained growth over the last 10 years. Much of this growth can be attributed to the government’s good macroeconomics policies which are favourably designed to support the Small Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMMEs) sector. SMME Development is vital to promoting sustainable economic development. For South Africa, with its dual economy, Big Business, development institutions, government and other private and public sector organisations have a critical role to play to promote SMME development in the country through a number of channels including empowerment partnerships, mentorship support and awareness campaigns and through relevant skills transfer schemes. Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise development is central to the government’s broad-based black economic empowerment agenda. In his recent State of the Nation Address, President Mbeki stressed on the need for big business, government and other development partners to join forces to ensure that the benefits of the sustained growth the country is enjoying at the moment trickles down to the lower end of the dual economy. It is our business to help your business!

3. SOUTH AFRICAN SMME CONFERENCE AND AWARDS In line with the government’s drive to support and profile the role that SMMEs. play in promoting economic growth and job creation, the Africagrowth Academy in partnership with Provincial governments, IDC, DBSA, Seda, Major Banks SABC, Print media, Academic and private sector institutions and other enterprise support agencies will be organising a South Africa’s First SMME Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony on the 26 October 2006 at The Birchwood Executive Hotel, Boksburg, Johannesburg. The Conference and Awards ceremony will be aimed at presenting latest trends in SMME development in the country and recognising and presenting awards to successful SMMEs by sector and province. The main aim is to support and show-case South Africa’s finest entrepreneurial achievements in the SMMEs sector. This event will be organised annually. The awards will consist of Provincial and Sectoral categories. It is our business to help your business!

4. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF CONFERENCE AND AWARDS To showcase South Africa’s successful SMMEs To promote and highlight the role that SMMEs play in economic development To present case studies and research findings in the SMME sector; To present South African SMME sector indices and indicators; To bring together governments, development institutions, investors, academics and private sector Institutions who are involved in SMMEs in the development of the SMMEs sector To discuss best practices in the SMMEs sector; To bring Big Business and SMMEs together “under one roof To help promote SMMEs Research It is our business to help your business!

5. CONFIRMED SPEAKERS It is our business to help your business! Mr Daniel Maina KanyiSenior Operations Manager, Entrepreneurship & SME Development - IFC Mr Lionel OctoberDeputy Director-General, DTI Mr Jerry BrownUS Agency for International Development Ms Vuyo MahlathiChairperson : Sisekose-Afrika Mr. David MorobeChief Executive Officer : Gauteng Enterprise Propeller Mr. Kobus PienaarChief Executive Officer : CIPRO Ms. Wawa DamaneChief Executive Officer : SEDA Mr. Lumkile MondiChief Economist & Executive Vice President : Professional Services : IDC Mr Xola SitholeManaging Director : Khula Enterprise Finance Guest Speaker at the SMME Awards Banquet: Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry: Ms Elisabeth Thabete,

6. CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEES Registration fee : Normal Delegate: R850.00 p.p Students: R500.00 p.p Banquet only : R250 p.p To Register Please contact: Dina Potgieter Tel: +27 21 945 4024 Fax: +27 21 946 1652 Email: dina@africagrowth.comdina@africagrowth.com It is our business to help your business!