CEO BLOG: INVESTMENT
SMME and Skills Development: Building Inclusive Growth Through Investment
By the CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE), Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya
At South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise, our approach to investment facilitation goes beyond attracting capital, it is about ensuring that investment delivers meaningful and lasting benefits for our local economy and communities.
Across the South Coast, we are increasingly seeing strategic investment projects designed not only to generate financial returns, but also to drive SMME development and skills transfer. This is a shift we actively support and encourage. When investment is structured with intentional developmental outcomes, it becomes a powerful tool for inclusive growth.
Sectors such as agriculture, agro-processing, retail and mixed-use developments provide strong examples of how this can be achieved. By embedding workplace based training, local procurement and value chain participation into project frameworks, investors can unlock opportunities for local businesses and job seekers from the outset. This means moving beyond once-off employment and focusing on building skills that are transferable, relevant and aligned to real market demand.
At SCTIE, we advocate for investment models that include contractor development programmes, subcontracting opportunities for emerging enterprises and on-site skills transfer during construction and operational phases. These interventions enable local SMMEs to integrate into supply chains from construction and maintenance to logistics, services and product supply. Over time, this strengthens local enterprise ecosystems and improves the sustainability of the projects themselves.
Importantly, this approach also supports labour market readiness. Skills development linked directly to live projects ensures that training is practical, responsive, and impactful. It equips local people with experience that improves employability while creating a pipeline of capable suppliers and service providers who can participate in future developments.
Economic inclusion does not happen by chance. It requires deliberate planning, strong partnerships and a shared commitment between the public sector, investors, developers and communities. As SCTIE, we remain committed to facilitating investment that grows the South Coast economy while empowering local entrepreneurs and building skills for the future.
When investment works hand in hand with SMME and skills development, we do more than grow projects we build resilient communities, competitive businesses and a stronger regional economy for generations to come.
