1. Department of Small Business Development
TOWARDS THE
NATIONAL CO-OPERATIVES SUMMIT -2019

2. Presentation outline Introduction Background information
The Need for a Summit – The Need to Reflect?
Purpose and Theme of the Summit
Key Topics and subject content
Expected Outcomes, Success Factors, Date & Venue 1 2 3 4 5 6

3. Introduction
President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his State of the Nation address delivered on the 7th of February 2019, emphasized the significance of placing the country onto a trajectory of inclusive economic growth, high investment and job creation.
President further acknowledged the role that social partners (i.e. government, labour, business, civil society and communities) play in the task of removing the constraints to inclusive growth and to pursue far greater levels of investment.
The Co-operatives model has been recognised across the world and by the South African government as an effective social and economic inclusion instrument that builds community resilience, self-help and sustainable communities.
The South African government is committed to develop a policy framework aimed at supporting the distinct and vibrant social and solidarity economy which is based on addressing social needs rather than profit maximisation. The social economy entail co-operatives, community-based enterprises, trade union based enterprises, informal enterprises and non-profit organisations.

4. Introduction, cont.
The Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development, in its 2018 programme, undertook an international study tour to Spain studying amongst others, the Mondragon Co-operative.
In addition, the Portfolio Committee invited presentations from both international and local co-operatives development organisations as well as co-operatives representative organisations (Tertiary and Apex Co-operatives).
The Department of Small Business Development hosted two workshops that took place on the 27 September 2018 and 29 November 2018 whose objectives were to engage the sector and the portfolio on aspect of evaluating the existing strategy on co-operative development.
The above engagements has foregrounded the need for greater and wider engagement with all social partners through the hosting of the National Co-operative Summit aimed at identifying and closing the gaps with regard to co-operative development

5. Background information
Since 1994, a number of policies and strategic frameworks have been crafted to deal with the challenges of SMMEs and cooperatives with the aim of growing and boosting this sector as a way of dealing with the triple threat of inequality, unemployment and poverty;
The White Paper on the National strategy for the Development of Small Businesses in South Africa (1995) was the first focused policy and strategy and led to the proclamation of the National Small Business Act 102 in 1996.
This was followed up in 2004 by the Co-operative Development Policy for South Africa and the Cooperatives Act no14 of 2005; the Integrated Strategy for the Development and Promotion of Cooperatives in 2012 as well as the Cooperatives Amendment Act no 6 of 2013.
Government has acknowledged that co-operatives have potential benefits over other types of enterprises in the context of inclusive socio-economic development, hence the focus on their development.

6. Background information, cont.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Whereas a great deal of progress has been made by Government, extra-parliamentary role-players and the co-operative sector as a whole to promote the development of co-operatives, many important factors and challenges still remain, which require tackling in order to ensure higher level of co-operatives development in South Africa. There still persistence of high mortality rate of co-ops.
The challenges that were identified in the Co-operatives Baseline Survey (2009) and the Integrated Strategy for the Development and Promotion of Co-operatives (2012) still persists.
Given these persistent challenges, there is a critical need for all stakeholders to engage and debate on the co-operative concept and model and its application in South Africa. There is a need host a National Co-operatives Summit to take stock of how far the country has gone in implementing its co-operative policy, legislation and strategies and how these efforts can be improved, re-aligned and strengthened to have a greater impact on co-operative development in South Africa.

7. purpose of the summit
Influenced by the President’s call for inclusive economic growth and encouraged by the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development’s call for the review and strengthening of the co-operatives policy and strategy instruments to enhance implementation, DSBD, as the custodian of co-operatives policy and legislation, is hosting an inaugural National Co-operatives Summit.
The aim of the summit is to bring together both government and social partners to take stock of the status of the co-operative sector by re-assessing, re-viewing, re-developing, re-confirming and upscaling the implementation of the Co-operatives Policy, Act, Strategy and programmes
In a nutshell, the National Co-operatives Summit is to create a platform wherein co-operatives stakeholders will engage and review the state of co-operatives in South Africa leading to the adoption of a clear growth path for co-operatives development.
The Summit will discuss and debate the role of various stakeholders and role-players particularly the role of Tertiary Cooperatives and the envisaged single Apex Body in the development of the co-operative sector in South Africa.

8. purpose of the Summit
The Co-operative Summit will also consider developments and lessons from other countries on how they have pursued inclusive and sustainable growth through amongst others; a commitment and implementation of Social Economy Policies and concerted support for Social Enterprises; particularly Co-operatives.
Review and discuss the effective and co-ordinated implementation of the Co-operatives Policy, Co-operatives Amendment Act, the Integrated Strategy for the Development and Promotion of Co-operatives and other interventions by both Government and the Co-operative sector.
the Summit will also consider a number of research papers and presentations on various co-operatives development issues.
It is envisaged that the summit will take place on the April 2019, at Saint George Hotel and Convention Centre, Gauteng Province.

9. theme
“Positioning Co-operatives as critical player in Inclusive Economic Growth and Social Development in South Africa”

10. Key Topics & Subject content
Key topics, presentations and discussions would cover and include amongst others the following:
Presentations and discussions regarding the strengthening of the co-operatives movement and the establishment of an Apex Body
International Perspectives and best practice in Co-operatives Development by international organisation and selected countries
Perspective and best practice presentations by successful local Co-operatives.
The Review of the National Co-operative Strategy to enhance the development and growth of co-operatives focusing on sharpening programmes and effective interventions accordingly;
Presentations by the National Departments on their Sector Co-operatives, strategies and support programme and their impact;
Launch and discussions on the recently proclaimed Co-operatives Amendment Act;
Presentations and discussions on the revised Co-operative Incentive Scheme (CIS) 2019 and Beyond;
Presentations and discussions of research reports/papers on Co-operatives development in South Africa touching of policy, programmes and institutional mechanism to be put in place to support and grow co-operatives;
Adoption of the Summit Resolutions for implementation

11. Delegates and participants
Small Business Development Ministry
Department of Small Business Development
Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development
Co-operative movement organisations
National Sectorial Departments
Provincial Economic and Sectoral Departments
International Co-operatives support organisations
Universities
Local Co-operative Experts and Researchers
International Organisations (i.e. ILO, ICA and Others);
Embassies (i.e. Spain, Netherlands, Germany and EU Commission)
Primary Co-operatives (20 from each province)
Secondary Co-operatives (10 from each province)

12. Expected Outcomes
The planned activities and interventions are expected to result in the following outcomes:
Successful engagement with the co-operative sector on Co-operatives development in South Africa as well as agreement on action to contribute to the effective and co-ordinated development of the co-operatives sector.
International Good Practice on co-operatives development from international stakeholders and partners.
Successful launch of the Co-operatives Amendment Act
Recommendations and inputs towards the review of the Co-operative Strategy
Identification of new areas for Co-operative Policy/Strategy, Programmes and legislative review and possible amendments.

13. THANK YOU