19 December 2023 – For most people, the festive season is a time of giving, caring, and spreading joy. In this spirit, FNB has ushered in the 2023 festive season with a call to all South Africans to support the pillars of their communities, namely local small and medium-sized businesses.
“As the festive decorations go up and planning for holiday festivities begins, we all have a unique opportunity to give back to those who form the bedrock of our economy,” says Andiswa Bata, Head of SME at FNB South Africa. Bata points out that, in every thriving neighbourhood and community, the influence of local businesses can be seen and felt. “Most of these SMEs are far more than just commercial enterprises; they’re the fabric that helps to hold our communities together, doing everything from providing essential services, creating jobs, sponsoring the local junior football team kit, and often leading the charge in community development projects,” she explains.
However, while most of us are preparing to relax and unwind over the holidays, most local businesses are preparing themselves for a unique set of challenges – from unpredictable energy supply due to load-shedding to grappling with higher costs. As a result, for many of these businesses, the festive season doesn’t represent an easy opportunity to do more business; it’s a period of anxiety due to concerns about whether they can meet the needs of their customers competitively.
Bata emphasises the importance of making it a priority to support these small, local businesses. “Buying local is not just a slogan; it’s a commitment to sustaining the vibrancy and health of our economy and society,” she says, “and it’s about making a choice that extends beyond an individual transaction, because each rand spent at a local business is a seed for future growth and prosperity – not just of the business, but of the community it serves.”
As such, she encourages South Africans to be intentional about where they shop and dine over the holidays. “Choosing a local gift shop for holiday presents, frequenting a neighbourhood café for a festive meal, or selecting a local caterer for holiday events can make a significant difference to these businesses and the local economy,” she says, “and this is the essence of community support – recognising that our choices have power and that by choosing local, we’re contributing to a cycle of growth that benefits all.”
She elaborates on the ripple effect of supporting local businesses. “Often, that local business you support in turn supports many other local small and medium businesses,” she says, “so your simple act of buying local can have a domino effect that positively impacts many other SMEs and their employees.”
Bata encourages consumers to take additional steps, beyond buying local, to support local businesses. “Consider writing a positive review for a local business you love, recommend their services to friends and family, or promote them on social media,” she says, “all of which can have a profound impact on their visibility and success.”
“Finally, don’t forget you can also check out the FNB Nav Marketplace which gives you access to over 4 000 local SMEs right on the FNB app; where you can also give a special shout-out to women-owned businesses, which can be identified on NAV Marketplace by the female entrepreneur badge. With so many ways you can show your support, we invite all South Africans to lean in this festive season and support local – it really is the gift that keeps on giving.”
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