NRF-SAEON Supports Rural Businesses Through Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) Workshop

The South African Environmental Observation Network (NRF-SAEON) Supply Chain Management (SCM) and Finance teams led an Enterprise and Supplier Development Workshop held at Mabasa Hall in Mbazwana, KwaZulu-Natal, on 23 April 2026.

Xolisa Gugushe from NRF-SAEON’s SCM and  Benny Molefe from Finance led the workshop, with colleagues from NRF-SAEON’s Grassland Node and Motau Maloma, SCM Transformation Specialist from National Research Foundation Corporate SCM, lending support.

The workshop formed part of NRF-SAEON’s ongoing efforts to support and develop local suppliers in rural communities whose businesses often struggle to access procurement opportunities. Through its seven Research Nodes across five provinces, NRF-SAEON is well positioned to procure goods and services from rural businesses, thereby contributing to local economic development.

The need for the workshop came after challenges were identified in sourcing local service providers for projects taking place in the Mbazwana and Mabasa tribal authority areas. This challenge stemmed from the fact that some local businesses were not registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD), while others were not registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission or were not responding to bid opportunities.

The session allowed local Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) to understand how public sector procurement works and what is required to do business with NRF-SAEON. Discussions focused on entrepreneurship development, procurement processes, tender opportunities, and common mistakes made during tender submissions.

SCM officials also took the attendees through the NRF-SAEON bidding process, where they explained how to identify legitimate tender opportunities, complete Standard Bidding Documents, and how the required supporting documents should be prepared. Questions and discussions continued throughout the workshop as business owners shared some of the challenges they experience when applying for tenders and working within procurement systems.

One of the most practical parts of the workshop was the hands-on support provided during the CSD registration process. Several suppliers were successfully registered during the session, while others who still needed outstanding compliance documents continue to receive support from SCM officials.

Suppliers without internet access were also referred to the science centre supported by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (NRF-SAASTA) in Emseleni village for assistance with online access and registration.

Suppliers who signed agreement forms during the session will be formally enrolled in the NRF Enterprise and Supplier Development programme. Through initiatives like these, NRF continues to support enterprise & supplier development and create opportunities for more inclusive participation in the economy.

NRF-SAEON’s SCM unit intends to roll out similar workshops in communities that host its Research Nodes.