Forum to unite Elias Motsoaledi businesses
Groblersdal
The Elias Motsoaledi Business Solution Forum, a forum to unite local businesses, was officially launched in Groblersdal Agricultural Hall on Friday 16 September, with its new leadership elected during the day.
Forum Spokesperson, Mbusi Mahlangu, said the purpose of the initiative is to unite Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality (EMLM) based business forums under one roof.
“We have realized that local forum structures and businesses are not well-organized. Our aim is to unite Elias Motsoaledi businesses to transform the economy to benefit local entrepreneurs,” he said.
Mahlangu added that the independent body will utilize business operations in the local municipality and oversee challenges faced by micro business forums operating in the area.
“The forum will operate in all 31 wards in EMLM with proper structures to be developed, including sub-forums in every cluster in the Local municipality,” explained Mahlangu.
Mahlangu indicated that the forum is already in engagement with Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM) and other government departments to establish a working relationship that will benefit local businesses, under the slogan, “Nothing for us Without Us”.
“This is the beginning of new good things and I can assure you that no projects will be suspended by the forum as we have seen other forums doing so before. Our intention is to bolster local businesses while working closely in good relations with the government,” he said.
According to Mahlangu, a constitution to govern the body has already been drafted and will soon be approved by the members.
“We will be ensuring that local businesses that comply and have the capacity to render service with government benefit in local projects, instead of the appointment of outside service providers to do the same job,” he said.
Mahlangu said the structure will also work closely with traditional leadership.
SDM Executive Mayor, Cllr Julia Mathebe, called upon the business forums to work closely with the municipality to bring services to communities.
Mathebe cautioned against “stan and kyk” culture, in which some of the people involved in the initiative want only to benefit without any contribution.
“We stand against greedy people who want to do everything alone without working with the forum members as a collective,” she said.
The executive mayor said she is ready to support the structure and government will consider projects to be done by the forum in the future.
“That will include projects like reticulation and bulk water supply. We welcome and congratulated the newly elected leadership of the forum,” she said.
The forum elected JJ Skhosana as Chairperson, Mahlangu as Deputy Chairperson, Vusi Ntuli as Secretary and Jacob Mnisi as Deputy Secretary. Michael Mohlala was elected forum Treasurer, Shakes Mokganyetji as Chief Executive Officer, Modipadi Mashifane as Chief Operating Officer, Daniel Matlou as First Spokesperson and Mbusi Mahlangu as Second Spokesperson.