The Rep 19 May 2017.compressed

THE REPRESENTATIVE 19 May 2017 Tel: (045) 839-4040 Emergency: (A/H) 083-272-0955 ° Editorial: sonjar@timesmedia.co.za - advertising: charodinev@timesmedia.co.za 5
BKCOB committed to
Enoch Mgijima growth
ZOLILE MENZELWA
THE local business sector is
serious about and committed
to running their businesses
and will work with the Enoch
Mgijima Local Municipality
(EMLM) to ensure growth.
This was Border-Kei
Chamber of Business (BKCOB)
chairwoman Adré Bartis’s
statement at the chamber's
AGM last Wednesday.
She said change was a
constant and normally
occurred at the least
convenient times.
This was in reference to
chamber employees Méchell
Stander’s resignation and Jack
Nhlapo’s contract ending.
Executive members Zwai
Ngondo and Ngoni Katsere
had also resigned.
The chamber had been
faced with challenges and this
happened in various aspects.
“Komani is no different and
our challenge is service
delivery. This not only affects
Komani but also Tarkastad,
Sterkstroom, Hofmeyr and
Molteno, which form EMLM.”
She said the battle would
not be won overnight but the
challenge was being
addressed.
“Over the past few years,
conversing with the
municipality has been an
issue,” Bartis said.
“In February, we met EMLM
mayor [Lindiwe Gunuza
Nkwentsha] to discuss issues
affecting business.”
ONE YEAR ON: The Border-Kei Chamber of Business held its
annual general meeting at the Queens Casino and Hotel last
Wednesday with executive director Les Holbrook, left, and
chairwoman Adré Bartis
Picture: ZOLILE MENZELWA
She said Nkwentsha was
shown how serious business
was about solving problems
and working with the local
authorit y.
“Business needs the
municipality as much as the
municipality needs business.”
A crisis committee, formed
at the meeting, was not only
focusing on electricity
problems but also on road
infrastructure and water
issues. Some of the
problematic areas had been
identified and the cost to
resolve these would be
R26-million.
Feedback from some of the
members of the chamber was
that communication had
improved from the municipal
technical services directorate
with time frames to repair
problems given.
“All these are positives and
show the relationship with the
municipality is working.”
The chamber was involved
in a project with the social
development department with
the focus on strengthening the
spirit of entrepreneurship and
accountabilit y.
“A group of abused women
have decided not to stay
victims of their situation and
are becoming entrepreneurs
by starting their own bakery in
the area.
“Their model will be
replicated in other similar
projects,” she said.
The chamber was also trying
to get job seekers off the
streets and to a safe collection
point where they could meet
up with potential employers.
This project was being done
in conjunction with the
departments of social
development and roads and
public works.
Chamber executive director
Les Holbrook said when a
business chose a place of
operation it wanted the best
environment. Competition and
a lack of service delivery were
costing the business sector.
“As the chamber we have a
huge role to play in facilitation
and finding solutions to such
challenges. To this end, we
have engaged authorities,
government and leaders of
state entities.”
Holbrook said the chamber
also had to keep abreast with
legislation that could affect its
members.
WORK IN PROGRESS: Mzukisi Tokwe shows local farmers some poultry
farming skills at the KDC Trading open day last week
Picture: BHONGO JACOB
KDC open day sows
seeds of knowledge
BHONGO JACOB
LOCAL farmers were given the
opportunity to learn more about the
new technology in agriculture at the
KDC Trading open day last week.
The farmers were treated to
various demonstrations, including
watching a sow giving birth to a litter
of 11 piglets.
KDC director Gerrie Coetzer said
information on crops, cattle, sheep
and goat farming as well as fa r m
tools and implements were shared.
“KDC Trading has been supplying
agricultural inputs for the past seven
years throughout Africa and lately we
have been concentrating on the
Eastern Cape.”
The event was also aimed at
equipping farmers with knowledge
about the industry.
“We are looking at supplying
farmers with complete agricultural
solutions from ground analysis to
what sort of fertiliser and chemicals
they need to add and the planning
and implementing of the crop cycle.”
He said a lack of information was
one of the major stumbling blocks
facing local farmers.
“There is a lot of potential for
development but there is a major
problem with access to information
and technology that is not being
implemented properly.”
He said farmers needed to use the
correct structures and products in
order to make a profit.
Local farmer Simon Msweli from
Lady Grey said he had registered his
farming cooperative in 2013.
“We are still sorting out funding
and this open day event has helped
us to know which equipment we will
need to get quotations.”