Pretoria - The Limpopo United Business Forum has set its sights on improving the province’s economy as part of the sector’s recovery plan after the Covid-19 pandemic.
This is according to new president Tshepo Mathabatha, speaking at a business breakfast meeting where Premier Stan Mathabatha was in attendance to meet the organisation’s new committee.
The forum of business organisations across the province has outlined a flagship programme focusing on economic drivers for the province, while outlining their plan for the year.
Mathabatha said: “We have four flagship programmes focusing on the key economic drivers in Limpopo, which are agriculture, mining, tourism and infrastructure.”
The activity plan kicks off in Vhembe, where the forum will focus on agriculture on May 26 and 27. This will be followed by mining on July 28 and 29, while the tourism and infrastructure sectors will be in focus in Mopani on September 29 and 30, and Capricorn on 24 and 25 respectively.
“We meet at an opportune time to lock in our plans in partnership with your government in line with your State of the Province address. Once departmental procurement plans are finalised and shared with us we can prepare our members to take full advantage where they qualify,” Mathabatha said.
“Our people are trying, they are working, but the element of sustainability is questionable in their operations. We ask for short-term interventions. This has to stop if we are to build anything meaningful. Resources are scarce but we want long-term solutions.
“We can partner with the government to facilitate workshops and awareness, especially at municipal level. Even our councillors seem to be confused as they sometimes push the wrong narratives in this regard.”
Giving the keynote address, Mathabatha vowed there was no shortage of funds for small businesses to prosper, but there were shortages of self-owned banks.
He said: “The National Party established Afrikaner-owned banks after coming to power in 1948 to help address the poor white problem as a model that helped to empower white South Africans. So what is stopping us from doing the same?”
The premier offered his support to the organisation.
“The government and I support your organisation and its programme of action without qualification. We want to see you succeed with the objectives you have set for yourselves.
“We know that your success means the redistribution of wealth.
“Your success would mean we are moving closer to ending the indignity that poverty has imposed on black people. We want to see real capital circulating among black people. You must support each other and never seek to destroy each other.
“I am happy to see part of your objectives as being the support (for) SMMEs and co-operatives.”
Pretoria News