The North Street mosque hall was the venue for a very prestigious event on Wednesday evening, 13 April 2011. The Stanger Muslim Association (SMA) hosted the newly launched iLembe Chamber of Commerce Industry and Tourism (ICCIT). Twelve years since the first launch in 1999, members from government and local businesses assembled to discuss the way forward. There were over 400 people from all races present.
Mr Zaff Khan, SMA executive member in charge of business and MC, got the evening going smoothly and started proceedings when he introduced the SMA PRO Shain Manjoo to the members of the community, local businesses and local government officials. Manjoo touched on the mandate of the SMA in terms of its goals and objectives and welcomed everybody by name and title fluently and eloquently in this gala event. Majoo demonstrated his organisation’s passion for business growth and the entrepreneurial spirit through his powerful and informative speech.
The President of the (ICCIT), Bongani Linda in his address showered Manjoo with full of praise in saying, “This young man has impressed me so much with his ideas”.
In his speech he stressed on the importance of coming up with a dynamic approach that would assist the growth of businesses.
“Our aim is to lead into business expansion. Our organisation is non-political and fully independent irrespective of religion. While we are here we can socialize and share ideas,” said Linda.
Linda gave his assurance on helping the businesses from the agricultural sector. He reported that ICCIT interviewed 50-100 businesses in the area and the next step was to analyse and develop strategy on sustainable local economic development for this district.
In ending he spoke about “Project Jumpstart” an initiative that involved a marketing company and the ‘Gift of the Givers’ handing out entrepreneurial hampers which will involve mentorship.
“We will help our business community in any way we can,” said an optimistic Linda.
iLembe Mayor, Welcome Ndabe, delivered an impromptu speech in which he made an important reference to our president. Cllr Ndabe recalled an important meeting two years ago in which President Zuma said: “I fly over Stanger and nothing has changed.” Cllr Ndabe went on to explain how the president wanted to see changes in KwaDukuza.
He went on to inform the people that government set aside an incentive for businesses and wondered what would happen if R8 billion came to iLembe. He mentioned major consortiums like Tata and BMW.
“A 70 year old town with no change. Change is now in our lifetime,” said Mdabe in ending. Municipal Manager Mike Newton capped of proceedings when he stressed the importance for the need of people to communicate ‘interpersonally’ instead of the overuse of social networking.
“We are human beings and need to interact, to understand the collective need and address how we grow and strengthen business,” said Newton. In the spirit of ubuntu, Nedbank pledged R10 000 towards the SMA Welfare Program.
While supper was being served questions were taken from the attendees. People present said they wanted to see action as it related to Cllr Ndabe’s comments on major consortiums. “We need progress reports,” said several businessmen.
The ICCIT that failed in the Mfayela (IFP) iLembe administration in 1999 and the ICCIT that launched under the Ndabe (ANC) iLembe administration in 2011 must prove that it is using a different socio-economic model from its predecessor. The Global economic meltdown has forced everybody to look at business from a different perspective. The Capitalist model of ‘dog eat dog’ is being challenged by the East’s more Socialistic model.
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