MEC supports Dihlabeng SMMEs

By Emily Setona

BETHLEHEM – Business and community members have voiced their concerns and suggestions on what should be done to improve their businesses, at an engagement session spearheaded by Finance Destea MEC Ketso Makume in Dihlang on September 12.

The chairperson of the Dihlabeng business forum Morgan Vanqa has raised concern about the competition in the building industry in which companies from outside like those owned by foreign nationals are the ones considered for big jobs.

“Building is one of the biggest industries, but it cannot be correct that construction companies from outside exactly, like the foreigners’, come into Bethlehem without any development and this is allowed by our own government.”
He also pointed out that there are several building developments in Dihlabeng that might cause conflict.

“We are not fighting them; all we are trying to say is that give them 30 percent that they will set aside towards a skills development transfer for our own people in construction. When they enter Bethlehem let them leave a change when it comes to CIDB gradings. We are not just coming with problems; we also have solutions.
“Lastly to my leadership, you guys are taking things too personal. Please let us just forget about the tone, a leader does not focus on the tone, do not worry about my tone, focus on the message that I am giving you,” Vanqa said.
His sentiments were echoed by Sibongile Makhubo, a woman in construction.

“When the premier was in her previous portfolio as MEC, she was in Qwaqwa and we heard good news about the empowerment of women in construction, but we feel like our businesses in Bethlehem do not get any opportunities in construction,” Makhubo said.

For his part Makume said: “I am going to try and help every community in the Free State, especially the business community. We need to identify that our biggest problem is corruption and unemployment. The most important thing is that we need to love ourselves, no matter the situation we are in. We must admit that we will all come out of this state of corruption, and no one will be left behind. It’s government’s intention to help the community but I am not only going to talk about money but also about the things that we need to fix that do not involve money but may take money out of our hands if we do not fix these problems that do not need money.”

The business community of Dihlabeng local municipality during MEC Ketso Makume’s engagement session with local SMMes.

“Most people want grants, and this is not good because there are people who were supported with grant money, but we are now struggling to get invoices for the things that they committed to and promised to do. This is not a good business practice. The more we try to fight the socio-economic issues the more our communities will be better off.”
The executive mayor of Dihlabeng local municipality James Tseki said the presence of Makume and the different stakeholders is a sign that together more can be done to uplift the community of Dihlabeng.

“In my budget speech of the current financial year I said we will promote livelihoods through economic development, I’m a bit jealous and contrite that the department of DESTEA has overtaken us in the process of engaging stakeholders, including both beneficiaries and the benefactors of this vision and programme. When the government and Development Financial Institutions, (DFI) come together there is a changeable progress in socio-economic development,” Tseki said.

MEC Ketso Makume, who came with several stakeholders and DFIs also announced plans to have a regional summit which will attract the international community.