Deputy Minister Yunus Carrim has congratulated the Msunduzi municipality for the launch of the Msunduzi Informal Economy Chamber in his speech which was read at the launch on 20 November 2012.
The speech:
It is with considerable regret that I inform you that I cannot attend the formal launch of the Msunduzi Informal Economy Chamber (MIEC) because of long-standing commitments to be in Cape Town tomorrow to attend the President's Coordinating Council and the sitting of the National Assembly to vote on Constitutional Amendments and the adjustments to the budget votes.
So it is literally impossible for me to be at the launch! I communicated this to the municipality two weeks ago! And I am grateful that it has been agreed that Mr Mfanafuthi from my office will read this brief statement on my behalf.
I am very glad that the launch is taking place and congratulate the MIEC and the Msunduzi municipality and convey all good wishes, not just to the MIEC and the municipality, but to all the relevant stakeholders, not least established businesses, trade unions, NGOs, the consumers and others in whose interests the formation of the MIEC is being established, whether they all right now acknowledge this or not.
On behalf of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), I express our congratulations in particular to the MIEC, and our appreciation of the work its leaders, including Chairperson Patrick Mchunu and Secretary Vuyiswa Ngodlo in bringing together over 600 informal traders. We wish you well in your programmes and other efforts to build on this base and expand and grow in strength. You have done much, but as I am sure you will agree, you still have a long way to go.
Msunduzi municipality must also be congratulated for your decision to take informal traders seriously and see them as partners in the local economic development of the city. It is in the self-interests of the municipality that informal traders are organised and effective.
In our meeting with representatives of the municipality and the MIEC a few months ago we discussed the need for the municipality to assist the informal traders through various means, including reviewing certain regulations, improving the infrastructure to facilitate informal trading and erecting ablution facilities for the traders. We hope that over time and through negotiations there will be a steady improvement in the conditions of the informal traders.
It is also in the long-term interest of the established traders that the MIEC is organised and effective. As CoGTA we would like to see a productive working relationship between the MIEC and the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Commerce. If there is anything we can do to encourage this, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Informal traders do not just have rights. You also have responsibilities, and you have to fulfil these too. Informal traders also have to respect the by-laws, regulations and other rules and norms of the municipality, and have to negotiate with the municipality on aspects of these that might hinder your operations. As informal traders you also have to respect the legitimate rights of established businesses.
The MIEC also has to ensure that you accurately represent the needs and interests of your members and do not become elitist yourselves.
So there are challenges all round. But they can be dealt with and overcome over time!
Let me end by saying that the informal sector is, of course, a significant part of our economy, and contributes, it is said, between 8 and 12% of the GDP! It is an important social safety net for poor people. Our unemployment levels, as we all know, are just too high. The state and the private sector will simply not be able to provide the necessary jobs! So the growth of the informal sector is crucial to our overall economic growth and job-creation targets. So all of us have to play a role in ensuring the success of the informal sector and the MIEC in particular.
As CoGTA we are ready to play our role. And we call on all of you to play yours!
