In an effort to capacitate and address challenges faced by cooperatives, the Dr. Pixley Ka-Isaka Seme Local Municipality invited the local cooperatives to come and share business opportunities and challenges and on how they can be best equipped on business skills.
This gathering took place on 2 July 2013 at Dr. Pixley Ka-Isaka Seme Town Hall which saw sister departments and other organisations having an opportunity to interact with one another concerning the challenges cooperatives are facing by their companies and small businesses.
Mr Nyembe the Local Economic Development (LED) Manager graced the event and welcomed all stakeholders and the business people who attended the event. He further emphasized the importance of having such events in the Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Municipal area, as they are seen as events aiming at bringing Sector Departments closer to the people who needs their services to better the Economic crises the municipality is facing.
Business people were further challenged by Mr Nyembe to make use of such a platform for it was organized for them in order to access information they need to grow their businesses. Cooperatives were given a chance to view out their challenges in their businesses some of the challenges were as follows:
- Companies not registered on the departmental or municipality database
- Submission of incomplete documents for bidding processes or tender processes
- Companies Tax clearance certificates being expired or not having a certificate
- It’s a challenge when they apply for company bank account
- B-BBEE Certificate being too expensive
- Not receiving a feedback on bidding processes or not given a job while cooperatives have all necessary equipment or resources to do a job.
The DARDLA CRDP coordinator in the municipality Ms Octavia Matlala during the interaction presented the programmes available in the department and on how the department has assisted the local cooperatives. She further outlined that the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP) Programme is even prepared to take 30% of the budget to be given to cooperatives. In conclusion she pleaded with cooperatives to form forums and to work together and share information so that everyone can win.
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) was also afforded an opportunity to interact with business people, to assist them with tax clearance registrations as well as renewals thereof. Representing SARS, Ms Miriam Mtsweni had briefly explained how the process works. The SARS staff went as far as assisting people with their personal tax number.
Standard Bank shared their services in relating to company accounts and advised cooperatives to apply for finance to kick start their businesses. Standard Bank shared about the budget that is allocated to assist small businesses and said the bank is waiting for cooperatives to come forwarded to apply. Standard Bank pleaded with cooperatives to make use of the opportunity and said high chances of getting a loan are when cooperatives are in forums.
“The LED Unit is committed to bringing about change and development in this municipality. This is part of the initiatives taken to prove such and we will continue to push to higher grounds in trying to alleviate poverty and half the unemployment rate that hinders the growth and progress of Dr Pixley KaIsakaSeme Local Municipality”, concluded Mr M Nyembe.
Cooperatives were given an opportunity to register on the Municipality database.
