Government remains committed to developing and supporting cooperatives in South Africa.
That was said by the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Mr Michael Mabuyakhulu. He was addressing stakeholders at the International Day of Cooperatives Gala Dinner in Durban last night.
MEC Mabuyakhulu said government’s long term objective is to help cooperatives become self-sustainable, hence one of the key endeavours to achieve this is the provision of skills training which has featured prominently in the government’s cooperatives development programme.
“In simple terms, we have seen cooperatives as essential instruments to broaden the economic cake that is characterised by harmonious co-existence between the second and first stand of our economy,” said Mabuyakhulu.
He also said government role was to provide conducive conditions for any business undertaking to flourish and the cooperatives are also expected to seize opportunities available in the market and be able to compete with their peers in the deregulated global market.
“As government, we therefore remain fully committed to encouraging people to improve their quality of life through cooperatives and use the movement as a vehicle through which they can pool their scarce resources and contribute towards poverty reduction and the achievement of the job creation,” added Mabuyakhulu.
South African National Apex Cooperative (Sanaco) General Secretary, Mr Thulane Mabuza said the celebration of the International Cooperative Day in South Africa remains an important reminder that cooperatives are the corner-stone for economic development of the many South Africans who are still impoverished.
“We will continue to work hard to ensure that the development of cooperatives in the country stays high on the agenda of government, as we move towards the launch of the sectors in line with the new cooperatives development bill,” said Mabuza.
He added that Sanaco would ensure that both women and the youth cooperative structures were established as part of the alignment to the bill once it is signed into an Act by the President Zuma.
Last night’s Gala Dinner preceded today’s International Cooperatives Day celebrations that will be addressed by the Minister of Trade and Industry Dr Rob Davies, at the iNkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban. The International Day of Cooperatives is an annual event that is celebrated by cooperatives around the world to create awareness on the indispensable role cooperatives play in communities.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
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