MEC Pitsi Moloto was launching the provincial co-operatives committee at St Marco Hall, Ladanna. The launch of the Apex Structure follows the last International Co-operatives Conference of 2008 held in Tshwane, which was hosted by the Department of Trade Industry (DTI). Mr Masana Banyini Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) Senior Manager for Economic Empowerment explained the purpose of the launch as a step by government to show acknowledgement and recognition to cooperatives in the province.
MEC Pitsi Moloto in his address to the provincial cooperatives and the newly formed provincial Apex Structure said that he was looking forward to working together with the cooperatives. MEC Moloto when quoting an old Chinese proverb said to the co-operatives "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." He explained that the launch of the provincial Apex Structure was as the Chinese proverb says the first critical step taken in a journey towards rural development, the fight against poverty and corruption.
MEC also emphasised the role played by the government agency Limpopo Business Support Agency (LIBSA) with regards to cooperatives development. Giving the cooperatives advice, the MEC said "for cooperatives to succeed they need to practice sound corporate governance democratic processes must be clearly spelt out for members." He also advised the cooperatives to learn from other co-operatives in other provinces and the rest of the world especially Spain which benefits positively from cooperatives participation in the economy.
"Nothing is achieved without looking forward." MEC said. MEC also challenged cooperatives to think out of the box by exploring different economic sectors that they can participate in. In conclusion MEC Moloto warned co-operatives against self marginalisation and asked them to realise the serious role that they play in the betterment of the province.
The CEO of LIBSA Mr Reggie Mpe who was a guest speaker at the launch outlined the role of LIBSA in the development of cooperatives in the province. Mr Mpe began his address by sharing with the audience the history of cooperative development. He said that cooperatives development in the province began in 2005. LIBSA started the development by identifying the challenges that the cooperatives faced in the province. After identifying the needs, they embarked on a mission to study other cooperatives models in other countries and ended up by choosing the model from Kenya.
Mr Reggie Mpe revealed that LIBSA currently supports 70 cooperatives in the primary sector with plans in the pipeline to form secondary structures. The support that LIBSA gives to the cooperatives is in the form of funding and training. Mr Mpe concluded by saying that LIBSA would ensure the sustainability of the cooperatives movement and that the formation of the provincial Apex Structure was for the benefit of the people of Limpopo. His final message to the Apex Structure was that “your leadership and guidance will determine your success. The role of the cooperatives must then be to support the committee. We are confident that the structure is going to work as Limpopo is second best after KwaZulu Natal in the cooperatives movement.”
The new provincial Apex Structure committee members:
* Chairperson Lawrence Bale (Vhembe District)
* Vice Chairperson Thomas Siweya (Mopani District)
* Secretary Patricia Mahlo (Capricorn District)
* Vice Secretary September Mojadibodu (Waterberg District)
* Fundraiser Joseph Maisela (Sekhukhune District)
* Fundraiser Dinah Shibambu (Mopani District)
Issued by: Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Limpopo Provincial Government
12 June 2009
Source: Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Limpopo Provincial Government (http://www.ledet.gov.za)
