E Thabethe on government co-operative development strategy

18 march 2009

In an effort to reinforce the initiatives of government towards the
development and promotion of co-operatives as a viable form of enterprise in
the country, the Deputy Minister of the Trade and Industry Department,
Elizabeth Thabethe handed over an Isuzu delivery van to Bokamoso Bakery
Co-operative project in Ga-Mathabatha village, Limpopo yesterday, 17 March
2009.

The handover is part of the rollout of the government co-operatives
development strategy aimed at registered co-operatives operating in the
emerging economy eligible for a total grant not exceeding R300 000,00.

“This marks the start of greater growth of the Bakery. Small as the gesture
may seem, we are confident as the department that it will increase spirit of
entrepreneurship and profit gains for the cooperative,” said the Deputy
Minister

The Bakery was started as a small co-operative by 23 women and now supplies
bread to the community, schools in the area, and helps to support over 150
orphaned and vulnerable children. The vehicle was procured through the
Co-operatives Incentive Scheme (CIS) which targets registered co-operatives
offering a total grant not exceeding R300 000 00.

Community leader and project founder of Fanang Diatla Projects that houses
Bokamoso Bakey Co-operative, Agnes Qwabe, said the vehicle only means growth
for their business as they will now have extended orders from other
neighbouring communities. “We had to cut down on a big order from the nearby
Lebowa Platinum mine as we did not have delivery transport. The vehicle will
definitely increase our client base and profits,” she said.

Other projects within the Fanang Diatla Community Project include amongst
others, it is through initiative and unity that the community of Ga-Mathabathe
continues to receive such support from the private and public sector
organisation. Ga-Mathabatha Village bank assisted by some R1,3 million from the
South African Micro Apex Fund (SAMAF), eight drop-in centres across the
community that feeds children twice a day

The Deputy Minister said the community of Ga-Mathabatha is a true epitome of
what can be achieved when communities and government partner up to alleviate
poverty. “This community has continued to show initiative in community
development programmes and we encourage other communities to learn from this
experience and plough back into their respective communities,” she said.

Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 073 522 6801
E-mail: MSmedupe@thedti.gov.za

Issued by: Department of Trade and Industry
18 March 2009