in KwaZulu-Natal
23 February 2009
We, the people and the delegates of this conference acknowledge that this
conference has brought together people from different parts of this
continent.
We believe that we have gone through similar history of colonial oppression
and economic deprivation and that our future is inextricably linked and that
what happens in one country will affect the others; hence we are prepared to
share our experiences.
We categorically denounce the recent experiences of attacks on non-South
Africans and would like to assure the world that people from other countries
should feel safe in working us at all levels of our communities.
We the delegates of this First International Co-operatives Conference,
gathered here at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Conference Centre
(ICC) from the 23 to 26 February 2009.
Realising the economic impact of the global economic challenges, facing our
countries and our co-operatives
Further affirming the international definition of co-operatives as
autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common
economic, social and cultural needs, through jointly owned and democratically
controlled enterprises.
Having descended from all provinces of South Africa and from our sister
countries of Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho, Swaziland, Rwanda, Zambia and Zimbabwe to
having a historical conference of co-operatives.
Being a dynamic group of women, men and youth who are ordinary members of
co-operative enterprises that are seeking new knowledge and information to
enhance our confidence and knowledge in the co-operative form of
enterprises.
Being elected board members of primary and secondary co-operatives that are
seeking to share our practical experiences and learn from others how best to
provide strategic leadership in our co-operatives.
Being managers and employees of primary and secondary co-operatives who are
currently involved in the support of co-operatives but require increased
understanding of the concept of co-operatives.
Being government policy makers who are keen to share experiences and learn
from experiences of other governments on how to formulate and implement a
facilitative policy and legal framework to accelerate the development of
co-operative enterprises and create a vibrant co-operative movement based on
international co-operative values and principles.
Being researchers and providers of training services from universities and
tertiary institutions that are seeking to enhance their capacity to provide
comprehensive co-operative education and training.
Herein do resolve that we will collectively work towards the achievement of
the following conference resolutions, in the short, medium and long term, as
circumstance permit:
* Establishment of co-operatives Sectoral Education and Training Authority
(SETA) to promote, set standards, accredit training and regulate the management
profession in the co-operatives sector by December 2009
* Co-operatives education and training national Co-operatives College
/Co-operatives Centre of Excellence to be established per province based on the
needs and circumstances of each province
* Mentorship of co-operatives be prioritised and provided by local and
district municipalities and provincial authorities
* Prioritise and intensify education and training on good governance and
accountability to boards of directors, members and managers of
co-operatives
* Provision of support to enable pre-co-operative groups and co-operatives
to comply with relevant statutory requirements
* All compliance requirements for co-operatives must be simplified
* Promotion of savings and credit co-operatives to co-operators, public and
private sector employees
* Establishment of a co-operative bank
* Transform mature stokvels into Financial Services Charter/Savings and
Credit
Co-operative Societies (FSCs/SACCOs) for greater security of savings of
members
* Co-operatives advisory boards to be established in all provinces by June
2009
* Start a campaign called "co-operatives beyond 2010" for accelerated promotion
of co-operatives from June 2009
* Establishment of a multi-stakeholder forum to allow for departments to
account for the support they give to the co-operatives
* Translation of all co-operatives documents in all official languages
* Establish supervisory committee in all large co-operatives to act as
independent representatives of members to oversee the work of elected leaders
and employees
* Provision of centralised management and accounting systems for the support of
co-operatives to improve compliance and efficient management of co-operative
enterprises
* Initiate and support annual provincial competitions for best managed
co-operatives in each sector to coincide with international co-operative day
celebrations each month of July
* Establishment of commodity value chain co-operatives targeting vertical and
horisontal integration for value addition
* Promotion and support of user co-operatives that are formed to procure and
use goods and services for their members
* Consolidation and integration of support by various departments and
municipalities to co-operatives
* Standardising and co-ordination of lending criteria and procedures to
Co-operatives
* Leveraging land reforms opportunities for co-operatives, and promoting access
to productive land by co-operatives
* Tender documents to be simplified and allocation of points for
co-operatives
* Establish a comprehensive physical and virtual one-stop shop support facility
to co-operatives to promote market access and tender opportunities.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
23 February 2009
