Launch of Pacaltsdorp Chamber historic event
With an ox and a pig on the spits, the newly formed Pacaltsdorp Business Chamber ensured that the distinguished guests were well fed at their launch on Saturday 28 July.
Leaders from George and Pacaltsdorp came in their numbers to support this historic event. They were welcomed by teams of students from the Olympia School of Skills who demonstrated their entrepreneurial abilities. One of the focus points of the chamber will be to develop those skills into sustainable job opportunities for the youth.
Representatives of the church fraternal, leaders of the community police forum, George Business Chamber, Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut (AHi) Western Cape and many businesses from George Dr Willie Cilliers, chairman of the AHi attended the event. Western Cape, was one of the guest Guests were treated to an speakers. indigenous play by members of the Khoi and San who received big applause for reminding their audience of the origin of brown people. Enrico's Catering did the catering for the occasion.
Challenges
The leadership of the newly formed chamber was encouraged by George Mayor Melvin Naik to work towards restoring home-based industries such as the clothing industry and agriculture, which will have an impact on unemployment and crime.
Challenges such as youth unemployment, the rising cost of living as a result of the fuel price, and access to and the productive
More than 60 children can go to school with warm feet this winter after receiving shoes through Kaalvoet Mzansi. The project handed out shoes at Heidedal Primary, Mzoxolo Primary and Conville Primary, among others, on Friday and Tuesday, 27 and 31 July.
This year marks the third annual handout by Kaalvoet Mzansi, a foundation dedicated to motivating learners. Chairman Anele Ngoyo is proud of its growth over the past three years and thankful that people are contributing to the vision. Ngoyo is excited for the future. "Our first annual charity event will happen later this year. We want to extend a challenge to businesses in George utilisation of land were some of the topics raised by the speakers. The unemployed and youth development are high on the priority list and will receive immediate attention. They are already looking at the making of beehives, establishing small cooperatives for women, and agricultural food processing. A business plan to address the development of home-based industries will be rolled out within the coming months.
The Pacaltsdorp Chamber will marry members in the community with commercial farmers to ensure skills transfer in the agricultural field. Their medium-term objective, with input from Nelson Mandela University and South Cape College, is to establish an agricultural college in Pacaltsdorp.
Business skills, job shadowing and mentorship will be provided by the Western to be part of this initiative. We hope people will be motivated by the knowledge that the act of service teaches you all kinds of things. It makes you appreciate what you have and gives you a greater idea of who you are. Giving service allows you to gain insights into how people really live."
Ngoyo also hopes to recruit more members to the Kaalvoet Mzansi team.
Kaalvoet Mzansi thanks the Garden Route Mall, Ackermans Garden Route, York High School, Outeniqua High School, Pick n Pay (Courtenay Street), and friends who donated at the stations. For more information about Kaalvoet Mzansi, call Ngoyo on 062 894 4744 or follow the updates on Kaalvoet Mzansi's Facebook page, Kaalvoet Mzansi Foundation. Cape AHi through the Pacaltsdorp Chamber.
"This process to fight against unemployment, poverty and crime in the community is long overdue. This is an opportune time in the history of
South Africa where land restitution, unemployment, poverty, skills transfer and education deficiencies should be addressed to work towards uplifting the economy and improve the socio-economic life of the poorest of the poor," said Julian Klassen, the new chamber's chairman.
Cooperation
"Members within the chamber are under no illusion that this is an easy task that will yield results overnight, but they are prepared to engage with anyone that will contribute towards the growth of the economy of George, whereby everybody can benefit," said Klassen.
"The success of the chamber will be measured by the economic growth of the community."
He said that the Pacaltsdorp Chamber will work with anybody that can contribute to their vision to eradicate poverty in their community.
"We recognise that technology and the fourth industrial revolution will have a major impact on unemployment and that this will have to be managed and put to productive use. Discussions with institutions such as South Cape College, the AHi, and NMU are already planned to address this issue."
Offices at tourism centre
The Pacaltsdorp Chamber will operate from the Pacaltsdorp tourism centre on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 to 12:00.
Anyone who wishes to engage in any business venture is welcome to visit the centre.
Grade 10 to 12 learners are also invited to visit the chamber with regard to skills training that will result in job opportunities.