Mossel Bay Socio-Economic Collective launched

The Mossel Bay Socio-Economic Collective (MSEC) is, and non-profit company (NPC) launched on 14 July.

Its objectives are to to organise and uplift the 32 organisations under its umbrella and to collaborate with governmental stakeholders, organisations, business chambers and organs of state.

MSEC aims to facilitate and promote cohesion between governmental stakeholders, non-governmental, non-profit, faith-based, public benefit and communitybased organisations, plus environmental groups, the private sector and business chambers.

The keynote speaker, Mossel Bay mayor, Dirk Kotzé, welcomed the initiative and pledged to work closely with MSEC in assuring cohesion and interaction.

The attendees included the representatives of the 32 organisations within MSEC. They agreed that without the assistance from the municipality and the co-operation of other governmental entities, organisations struggled to stay afloat and deliver a good service to the poor and destitute in Mossel Bay.

Since its inception MSEC was part of the Public Participation Process to have the Pinnacle Point caves declared a World Heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

MSEC has committed to fight the plight of the unemployed, to ensure youth and artisans get jobs and ensure local labour is used for projects.

MSEC is also a member of the PetroSA Community Stakeholder Forum (PCSF) and Department of Home Affairs Stakeholder Forum.

MSEC, in conjunction with the three local labour forums, is committed to empowering artisans to obtaining their red seal by means of an Artisan Recognition of Prior Learning (ARPL) process.

Also, MSEC is currently hard at work with the social hub in D'Almeida, a skills development centre in KwaNonqaba, multipurpose centre for Ward 13, as well as capacity-building projects for its 32 affiliates.

Entities who are not part of MSEC are welcome to contact any of the executive members for an interview, before joining the structure. Contact Jerohme Kannemeyer (081 739 5707).

The executive of MSEC consists of chairman Jerome Meyer, co-chair Bishop Gail Baatjies, secretary Jerohme Kannemeyer and deputy secretary Pastor Nolene Cupido.

They thank all the participants who attended the launch and are looking forward to the road ahead in building Mossel Bay.