Businesses in bid to end conflict
BUSINESS organisations on the South Coast are committed to finding measures to counter the destabilisation of business in the region.
Still reeling from the nearly two-week-long water crisis brought about by a South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) strike that ended on Friday, the business sector is in need of urgent measures to address the region’s business woes.
Premier Willies Mchunu chaired a meeting between the Ugu Municipality and Samwu that ended with an agreement being reached. Earlier, he held talks with a multi-stakeholder community delegation over difficulties faced by business.
In recent months violent protests, glitches in the transport sector, vigilante groups invading construction sites and demanding work, and dipping investor confidence have impacted the region’s economy.
Thanduxolo Ncane, the leader of the KZN Association of Business, said his organisation was hard at work to restore cordial relations with all parties. He attributed the disruptions to businesses to local residents wanting a “share of the economic pie”.
“Our association is tasked with the revitalisation of all rural and township economies throughout the province. We have recently engaged in talks with the Ugu Municipality to escalate the change of procurement policies to accommodate black-owned businesses.
“We also intervened in the unrest that affected foreignowned businesses, where locals felt that foreigners had better access to bulk and wholesale retail services. The situation has to be well managed and sustainable,” said Ncane.
Towns affected by the unrest included Ezinqolweni, Port Shepstone, Margate, Illovo, Scottburgh, Dududu, Port Edward and Hibberdene.
The president of the South Coast Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vijay Naidoo, said organised business was committed to working towards economic transformation and the entry of black entrepreneurs into the local economy.
“Generally, there is a willingness from business… to find a way to accommodate… new black-owned enterprises, but we all want it to be a well-managed and negotiated process.” South Coast cleric and peace worker the Reverend Danny Chetty said the orchestrated targeting of business and farming communities would destroy the economy if left unchecked.
“If not dealt with proactively, including (through) addressing the land problem and issues of injustice, (the situation) will become unmanageable. Simply put, there is no quick-fix,” he said.
Stakeholders would need to display “the utmost sensitivity, respect and empathy” to reach a solution, “one which must take note of the harsh realities faced by the farmers, workers and labour tenants”.
On crime, killings and heightened racial tension in the region and province, he welcomed efforts by the government, police and religious leaders to find resolutions, saying it was a positive start.
The chairperson the Christian Coalition, and the South Coast Business Chamber, Peter Munns, said his chamber had started a “business against crime” initiative.
“We will join hands, hearts and minds with like-minded people to make a difference in this country,” he said.