Mbete told of business grievances

NATIONAL Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete has described South Africa as a work in progress, saying all sectors of society need to play a role in building a better country.

She was speaking at an event organised by the Progressive Business and Professionals Forum, in partnership with members of the ANC, at Dan’s Lodge outside Mthatha yesterday.

The event also celebrated the 61st anniversary of the Freedom Charter.

Provincial convener Bongile Nkola said the forum had invited Mbete, who is also the national chairwoman of the ANC, because its members were not happy with what was happening in parliament and wanted some answers.

“Also, the budget for the Eastern Cape is spent outside the province. We are saying that the government must look after black businesses here,” Nkola said.

“About 10% [of monies allocated for projects in the Eastern Cape] is meant for SMMEs, but they are not getting it.

“Even schools are built by companies from outside. School furniture is delivered from KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo.”

OR Tambo ANC regional chairman Xolile Nkompela told Mbete the district was engulfed in poverty and entirely dependent on agriculture.

“Our main worry is that although we [district] have been piloted for rural development, it is very slow.”

Nkompela also told Mbete that the forum was hoping that the Presidential Intervention Programme in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality could be extended to other areas – particularly projects that dealt with bulk water services.

Nkompela said although the government was to develop along the Wild Coast, local businesses had been shunned.

He also highlighted the Bedlane Water Scheme, which had been launched by Zuma to augment water supply in the whole district, but had never materialised.