Workshop aids Ekurhuleni’s business to apply for licences
The metro is working to make sure businesses in Ekurhuleni are licensed.
The metro is moving with speed to tighten the business regulation control systems, which include proper business registration, amid rising concerns regarding the quality of food sold in local spaza shops.
This is to ensure that proper zoning and demarcations for businesses are done to avoid contravening by-laws, as well as cross-contamination of foods by any airborne diseases in the case of businesses in food retailing or handling.
The metro held a business-licensing workshop at the Kempton Park Civic Centre, last Monday, to ensure entrepreneurs in the catering industry know the licensing process they need to go through before they start operating.
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This was aimed at complementing their cooking skills with compliance to by-laws and reliable food quality by enabling them to get professional help from the metro.
Nana Mogari, the owner of Monate Monandi Catering Projects, who was in attendance, attested to the benefits that would accrue from the knowledge that they receive from workshops of this nature.
“It is understandable that one cannot sell food next to a premises that runs a barber shop or a scrapyard which is prone to attract pests and rodents, for an example.
“Enforcement of the by-laws will ensure that businesses do not emerge and mushroom from nowhere without proper municipal zoning and ultimately negatively affect properly zoned established premises,” Mogari said.
She was reassured by the intervention, which will see businesses being guided and assisted through rezoning so that there are assessments by designated professionals regarding the location and whether the zoning and business model is suitable for the environment the applicant wants to operate in.
Speaking to the entrepreneurs, local economic development officer Henry Prinsloo said the metro will have more workshops to encourage more businesses to go through rezoning so that they can effectively participate in the formal economy and reap the benefits.
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The business-licensing workshop is part of Gauteng Government’s flagship programme popularly known as QONDIS’ISHISHINI LAKHO, which seeks to help SMMEs to fix their businesses and to unlock bottlenecks for business owners to effectively participate in the mainstream economy, in line with the Gauteng Economic Development Plan.
For more information on businesses registration and licensing, interested parties can contact Prinsloo on 011 999 1484 or email to Henry.Prinsloo@ekurhuleni.gov.za.
It is important to note that business licences are valid for three years. However, business owners are encouraged to inform the metro of any change that may affect the registration status of the business.
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