NPO aims to provide prosperous future for all in region

LYDENBURG – The Mzansi Business Organisation (Mzabo) is non-profit and represents the whole of Thaba Chweu.

Mzabo recently held a meeting in which various issues effecting Lydenburg/Mashishing were discussed. President of the organisation, Mr David Magagula said they assisted any person, race, gender or culture.

“We welcome and appreciate the appointment of the acting municipal manager Mr Jomo Mnisi, who will assist our municipality administratively to move forward.

We want to work with all the stakeholders in Thaba Chweu to bring stability, economic development, job creation and business development to the region. Our objectives are to secure local business, job creation and economic development, and stability.”

Magagula said it had agreed in a meeting with the other forums and business people to work together and be part of Mzabo as an NPO. “We have launched a branch in Lydenburg on May 28 representing Mashishing. We welcome this branch and we would also like to emphasise that we are governed by the constitution and will operate accordingly.

Any person who brings the organisation into disrepute, or enriches himself by abusing the organisation will be disciplined as outlined by the constitution.

We will soon launch Sabie, Graskop, Matibidi and Pilgrim’s Rest. The aim is to work with our municipality and all stakeholders for social development, economic development, job creation and stability in Thaba Chweu at large.

He said that Thaba Chweu, specifically Mashishing /Lydenburg, is surrounded by mines but local business empowerment, job creation, and local procurement were not enough. “We have also disadvantaged ourselves by being divided while we have the same goals for our municipality.

Sabie, Matibidi, Pilgrim’s and Graskop have mines and forestry which we would like to work with for social development and stability. There have been forums formed by young people and they end up not benefiting the community by empowering and creating jobs, and unearthing entrepreneurship, as soon as they get business projects or employment.

Such forums have created a lot of division in the community and most of our community members and stakeholders. It has affected social development plans, community projects and job creation. The objective is to create something sustainable that will exist for generations to come as an NPO is constituted.”

He confirmed they would be engaging with stakeholders working with the municipality and would also call upon a mining forum where they could collectively discuss challenges.“We want to assist in the formation of cooperatives to be trained, funded and registered to create more jobs. We also want to have a database of all the interested local small business and to negotiate for local procurement by the surrounding mines and business.

There can be no stability in our municipality if our people remain unemployed with less business opportunities, as it also affects our local economy.

We also appeal to all stakeholders to support us and to assist where possible to move Thaba Chweu forward in support of the municipality administration and its leadership. Pointing a finger while the others are pointing back at you will not take us any further. The development of Thaba Chweu is possible if we stand united.”

For more information on the organisation contact David Magagula (president) on 072-436-3375 or Mbisho Motau (branch secretary) on 073-213-9184.