Local business owners gathered at a business breakfast hosted by Mayor Vincent Madlala at the Town Hall on Wednesday, February 12.
The event saw interaction between businesses and the municipality in the form of question and answer sessions that helped to clarify various concerns.
The main purpose of the event was to recognise all formal and informal businesses that exist in Ladysmith. The business breakfast also looked at the successes and challenges facing businesses in Ladysmith, with the aim of strengthening the existing relationship between the municipality and business. uThukela Mayor Dudu Mazibuko, Ukhahlamba Mayor T Sibeko and Estcourt Mayor B Dlamini were also present at the event.
In his address, Mayor Madlala gave special recognition to all the formal and informal businesses present, and said there should be a relationship between them and the municipality that will help to improve the economy of Emnambithi/Ladysmith. The mayor pointed out that the municipality attaches a high level of importance to business development as a means of contributing to local economic growth, development and job creation.
“We need to work closely with the Department of Trade & Industry and the Department of Economic Development to ensure that suppliers get adequate support in responding coherently to our demand signals.” He continued to say that, “We need entrepreneurs who can build long-term partnerships with government around building the productive capabilities of South Africa’s economy. We need entrepreneurs who recognise that business needs to partner with government in developing pragmatic and innovative solutions to the socio-economic challenges facing the country. We need entrepreneurs who can provide leadership to the broader business community to bring them onboard a concrete programme of economic growth and transformation. We need business people who are open to developing an African model of entrepreneurship that goes beyond a narrow enterprise view of business responsibility.”
Presentations were made by various companies and sections. This was followed by a question and answer session that allowed the businesses to pose questions regarding various fields of business and their current state in Ladysmith.
Emnambithi/Ladysmith Municipality hosts ‘Business Retention & Expansion Programme’ visits to businesses in and around Ladysmith. One of its major aims is to build a solid relationship with the company owners and management. In so doing, this allows existing businesses to interact and assist in the growth of this town’s economy. The municipality also provides assistance for emerging businesses through the implementation of the SMME Policy, which mainly focuses on local procurement.
