Editor
The irony of the ritualistic song about creating employment, generating income earners and entrenching the principle of increasing the employment base of society, is that only the talkers talk but never walk the talk. Government can and does within its limited resources, creates opportunities for the vulnerable in society however, businesses remain selfish and employ capitalistic greed.
The reality is however, there is nothing illegal about usurping and gorging upon the economy as the appetite for wealth is an insatiable one. For example in Estcourt, some white owned businesses have plundered wealth of all races who support them in their businesses by buying from them and supporting them in professional and service orientated businesses, retail stores etc. They do not believe that they owe a duty of allegiance to plough back into the very same community that supports them. One typical example is the waste that is generated in their businesses, which I have some knowledge off.
Waste retrieval and recycling extends to a wide range of people for instance, our business has created an opportunity to at least a 100 women or so (many of whom support extended families) at the landfill site, which is one such initiative, besides the number of people employed part time and on a full time basis. Waste is becoming uneconomical due to competition and the flooding of the markets as there are only two major recycling industries in the country that control prices and volume.
These businesses we speak off, have established a method of transporting their own waste which is stored on their premises, to their main business out of town on at least a weekly basis. Besides having an adverse effect directly on those who rely on the income generated from the waste business, more especially those who qualify as poor and indigent and our business also, the authorities appear to have turned a blind eye to the following:-
1. OHASA restricts transport of food and waste on the very same vehicle without it being sterilised. Bacteria and germs are microscopic and simply washing a trailer with water is not enough. Food is delivered to these businesses and thereafter, waste is loaded onto the same vehicle to their other business or waste dealers perhaps out of town. Clearly, this practice creates health hazards for consumers especially where meat may be transported in the same vehicle. Consumers should become more aware of the unscrupulous methods that may be used by businesses.
2. In terms of NEMA, storage and transport of generated waste requires a license and I have reservations that this requirement is fulfilled. Waste cannot be stored over long periods on premises which for example, disseminate food, meat and dairy products. This creates problems of pollution, vermin infestation, fire hazards and generally, does not create a pleasant sight and can also be dispersed with wind.
3. Added to this, these businesses prefer to avoid employment creation in the very town they rely upon their own existence for.
This is only one example and many others exist in different ways. I need to take this opportunity to commend businesses for example Checkers and the Macksons and Boxer for instance, who have diligently supported us and those who rely upon our business for sustenance – Estcourt is economically not vibrant and work opportunities are restricted. An employed public not only limits reliance upon government for grants, which is after all taxpayers’ money, but also impacts on crime.
For too long have businesses exploited the purses of consumers but remain aloof when it comes to putting back something into the community. Businesses generally must become proactive in uplifting communities-they have a duty and cold aloofness in a new South Africa does not work any longer. My advice is that businesses should reassess how to change their approach in making money but also benefitting the very community they themselves rely upon to enrich them and when they do so, it does not really matter how much wealth and assets they acquire for themselves. I hope this would be an eye opener.
Rashid Patel
