Delmas First brings hope for economic revival
“Let us pull together the little resources we have to make Delmas a better place.”
The Delmas First initiative was born when a group of concerned business owners sat together, complaining about the lack of service delivery as well as the dilapidating state of the town.
During that discussion, they decided something constructive should be done to uplift the town and restore pride among residents and businesses.
The first meeting of the Delmas business owners took place on November 24, when the feasibility of Delmas First was discussed.
Two more meetings followed and on January 13, Delmas business owners gathered at the Joheve Conference Centre for the initiative concept meeting.
Thabo Motau, Muzi Duma and Denis Mtsweni led the meeting, while Henry Masilela stipulated the housekeeping rules.
A coordinating committee was appointed, consisting of Celso dos Santos, Joleen Coombe, Henry Masilela and Cobus Human.
“Despite all our differences and political affiliations, Delmas First allows us to do just that – put Delmas first,” said Thabo Motau.
“Let us pull together the little resources we have to make Delmas a better place.”
Human emphasised that Delmas is the most central town in South Africa.
“Businesswise, Delmas is a strategic point and has access to all the major routes. Delmas can therefore become an excellent business hub.
“People and businesses are, however, leaving the town because of dysfunctional services. Businesses are also extorted by individuals for money and that has to stop,” said Human.
“We have to create a town which looks good, will create a start-off point for investors and a sense of belonging to the residents.”
Human concluded with the Delmas First slogan, ‘United we stand, divided we fall’.
“We have a lot of work to do. Judging by the interested people at the meeting, I now believe it could be done,” said Dos Santos.
Dos Santos also touched on the subjects of the appearance of a town, job creation and the supply of much-needed materials for mines and other businesses from inside Delmas.
“Let us support local suppliers and encourage suppliers from outside to open up supply stores and factories in Delmas instead of us travelling far and wide to support other towns.
“Let us get Delmas out of a begging mentality into a working mentality,” Dos Santos concluded.
Other speakers included Bernard Mhlongo, the secretary-general of the Delmas Taxi Association (DTA) and the mayor of the Victor Khanye Local Municipality (VKLM), Vusi Buda.
“I was born in Delmas in 1960 and am now 62 years old. What was Delmas then and what is Delmas now? Therefore, I am glad for the concept of Delmas First. We love this town and that is why we are all still here,” said Buda.
Various stakeholders had a chance to provide their input into how they would like to see Delmas and the role of Delmas First stakeholders in the rebirth of the town.
Clusters within Delmas First were identified as service delivery, safety and security under the existing security groups such as the AfriForumValke neighbourhood watch and the Botleng Anti-hijack group amongst others, the economic growth of Delmas and a legal cluster.
Some of the items on the future agenda will include job creation, the improvement of the appearance of businesses in town, help where possible for the drug-addicted car guards, safety and security of residents and business owners, infrastructure such as traffic lights and general maintenance of Delmas.
