Businesses in Alexandra have embraced the idea of a green economy during a one-day energy efficiency workshop organised by the Greater Alexandra Chamber of Commerce.
Summing up the day’s proceedings, secretary general of the chamber, Mamiki Matlawa said she was delighted to see Alex businesses embracing the concept of a green economy. “If you are real entrepreneurs, you should always be evolving and adapting to new ideas,” she said.
“Business is about serving or providing and rendering services around new ideas. If you are doing what everybody else is doing then you are not an entrepreneur, as entrepreneurs always seek a niche in the market and at all times embrace new ideas and concepts as they open the flood gates to new business opportunities.
“I hope we can implement whatever strategies came out of the workshop for the betterment of our various businesses and ensure their survival and prosperity into the future.”
Her sentiments were echoed by Gershwin Pududu of National Business Initiatives. “If companies are to survive into the future they will need to have sound energy efficiency policies and implementation strategies that will ensure they cut the costs of energy consumption,” he said
“The power to save and grow your business is now and can only be done through the implementation of energy efficient measures. There is no running away from this fact, as borne out by the daily spiraling energy costs in the country.”
He said those that would survive increasing energy costs were those that would timeously embrace the concept of a green economy and fly with it. “Those who don’t will sink under the ever rising costs of energy,” Pududu said, adding that the company he represented was an NGO body that seeks to secure and energy efficient future for South African companies, big or small.
Lesego Gaegane, also of the National Business Initiative said they could help companies to better understand their energy consumption levels and look at their production systems, and then advise on measures to save on energy and related costs. “Our motto is save power, save your pocket and save the planet,” she said.
