The Greater Alexandra Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Galxcoc) added the prestigious 2017 Annual National Chamber of Commerce and Industry award to their 2014 and 2015 collections..
The contest, held at Hilton Hotel, Sandton included chambers of some major metropolitans countrywide and was attended by Gauteng Premier, David Makhura and Minister of Small Business Development, Lindiwe Zulu.
Galxcoc president Mpho Motsumi attributed the victory to their social and economic transformation programmes which integrate emerging businesses of formerly marginalised groups into the mainstream economy. “We use economic sector opportunities to reduce poverty through employment generation, open doors for emerging entrepreneurs and unite society and enhance parity through equal access to goods and services in our still divided nation.
“It’s unacceptable, years into democracy, to still see abject poverty of Alex co-existing with the affluence of Sandton, the richest square mile on the continent.”
He said last year they were finalists as they were concentrating on developing tangible projects like the new Alex Mall which contributed to this year’s victory. The mall, he said, has decentralised and improved residents’ access to quality goods and services at reduced transport cost, created over 2 000 permanent jobs and is a springboard for other ancillary businesses including the taxi industry and informal traders.
“Also, it attracts tourists through murals of significant moments and personalities from Alex with national and global influence like former Presidents Nelson Mandela and, Samora Machel from Mozambique, artists Hugh Masekela and Caiphus Semenya and Irvin Khoza who lead the country’s hosting of the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Despite the global economic slump, tourists have financial spin-offs and ambassadorial roles to the growth of the local economy.”
The judges also considered other local upliftment partnerships done by the chamber. They include Ikasi Lab which graduated prospective youth entrepreneurs in the green economy; Bizz Create on business exposures; Tesha an on-line collaboration platform for enterprise-supply-development opportunities; Start Up Weekend training programme for youth entrepreneurs; career development programme for high school pupils by law firm Bowman Gilfillan; support to Nokuthula Special School; financial and equipment awards and training of local SMMEs in partnership with TVET (technical and vocational education and training) colleges; campaign against illicit trading and for facilitating a peace accord which seems to be holding between Alexandra Taxi Association and the Alexandra, Randburg, Midrand and Sandton Taxi Association.
The chamber is conducting a feasibility study on business eco-systems to uplift informal traders and encourage sharing of good business practice between local and foreign shop owners.
“In addition, we will lobby council to convert the area along Vincent Tshabalala Road to a City Improvement District and are encouraging more development initiatives by our 400-strong membership in Region E including taxi associations, Kew Action Group, Pan-Africa, Yarona, Alex Plaza, Freedom malls and the Retail Seta (sector education training authorities).
Details: Greater Alexandra Chamber of Commerce and Industry 011 440 7887
Also read: Alex entrepreneurs get their time in the spotlight
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