Businessman to revive Sebenza Business Forum
“Sebenza is ideally located. As a businessman I would see the place go somewhere.”
Businessman Gerhard Swart hopes to unite businesses and transform Sebenza by re-establishing the Sebenza Business Forum (SBF).
Swart, the founder of the new forum, strongly believes that by uniting businesses and working together the primarily industrial area can be transformed.
He said SBF will be managed by Hans Jooste.
Before the forum can work effectively Swart said the concerns of businesses need to be addressed.
These include reducing crime and improving service delivery in the area.
On November 1, Swart and Jooste met with Ward 17 Clr Simon Lapping and Ward 18 Clr Heather Hart to discuss how to improve service delivery in the area.
Also read: Sebenza business forum resurrected
“Sebenza is ideally located. As a businessman I would see the place go somewhere,” said Swart.
“It can’t grow any bigger. It may grow smaller, but Sebenza will never disappear.”
The forum aims to:
• Displace crime.
• Attract quality businesses to the area.
• Protect people, property and the environment.
• Uplift and better the area.
• Work together with departments from the municipality to remediate issues.
Swart said the only way the SBF will be successful is if businesses buy into the idea of the forum.
He said businesses in the area need to work together to make the forum work.
“I have already met with officers from Sebenza SAPS and EMPD to discuss the way forward,” said Swart.
“One of the ideas suggested by EMPD, to combat crime, includes SAPS and EMPD working in close partnership.”
Swart said the partnership between the two law enforcement agencies will see officers make use of resources already available.
Also read: Business owners at loggerheads over scrap metal
Besides working closely with SAPS and EMPD, SBF will also mobilise security companies in the area.
“The forum will pull everyone in the area together,” explained Swart.
“We all have problems. Some of us might have ideas to solve them so why not come together and find solutions.”
To ensure that the forum is successful, Swart and Jooste hope to meet with members from the municipality.
After meeting with municipal representatives a meeting for businesses will be held.
Swart said since the SBF was first established businesses have slowly started to support it.
Businesses interested in joining need to apply for membership and will have to pay a membership fee.
Swart hopes to have the forum established by the end of the year.
Also read: Working together we can reduce crime
“I am very excited to work with Gerhard and get the forum off the ground,” said Hart.
“I look forward to what the forum will achieve in the area.”
Contact Jooste on hansjooste1@gmail.com for more information.
