Sebenza Business Forum plays key role to boost local businesses
Under the leadership of business owner Gerhard Swart the SBF hopes to be a shining example for other similar areas neighbouring Edenvale, Bedfordview and Modderfontein.
The Sebenza Business Forum (SBF) hopes to not only connect local businesses but bring Sebenza-based businesses closer to the community.
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Launched in 2018, the forum once followed the pretext set out by the City Improvement District (CID) Act.
But now, the SBF has taken a big step to expand its footprint digitally.
Under the leadership of business owner Gerhard Swart, the SBF hopes to be a shining example for other similar areas neighbouring Edenvale, Bedfordview and Modderfontein.
“I bought my property in Sebenza almost against my will.
“The property suited me but the area didn’t,” Swart said.
“There was a need to uplift the area. We spoke to people who were running similar projects and precincts in other areas and we were introduced to Hans Jooste who now manages the SBF footprint.”
In setting up the SBF, the forum made contact with police and other stakeholders.
“The purpose of the SBF is to create a link between business owners and other community role players and service providers.
“Crime was an issue and so was service delivery. Another aspect we needed to look at was the overall look and feel of the area,” Swart said.
He added that for the SBF to work, the forum needed buy-in from everyone whose support would mean success.
“One of the first meetings we had was with the police because one of the biggest concerns was crime and businesses not getting the help when they needed it,” Swart said.
He said that when Hans joined the team he had contacts with the council so the forum could start focussing on municipal and service delivery issues.
“The idea was to sustain and upgrade Sebenza,” Swart said.
Today the SBF is 120 members strong.
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“Members pay a voluntary contribution towards the forum, which is used to sustain Sebenza and make it a place that people want to visit,” said Jooste.
“We have the councillors, SAPS and security providers on board and buy-in from the council.”
Swart said that the system has worked for Sebenza and they now hope to grow in membership.
“You can feel something has changed,” said Jooste.
Swart said the next step for the SBF was to put pressure on councillors and the council to support legislation to ensure a brighter future.
“The Specials Ratings Area Act is one such piece of legislation that will not only force businesses to contribute to their area of operation but also incentivise them for doing so.”
To ensure the sustainable growth of the SBF, the forum brought the expertise of Sebenza-based Chantal Smith on board to launch the forum’s website.
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Woza eSebenza is aimed at connecting businesses in Sebenza and the broader community.
“We’ve found that local Sebenza businesses do not support each other because they do not know which businesses are operating around them.
“They don’t utilise the services of hyper-local businesses,” Smith said.
“When a business in Sebenza needs a plumber they rarely know that there are plumbers based in the area.
“Our website will ensure that directory-type information is readily available to the business community,” she added.
“With the launch of the website we want to try and create that cohesiveness between the businesses in Sebenza. It’s a business hub forum specifically catered to Sebenza.”
Andile Mathula said there has been a lack of digitisation for many businesses.
“The website will serve as a space where people can look for anything from manicurists to food supplies,” he said.
Jooste said that there was a massive misconception about Sebenza.
“People think the area is only industrial but it’s not. We have many hidden gems that people don’t know about including meat wholesalers and a bakery,” Jooste added.
For more information on the forum, contact Hans Jooste on 082 314 1841 or email hansjooste1@gmail.com
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