Local business must thrive – Clr Masina

The City of Ekurhuleni is putting systems in place to ensure that local businesses get to do more business with the city.
Addressing the business community on November 9, Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Clr Mzwandile Masina admitted that the city has not been doing enough to provide economic opportunities to local businesses over the years.
“In this regard, we have decided that as part of our 10-point plan to revive our economy, local SMMEs must be prioritised and supported through our procurement processes. We have also resolved that we need to introduce a campaign that will encourage our locals to support local content,” he said. She also said that this campaign will be known as Buy Local.
Clr Masina said SMMEs are major players in the economy, and as a city they are already piloting the process of ensuring that they get paid, at most, within 15 days after invoicing the city, so that they do not face financial difficulties that threaten their existence. He said his administration cannot wait to start with the 30 percent set aside, as already articulated by national government.
More than 100 local business people came to engage with the mayor as part of the Taking the Ekurhuleni Metro ANC Caucus to the People, which started in the township on Tuesday.
“We have heard our people’s cries over the years and our programme henceforth will be driven by the agenda of delivery, delivery and more delivery. We are committing to talking less and acting more.
“We have resolved that this team must be known for speedily addressing community issues and accelerating the service delivery agenda. Economic emancipation of our people is part of this very same agenda,” said Clr Masina. He appealed to local business people and the general community to be a little patient as some of the changes might take a little bit longer to be addressed.
Meanwhile, Clr Masina pointed out that plans are moving ahead to revive the local economy. These plans include reviving the manufacturing sector, ensuring the effective implementation of the Aerotropolis master plan and putting the township economy at the forefront of the local economic development agenda.