Local business stands behind Masina
Several local business organisations in Kathorus have indicated their support for Mayor Mzandile Masina’s call to the Gupta family to “give the African National Congress space to conduct its revolution”.
Masina, the executive mayor of Ekurhuleni, made the statement during the Umkhonto we Sizwe council gathering held in Boksburg a fortnight ago.
An ANC national executive council member, Masina seems to have broken ranks with the stance of being a staunch ally of President Jacob Zuma.
Some local business leaders believe it was a bold statement worthy of praise and support.
Relating to the controversial relationship between President Zuma and the Guptas during the MK Council meeting, Masina politely raised what many South Africans see as a “disruptive” relationship for the development and progress of the country and its people.
Masina urged the controversial friends of the president to ease off and give South Africa “a break”.
“Comrade President, let’s ask the Guptas to give the ANC space to conduct the revolution,” said Masina.
“We don’t mean to choose friends for leaders of the ANC, but there’s a limit to everything. People died in the ANC and for this country – we can’t surrender the sovereignty of the ANC,” Masina added.
Masina’s brief speech was followed by President Zuma’s keynote address to open the Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association’s fifth annual gathering, at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburgs.
Ekurhuleni’s National Federated Chamber of Commerce (Nafcoc) head, George Ratswana, speaking from his office at the Naledi Mall, told Kathorus MAIL that Nafcoc supports all progressive statements that are aligned with the development of black business in the country.
“As a business organisation, our aim is to support all objectives that are designed to create opportunities that will help grow small businesses in the townships. If there are certain impeding aspects that are in the way of that development, then by all means, we support the mayor,” said Ratswana who also applauded Masina’s 10-point business plan growth for Ekurhuleni.
Ratswana told Kathoru MAIL that all regional business sectors affiliated to Nafcoc in Ekurhuleni were fully behind the regional leaderships stance on the mayor’s statement. “This is a bold and empowering statement by the mayor and we support it to the hilt,” said Ratswana.
Meanwhile, the Gauteng Liquor Traders Association, led by Linda Madida, issued a statement firmly standing behind mayor Masina’s statement.
GLTA represents a large portion of Kathorus’ liquor traders both regional and nationally. “We see our role as that of important players in the economy and the opening of business opportunities for township traders by the local government. This will help us to fit in and play our role in creating jobs for the unemployed,” said Madida.
Frank Mahlo, a member of taxi affiliates in the local industry, added that the taxi industry wants to engage in the development of the local economy. “We have the numbers and the manpower to be part of a massive manufacturing job-creating industry in the country,” Mahlo said.
Street vendor, Thami Sokhele, of Thokoza, believes no matter the current problems facing the country, there’s still hope for a better future for local business.
