MEC addresses vendors at Pilgrims Rest
"We want the shops to reopen once all the necessary tendering processes are concluded and new tenants offered opportunities to run the shops,” said Kholwane.
PILGRIM’S REST – On Friday the provincial MEC for finance, economic development and tourism, Mr Sikhumbuzo Eric Kholwane, addressed the vendors of the historic town who were concerned about its deteriorating tourism.
According to a press release, Kholwane returned to the village with his response after his visit earlier this year. “We will work with the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport (DPWRT) to resolve the issues you raised. We have your interest at heart hence we want the shops to reopen once all the necessary tendering processes are concluded and new tenants offered opportunities to run the shops,” he said.
Kholwane added that vendors would have the opportunity to form government cooperatives to contribute to the town’s economy. “Officials from the department will come and engage you to see how we can assist you in forming cooperatives which are relevant to the area. We need to investigate which economic sectors will be feasible in your area in order to assist you in forming relevant cooperatives which will benefit meaningfully in those economic sectors,” added the MEC.
The vendors thanked him for the structures which were erected for their trading purposes and requested more of them to be built. “We thank you MEC for keeping your promise that you would come back and listen to our concerns. We request you to intervene and make sure that all the closed shops are reopened,” said vendors Ms Lovey Masinga and Mr Mduduzi Mashego.
“Our government is caring, hence I kept my promise that I would come back to listen to you. We will thus move all mountains in our way, to ensure that all your concerns are resolved amicably, in order to move Pilgrim’s Rest forward. We thank you for accepting our invitation and raising issues which directly affect your livelihood,” concluded Kholwane.
