Midrand Local Economic Empowerment Forum forges a relationship with Attacq
MIDRAND – The company would put a 30 per cent clause in all their contracts with their service providers.
A march by the Midrand Local Economic Empowerment Forum, which was scheduled to take place against Attacq Property Company, has been called off after the two parties agreed on a possible working relationship on 5 March.
The forum had planned to march against the property company which is also responsible for the development of Waterfall City in demand of business opportunities for local small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) and employment for locals to equip them with skills. However, the march was cancelled after they reached an agreement with the company.
“It is with honour to announce that Attacq which we were supposed to demonstrate against have agreed to work with the forum from now on moving forward,” said an executive member of the forum, Benson Motsumi.
Motsumi said a meeting between the forum and Attacq was scheduled to take place soon to discuss a way forward. He mentioned that one of their demands was for the company to put a 30 per cent clause in all their contracts with their service providers. “We are happy that we did not compromise on the 30 per cent for the local community and we are not going to compromise with their contractors.”
Motsumi said he would like to thank those who participated and supported the executive members of the forum during the process.
“As an organisation, our struggle would not have been complete until the community benefited from the so-called post-apartheid city. Indeed hard work pays. It has paid off against all odds.”
The chief operations officer at Attacq, Jackie van Niekerk, said the company has been engaging with the forum on a number of occasions. However, they had not yet agreed on any terms yet. “We cannot agree on terms put to us. We first need to understand what the forum is all about and if what they offer is relevant to us and how we can work with them. We are having ongoing engagements with them and we will communicate future projects with them.”
Van Niekerk added that Attacq was a big supporter of small businesses and development. She also said that they would consider skills offered by the forum.
“We have a responsibility to the Waterfall community to be fair, promote the local community and look after our shareholders.”
Motsumi said while they regard the agreement as a victory, there was still a lot of work ahead. “The struggle for economic emancipation and inclusion of black people in the mainstream economy continues. No development will happen without us.”
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