Zama-Zamas a major concern for Ledet

Giyani residents were given an opportunity to raise their concerns and propose solutions to issues affecting them during the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (Ledet) Township and Village Revitalisation campaign held at the community hall on Friday.
Ledet Head of Department Solly Kgopong emphasised that the strategy builds on existing government support programmes aimed at accelerating the radical economic transformation agenda. The plan aims to achieve three key outcomes being to create an enabling and supporting environment based on the eight strategic focus areas for township and village economy revitalisation, establish the social and economic value of township and village economies and ensure that township and village enterprises become key players in the Limpopo economy.
He further said while there was insufficient detailed information on the number of township and village enterprises in the province government acknowledges that there is an urgent need for research to determine the exact size, strength and spread of the township and village economy.
Residents complained about the lack of space to start businesses and accused Indians and immigrants of taking opportunities meant for Giyani residents. They again claimed that the mines in the area don’t benefit residents and requested the department to intervene and ensure that all the mines are fully functional to create employment for residents.
MEC Seaparo Sekoati outlined that mines non-operating mines in the area gave illegal miners, known as Zama-Zamas, a chance to illegally extract minerals to benefit themselves and their families. He further said the department will approach potential investors to join forces with government to ensure that mines are operating and people from the area are employed.
“Five black industrialists in Limpopo have already benefited to the tune of R640 million through the Black Industrialists Programme by the Department of Trade and Industry. We encourage business people in Giyani, especially the townships and villages based businesses to take advantage of this programme,” Sekoati urged.
He added that capital seems to be the main problem for many small enterprises. Banks and other financiers argue that many of the new ventures are simply not fundable, un-bankable and they lack credible business plans. This lack of funding therefore forces a lot of township and village businesses to source their funding from personal and family loans, private equity and from debts in the form of unsustainable credit cards. Those who are fortunate get funded by government business grants and business loans, he explained.
He further indicated that the rate of unemployment in Mopani was sitting at 19,2% and a large portion of those unemployed was in Giyani municipality with 26,3% followed by Greater Letaba at 18,7%, Greater Tzaneen at 18,4%, Maruleng at 17,7% and Ba-Phalaborwa at 16,2%. With these figures the only way to achieve full employment for the people of Giyani was to encourage entrepreneurship and real entrepreneurship can be sustained in the townships and villages, he reiterated. The department gave 20 young and upcoming entrepreneurs R10 000 each to help boost their businesses.

Story & photos: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za