Breakfast with Premier, business leaders

Business leaders in Limpopo had the opportunity to network with fellow businesspersons as well as Premier Stan Mathabatha on several challenges, elements and factors which have an impact on the local economic growth during a breakfast meeting on Friday.
The event was organised by Limpopo United Business Forum (LUBF) and attended by among others Education MEC Polly Boshielo, Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism MEC Thabo Mokone and Polokwane Chamber of Business Chairperson and LUBF Deputy Chairperson Ashley Rasebotsa.

Rasebotsa indicated in his address that the purpose of the breakfast was to start a chain of networking sessions between government and Limpopo business people. “A growing population means a window for opportunities but needs collaborations between government and businesses. We need to evaluate the missed opportunities as most of us are anxious about the future,” Rasebotsa said.
Mathabatha valued the invitation and indicated that more, similar interaction should be hosted in order to narrow the gap between business and government.
“Such regular interactions will lay a solid foundation for more cooperation and mutual exchanges.

I must say from the onset that as government we truly value the continued partnership and friendship we enjoy from members of the business community,” he said.
He further remarked that government believes that the task of growing South Africa and the task of growing Limpopo require partnership between government and important stakeholders such as business.
“The open truth is that the transformation of our society requires the greatest possible cooperation between the business community and political leadership. All of us have an inherent obligation to service the interest of our people. As I have said, neither political nor business objectives can be achieved in isolation. We are and should continue to remain partners in the building of our country.
Our interaction this morning is therefore part of the necessary efforts to solidify relations for our mutual benefit.”
Mathabatha added that the interaction was the first since the recent national elections and the delivery of his State of the Province Address. “As you know, the ruling party went to the elections with a commitment to grow South Africa and create jobs. We said that we would ensure the transformation of the economy to serve all people, through interventions that promote a developmental growth path to create more jobs and decent jobs. As you would agree, this will need sustainable and radical land reform and a plan to broaden ownership of the economy,” Mathabatha said.

Story/photos: RC Myburgh
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