Nafcoc – claim of parallel Limpopo structure dismissed

A grouping based in Marshall Street in the city that describes itself as the only duly elected structure of the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nafcoc) in Limpopo, reacted to Polokwane Observer’s article last Thursday wherein it was reported about a meeting of another grouping, operating from offices in Biccard Street, claiming that they were in fact the only legitimate structure of Nafcoc in Limpopo.
Polokwane Observer pointed out that Nafcoc Limpopo was characterised by factional fighting that has apparently been crippling the effectiveness of the body for some years now and that this was endorsed at the meeting of the Biccard Street faction by President of Nafcoc’s Industrial Chamber (NIC), Steve Skosana. The meeting was convened to prepare members for the Nafcoc national conference that is scheduled to take place in Durban towards the end of November.
Sello Mahlo, Deputy Secretary General of the Marshall Street grouping, said in a letter that his organisation was not aware of any parallel structure of Nafcoc in the province. According to Mahlo, the current provincial executive of Nafcoc Limpopo was duly elected on 22 June 2012 at an inclusive elective conference attended by 196 attendees, including three past presidents of the then Northern Province Nafcoc, which is according to Mahlo, the current Nafcoc Limpopo. Mahlo said the Biccard Street grouping, claiming to be the current Nafcoc Limpopo with Isaac Masekwameng as president, was officially dismissed by the council that elected them.
Mahlo stated that the Marshall Street grouping is led by Sello Kgolane as president and confirmed that they also supported a united structure in the province. “We stand ready to participate in real unity talks for the sake of SMMEs in the province but cannot be referred to as a parallel structure because we are not,” Mahlo concluded on this point.

Story: BARRY VILJOEN
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