Cooperatives in Nelson Mandela Bay received a major boost today with the official launch of the Nelson Mandela Bay Cooperative Chamber (NMBCC), an apex body tasked with the responsibility to ensure the sustainability and success of its members.
With a current membership of 64 Cooperatives operating in the tourism industry, manufacturing, construction, catering, agriculture, transport, ocean economy, waste management and recycling sectors the ideal membership goal set for the NMBCC are at least 200 Cooperatives.
Both Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor Athol Trollip and MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Sakhumzi Somyo applauded the initiative.
Mayor Trollip said: “Let me thank all the stakeholders here today whose participation led to this launch in particular MEC Somyo who encouraged Metro Cooperatives to become organized and to speak in one voice leading to the Cooperatives now belonging to an apex organization that will provide them with support and development.
“I think it is very good advice as cooperatives is made out of individuals as they are not fully-fledged companies. It is groups of individuals coming together and the directive that you organize yourselves is indeed sound advice.
“I am furthermore pleased to note the good working relations between all the stakeholders and the desire by all partners to establish the tertiary cooperative, the NMBCC, and to convert opportunities into sustainable growth in order for cooperatives to operate in a conducive environment.
“This initiative will place the city amongst the forerunners in the implementation of the national policy on cooperatives in pursuit of meaningful participation to attain local economic development imperatives,” Mayor Trollip added.
Mr Thembinkosi Peter is the newly elected Chairperson of The Nelson Mandela Bay Cooperatives Chamber and Mr Innocent Marthinus the secretary.
MEC Sakhumzi Somyo said the advantage of an apex body for cooperatives is that they bring a number of people together that makes assistance for them from either government or the private sector easier.
“We would like you to operate in a sustainable manner so that we can assist you as an inclusive unit.
“Primary cooperatives can now be happy that they have a mother body that will at least make sure that they adhere to basic business principals and to enhance their professionalism and take them a step closer to attaining success,” said MEC Somyo at the Nangoza Jebe Hall today.
NMB Communications
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