Uphill start for Khoisan chamber
|Published
File photo File photo
Cape Town - A lack of financial support is delaying the newly-established Khoisan Chamber of Commerce and Industry from starting up.
The agreement to establish the Khoisan Chamber was signed at a conference on Monday.
Chairman John Witbooi said the chamber had received promises from people and organisations who pledged financial sponsorship. “What we are focusing on now is getting the message to the rest of the country. We still need to establish all our structures locally and nationally. Looking for an office space is one of the first things we need to do,” he said.
Despite not having offices and the necessary financial support, Witbooi said he was positive the chamber would be successful. “With the skills of the president Ruben Richards, who was the chief executive of the Cape Chamber of Commerce, we are positive we will be successful. He is very successful in everything he does.”
Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Janine Myburgh said she believed any member-based organisation had the potential to be successful.
“There is no reason to believe that the Khoisan have not contributed to the economy. They are a very traditional people, with pastoral heritage. It would be easy to conclude that they would not contribute to the economy, but that would be hearsay.”
Myburgh added that although people were needed to start up a chamber, it also required the necessary infrastructure and appropriate knowledge.
“Chambers of commerce provides opportunities for members to engage with one another, providing new opportunities. The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry also provides a wide range of services which can make a meaningful impact on a member’s business. We lobby on behalf of our members, and the chamber is described as ‘the voice of businesses’.”
The Institute of Race Relations chief economist Ian Cruickshanks said it was a noble cause, but the Khoisan Chamber had “lots of work ahead”. “In practical terms it will be difficult. To start your own chamber is very expensive. They will need to see if a corporate backer will think it is worth the effort.”
Western Cape MEC for Economic Opportunities and Tourism, Alan Winde, wished the group well and encouraged the Khoisan Chamber to join the Economic Provincial Partnership. “We are committed to strengthening partnerships with all organisations.”
CAPE ARGUS