Bekkersdal Development Hub Boosts Business and Jobs

	MEC Mokonyane unveils the plaque at the launch of the Bekkersdal Development Hub, together with the Executive Mayor of the Westonaria Local Municipality, Ms. MA Khumalo and the Executive Mayor of the West Rand District Municipality, Ms. Faith Matshikiza

The Gauteng Department of Housing hosted the Bekkersdal Local Economic Development (LED) Indaba on 5th and 6th June 2008. The aimof the Indaba was to engage business, government, community and academic stakeholders on how best to promote sustainable communities through local economic development, vocational training, job creation and poverty alleviation initiatives.

In her keynote address, MEC Mokonyane, outlined the three pillars of the BRP vision: to create a sustainable human settlement and relocate 15,000 households currently living in informal settlements on unsafe dolomitic land; to upgrade the infrastructure of the formal areas of Bekkersdal; and to create sustainable local economic development

“Local economic development projects are planned to diversify the local economy, create much needed jobs and provide local businesses with new business opportunities. The Bekkersdal Development Hub (BDH) will be central to this development,” said MEC Mokonyane.

“Additional projects are to be identified based on community needs and availability of private sector funding. Bekkersdal is among the few places in Gauteng with no incidents of xenophobia. I’m grateful and proud of such a harmonious community, and appeal for patience and co-operation from the community,” she said.

“The BDH, currently under the management of Powerhouse Consortium will assist local business to access government SMME funding, training, and to facilitate the private sector’s involvement and partnerships with local Bekkersdal businesses,” MEC Mokonyane added.

BDH programmes will include: Training that promotes entrepreneurship and sustainable SMMEs Assistance to SMMEs to secure finance for starting or growing business ventures On the job skills training to improve the skills and experience of jobseekers from the community Supporting the development of business ideas and the incubation and growth of new business ventures A labour brokering service that includes maintaining a skills database of all jobseekers in the township Identifying employment opportunities in local industries and matching the requirements with trained personnel The following LED projects will be coordinated in the Bekkersdal Development Hub: Agribusiness projects (including herbs and vegetables) Brick making plant to supply bricks to the housing sector in Westrand Dairy farming Livestock breeding ranch Nursery and instant lawn Bakery project SMME development Training and capacitation for local beneficiaries.

MEC Mokonyane and Executive Mayor Khumalo greet members of the Bekkersdal Development Forum, Malome Marumo and Thembinkosi Stuurman, at the LED Indaba exhibition.. Right: MEC Mokonyane tours the Bekkersdal Development Hub and visits trainees being skilled in construction skills

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