By Nangamso Mabindla
14 October 2005

PHILIP van der Berg, the chief of the Buffalo City municipal market, has been elected to serve on the executive of the Institute of Market Masters.

The institute, which was established in 1943, aims to promote professional market management in the fresh produce industry. It also aims to promote excellent communication, training and development, performance and ethical standards in the industry.

Van der Berg, who has been working in the industry for 32 years, says it is an honour for him to be selected for the institute's executive.

"It is an honour because I [have been] selected to be part of the executive council of an institution that aims to ensure smooth service in the fresh produce industry."

Explaining the importance of having the municipality market in the city, Van der Berg says business owners buy products from the market to sell to their customers.

"We get big businesses buying our products. This in turn has positive spin offs for the city's economy. We have a turn over of more than R150-million per annum - the market is very important to the municipality," he says.

Turning his attention to his appointment, Van der Berg says his position on the executive will improve the credibility of the Buffalo City market.

"This will hopefully put the municipal market on the map and people know that we have a very good municipal market here in our city."