CO-OPERATIVES were urged to register with the municipality to ensure they benefited from programmes targeting the sector for economic growth.

The call came at a Co-operative Campaign meeting hosted by the department of local economic development, tourism and rural development, held at Gompo Hall in Duncan Village on Wednesday, 18 March.

A group of more than 200 of potential and established co-operative members attended the gathering. The campaign is aimed at providing a platform for upcoming and established co-operatives and the department is visiting various areas to promote its services.

The Duncan Village meeting started at 10am with a welcome address by ward councillor Mayenzeke Dinizulu, who highlighted how important it was for co-operatives to register with the municipality.

“This initiative is part of the City’s plan to alleviate poverty by transferring skills to young and upcoming business people.”

Co-operatives that attended included cleaning services, catering, grass cutting and agricultural services. “Some co-operatives could work as municipal suppliers or service providers through this initiative.”

Commenting on the campaign, Nomava Mpoziswa of Siyakuvuma Co-operative in Duncan Village said, “We are grateful for this gathering, which will empower us in building and making our businesses a success.”

Mzwanele Dlova, the municipality’s business development manager, gave an overview of the campaign. It was set to give a platform for co-operatives to register on the department’s database and to introduce forums where they would discus the challenges affecting growth and development.

“This campaign will help co-operatives to gain and grow in their chosen fields.”

The day concluded with a selection of a committee to liaise with the municipality and transfer skills to other members of their co-operatives. “The committee is selected to help the department and councillors to have minimal monitoring of the co-operatives,” Dlova explained.

The City was also building a new business centre where businesses could brush up their skills. It would offer business counseling and advice, marketing and enterprise development, and business registration.

“The centre will also help businesses with the process of applying for a tender which will include the costing and estimating, the business plan, setting up a business and managing the contract,” Dlova said.

Dinizulu also spoke about starting a business, mentioning basic business concepts and identifying a feasible business idea.

The next Co-operative Campaign meetings will be held in Mdantsane and King William’s Town later this month. “We are not sure of dates as yet but people should look out for advertisements in local newspapers,” said Dlova.