Handouts instead of jobs…

The ANC in Buffalo City Metro’s idea of economic development is to plough millions of rands into projects and co-operatives that have not produced any real returns or sustainable jobs. This is not to say that there is no place for co-ops and other small business models within our city, but the local economic development function of a municipality must be about creating an environment conducive for business, not funding or running businesses under the auspices of the municipality. As an example, Buffalo City Metro has spent millions of rands in setting up hydroponic tunnel farming in Mdantsane, through a co-op that has some 20 to 30 members from the community working on site with a “mentor” (who is paid for by the city) to transfer skills to these community members in order for the project to become self-sustainable. Needless to say after a few years, this project is still not financially viable and the “mentor” reports that this project will take many more years to become self-sufficient. This ultimately means that the city and the rate payers will be footing the bill for this project for some time to come to keep it a float.

The Democratic Alliance’s vision of economic development and job creation is to create an environment within our city where private sector investors and businesses have confidence in our city and its infrastructure to expand or open new businesses and provide long-term decent employment.BuffaloCitycould be fast tracking the implementation of a CID (City Improvement District) – a model that has been implemented across the country, but has been most successful in the City ofCape Town, where, in a period of under 5 years, the CBD was turned around to become the bustling business and entertainment hub that it is today.

Simple measures such as ensuring regular maintenance of street lights and pothole repairs, and more significant interventions like proper planning and infrastructure services would go a long way to attracting investment. Alas, we are faced with a planning department where applicants (business) wait up to 5 years to have the rezoning of land approved or up to a decade for much needed sewerage or road infrastructure to be budgeted for (Gonubie Main Road is a perfect example).Who knows when BCMM will be able to implement something as simple as keeping the 15 or so streets that make up our CBD clean?

Wake up BCMM leaders and officials! If you can’t deliver the most basic of services, how can we expect you to create jobs?