This was an initiative of the Edend District municipality. Synergy and partnership were the buzzwords and Alan Winde, minster of Tourism, Economic Development and Agriculture, reiterated that economic development, which is very much a part of local government's mandate, differs from the other three pillars of responsibility - representing the people of the community, service delivery and regulating the environment. The last three have direct implications but economic development has a broader scope as the economy crosses boundaries as business cycles change.
"People that drive the economy can not be controlled, but have to be influenced." Winde's call on local government to assess their relationship with business as well as the community they work for boils down to collaboration and action-orientated dialogue. Winde gave a strong message that the region should develop a strategic agenda, create a united business voice and start working on a regional brand that should be based not on "thumb-sucking, but on registered data that can be monitored, accounted for and, based on measurable outcome". He mentioned tourism and the importance of this sector being the biggest job creator. He says in the Western Cape 204 000 people are dependent on this industry that grew with 7.8%.
He said he is more hopeful about the Choo-Tjoe's comeback than ever. In this case tourism will not be the main catalyst. On November 21, stakeholders will discuss the way forward. "This time its future success will be based on a rail network that answers to the economy. It will be viable to move people and goods. With transport at its backbone, its realisation could be within reach."
Much reference was made to evidence-based development. Andrew Boraine, representing the Western Cape Economic Development Partnership, concurred and said sustained partnership is the name of the game. Councillor Wessie van der Westhuizen, Eden District Municipality's executive mayor, was excited about the Green Economy launch early in 2015 and referred to it as a regional game-changer that will increase regional economic development which is "of the utmost importance". He referred to the R170-million landfill site that is on its way outside Mossel Bay, next to Petro SA, that will, according to him, create 70 permanent jobs, excluding excavation and building. He called on colleagues to work practically towards reducing red tape in this area. He said it is his opinion that there are still far too many role-players who going about their own business alone instead of working together.
During the question session, Winde was asked for more dialogue to assess the different roles of the local, regional, provincial and national role-players. He concluded hat more talk without action is not the way to go forward. He called for action-orientated dialogue. Winde also expressed his disappointment in the fact that there were not enough business representatives at the discussion, and too many white faces.
This was the first of these networking opportunities and organisers promised many more to come.
This quote from John F. Kennedy was included in the programme: "Geography has made us neighbours. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners, and necessity has made us allies. Those whom God has so joined together, let no man put asunder."
Ilse van Schalkwyk, Knysna's managerof economic development, and outgoing municipal manager Lauren Waring enjoy Eden District Municipality's business breakfast at Simola Hotel.
ARTICLE: FRAN KIRSTEN
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