Minister of Small Business Development Ms. Lindiwe Zulu, KZN MEC for Economic Development Tourism & Environmental Affairs, Mr Sihle Zikalala, KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs, Ms Nomusa Dube-Ncube and Executive Mayor of Umsunduzi Local Municipality, Cllr Themba Njilo, will on Wednesday, 17 April 2019 launch and hand over tools and equipment to Kings of Midlands Secondary Cooperative worth well over 10million in Pietermaritzburg, Kwa Zulu Natal.

 
“I think this is a fundamental step in the right direction, this approach will enhance competitiveness of the individual taxi owners and the association as a whole, so said Minister Zulu.
 
The Kings of Midlands is a local cooperative founded by a taxi association in Pietermaritzburg. This secondary cooperative represent 10 associations registered as primary cooperatives. They are running a tyre fitment centre, spares shop, panel beating services and a fuel station.
 
Chairperson of the Kings of Midlands, Mr Nhlanhla Nkomo said that “We are truly encouraged by this caring government, we have had this dream for a very long time and now is a reality. From the early days we knew that every taxi need petrol, tyres, wheel alignment and spares and these taxis need to be fixed and serviced regularly but we were unable to do this on our own until the Department came on board, this is what we need to radically transform the economy”

The handover of business tools and equipment is part of the new Cooperative Incentive programme, which targets cluster cooperatives to ensure sustainability of enterprises throughout the value chain. The Department will hand over tyre fitment centre equipment, delivery vans and tow trucks amongst others. This is a pragmatic intervention by the Department of Small Business Development which endeavours to propel the growth and transformation of the taxi industry through creation of viable, competitive and sustainable enterprises in the value chain with the ultimate objective to see their inclusion in the mainstream economy.
 
“I have always said, there is more that can be done to help transform the transport sector in general but a lot more to transform the taxi industry in this country, there is a huge economic potential to derive economic benefit in clustering and aligning the activities in the taxi industry whilst ensuring their inclusion in the value chain. We must appreciate that this is an industry worth over R40 billion”, explained Minister Zulu.

Members of the media are invited to the event taking place as follows:

DATE: WEDNESDAY, 17 APRIL 2019

VENUE: CRN GRIFFIN & MAYOR’S WALK, OPPOSITE DALES PARK, PIETERMARITZBURG, KZN

TIME: 10:00

The launch will be followed by a community imbizo which is expected to attract at least 500 community members. This kind of event will demonstrate to all and sundry that a responsive government ought to respond to the felt needs of society.

Enquiries:

Noko Manyelo- Spokesperson

Department of Small Business Development

Mobile: 0609725221

 
Issued by Government Communication and Information System
16 April 2019