Getting to know the CMCO

CMCO’s Local Economic Development sub-
committee members Ayob Khan, Mlondi Manzini
and Vusi Ngwenya.

Engen lends a helping hand
to needy organisations

Jabu Zwane of Chesterville’s Home for the Disabled receives blankets and pillows from Engen’s Public Affairs Manager, Ian Khathi. The donations will be distributed among all needy organisations in the township.

A series of articles explaining the role of the Cato Manor Community Organisation

The Cato Manor Community Organisation (CMCO) was formed in May 1998 after a need was identified to formalise and systemise the communication of development-related issues between area-based representative structures and the CMDA.
In order to clarify the role of the CMCO for Cato Manor residents, IZWI will publish a series of articles explaining the aims, objectives and functions of each of the CMCO’s six sub-committees. In this first article we will discuss the local economic development (LED) sub-committee.
The function of the LED sub-committee is to focus on the upliftment of the emerging business community in Cato Manor. This sub-committee is led by Ayob Khan, both as co-ordinator and as chairperson.
Why does it exist?
The role of the LED sub-committee is to be totally involved in all economic development programmes in Cato Manor to ensure that emerging entrepreneurs receive a fair deal, and have representation when decisions affecting their lives are taken; and to feed information from the ground and relay it to the relevant authorities.
What has it achieved since its inception?
The LED sub-committee has played a vital role in the implementation of various economic development projects such as the informal market in Bellair Road, the Bellair Road shopping centre and the two business fairs
The LED sub-committee is currently part of the Container Park programme in Cato Crest and in Wiggins. These projects are for the benefit of local entrepreneurs. The locating of projects in different areas is to make sure that each is economically self-sufficient, thus promoting a balanced improvement of socio-economic standards in all the areas of Cato Manor.
The intention is that once established, the projects will be handed over to local business associations to manage and maintain.
The LED sub-committee is ensuring that local emerging entrepreneurs with manufacturing and technical expertise get first preference when it comes to allocating economic opportunities created by projects, such as the industrial parks and the incubator projects.
Big business concerns are being invited to invest in Cato Manor and to get involved in building the capacity of the emerging business community of Cato Manor.
Does the LED sub-committee
enjoy support within Cato Manor?
There seems to be a reluctance from the emerging business community to take initiatives and take the economic development opportunities on offer. There is no firm commitment and acceptance of responsibilities. Business associations should play an integral role in the local economic development projects so that everyone can enjoy the benefits.

Engen Refinery donated 100 matresses, 200 sheets, pillow cases, and 200 blankets to the Highway Hospice in Chesterville.

The goods were handed over to the hospice management by Engen’s Public Affairs Manager, Ian Khathi who said, "This donation is part of Engen Refinery’s social responsibility and it shows that the refinery is not only looking at neighbouring communities such as Wentworth, but we also look further afield."
Jabu Zwane, who received the gifts on behalf of the disabled in Chesterville, will ensure that the goods are evenly distributed to seven other needy organisations in the community. These are organisations such as Chesterville Disabled, St Barnabas Pre-School, Zamokuhle Creche, A.H. Zulu Pre-School and Nobantwana Nursery School.

Big responsibility for
small business association

In a move that is seen by many as a step towards empowering community-based organisations, the CMDA has decided that the management of the Cato Crest Container Park will be the responsibility of the Cato Crest Small Business Association (CCSBA).
The CCSBA has welcomed the move, but are cautious about taking a responsibility of such magnitude.
"Although we are in agreement with the CMDA, we need to prepare ourselves for the job. This will be a major shift for the CCSBA, and a new experience for us," said Shadrack Hlubi of the CCSBA.
There will be 17 containers at the Park which will be rented by manufacturers, retailers and other service providers. The containers are expected to start arriving at the end of September.