QONCE – The National African Fedarated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NAFCOC) in Buffalo City Municipality region(BCM region)held a discussion regarding ways to localise the economy, through building human scale business for local markets and beyond.
NAFCOC BCM region held a breakfast on 28th June at Qonce, where all the BCM region and surroundings entrepreneurs or SMEs(small medium enterprises)were invited.
The president of NAFCOC in the Eastern Cape Chwayita Zithutha delivered the speech stating that, the purpose of the breakfast was to inform the attendees about the history of NAFCOC and its mandate and vision. The organization strive to inspire those who still want to join NAFCOC about the benefits of being a member.
It is one of the largest business chambers in South Africa with representation in all 9 provinces of South Africa. It was thoroughly explained that NAFCOC is an organized black business chamber which was established in 1964 by black traders in Soweto.
The NAFCOC implement its mandate through sector specific chamber who offer relevant business support services to its members depending upon the sector chamber they affiliates to.
It is multisectoral with different sectors for instance Agriculture, Tourism, Construction, mining, Transport and logistics etc. The Youth and Women chambers of BCM was also launched on the day.
“NAFCOC launched new chamber, but more importantly about the event is that it engaged with people of Qonce as they said the services and businesses are scarce that side.”
” In that say we are trying to get close to them to bring awareness and we want to gain membership so that people would be able to sign in and we also planning to have a campaign that will be announced where there is regional fees of R500 for businesses to join,” said Buhle Buzani youth leader for NAFCOC in the BCM region.
Buzani futher said, “what stood out for me was seeing the Mayor of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Cllr.Princess Faku present in the launch, as she bought the council to also attend. We looking forward to seeing progress as the Mayor promised us R500 million through BCMDA which will be rewarded to youth and women and also going to local economy especially spaza shops and those who will join NAFCOC will also be beneficiaries,” Buzani concluded.
In addition Mayor of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Cllr. Princess Faku emphasized that as the metropolitan municipality they will strive by all means in supporting NAFCOC as they mayor is inspired by the president of NAFCOC Zithutha.
“We assure you NAFCOC when you host an event similar like this we will strive to go deep on our pockets to make sure that some costs are covered by us,” Cllr. Faku.
NAFCOC BCM region is looking forward to host another similar engagement in East London in no time.
