Provincial inspectors to crack down on illegal foreign  nationals businesses

Nie Cele

Alina Tau

Unfettered mushrooming foreign nationals owned businesses in the townships could be a thing of the past. This was a stern warning issued by Gauteng Premier, David Makhura during his state of the province address.

The Premier told the packed Legislature that this is one matter his administration must address boldly and decisively to enforce by-laws and trading regulations.

“Many township entrepreneurs are being squeezed out of businesses by these unlawfully operating foreigner-owned businesses.

“This year, I will instruct inspectors in visiting townships and inner-cities to conduct inspections and shutdown these illegally operating businesses,”Makhura pointed.

The Premier also highlighted that funding and access to markets are two most critical barriers facing Black start-ups and township enterprises.

“ The initiative on the township stock exchange is in its final stages in partnership with the private sector. We have also completed a feasibility study on the establishment of a provincial state bank which will enable us to mobilize funding for SMMEs, township enterprises, women and youth businesses as well as for infrastructure development.”

He also divulged that, the long standingpartnership his administration has with more than 40 corporates is opening new vistas of opportunities for township based businesses to participate in corporate supply chains.

“This is helping to transform these township enterprises into more sustainable businesses, without having to rely solely on government contracts.

“We continue to invest in the development of cooperatives. To date, Gauteng has 14 registered co-operative banking institutions serving over 16 000 member-owners, with over R100 million in savings and R150 million in assets.

The Premier also hinted that his administration is working with these institutions to ensure that they become future financial providers to township enterprises.

“In partnership with the Italian co-operative movement, we are facilitating the formation of consumer co-operatives in the wholesale and retail sector. These cooperatives will mobilize the collective buying power of 250 000 township households to purchase affordable goods at stores they own and control.

Makhura was also happy to announce that Women-led cooperatives, the majority of whom are in the townships, are producing dignity packs and school uniforms and have created more than 30 000 job opportunities.