"One day we will change the economy of this country," said Phumzile Ndendela, president of the Eastern Cape's National African Federated Chamber of Commerce (Nafcoc), during the official opening of its Cacadu branch on Thursday.
A gala dinner was hosted at City Hall to mark the occasion which was well attended by Makana Municipality representatives, Rhodes University's Deputy Vice Chancellor; Dr Sizwe Mabizela, officials from local government departments and Nafcoc's Cacadu district branch executives.
"One day we will change the economy of this country," said Phumzile Ndendela, president of the Eastern Cape's National African Federated Chamber of Commerce (Nafcoc), during the official opening of its Cacadu branch on Thursday.
A gala dinner was hosted at City Hall to mark the occasion which was well attended by Makana Municipality representatives, Rhodes University's Deputy Vice Chancellor; Dr Sizwe Mabizela, officials from local government departments and Nafcoc's Cacadu district branch executives.
In a speech Ndendela targeted the high unemployment rate in South Africa as something they strongly wish to help overcome. After announcing that, he voiced his desire for Nafcoc to work alongside the government and academic institutions, and he urged black businessmen to be heroes of black empowerment. "We must make sure that we protect the identity of this country," he said.
Mabizela heartily agreed that academic institutions and local businesses should join forces to build up the community, because the performance of townships schools in the province condemns the rights of young people, he said. "What kind of society can we become?" Mabizela asked guests at the dinner, and concluded that this is the kind of question that needs to be asked in order to build a greater society.
Chairperson of Nafcoc's new Cacadu branch, Albert Adam, gave an idea of what the organisation hoped to bring about in the area. He said that they planned to build a skill centre where children can be trained in business skills from a young age. "Business people must lead the economy of the country," he said, before announcing that their office is open for anyone who wants more information. The office is situated off Coben Street, next-door to the old Metro wholesalers and down the road from the Day Hospital.
