Our front page article leaves no doubt that the economy of Grahamstown is going through a rough patch. Mainstream, well-established businesses are closing their doors while others are going through a change of ownership processes. These are not signs of a thriving local business climate.
Our front page article leaves no doubt that the economy of Grahamstown is going through a rough patch. Mainstream, well-established businesses are closing their doors while others are going through a change of ownership processes. These are not signs of a thriving local business climate.
Times are tough and even the international economy is in crisis, so it's not surprising that businesses are struggling to survive. Telkom, CNA and Dunns have all closed their doors within a few short months and many other establishments are teetering on the brink of viability.
It is true that some businesses are thriving – and these are enterprises that benefit directly from the students and private schools – but in the big picture we are in trouble and we need to do something about it.
In spite of the precarious nature of the local economy, rents are high and landlords appear to be reluctant to drop their prices to attract tenants. It seems that landlords are not considering the large number of empty houses and shops with “for rent” signs in front of them.
But landlords are not the only ones to be blame for our sluggish business environment. Grahamstonians appear to be too lethargic to do anything to revitalise our ailing commerce sector. It is extraordinary how people, in a town where salaries are low and jobs are scarce, do very little to ensure the continuity of their employment.
The economy of Makana needs an injection of inspiration to avoid sliding irretrievably down the hill into neglect, deterioration and poverty.
We all need to make a concerted effort to save this town from becoming a junk heap. The future of Makana is in jeopardy and it will not save itself without everyone making a positive contribution.
The municipality needs to ensure that the infrastructure of Makana works – nobody wants to invest in a town where the roads are nothing more than a collection of networked potholes. Companies are unwilling to set up business in a place where the water supply goes off for days at a time and where the paper work to get anything done is erratic and pitifully slow.
Businesses should make a greater effort to ensure the long term viability of their markets rather than trying to make a quick buck. Why don’t we have a business chamber that could formulate strategies for the commercial development of Makana?
Let us make Makana a business friendly community.
