The Grahamstown Business Forum (GBF), under the chairmanship of Dr Trevor Davies, has set itself the task of creating a cleaner, safer Grahamstown.
The Grahamstown Business Forum (GBF), under the chairmanship of Dr Trevor Davies, has set itself the task of creating a cleaner, safer Grahamstown.
Within a framing of ‘What can I do?’ – rather than just ‘What should the government do?’ – the members are tackling issues that are within their sphere of influence.
“We are trying to send a message of active citizenship,” says Dr Davies, “and to encourage others to join us in turning things around".
He has started the ball rolling by ensuring a clean, safe space outside his business premises, and has been joined in a similar initiative by Eugene Repinz of the Graham Hotel.
Repinz has been instrumental in getting two CCTV security cameras and a security guard installed in the area between Steers and Postnet on High Street, previously perceived to be a crime hot spot.
This has been a collaboration with Hi-Tec, with the businesses funding one camera and Hi-Tec another and making use of the Hi-Tec infrastructure. The cameras help create a feeling of safety for those walking and shopping in the area. They and can also provide evidence if any crimes do occur.
Also in line with the idea of active citizenship, the GBF invited staff from the Raphael Centre to address their monthly meeting in October. The organisation has been doing Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD )training at the Assumption Development Centre in Joza, with the aim of building social capital and networks of mutual support within communities.
The idea is that people who have started small business initiatives or enterprises within particular neighbourhoods can get together to share resources, combine assets, and unlock their strengths.
“We get people to map their assets and visualise what they can do, and guide them into combining and investing in their assets. This involves a mind shift as well as practical ideas,” says Mary Humphrey, manager of the Raphael Centre.
In support of this attempt to revitalise neighbourhoods, the GBF has agreed to establish a small start-up fund to which members of the ABCD network could pitch business ideas for bridging capital, in a kind of Grahamstown version of the TV programme, ‘Dragon’s Den’, which involves start-up businesses pitching for capital to a panel of four, highly sucessful entrepreneurs.
“Except we won’t be so mean,” laughs Dr Davies.
