2016-02-11 06:00
Zila Mkonto
Hundred and sixteen informal business people were hailed as heroes during the Western Cape Informal Traders Upliftment Project (ITUP) graduation ceremony held at Zolani Centre on Tuesday.
The event was attended by Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu and Beverley Schäfer member of Western Cape parliament and standing committee chairperson for economic opportunities, tourism and agriculture.
More than 1000 informal traders nationally were trained on introduction to entrepreneurship, advertising and promotion, customer care and service, basic financial management, purchasing skills, legal issues including municipal by-laws and compliance policies.
"Informal business is an important sector of our economy. Today is, therefore, a special occasion. We are here to honour cadres of a nation committed to pursue radical economic transformation," said Minister Zulu.
She said this was a momentous milestone in the country`s journey towards building an inclusive economy that benefits all people.
"Indeed, we are here, not only to honour our achievers and to hand over equipment that will help sustain their businesses, but also to recognise the monumental significance of what today represents," she said.
The Western Cape was the sixth province that a similar graduation was held. The traders came from Nyanga, Villiersdorp, Paarl East, Worcester and Khayelitsha.
"We are here to celebrate these hard-working men and women who, in the spirit of vukuzenzele, consciously chose to take the initiative and take their destinies into their own hands. This is a key ingredient of a true entrepreneur," she concluded.
Member of the Western Cape provincial parliament Beverley Schäfer said they acknowledge the role played by informal traders. "Those who have participated in the informal traders` upliftment project will add more oomph to the local economy," she said.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Local/City-Vision/local-informal-traders-glorified-20160210