Together we can! vow government and business at inauguration of KLCBT president
The inauguration of the new Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT) president on October 18, affirmed the shared vision of both business and government to create a prosperous and sustainable region.
Nelspruit-born Oupa Pilane (47) took over the reins from Dr Norah Fakude in the presence of top businessmen, local and regional government officials and KLCBT board and committee members, who gathered at the Dream South Business Lounge in Mbombela.
Mpumalanga MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Sikhumbuzo Eric Kholwane expressed his confidence in the impact Pilane can make on the region as head of the integrated KLCBT.
In 2015, the KLCBT convened all the business chambers and tourism organisations within the Kruger Lowveld region to present the formation of a regional chambers forum to allow business and tourism in the region to speak with one voice when tackling district and provincial matters.
Members of the Kruger Lowveld Ehlanzeni Business Alliance include the KLCBT, NAFCOC, FABCOS, AHI and all of the business chambers within the Ehlanzeni District (Lydenburg-Mashishing, Bushbuckridge, Pilgrim’s Rest, Graskop, Sabie, Hazyview, Malalane and Barberton), as well as the broader Kruger National Park.
In his inaugural address, Pilane told MEC Kholwane and other audience members that the KLCBT boasts men and women with the capacity to understand the dynamics needed to grow the region. “We all belong to the same picture of a puzzle; each piece is needed to complete the picture,” he said in championing a dynamic relationship between business and government.
This sentiment was echoed by the MEC, who said that proper communication will enable government and the private sector to augment rather than duplicate each others’ efforts.
Pilane – a KLCBT veteran – holds a Master’s degree in Public Development from Wits University. He is the owner and founder of Nelspruit’s Ubuntu Kraal guesthouse and currently holds the position of Executive: Municipal Business Intelligence at the Guma Group, which provides integrated revenue solutions for municipalities.
He was previously an advisor to Nelspruit’s executive mayor and the spokesman for former Premier Mathews Phosa.
Integrity Pledge
You simply cannot run a successful business without good ethical practices. This is the view of the KLCBT.
Pastor TJ Mare, who is the KLCBT Business Chairperson, introduced the Hand on my Heart campaign at Pilane’s inauguration.
“Integrity does not just happen. You have to make it happen,” said Pastor Mare, adding that the new campaign emphasises that doing business takes integrity and a conscious decision to make South Africa a better place.
In accepting the position of KLCBT president, Pilane raised his hand and repeated a solemn pledge after Pastor Mare, committing himself to upholding and promoting good integrity in all his dealings and attitudes.
At the end of the evening, many a dignitary took the Integrity Pledge themselves, including MEC Kholwane. They received a pin to wear with pride and publicly proclaim their commitment to ethical dealings.
Son of Mpumalanga excited by province’s potential
New Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT) president Oupa Pilane may not be a large man, but he packs a mean punch.
He captivated business leaders and government officials during his inaugural speech on October 18, when he passionately championed causes close to his heart. Issues included the importance of government and the private sector combining their resources and talents for the betterment of the region and its people, the importance of township economies, nurturing local entrepreneurs and local procurement.
He told the Mpumalanga MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Sikhumbuzo Eric Kholwane that ‘we are comrades in the betterment of our people’.
Pilane first became involved with the KLCBT when he was advisor to Nelspruit/Mbombela’s executive mayor and the spokesman for former Premier Mathews Phosa. At the time, he sat in on the discussions that eventually led to the founding of the organisation that would evolve into the KLCBT.
He said in his inaugural speech that the time for talking about strengthened government and business relations is over, emphasising that combined actions to strengthen the region were now needed.
“KLCBT members have the resources and skills to help government achieve its objectives,” he said, adding, “we are not partners but one people connected together.”
Pilgrim’s Rest, the once thriving tourism town that is now battling to survive, is a ‘low hanging fruit’ that can serve as an example of how business and government can together achieve greatness. “It has dragged on long enough,” he said of the beleaguered town, adding that it is owed to Pilgrim’s Rest residents to find a lasting solution.
In response, MEC Kholwane said government is committed to solving the issue of Pilgrim’s Rest and is mindful of both the urgency and the fact that the contribution of all stakeholders is needed.
MEC Kholwane touched on the tough economic climate, saying that it is important to understand that government needs to take tough decisions. “However, we know that we cannot travel this difficult road alone. We need people to help us take the right decisions at the right time.”
With regard to township economies, Pilane said that rejuvenating township economies should not be seen as the responsibility of government only. “As business people, townships present exciting opportunities not only for us, but for the region as a whole.
“Remember, when the poor are hungry, they will eat the rich,” he said, urging local procurement.
He spoke with as much passion about government’s black industrialists’ programme, saying that business must lead efforts in this regard.
“We are about to give birth to something amazing in this province. Black and white people will sit side by side in a boardroom as partners and discuss how we can create an inheritance for our people and our children.”
On the natural beauty of the region and its tourism potential, he joked that, ‘God said: Let us create Mpumalanga… and the rest!’
On the tourism front, MEC Kholwane generated much excitement when he said that the province would host World Tourism Day 2017 in the latter part of next year. “Let us use this event to enhance our working relationship,” he said.
“I am excited to be a child of this province,” concluded the new president, explaining how personally he takes the region’s success. “It has to do with the success of a place that has given birth to me. We can make Mpumalanga a pilot for the rest of the world.”
KLCBT shares success stories
The Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT) used the inauguration of president Oupa Pilane on October 18 as a platform to update business and government leaders on the progress made in a number of areas.
Chief Operating Officer Linda Grimbeek said that the KLCBT is pleased to see real improvements following the implementation of Mbombela local municipality’s turnaround strategy. “We are hopeful that the surrounding towns will follow their good example,” she said.
“I am excited about the formation of the Mbombela Economic Development Partnership which will see the city and private sector stakeholders identifying and implementing projects to develop the local economy,” added Grimbeek.
She explained that chamber priority areas include improving the private sector’s relationship with government, the regional water supply, poor state of roads, poor state of public tourism attractions, finding a permanent solution for Pilgrim’s Rest, the safety and security of tourists, the buy local campaign and corruption and the promotion of integrity.
A number of successes have been achieved. KLCBT and other stakeholders are in constant communication with the Minister of Water Affairs regarding the region’s bulk water supply and the request for a dam South of Malelane. This will enable the farmers in the Onderberg to irrigate without the current restrictions. “We recently received news that national surveys have been completed and we are awaiting news on the results,” she shared.
Grimbeek said that many of the problems with the roads have been solved, thanks in some part to private sector involvement and funding. “KLCBT is currently surveying all roads and will compile a list of those needing attention.” This will be shared with the relevant government departments, she explained.
Repair work and improvements have commenced at some of the public attractions, but Grimbeek said there is a lot of work still to be done. However, she added that the KLCBT is excited about the possible privatisation of reserves within the region.
2015 saw the formation of the Pilgrim’s Rest Integrated Development Engagement, which was charged with finding solutions to the end the deterioration of Pilgrim’s Rest. “Some progress has been made and the task team has been ready to present the solutions to the relevant HODs since December 2015. However, we are relieved to see renewed interest in this regard and look forward to the rebirth of this important tourism product.”
One of the most successful interventions involves the safety and security of tourists. The Hazyview Chamber of Business and Tourism, with the assistance of the KLCBT, appointed a crime liaison officer who provides intelligence from the community and liaises with the chamber and the police on a daily basis. This has resulted in a big reduction in robberies. With the collaboration of Ehlanzeni District Municipality, a team of Ehlanzeni tourism ambassadors were recently deployed in a pilot project that could be replicated in other areas.
Strides have been made in combating roadside corruption, particularly in Hazyview and Bushbuckridge. The KLCBT printed business-size cards to educate motorists that it is illegal to pay a ‘fine’ on the side of the road. The cards also contain essential contact numbers and were widely distributed. Grimbeek acknowledged that it takes two to tango and emphasised that the anti-corruption campaign is aimed at both government and the private sector.
“The buy-local advocacy campaign is the most recent addition to our task list and holds great potential. We will design and implement various programmes and initiatives to promote local procurement by government and the private sector and will provide assistance to small businesses to become compliant as service providers,” said Grimbeek.
As the official representative body of business and tourism in the Kruger Lowveld – Ehlanzeni District, the KLCBT enables business to speak with one voice when tackling issues of common interest.
Grimbeek explained that the diversity of its member base makes dialogue between business and government more meaningful. “We are here to join hands to create a better business environment and a better province for us all to live and work in.
“When it comes to representing our members, we are faced with an increasing demand on our advocacy role and for this reason we came to the conclusion that we needed to join forces with other chambers in the region to enable more effective and focused engagement with government and other stakeholders.
“During May 2015, all the chambers and major stakeholders within the Ehlanzeni district held their first conference and the Kruger Lowveld Ehlanzeni Business Alliance (KLEBA) was formed. The alliance focuses on practical ways of improving the local economy and identifies stumbling blocks which hamper growth.
“It is our explicit mandate to maintain a good relationship with government and other organisations – to share our abundant expertise with you and to ensure that your strategies and your vision, which is also our vision for the future, are successfully carried out.”
For more information, contact the KLCBT on 013 755 1988 or email info@krugerlowveld.com.
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