The National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nafcoc) launched their local branch, the Makana Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Mafcoc) on Saturday.
Mafcoc is a network of local businesses that aims to create a support network for local businesses with a particular but not exclusive focus on developing businesses owned by black people.
The National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nafcoc) launched their local branch, the Makana Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Mafcoc) on Saturday.
Mafcoc is a network of local businesses that aims to create a support network for local businesses with a particular but not exclusive focus on developing businesses owned by black people.
The event was attended by local businesspeople, representatives of local banks as well as the Rhodes deputy Vice-Chancellor Sizwe Mabizela and National Arts Festival Director, Ismail Mohamed.
In his his speech at the launch, Mabizela said Mafcoc will enjoy the unwavering support of the university. “We look forward to a meaningful and mutually beneficial relationship between Rhodes University and Mafcoc.”
Meanwhile, Mohamed urged local business people in attendace to make Makana “comfortable for tourists” and to promote tourist attractions in Grahamstown East such as Egazini.
He said “Our biggest challenge with businesses in Grahamstown is that we are quick to take money from tourists but do not reciprocate with a smile”.
Mohamed said it was futile to produce fancy DVDs about what Makana looks like if people “don’t take ownership of our city”. Ali Adam of Nafcoc and one of the main drivers of the Mafcoc formation said their plan is to better the economic situation in the township.
“We want to create a central business area in the township so that people do not have to travel all the way to town for things such as withdrawing money from an ATM,” he said.
Adam says that they are planning to discuss a township revitalisation plan with the Makana council to achieve this important goal.
