Current Edition >> Archives Section >> Editorial Comment >> 15-31 July 2005

Editorial Comment

Business literacy in Free State
In the developed countries of the world, like the USA, Britain, Spain, etc., more than 50% of GDP is generated by the SMME (small business) sector. This means that entrepreneurship – individual persons starting their own businesses – is of critical importance. Therefore it is rightfully said that what South Africa needs, is not more jobs, but more entrepreneurs. Of course not everyone is an entrepreneur, but still the more entrepreneurs the country can generate, the better for socio-economic growth and general well-being. While it is true to an extent that an entrepreneur is borne to be one, it is also definitely so that a person must know how to be an entrepreneur and how to successfully manage a business. Basically it is about the ABC of business – the so-called 7 P's of business : Product, Price, Premises, Personnel, Plan, Procedure and Promotion – and how each component works and fits in with the other. This is called basic business literacy. For us who has to make a living in the Free State, the upliftment of our province is of primary importance. Therefore for the Free State to advance, we need more entrepreneurs – business literate people. This can only come from purposeful and structured training, both at our tertiary institutions, but also of critical importance within the working environment. So, let the Free State take the initiative in SA – let us have more entrepreneurial information available and more structured selection processes. Let the entrepreneurial talent be identified and developed – nurtured and led to full blooming. The money to do this is available in all sorts of government departmental budgets and support programs. It just needs to be applied correctly. This is a mouthful and hopefully a seed of what is being said here, will drop into the right soil and bear fruit. The Free State needs to look after itself and the way to do it, is to grow more of its own entrepreneurs.

Bloemfontein / Mangaung: Uitdagings
Die grootste skande in die geskiedenis van munisipale bestuur in Bloemfontein / Mangaung – dit is ongetwyfeld die R150 miljoen korrupsie wat die Skerpioene verlede jaar oopgevlek het. Terwyl die verhore nog besig is om plaas te vind, lyk dit asof die tentakels van die katnes nog lank nie oral uitgelig is nie. Dit lyk of daar meer amptenare is wat betrokke is, terwyl 'n kwessie soos die elaborate munisipale streekkantoorgebou in Rocklands ook nog uitgesorteer moet word. Duidelik wag daar dus nog 'n ingrypende skoonmaakproses. Hopelik sal die nuwe burgemeester en raadslede die taak te bowe kom. 'n Ligpunt is dat daar nog ook uitstekende amptenare in die munisipaliteit is wie se integriteit bo verdenking is. Behalwe dat Mangaung veronderstel is om die toonaangewende munisipaliteit in die provinsie te wees, verg die groot ontwikkelings wat besig is om in en om Bloemfontein plaas te vind – soos bv. die uitbreidings aan die weste- en noordekant, die verwagte opgradering van die middestad en die ontwikkeling van die N8 roete aan die oostekant – besondere kundigheid en sterk leierskap. Hopelik beantwoord Bloemfontein / Mangaung sy uitdagings.

Littering
We have repeatedly made calls in the Free State Business Bulletin in the past for something tangible to be done regarding the extensive and ugly littering in our towns and cities and along our roads. If we can only tidy up, it would improve not only the environment we live in, but also our quality of life. Charity begins at home : Let's start with an education campaign of our public – let's inform them at home, in schools, in all public places, not to litter – to use the bins and designated places. And, oh, make those designated places and dumping sites safe! And supply and maintain sufficient public rubbish bins, please. This is a call to all powers to be – local, provincial, private and national. Please do something – and start by educating the public massively.