Business tycoon Patrice Motsepe has donated R10-million to help poor residents of Buffalo City.
The funds are meant to help unemployed youths, emerging businesses, students battling with tuition and accommodation fees and those at the lower level of the education system.
Motsepe was in East London yesterday to launch a development forum, the third of its kind launched in the Eastern Cape.
The others are in OR Tambo district and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan municipality.
Speaking to more than 300 residents inside and outside Robbie De Lange Hall in Greenfields yesterday, Motsepe said he felt a need to contribute to the Eastern Cape.
“Government cannot eradicate poverty and unemployment alone. The family wanted to contribute.”
He said his father and grandfather had been educated in the province.
“My family has a huge obligation to the people of this province. I lived in Aliwal North when I was five. I spent 10 years in this province.”
He said those who wanted assistance would have to apply to the forum, which would make recommendations to the head office.
Chaired by the Reverend Mpumelelo Qwabaza, the forum consists of more than 50 church members, Buffalo City Metro (BCM) councillors, traditional leaders, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and others.
They were nominated weeks before the launch of the forum with only the position of the secretary scheduled to be elected last night.
The forum has to apply directly to the head office when it wants to offer assistance.
Eight forum members will attend a meeting in Johannesburg to discuss ideas on how to improve delivery to communities.
Motsepe said similar forums had been successful in other provinces.
Emerging business people would receive funding without having to pay back interest.
They would work closely with a branch of the foundation that provides advice and assistance.
The money, when paid back by businesses, would be used to start similar businesses.
He said funds for students would not be a loan but a grant.
“It is a gift. But we ask them to go back to their communities after they have completed their studies and help others.”
Motsepe said the initiative could also help to revive the once-vibrant factories in Dimbaza and offer employment and income for communities.
He said he would return to the metro next year to receive a progress report.
BCM mayor Zukiswa Ncitha said the initiative was not about political affiliations.
“This is for everyone and does not discriminate.
“We want to ensure that it will unite the citizens of BCM.” — msindisif@dispatch.co.za
Motsepe donates R10m to needy
The funds are meant to help unemployed youths, emerging businesses, students battling with tuition and accommodation fees and those at the lower level of the education system.
Motsepe was in East London yesterday to launch a development forum, the third of its kind launched in the Eastern Cape.
The others are in OR Tambo district and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan municipality.
Speaking to more than 300 residents inside and outside Robbie De Lange Hall in Greenfields yesterday, Motsepe said he felt a need to contribute to the Eastern Cape.
“Government cannot eradicate poverty and unemployment alone. The family wanted to contribute.”
He said his father and grandfather had been educated in the province.
“My family has a huge obligation to the people of this province. I lived in Aliwal North when I was five. I spent 10 years in this province.”
He said those who wanted assistance would have to apply to the forum, which would make recommendations to the head office.
Chaired by the Reverend Mpumelelo Qwabaza, the forum consists of more than 50 church members, Buffalo City Metro (BCM) councillors, traditional leaders, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and others.
They were nominated weeks before the launch of the forum with only the position of the secretary scheduled to be elected last night.
The forum has to apply directly to the head office when it wants to offer assistance.
Eight forum members will attend a meeting in Johannesburg to discuss ideas on how to improve delivery to communities.
Motsepe said similar forums had been successful in other provinces.
Emerging business people would receive funding without having to pay back interest.
They would work closely with a branch of the foundation that provides advice and assistance.
The money, when paid back by businesses, would be used to start similar businesses.
He said funds for students would not be a loan but a grant.
“It is a gift. But we ask them to go back to their communities after they have completed their studies and help others.”
Motsepe said the initiative could also help to revive the once-vibrant factories in Dimbaza and offer employment and income for communities.
He said he would return to the metro next year to receive a progress report.
BCM mayor Zukiswa Ncitha said the initiative was not about political affiliations.
“This is for everyone and does not discriminate.
“We want to ensure that it will unite the citizens of BCM.” — msindisif@dispatch.co.za
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