Frequently Asked Questions in relation
to the Drakenstein Black Business Forum

(1)   What is the Drakenstein Black Business Forum?

The forum is a business organization, which aims to represent the views of previously disadvantaged
individuals and businesses in order to create a platform from where transformation in the local economy
can take place. The forum will also act as an economic stakeholder that will form part of the organized
business structures on the Local Economic Development Forum established by the Drakenstein Municipality.

(2)   Is it open to blacks only?

As we live in a non-racial democratic country, the membership of such a forum can never be limited
for blacks only and membership will be open to every race grouping. However, the focus of the forum
will be facilitating access to economic opportunities and act as a mouthpiece for critical issues
facing emerging businesses in the Drakenstein.

(3)   Who are the leaders of the BBF were they elected?

Currently, there is no elected leadership for the forum; the leadership will be democratically
elected at the forum’s AGM in November. An organizing committee were put together which
only mandate is to organize the processes leading up until the AGM where the leadership
will be elected. The organizing committee consists of:

Mr. Alfred Cupido, Mr. Moutie Richards, Mr. Razak Gaffoor, Mr. Omar Henry,
Mr. Appollis Solomons, Mr. Ganief Dulvie.

(4)   Why should I become a member?

Members that are members of the forum will be able to access the following benefits:

·      Forum will have direct access to municipality’s office bearers to address issues
of policy and problems of mutual concern

·      Forum will be able to use it’s mutual network to access a range of services to
it’s members

·      Forum will ensure that it’s members benefits from the BEE initiatives in various sectors
as identified by the LED Strategy

(5)   Will you work with other forums

The forum will not be an island on it’s own. The forum intends to work with all other business
chambers in the Drakenstein. The forum will also work with sector bodies in the agriculture,
tourism, manufacturing, and smme’s. Partnerships will also be sought with the other organized
business formations in the Drakenstein and the country.

(6)   Is the forum linked to Local Economic Development

The LED Strategy and Implementation plan outlines the establishment of a local economic
development forum that will serve as a consultative body that will be a stakeholder with the
municipality with regard to planning and monitoring the local economy. The forum will form
part of the organized business sector on the LED forum together with government departments,
educational institutions, and civil society bodies.

(7)   Will the forum be able to assist me?

As the forum will act as a mouthpiece for business people, the forum will be to assist business
people with a range of services available from it’s own networks as well as it will be in a position
to recommend interventions to the municipality and other government departments from
which the members can benefit.

(8)   How will it work with other forums

Where other forums exist, the forum will work with such as sector bodies and where mutual
objectives exist will also invite the leadership of other bodies to form part of the executive
of the forum. Professional bodies will also form part of the forum, to ensure that an all-inclusive
process is followed. This process will be established within 6 months, after which a process
of unification of all business structures will be initiated within 24 months to ensure that we
have a unified business chamber in Drakenstein.