What could have been the end of the road for retrenched workers had a dramatic turn-around, as the Retrenchment Assistance Plan (RAP) programme explored the best possible ways to promote and support members to own cooperative projects and reduce unemployment.
The latest Numsa head office decision to keep the CVs of retrenched workers could be also helpful in placing them.
It is two years now since the retrenched workers acquired skills and graduated in Ekurhuleni on January 21 2011. With the government paving the way, there were firm hopes of receiving funding. “We have set aside the R3-billion for co-operative projects.” said President Jacob Zuma in his recent state of the nation address, confirming what he said the previous year.
“We will continue to provide financial and non-financial support to small, medium, and micro-enterprises, small scale agriculture as well as cooperatives.”
With regard to project funding, the cooperatives development co-ordinator, Mduduzi Gumede, said: “The cooperative incentive scheme authorised by the department of trade and industry gives grants to the qualified cooperatives.
To be qualified, a cooperative must follow all the required introductory procedures, such as arranging tax certificates, opening business accounts and developing business plans. Funding comes in a form of equipment, A cooperative project submits a quotation for relevant equipment not exceeding R350 000, which is then arranged for a particular project.”
Some members abandoned their co-operatives for personal reasons, ranging from losing interest to being recalled to their previous workplace. But all 15 co-operative projects are still standing and being managed by the remaining members who came across such big business challenges along the way that they almost quit. Challenges were not anticipated,” said Mduduzi.
John Mangolwane, of Sophumelela Boilermakers and Projects Cooperative, said: “After arranging bank accounts, we visited different firms and got prices for the equipment relevant to our project, and thereafter submitted quotations to the cooperatives project manager, Mr Dan Thabethe. He must now process the matter”.
Harriet Motsitsi, of Happy Sisters Cooperative, remarked: “Since we were introduced to the orphanage home in Lens, Soweto, there was no breakthrough. But now, if what they are telling us could happen, we’ve got hope.”
Mathonsi of Mbharimaskho Cooperative said: “We missed the opportunity to electrify the hall in 2012 due to lack of material, but now we are trying to renew our hopes.”
The above views emphasise that the circumstances have been difficult. A misunderstanding in the management of the project led to the differences and misinformation that caused delays. It’s unfortunate – it’s the grass that suffers when two elephants are fighting.”
All the damage had to be cleared – more than eight projects had to re-activate their accounts because they expired, and it was agreed that secondary cooperative were needed, where it would be arranged for investors to invest in small cooperatives.
Now that the differences and misunderstandings in management have been resolved by the intervention of the Numsa president, SAUPPY, which used to be part of Lesego-sego, has committed itself to rectify all challenges, frustrations, disappointments and confusions experienced by members, and has also given time-limits. Members are encouraged to go for cooperative training and to attend monthly meetings.
While some showed initiative and pushed hard to achieve their goal, others did nothing but wait to be told what to do. Leonardo da Vinci once indicated that there three types of people: those who have the initiative to exceed their expectations; those who act because they are told to do so; and those who don’t act even when they are told what to do.
Cooperative project members are encouraged to have a sense of ownership, as opposed to being spoon-fed. “Social workers are assigned to them to integrate, orientate and motivate them,” said national skills co-ordinator Malebo Mogopodi
Sparks Sithole, of Mangenge Primary Cooperative, said: “Our project members include people from the previously disadvantaged community – black men, women and youth. We followed the requirements by registering our project and opening the business account.
Then we were mentored on how to develop a business plan. Right now we are still amending the certificate to accommodate owners of the land where we are going to keep our animals. There’s an expectation of huge production by the same time next year – now we have a ram and three ewes, as well as chickens. To stay motivated, I advise members to keep on attending meetings.”
Penelope Mdwa, of Tshedza Primary Cooperative, said: “I don’t mind amending and redoing tax clearance certificates, as long as there’s hope in the secondary cooperative that we were encouraged to apply for. The sooner we go through these business steps, the sooner our particulars will be submitted to DTI.”
Skills acquired by the retrenched workers include plumbing and solar Installation, poultry farming and agriculture, catering and event management, electrical installation and welding, boiler-making and spray-painting, and construction. Most of the projects have been introduced to the relevant tenders.
Numsa cooperatives were established in 2009 as part of the RAP, which aims to provide advice and assistance regarding funding and the establishment of business; gives coaching and mentoring; and provides as assistance with linking and marketing the new business to related industries and sectors.
If there’s someone out there who wants to support these projects, contact the Numsa national skills co-ordinator, Malebo Mogopodi, at (011) 6891700; and ask for the projects’ contact details.
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Eleanor Roosevelt