22 Mar 2013

The completion of a multipurpose co-operative shop in Ngwatle settlement in Kgalagadi is expected to improve the economic growth of that settlement, says Hukuntsi Sub-district, senior assistant council secretary, Mr Joseph Kgabanyane.      

Speaking to BOPA in an interview recently, Mr Kgabanyane said that co-operatives provided members with services that were affordable and created a reasonable surplus for growth and development that ensured sustainability of the co-operatives business enterprise.   

He noted that the newly built Ngwatle  co-operative had the potential to influence the production of quality locally produced goods as locals will be guaranteed a reliable market place adding that the co-operative can also has a positive impact on agro-business.    

Mr Kgabanyane said that co-operatives in general were distinctive from other forms of enterprises in that they were democratic organisations which provide goods and services and they were nevertheless based on people but not on capital.

He said that they could therefore in their essence never escape the capacity of members to exercise control whenever they wish to do so.                 

“Members of the new co-operative will be owners and they shall have rights and responsibilities associated with electing their management committee and will giving general direction to the co-operative society,” he said.

He mentioned that co-operatives continued to fill the void in remote and isolated places where private capital whose motive was profit maximization could not be risked. Co-operatives  have both the social and economic goals in mind when they are formed.     

Mr Kgabanyane highlighted that through co-operative societies, mobilisation of domestic savings are intensified and made available to the members for productive and provident purposes.    

For his part,  Kgosi Magau Mareetsane of Ngwatle was gratified towards the latest developments in his village particularly the construction of co-operative, highlighting that he is optimistic that they will create more employment opportunities for the locals.   

He said that the Ipelegeng programme has in the past been the sole employer hence he has high expectation that the co-operative will not only provide the locals with goods but also provide them with employment.  ENDS