Business launches Call-2-Action initiative to improve city conditions
Businesses based in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) have collectively decided to go the extra mile to enhance the conditions of those living, working, and operating in the city through the Call-2-Action Programme.
Call-2-Action, spear-headed by the Border-Kei Chamber of Business (BKCOB) in collaboration with various professional and business associations, came about as a business response to matters of concern within the city.
Project manager, Saskia Haardt, said that Call-2-Action stakeholders initially convened to raise their concerns within the city, but it was soon resolved that business needed to find solutions en masse.
After looking at the City’s growth and development strategy, we found that the most interest from business lies in the fact that we need to have a well governed, productive, innovative, and green city. These ultimately became the strategic outcomes we’re looking at.
“The call-2-action initiative is looking into various elements to achieve those strategic outcomes but as a start we’re focusing on the green city, and we conceptualised the clean and green city programme said Haardt.
The programme is mainly aimed at tackling litter and beautifying the four identified pilot areas, which are Settlers Way, Southernwood, Oxford Street and Western Avenue, and the Quigney.
A budget for the programme was drafted and brought forward to leaders of industry to solicit financial contributions, over and above their normal rates and taxes. Those who have been a part of the programme since inception have contributed their professional skills, which include town planning, architectural design, engineering, and financial services.
“We have several businesses now that have made substantial financial contributions into a dedicated bank account that was set up by the Chamber (BKCOB), a Call-2-Action account that is to be used for project purposes,” said Haardt.
DNF Waste and Environmental Services were appointed as the implementing agent for the programme. Their team of seven workers, sourced from surrounding communities, have been on site on Settlers Way since November 14.
“The municipality is very excited about it, because it’s a different approach to the previous approach of just writing a letter of complaint. We are coming with a solution oriented approach, and we’re coming as one voice,” said Haardt.
As part of the programme, pilot site offices will be set up at each of the four pilot areas, and they also serve as drop off stations for recyclable waste.
BKCOB, on behalf of business in the region, is working tirelessly towards getting everything ready for the pilot site offices.
“In each of the pilot areas we are also aiming to put up drop-off stations for recyclable materials as well as site offices for the clean-up team”, BKCOB Executive Director, Les Holbrook explained.
Container donations have been received and these will be used as offices to ensure visual impact. Logos of the sponsors will also be visible on the pilot site offices in recognition of their support.
“We have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and the Buffalo City Metropolitan Development Agency which outlines various responsibilities. Our contribution, as business, would be to fund working teams, equipment and overall coordination of the top up services”, said Holbrook.
For more information and to find out how you can get involved, contact Drayton Brown at: communications@bkcob.co.za. Also visit Call2actionweb.wordpress.co.za.
Yanga Ziwele (BKCOB)