DELMAS – In a well-attended event, the Victor Khanye Local Municipality (VKLM) launched its Local Economic Development Forum (LEDF) led by Mayor Vusi Buda at the Joheve Conference Centre on September 26, 2024. The gathering brought together stakeholders from various business and social sectors to shape the economic future of the town.
The forum attracted participants from diverse sectors, including traditional leaders, faith-based organisations, non-profit organisations, small and large businesses, and government entities. VKLM aims to leverage this collective expertise and resources to drive economic growth and improve residents’ quality of life, aligning with its vision for sustainable service delivery.
Former speaker Khaya Segone, representing large businesses, was appointed as the deputy chairperson, with Mayor Buda holding the chairperson position, as mandated by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA). It was also agreed that a follow-up meeting will be scheduled soon to appoint selected members from the newly formed LEDF, comprising over 40 individuals, to take action and address any immediate pressing issues.
A handover meeting with the VKLM LEDF, known as Ebhudzini, will also be arranged to ensure a smooth transition of leadership, as they have been holding the space in the absence of a formal LEDF.
Executive Mayor Vusi Buda highlighted the contributions of different sectors towards the local economy, with mining leading at 5%, followed by agriculture at 4%. During the launch, it was agreed that all sectors must have representation on the LEDF, including those that are not yet active contributors. “More still needs to be done, not only from the government side but also from the private sector. All of us in local government, the private sector, and civil society are demanding better ways to achieve local economic development, which is the cornerstone of sustainable development. Many times, DELMAS is confronted with the fact that local government faces increased disruptions due to external factors that cannot be ignored,” he further added. He also reminded local entrepreneurs of the R5 million non-financial support from the municipality budgeted for the current financial year.
