The Camdeboo Municipality should develop strategies to help Aberdeen and Nieu-Bethesda out of permanent recession. Folks across the world are understandably worried about the flailing economy. Residents in some of South Africa's rural areas live in a permanent state of recess. I'm talking about areas where double-digit unemployment is an unfortunate way of life. Devoid of needed infrastructure - from water and sewerage to quality roads and schools - they struggle to keep their best and brightest at home as well as to lure not only high-paying jobs, but jobs that pay anything. Despite these areas' dire situations, there hasn't been much of a sense of urgency over the years among Camdeboo Municipality leaders to address the dearth of infrastructure, economic development and employment they endure.
I have personally observed the response of our Municipality regarding developing businesses in Aberdeen and Nieu-Bethesda. Business is booming in Graaff-Reinet and jobs are created by this. Yet people from the small towns are struggling. I remember - and I must say I was personally part of the structure called the Aberdeen Business And Development Forum - we where trying to revive our businesses in Aberdeen. The structure tried to rope in our Municipality but they never showed any interest in our endeavors. We wanted to secure the by-pass in Aberdeen with the intention to develop a business hub in that area. I must say the research done by members of the structure indeed outlined the potential of a sustainable business in our by-pass as much traffic passes through that vicinity. Our main idea was to take the business out of town to our passing clients. Once again, the Camdeboo Municipality is not interested in reviving and building our economy in Aberdeen and this results in people from both towns spending their money in Graaff-Reinet. As usual, rural communities and highly impoverished countries continue to suffer. When Graaff-Reinet gets a cold, Aberdeen and Nieu-Bethesda catch pneumonia! Generally, Aberdeen and Nieu-Bethesda don't get consistent investment and little has been said as they've languished under the weight of high unemployment.
But there's also good reason to help rural areas get on their feet. They are a drag on the State economically in good or bad times. If the State is going to reach its full potential, it must help shore-up long neglected rural areas. Local businesses employing local people help build an area's economy. When you have that going on during good times, then you're in better position to weather the tough times. We want our own businesses in Aberdeen and to STOP spending our money in Graaff-Reinet. I think I should say to our Municipality, our Councillors and our Municipal Manager: "Communities aren't always judged on how well the wealthy are doing. They're judged on how well the disenfranchised are doing."
I have personally observed the response of our Municipality regarding developing businesses in Aberdeen and Nieu-Bethesda. Business is booming in Graaff-Reinet and jobs are created by this. Yet people from the small towns are struggling. I remember - and I must say I was personally part of the structure called the Aberdeen Business And Development Forum - we where trying to revive our businesses in Aberdeen. The structure tried to rope in our Municipality but they never showed any interest in our endeavors. We wanted to secure the by-pass in Aberdeen with the intention to develop a business hub in that area. I must say the research done by members of the structure indeed outlined the potential of a sustainable business in our by-pass as much traffic passes through that vicinity. Our main idea was to take the business out of town to our passing clients. Once again, the Camdeboo Municipality is not interested in reviving and building our economy in Aberdeen and this results in people from both towns spending their money in Graaff-Reinet. As usual, rural communities and highly impoverished countries continue to suffer. When Graaff-Reinet gets a cold, Aberdeen and Nieu-Bethesda catch pneumonia! Generally, Aberdeen and Nieu-Bethesda don't get consistent investment and little has been said as they've languished under the weight of high unemployment.
But there's also good reason to help rural areas get on their feet. They are a drag on the State economically in good or bad times. If the State is going to reach its full potential, it must help shore-up long neglected rural areas. Local businesses employing local people help build an area's economy. When you have that going on during good times, then you're in better position to weather the tough times. We want our own businesses in Aberdeen and to STOP spending our money in Graaff-Reinet. I think I should say to our Municipality, our Councillors and our Municipal Manager: "Communities aren't always judged on how well the wealthy are doing. They're judged on how well the disenfranchised are doing."
Article By: Lulamile Klassen
