Sharon Steyn, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Northern Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) says the business fraternity in the provincial capital does not have a problem with the utilisation of the bus as it is creating jobs and providing food. The concern is that it was not situated in a demarcated area and there are no toilet facilities on the premises, meaning that health protocols are not being observed.  

The bus made local headlines when it was revealed that the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality's traffic officials had issued a notice demanding the removal of the bus based on its lack of a valid license disc and complaints about a lack of parking space from some residents.

Whilst Steyn is of the view that Sol Plaatje needs to be focusing on serious service delivery constraints as opposed to the bus, the abovementioned concerns relating to health and safety remain legitimate. 

She stresses that this is why it is important that businesses join their local chambers so that they are made aware of the regulations and protocols that they need to adhere to as outlined in municipal by-laws or via provincial legislation. According to the Northern Cape print publication, the DFA, the bus was occupied by the Ark Shisanyama and they had decided to move the bus as instructed by traffic officials, assuring residents that the move doesn’t quite signal the end of the business.

ALSO READ: #OFMBusinessHour: Nocci to expand reach in Northern Cape

Previously on the OFM Business Hour, NOCCI emphasised the need to expand its reach throughout the province in 2022. NOCCI president, Pieter Botha, said at the time that they wanted to do this by working alongside local government, upping the ante on events, and expanding the reach of the chamber across the vast central South African province. He said the latter goal would be met by getting all the defunct chambers in various parts of the Northern Cape up and running again. 

OFM