Muhammad Bham / Radio Islam News – 2018/07/30

Chairman of the Lenasia Business Forum, Mohammed Salejee says the mandate of the forum is to build cooperation among various business enterprises in the business district of Lenasia.

Salejee was addressing the forum’s dinner at the Taste of India restaurant on Friday evening.

In attendance were many influential businessmen from the Lenasia area who have contributed to the community including MEC for Roads & Transport Ismail Vadi and local ward councillor, Kishore Badal.

Salejee says the aim is to promote common values, unity of purpose and a common vision among the businesses in Lenasia.

“To facilitate and fast track the process of the development and integration of the Lenasia community and in the process to redress socio economic imbalances.”

Salejee adds that the forum will also focus on empowering the youth of Lenasia.

“Empower the youth with skills and entrepreneurial resources in order to enable them to create businesses within their community.”

Salejee emphasized on the aspect of advancing the ideal of broad based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) in Lenasia and surrounds.

“Including the empowerment of women and persons with disabilities and to create sustainable job opportunities for the youth, previous disadvantaged individuals with disabilities.”

Once described as a thriving business hub, the Lenasian Central Business District (CBD) finds itself in a state of neglect.

The CBD is dilapidated, state entities like the South Africa Post Office are inefficient and shops are deserted making it a breeding ground for criminals.

However, some individuals like Dr Hawa Bibi Vally and other shop owners have taken the initiative upon themselves to bring about change in the area.

Vally says the community needs to act in order to address the problems.

“Lenasia is situated in Region G, to the South of Johannesburg and is the poorest of all the regions in Gauteng with 49 informal settlements surrounding Lenasia.”

Government Development Projects are planned between Zuurbekom and Westonaria to the west of Lenasia and towards the Eikenhof area.

Businessmen attending the forum all share the same sentiment that Lenasia has the potential to be a metropolitan business centre in the next few years if the right steps are taken to ensure stable progress within the community.

Three businessman including Dr Haman Makan, DB Cash n Carry and the Lenasia Times were recognized for their contribution to the community.