Johannesburg | Wednesday
FOLLOWING reports that government distanced itself from the controversy-dogged plan to form the South African Federated Chamber of Commerce (Safcoc), Sacob chief executive Kevin Wakeford insisted on Tuesday that merger talks between his organisation and Nafcoc would continue “with renewed vigour”.
According to a South African-Israel Chamber of Commerce news release, Wakeford expressed his disappointment with the government’s reported position of withdrawing support, but made it clear that while he would have appreciated government’s blessing, “no permission was needed” to go ahead with unity talks.
Addressing a South African-Israel Chamber of Commerce (SAICC) business breakfast hosted by Investec in Sandton, Wakeford expressed his surprise that after two years of consensus negotiating between the two bodies “all hell” had broken loose now.
“From the outset we’ve had consensus on all the main aspects of merging the two bodies.
“As recently as September 20 we all agreed on the principal points. “It was only after the signing of the heads of agreement last week that individuals with their own agendas started sowing dissent.”
He said the signing of articles of association between the two organisations had “lanced a boil” which culminated in the temporary stalemate.
“It is vitally important that we get past this situation as quickly as possible and get merger talks back on track.
“The only way we are going to get the South African economy going is to speak with one voice.”
Wakeford said he was very surprised by the dissent, primarily from a group of Nafcoc dissidents over plans to unite the two chambers into one non-racial chamber of commerce.
“From the outset, we’ve had the support of then President Nelson Mandela, and later from President Thabo Mbeki.
“Both men as well as other senior members of cabinet fully supported the unity talks.”
Wakeford said he had difficulty in believing claims by Nafcoc dissidents that the existing Nafcoc executive was not representative of the organisation.
“Last week within a very short period, Nafcoc mobilised 607 delegates from all over South Africa. I had no doubt that they fully supported the merger.”
Wakeford rejected calls by some Nafcoc dissidents that more time was needed for black business to unite.
“We’ve been saying exactly this since 1994. If Nafcoc had a problem with the recognition of its leadership, why did they not call a national convention prior to the signing of ceremony?”
He rejected calls made by some Nafcoc dissidents for what he called “a more state-regulated” approach.
“There seems to be the view among some that because whites have benefited from the previous dispensation, it is now the time for economic intervention through greater taxation, and legislation such as the Commercial Equity Act, and proscribed assets to benefit black people.
“Capital will not buckle under to these measures. It will simply seek greener pastures to the detriment of everybody in this country.” – Sapa
ZA*NOW:
New, non-racial chamber of commerce launched in SA October 16, 2001
SA’s black and white business chambers merge September 21, 2001
FEATURES:
‘Ousted’ leader relocates Nafcoc October 23, 2001
No more free rides for Nafcoc chiefs June 22, 2001