Timothy Jacobs of HBBOF with Marius Fransman, Western Cape Minister for Public Works and Transport

“Every area in the Western Cape should have a forum similar to the Hout Bay Black Business Opportunities Forum to spearhead the South African secondary economy.” These were the words of Mr. Marius Fransman, Western Cape Minister for Public Works and Transport when he officially opened the new offices of HBBOF on Friday 29 September 2006.

He said that broad based black economic empowerment is not around black people appointed to boards of directors of South African companies but involving community based business people and mentor them to successfully run and manage there small medium and micro enterprises. In so they would become sustainable and profitable. This is why there should be a HBBOF.

“Members should become involved in the empowerment programmes of the Department of Public-Works and other government departments.”

“Our programmes could only be achieved if grassroots business people are involved.”

The local ward councillor and HBBOF should work together even if some differ politically.

Fishing and the growing tourism Hout Bay industry should benefit black people in the area.

A high ranking team from the minister’s department were introduced to HBBOF and they include James Slabbert the assistant executive manager for property management, Conrad Osman the director for public transport, Yasir Ahmed the executive manager of the project management office, Nerina-Lee Khan the learnership 1000 project manager and Regan Melody the deputy director of the empowerment unit.

He made it clear that these officials should be approached and engaged.

Gregg Louw

Gregory Louw, the Chief Executive Officer of HBBOF explained to Minister Fransman the offices would be used for a service centre, training centre, advisory council, the CEO and Office Manager of HBBOF, women and youth entrepreneur desk. The training centre and service centre would be for members and the broader community.

“The government’s real enterprise development (Red Door), Old Mutual and Nedbank were the first to indicated that would they provide services and pay for the use of the facility”, said Mr. Louw.

Mr Louw continuous “HBBOF is not about creating billionaires or multi millionaires but millionaires.”

Minister Fransman made it clear that he would informed the Western Cape premier, Mr. Ebrahim Rasool and other provincial ministers about HBBOF and how they should assist from government side.

Minister Fransman closed in saying, “In twelve months time I want to meet with HBBOF again to see progress and achievements.”

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