Business networking over breakfast gives hope to business leaders

Windsor Community Support Services (WCSS), in partnership with commercial property finance company, TUHF, hosted a business networking breakfast with local entrepreneurs at Randpark Golf Estate.

The initiative aimed to see how WCSS works and the challenges members face in the market.

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TUHF Regional Director Bonga Xulu explained that the breakfast aimed to strengthen working collaboration between members, investors and business partners of the two organisations.

“We also want to promote activism by downtown and housing improvement districts in the areas where we fund to further promote the growth of the affordable housing sector by providing financing to experienced small entrepreneurs.”

WCSS Liaison Officer Mathabo Bekimbia-Tchoffo explained that the business networking breakfast was intended to introduce real estate investors, developers, owners and those interested in investing in Windsor real estate.

Auriel Kobola, City of Johannesburg Service Delivery Manager in Region B. Photo by: Mthulisi Lwazi Khuboni

“Windsor has huge potential in terms of dilapidated buildings. The diverted buildings can be purchased from their rightful owners. This will help to restore the area and add value to the properties. TUHF is able to offer financial services that traditional banks cannot.”

She added that WCSS has funded operations to hire additional staff. “We started with just five ground maintenance employees and now we have five additional employees.”

Among the participants and guest speaker was Auriel Kobola, City of Johannesburg Service Delivery Manager in Region B. He gave an overview of the situation in the Windsor community.

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He advised the participants not to neglect the problems of the community, whatever their nature. Displaced persons are one of the major problems in the region.

He explained that it was a complex process because it involved an element of human rights violations. “Once you take that blanket off and you get that person out of here, you have to provide them with safe housing. The city doesn’t have enough space to accommodate everyone. We have about eight places to house them.”

Kobola added that some homeless people refuse to go to these shelters because they have to follow the rules and are not ready for rehabilitation.

Kobola said the city’s forensic department will be able to track down the owners of the hijacked buildings and connect them with potential buyers, even if the owners are abroad.

Other issues raised by participants include garages being converted into spaza shops, deteriorating infrastructure, parks and swimming pools that are in a deplorable state and inaccessible to residents.

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