{"id":8935,"date":"2021-07-29T11:35:42","date_gmt":"2021-07-29T09:35:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bridgecity.org.za\/site\/?p=8935"},"modified":"2024-10-08T20:22:50","modified_gmt":"2024-10-08T18:22:50","slug":"championing-the-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bridgecity.org.za\/site\/championing-the-future\/","title":{"rendered":"Championing the future"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dear members\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

While the\u00a0traumatic\u00a0events of the past month slowly make their way into the annals of history, we are left with the question \u2013\u00a0where to\u00a0from here?\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to SAPOA,\u00a0July\u2019s civil unrest will have a R20billion impact on KZN\u2019s GDP\u00a0and a R50billion impact on the national GDP.\u00a0\u00a0Additionally,\u00a0over\u00a040\u202f000 businesses\u00a0and 55\u202f000 informal traders\u00a0were adversely affected,\u00a0and it is estimated that 150\u202f000 jobs are at risk.\u00a0This\u00a0doesn\u2019t even begin to cover the personal and psychological trauma suffered by thousands on and behind the front lines.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RISING\u00a0OF\u00a0COMMUNITY\u00a0TOGETHERNESS\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite this,\u00a0what has emerged is a new narrative. In the words of Coretta Scott King,\u00a0<\/span>\u201cThe greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.\u201d<\/i><\/strong> \u00a0<\/strong>These words ring true following\u00a0this month\u2019s unrest,\u00a0which saw the\u00a0coming together\u00a0of\u00a0diverse\u00a0communities\u00a0on a level never seen before.\u00a0Whether it was\u00a0protecting neighbourhoods\u00a0and infrastructure,\u00a0mopping up\u00a0the extreme mess\u00a0and destruction\u00a0left by looters\u00a0or providing essentials to those in need,\u00a0we\u00a0are proud to be part of a\u00a0great\u00a0community that rose together for the common good.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To our security teams, both on the ground and on surveillance room,\u00a0Excellerate\u00a0Security management, we cannot thank you enough for being brave and be on the forefront when things were heating up. We appreciate all the efforts and support provided. To our amazing members from various communities and structures, thank you for your dedication and for assistance in helping us clean-up the aftermath of the unrest. \u202fWe appreciate\u00a0the\u00a0additional efforts from\u00a0our\u00a0cleaning and landscaping\u00a0service providers\u00a0as they came out in numbers and put more hours in ensuring that the area\u00a0was\u00a0cleaned. Special thanks to Servest who provided additional staff,\u00a0equipment\u00a0and\u00a0a tipper truck to remove all the debris that had been piled at various points within the precinct.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

RENEWED COMMITMENT OF BUSINESS AND THE AUTHORITIES<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Importantly, as business leaders and the Bridge City MA, we\u2019ve also been given the opportunity to start a new conversation between ourselves and the authorities, one based on mutual respect, the provision of adequate service delivery and creating an enabling environment for the business sectors to drive the economy. This is essential for delivering on the national imperative of job creation, poverty reduction and addressing inequality. eThekwini Municipality has pledged the following interventions:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n