social development. For this reason they are often cited as important strategic interventions in the fight against poverty and underdevelopment in poor communities, particularly at local municipal level. It is for this reason that a case was made for the need to initiate a cooperative development programme by the ADM. Looking at the statement given above, it can be realized that co-operative businesses are faced with a number of challenges especially those that are black-owned. This had lead to the belief that the measures aimed at supporting co-operative development are insufficient and ineffective. As long as such a belief persists, will continue to fail rather than make maximum use of the opportunities available to them. Co-operatives need to be understood as businesses that are to create jobs and improve the quality of lives for the members within a co-operative. Co-operatives together with Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises are the best vehicles to drive the economic development of an area as they are able to create a number of significant jobs in a short space of time. A great deal of money has been injected by Amathole District Municipality in development but there are not many success stories and there is little contribution, if any, to the economic growth of the area. In trying to make within the Amathole area of jurisdiction grow, the district has assisted co-operatives to establish a forum that is a structure for networking and information sharing amongst them. The operations of the forum solely depend on co-operatives themselves. That approach is intended to reduce the dependency syndrome amongst these businesses. Amathole District Municipality will only create an enabling and conducive environment for all co-operatives within the district to prosper. In furtherance of its role of creating an enabling environment, Amathole District Municipality will be hosting its fourth Annual Co-operatives Indaba in December, 2011. All Provincial, National and International Co-operatives are invited to share
social development. For this reason they are often cited as important strategic interventions in the fight against poverty and underdevelopment in poor communities, particularly at local municipal level. It is for this reason that a case was made for the need to initiate a cooperative development programme by the ADM. Looking at the statement given above, it can be realized that co-operative businesses are faced with a number of challenges especially those that are black-owned. This had lead to the belief that the measures aimed at supporting co-operative development are insufficient and ineffective. As long as such a belief persists, will continue to fail rather than make maximum use of the opportunities available to them. Co-operatives need to be understood as businesses that are to create jobs and improve the quality of lives for the members within a co-operative. Co-operatives together with Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises are the best vehicles to drive the economic development of an area as they are able to create a number of significant jobs in a short space of time. A great deal of money has been injected by Amathole District Municipality in development but there are not many success stories and there is little contribution, if any, to the economic growth of the area. In trying to make within the Amathole area of jurisdiction grow, the district has assisted co-operatives to establish a forum that is a structure for networking and information sharing amongst them. The operations of the forum solely depend on co-operatives themselves. That approach is intended to reduce the dependency syndrome amongst these businesses. Amathole District Municipality will only create an enabling and conducive environment for all co-operatives within the district to prosper. In furtherance of its role of creating an enabling environment, Amathole District Municipality will be hosting its fourth Annual Co-operatives Indaba in December, 2011. All Provincial, National and International Co-operatives are invited to share
1323700494_Concept%20document%20and%20Draft%20Programme.docx