NEWS RELEASE                                                                                                         19 August 2002

FIRST IN SA FOR EPPING FRESH PRODUCE MARKET

CITY'S EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE A BIG SUCCESS

A bold initiative by the City of Cape Town to make its Epping Fresh Produce Market the first in South Africa to empower previously disadvantaged entrepreneurs is paying handsome dividends.

Two agencies owned by PDIs - Spes Bona Market Agency and Dangrow Market Agents - have taken up their licences and are trading successfully at the market, and the City is keen to encourage more entrepreneurs to do the same.

Councillor David Erleigh, the City of Cape Town Executive Councillor for Trading Services, says the two new market agents have already won the respect of other agents. "We took the decision in October 2000 and today I can say that the PDI agents have fully justified our faith in them," he said.

Once the City had committed itself to making Epping the first fresh produce market in the country to support previously disadvantaged entrepreneurs, the Executive Committee appointed a consultant to assist with the procedures for establishing the new agencies.

"Mr Uthman Rhode of Spes Bona is well-known in the produce industry and was recently elected Vice Chairperson of the Cape Town Market Agents Association," said Councillor Erleigh. "His colleagues speak very highly of his abilities to represent them."

The City involved applicants for licences in an extensive training and capacity-building programme, including workshops and an ongoing programme to provide assistance where necessary.

Mr Mana Daniels of Dangrow, the other new PDI agent, comes from a family with close links to the fresh produce industry for many years.

"Despite problems currently being experienced with the procurement of produce, Dangrow is persevering and hopes to become a leading market agency," said Councillor Erleigh.

"I believe both agencies have the required perseverance, entrepreneurship skills and knowledge of the fresh produce industry to succeed as market agents and to satisfy the needs of producers, buyers and consumers," he said.

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