×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Celebrating co-ops

'Means for job creation and a better life'

YOUNG people should be at the forefront of cooperatives to drive socioeconomic development, the National Youth Development Agency says.

On Saturday the NYDA celebrated the 89th International Cooperative Alliance's International Cooperative Day and the 17th UN International Day of Cooperatives to emphasise the importance of cooperatives.

Speaking at the celebration held at Jan Smuts Stadium in East London, executive deputy chairperson Yershen Pillay said young people constituted the future of cooperatives.

"But many young people have very little or no understanding of the cooperative model of enterprise and the opportunities it may hold for not only improving their own lives, but for improving society as a whole," Pillay said.

He said cooperatives were so important that the United Nations had declared 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives.

"The success and endurance of cooperatives internationally bodes well for the future of the cooperative movement in South Africa," he said.

"The aim of any society should be to organise production in such a way that people are happy and comfortable. Cooperatives provide a vehicle to achieve this aim.

"To facilitate the development of cooperatives, especially amongst young people, requires first and foremost the political will by government," Pillay said.

He said there was good progress made in this area with the introduction of cooperatives legislation in 2005 which was spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry.

He said the Mtubatuba poultry cooperative project facilitated by the NYDA brought to the fore knowledge about poultry cooperatives.

Pillay said cooperatives were a vehicle for the country's economic growth.

"However, many young people do not learn about cooperatives in school as cooperatives often do not figure in the curriculum," he said.

Pillay said another challenge was that there was no training on cooperatives at most academic institutions, which he said should change.

"Cooperative enterprise must be seen as an alternative and attractive form of enterprise for young people. It must be seen as a means for job creation, poverty alleviation, social integration and a better life.

"Our task is simple. Pool together all the time, energies and resources from government departments, state institutions, private sector companies and civil society organisations, and channel them into a single, complete and comprehensive programme for cooperatives development."

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.