FIRST TRANSPORT CO-OPERATIVE ASPIRES TO OPEN FILLING STATION

MBABANE – The country’s first ever transport co-operatives society, Hhohho Multipurpose Transport Society, has expressed its desire to open a filling station, motor spares and tyre business.

The co-operative, which was launched by Mbabane East Member of Parliament and Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga on Friday, is already in talks with the Municipal Council of Mbabane in a bid to acquire land for their tyre business. Minister Bulunga was represented by Indvuna Yenkhundla Mefika Mavuso during the launch held at the Roman Catholic Church in Mbabane.

Doubled

Also present during the event, which also doubled as the co-operative’s first annual general meeting (AGM), was Commissioner of Co-operatives Nonhlanhla Mnisi. Mnisi expressed the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade’s excitement at launching a transport co-operative. “There are so many co-operatives in the country, but this is the first one we are launching in the transport sector. We hope other regions will take a leaf from Hhohho and follow suit. Most co-operatives are in the employment sector but what’s been lacking is a co-operative for the self-employed,” Mnisi said.

Organise

She added that a transport co-operative would organise the transport industry in Eswatini, just like it happens in other countries. “When you visit some countries, you’ll find their buses, taxis and other modes of transport have the same branding. This speaks to cooperation. Co-operatives lead to an organised industry,” she said. Former vice chairperson and newly-appointed chairperson of the Hhohho Transport Co-operatives Society Petros Mhlanga said the tyre business will be the first to be operational, depending on the outcome of their engagement with the Municipal Council. “We not only want to buy and sell tyres, but also repair them,” Mhlanga said. Mhlanga said the co-operative was open to all transport operators that operate within the Hhohho region, including public transport operators, driving school, school bus and cross-border transport owners, among others.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: