Businessmen protest at SWC project

[Mila]

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Businessmen-protest-at-SWC-project-20100518

Johannesburg - A group of Alexandra business people have arrived at a World Cup project to protest against what they claim is their marginalisation.

A group of 50 protesters were at the Number Three Stadium in Alexandra, arguing with Johannesburg metro police asking them to leave.

The business people claim that the FIFA Football for Hope programme, which was intended to further development in Alexandra, had used contractors from outside the township.

"They (the City of Johannesburg) said that there was going to be jobs, that there was going to be development. They came to us three years ago but 'til now we don't even have one job," said businesswoman Patricia Keswa.

Keswa said the main contractor from Pretoria had been told there were no sub-contractors available in Alexandra.

The business people have threatened to bring the project to a standstill if they are not included.

City of Johannesburg and Local Organising Committee employees came out to hear their concerns before the police were called.

They asked that the protesters put their concerns in writing so these could be forwarded to the city.

 

[blunomore]

Very problematic if promises are made just for the sake of keeping someone quiet. Of course, we also need to hear the other side of the story.

 

[McSack]

I just laugh at these tools who believed all the BS about the "little man" making money out of the SWC and that it was going to make such a huge difference to the economy of SA. The only people getting rich out of this are FIFA and people connected to FIFA

 

[czc]

I thought business men were supposed to make business for themselves. Not get something handed to them.