Business forum AGM sparks directional signage debate
ROB KNOWLES
THE cost of directional signage for businesses throughout Ndlambe was debated at the Port Alfred Business Forum (PABF) AGM at the Royal Port Alfred Golf Club (RPAGC) last Thursday evening.
"The existing signage throughout the (inner roads in the) area is a mess,” said PABF president Dr Rick Pryce. "We needed to standardise the signage and make it flexible enough to cater for our businesses requirements.”
The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) erected new signs along the R72 main road through Port Alfred last August after almost a year of negotiations. However, the inner roads were scattered with myriad signs of different shapes, colours and sizes making it difficult for visitors to find businesses in the area.
| BUSINESS INCENTIVES: Ruweida Naina (left) from Safin Group company Iquad, discussed cash incentives available for manufacturers at the Port Alfred Business Forum AGM last Thursday. With her is PABF president Rick Pryce Picture: ROB KNOWLES |
PABF commissioned architect Hendri Frankenfeld to design a standard signage board which would stand on two creosoted poles.
Pryce said that, although he would encourage business to join the PABF – which, through their affiliation, automatically makes them members of Sunshine Coast Tourism – this was not a prerequisite to those that wished to participate in the signage project.
He went on to inform the meeting that all businesses in the area would be provided with a map which they would mark with the positions their signs should be placed.
However a number of the members voiced their concern when Pryce suggested that each slat would cost around R650. They wished to know how many slats they would require to accurately direct visitors to their businesses, whether PABF could get better pricing and why the signs could not be double-sided.
Pryce replied that their concerns would be addressed by the committee and a formal proposal tabled to PABF members. He hoped to have the matter finalised by the end of February.
With the exception of Mike Beaumont, who declined his invitation to stand, the existing committee was re-elected to serve another term. The committee consists of Pryce and Frankenfeld, Dr Leon Nel, Mandy Roesstorff, Steve Venter, Sandy Birch, Ross Purdon, and Tanya Adams.
The last half hour of the meeting was given over to a presentation by investment portfolio manager Ruweida Naina of from East London-based financial investment company Iquad. The company specialises in claiming grants for its customers from government.
Naina contended the company can save a company up to 40% of its initial capital costs.
After the presentation Pryce said that any business intending to expand should contact Iquad to ascertain if the company could assist them.
