Gansbaai se PACA (Participatory Appraisal of Competitive Advantage) is in die week van 13 – 17 Oktober  gedoen. Die doel was om ons dorp se ekonomie & besighede te aktiveer vir groei & om struikelblokke uit die weg te ruim wat dit belemmer.  Alle rolspelers en publiek is uitgenooi om deel te neem en hulle insette te kom gee.

Daar is spesiale moeite gedoen om ook die landbou, visbedryf, toerisme, gastehuise & restaurante, mense uit Masakhane & Blompark en enige ander belangstellendes te betrek. Met die afskop die Maandagaand was daar ‘n mooi klomp mense wat kom deelneem het met ons Uitvoerende Burgemeester en ander senior munisipale amptenare wat ook teenwoordig was – die verteenwoordiger vanuit Minister Alan Winde se Departement was vol lof oor die goeie opkoms na die vergadering.

Werkswinkels is die week gereël vir verskillende sektore en die publiek kon hulle insette hier kom gee. Elke item is op ‘n kaartjie geskryf en op groot borde geplak – so is daar ‘n enorme hoeveelheid kaartjies geskryf en die saal se mure was later vol daarvan. Hierna is al die punte gegroepeer. Daar is ook ‘n aantal onderhoude met mense gevoer uit verskillende sektore. Hierdie werkswyse het ten doel om van grondvlak af te luister na die gemeenskap.  Uit al die werksessies & onderhoude het die fasiliteerder & ondersteuners groep daarna die belangrikste prioriteite gerangskik en geweeg vir uitvoerbaarheid. Hieruit is die 10 beste prioriteite gelys. Verantwoordelike persone is toegewys vir elke priotiteit om daaraan uitvoering te gee. Die terugvoering van die PACA se resultaat is op Vrydag 17 Oktober aan alle belangstellendes gegee. Hulle kon vrae vra en die proses beoordeel.

Hieronder is die opsomming soos deur die fasiliteerder saamgevat:

Main Findings

Economy driven mainly by: S Abalone, fish factory and tourism are sectors most important in driving growth and employment i.e. Tourism – there is more to Gansbaai than shark diving; Property development stagnated, loss of investor confidence; Has the market perception about Gansbaai and sharks played a role in this? S Ongoing agriculture & some agri-processing S Government services and social grants also contribute S These sectors generate money that circulates in the local economy, and which benefit local retail and services as well as small business.

Findings – Aquaculture

Competitive Advantages: Natural advantage for world best abalone; Strong market demand for this; Well developed marketing channels; Technical experience and skills; Best location to become abalone producer for local and international market; Land available with government support

Investors know abalone is profitable.

Competitive Disadvantages

Industry not diversified yet; Red tape in approval processes; Poaching -  negative publicity; Industry controlled by a few; Capital intensive to operate; Research and development.

 Findings – Tourism   Competitive Advantages: Unique marine life - Dyer island ecosystem; White shark capital of the world; Coastal birding; Pristine coast line; De Kelders caves & whales; Good photographic opportunities; More tranquil than bigger towns; Can accommodate growth – more activities etc; On route to most southern tip. Competitive disadvantages: Poor customer service (not up to international standards); Inability to get tourist to stay over; Ban on scuba diving / snorkelling; Tourists/visitors don’t know what are the worthwhile things to do; Limited things to do for tourist ; Town not youth friendly (not competitive to keep 18-35 year old); Limited transport service for tourist; Marketing message not clear (identity); Shark fishing (other species) contrary to conservation message.

Findings – Other: Competitive Advantages: Skilled divers; Under developed harbors with potential; Close to identified location for power station; Available, under utilised land.

Competitive disadvantages: Limited stakeholder cooperation; Crime an issue for all including tourist.

ACTION PLAN : List of Prioritised Initiatives

Proposed priorities for the next  1 – 2 years:

1.  Destination marketing campaign

2. Better utilisation of festivals for marketing

3. Penguin & Sea bird sanctuary

4. Gansbaai version of a Township tour

5. Service Excellence and associated training program

6. Develop a shared vision of future town look and feel

7. Small scale abalone production & skills development

8. Support to safety & security to reduce crime

9. Youth entrepreneurship development

10. Establish a local shuttle service

Longer term initiatives: Harbour developments; Marine Centre Kleinbaai; Possible future power station; Possible new & viable fish farming business models.

Die persone / instansies aangewys om hierdie prioriteite nou te gaan implementeer sal poog om op die korter termyn reeds ‘n merkbare verskil te maak. Ons wil juis voelbare resultate sien en nie toelaat dat dit bloot by mooi planne bly nie.

Gansbaai Sakekamer bedank graag elkeen wat deelgeneem het. Spesiale dank aan Minister Alan Winde vir sy ondersteuning en finansiering, die Overstrand Munisipaliteit vir hulle ondersteuning met personeel asook Mr Kat Myburg vir sy verdere betrokkenheid waar ons hom alreeds weer betrek het by aksieplanne.

Hierdie prioriteite is dit wat vanuit Gansbaai se mense self gekom het – ons het besluit wat ons dink is belangrik. Nou moet ons eienaarskap neem en dit maak werk. MOOI LOOP.

Fanie Bothma – Voorsitter: Gansbaai Sakekamer

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