The call was made by the city's executive Mayor Zintle Peter as she addressed the gathering attended by business decision makers. Representatives from big business like Sanlam and Cell C, the Black Management Forum, Border Kei Chamber of Business and other prospective investors all attended the breakfast held in Mdantsane in late March.

Also there were representatives from the Eastern Cape Development Corporation, the Department of Provincial Local Government, the National Treasury, the Amathole Economic Development Agency and the CEO of the South African Cities Network Sithole Mbanga.

There were also representatives from Motherwell, Kayelitsha, Mitchellsplein and Sol Plaatjie - the other Urban Renewal Project nodes.

The breakfast was arranged by the city's Mdantsane Urban Renewal Unit assisted by the Local Government Business Network.

Peter said that the Mdantsane Urban Renewal has been running for about 15 years.

"In that short space of time we have managed to turn around a situation that many viewed as a standard characteristic of a typical black township. What was clear was that a lot of work had to be done to assist Mdantsane and its people to live dignified lives."

Peter said that the city is doing a lot of work to ensure that Mdantsane is investor-friendly. "Buffalo City has to date received R128-million from the government's Neighbourhood Development Partnership Grant for the development of the Mdantsane central business district."

The European Union has also invested R120 million in upgrading the infrastructure and ensuring that Mdantsane has everything that big business wants in an investment node.

"And so, ladies and gentlemen, today I am proud to announce that Mdantsane is ready to accommodate whatever size or form of commercial or industrial enterprise one can think of, from SMMEs to heavy industrial manufacturers, from small retail stores to wholesome giants, from corner cafes to respectable franchises," added Peter

Currently, there are many small business operations in Mdantsane, including hawkers and taxis, and the Kuyasa Mall in the area's central business district with more formal businesses including banks.

Peter said there were three options available to interested investors. "Depending on the size of your business, the first option is to identify a local micro enterprise to team up with. Fortunately SMMEs abound in Mdantsane."

According to Peter, the municipality's skills development programme has resulted in the emergence of an impressive number of micro entrepreneurs in different commercial disciplines. "Local manufacturers will testify to the fact that these small operators have the capacity to go into profitable partnerships with big business.

"The second option is to go into a public-private partnership with the municipality. Local economic development is our mandate, and we are inviting private sector partners to avail their skills and capacity in this field," added Peter

The last option for investors is to go it alone in whatever form of establishment they would like to start in Mdantsane.

"The land is there for immediate acquisition; we have upgraded the roads and transport network, and water and electricity reticulation; there is an abundance of skilled labour at your doorstep, there is a wide choice of banking facilities within Mdantsane."

She said Mdantsane had a lot to offer and urged business decision makers to consider the area for investment.