The Gauteng Black IT Forum (BITF), which represents black people in the IT sector, is not in crisis, says its executive committee.
At a press briefing this morning in Johannesburg, BITF Gauteng chairman and national communication official Mthunzi Mdwaba said the organisation is not under threat of closure, as alleged by another BITF member last week.
Gauteng executive members Brandon Redcliff, Zeth Malele, Tumelo More and Tebogo Makgatho, as well as Mdwaba`s attorney Jerome Levitz, attended today`s meeting.
Long-time member Tebogo Khaas said during a media briefing last week that some of the forum`s members would like to see clarity and necessary interventions regarding the direction and administration of the organisation.
The BITF, he warned, is in danger of "collapsing", if certain fundamental issues are not addressed, including the lack of communication between its leaders and members.
However, at today`s briefing Mdwaba downplayed the "crisis", saying it is only a few people who have personal vendettas against him who would go to the extent of saying the BITF is in crisis.
Challenges
This was echoed by Redcliff, who said there is no crisis and that, like any other organisation, the BITF has its own fair share of challenges.
He admitted, following allegations by Khaas, that there has been a failure by other regions to convene a regional annual general meeting.
"Due to infrastructure challenges in the regions there is a tendency of convening the elections late. We are currently working on a strategy to change this."
He said problems with office staff, an earlier burglary and lack of resources in other regions exacerbated the delay. "We shall report on this soon after the bosberaad and will present a timetable of events."
Regarding the extraordinary annual general meeting convened by Khaas at last week`s press briefing, to be held on 6 May, Redcliff responded that, according to the BITF`s new constitution, the extraordinary AGM is unauthorised. The meeting cannot take place without getting permission from the democratically elected BITF executive committee, he said.
Redcliff also countered Khaas`s allegations that the BITF had about 3 000 members about three years ago, saying these were mostly captured names and not paid-up members.
Burgled
"We were in the process of finalising cleaning up the database when we were burgled and found that between 700 and 900 members were paid-up members.
"As advised, our networking forum sponsored by Microsoft is on 12 May and the bosberaad is on 13 May. This is to network with BITF members and try map the organisation`s way forward," said Redcliff.
Khaas is adamant the extraordinary meeting will take place on 6 May and denies the meeting is unauthorised.
"Probably some of 'them` will not attend as they do not want to be accountable to the rest of the BITF members."
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