Page 4 NEWS 26 February 2010 Great prizes in Mayor’s ......Mthembu of Siyanda, near KwaMashu. The...
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NEWS Page 4 26 February 2010 CELO BUTHELEZI THE Municipality’s plans to encourage community farming in eThekwini received a boost with the launch of a soybean initiative at the City Hall recently. The Agriculture Unit hosted the event, with speeches by soybean expert Dr Shanmugasundaran, and Peter Golbitz, Director of International Business Development at the Canada- based natural food production company, SunOpta, which recently opened an office in Durban. Derrick Naidoo, Deputy City Manager Procurement and Infrastructure, said, “The Municipality has been a supporter of people starting food gardens and this project provides individuals and communities with the opportunity to feed themselves and to begin their own business.” Deputy Mayor Logie Naidoo, who chairs the Municipality’s Economic Development Committee, encouraged people to take advantage of soybean trade opportunities. “The new airport and the Dube Trade Port are infrastructure companies can use to grow their businesses and export this product,” Naidoo said. Some 20 community gardens are participating in the Municipality’s soybean project and others wanting to join are encouraged to contact the Agribusiness Unit. Project Executive Akhona Ngcobo said, “People can contact us and get more information on growing seasons and training.” [email protected] DERRICK DLAMINI INFORMAL traders in down- town Durban are sharpening their skills in garment design and machining, thanks to a Municipal training project. The traders are also learning business skills, including man- agement, marketing and pric- ing strategies as part of the initiative by the iTrump Area Based Management. Michael Hlangu, of the Busi- ness Support and Markets Unit, said the training was free of charge and took place over three month at the Brook Street Training Centre. Hlangu said, “Our aim has always been to empower this sector and to help them grow. “Training includes basic skills development classes, including marketing and management. This enables traders to administer their financial affairs and operate their businesses successfully,” said Hlangu. He said most of the trainees trade on pavements and at kiosks in Warwick Triangle. He said the initiative had been a “huge success”. Working with the Muni- cipality on the project is Khanya Skills Training, which is part of the Institute for Black Researchers. Khanya Skills Manager Rha Dube said, “Trainees receive certificates at a mass grad- uation at the end of each year. Most have opened their own businesses, using skills they have gained.” One such success story is Thembisile Mthembu of Siyanda, near KwaMashu. The 46-year-old single mother of three said her life looked set to change for the better thanks to the training. “When I first came here I had no clue about manage- ment or business-related matters. However, after some time here, attending literacy classes, my outlook altered. “I’m looking forward to grasping more knowledge and returning to my neighbour- hood to open a small training centre for women. “The training is valuable and we thank the Municipality for its support,” Mthembu said. [email protected] SEW FAR SO GOOD: Thembisile Mthembu is among many traders benefiting from iTrump training Picture: DERRICK DLAMINI Training changes lives Facelift for Tongaat CBD DERRICK DLAMINI SIX entrepreneurs and com- munity workers, winners of the 2009 Mayor’s Awards, received laptop computers and R10 000 each. The winners were chosen in a number of categories in- cluding community develop- ment, clean environment, crime prevention and emer- ging entrepreneurs. Engen sponsored the lap- tops, complete with software, and Standard Bank donated the cash. Engen has been associated with the awards for the past 11 years and has contributed R500 000 in computer spon- sorship over the period. Deputy Mayor Logie Nai- doo, on behalf of Mayor Obed Mlaba, commended Engen for its “commitment to com- munity development”. He said Engen’s support had helped change many lives. Opportunities Naidoo encouraged the winners to seize World Cup opportunities. “Ensure you welcome our visitors. Treat them well so they return and help create more jobs for your busi- nesses,” said Naidoo. Ray Damon of Engen said the partnership with the Mayor’s Awards had grown in leaps and bounds. “Initially, we contributed with tables and banners, but later we thought we should go the extra mile, and started giving away computers. “In the past three years, we’ve changed that and are now giving away laptops to the winners,” Damon said. Thembi Shabalala, a com- munity worker from Umlazi and one of the winners, said the laptop would help her to become better organised. “Laptops look more pro- fessional, especially when we go out to meet clients. “I’ll be able to organise and archive my work properly, especially important records and financial statements. We are so grateful to Municipality and Engen,” she said. Fifty-year-old Shabalala started her community development activities in 2003. [email protected] Great prizes in Mayor’s Awards EMMANUEL KLEINBOOI THE second generation of eThekwini’s Integrated Dev- elopment Plan (IDP) is now undergoing its final review and the public will be invited to participate in this on dates still to be announced. Meanwhile, a dedicated team charged with compiling and coordination the IDP has been established within the Cooperate Policy Unit. The Municipal Systems Act (2000) requires municipalities to compile an IDP. Puven Akkiah, Senior Man- ager with the Corporate Policy Unit, said, “The IDP is an all- encompassing plan which provides the framework for development within a muni- cipality. It aims to co-ordinate the work of local and other spheres of government in coherent plans to improve the quality of life for all the people living in the area. “It provides the framework for the provision of infrastruc- ture, services and economic and social development.” The IDP is reviewed yearly to inculcate a democratic approach to local governance by ensuring all stakeholders get an opportunity to voice their opinions in influencing the shape, form, direction and pace of development in their localities. In a recent assessment, MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs Nomsa Dube complimented eThek- wini on the quality of its IDP. Should you have any queries relating to the IDP, call them at 031 311 4264. [email protected] THEMBA KHUMALO POOR pupils at Khulugqame Primary School in KwaDabeka recently received uniforms and shoes, donated by the Truevine Community Church. The church is based in Ward 20, Clermont, and area Coun- cillor Sifiso Zungu praised the Truevine congregation for their efforts. It was the second year in a row that the church has dona- ted uniforms to Khulugqame pupils. Zungu said, “We are grateful to Truevine for giving back to the community. We hope other people will follow this good example. “We want to express our gratitude, especially to the Mpontshana family for their efforts in uplifting our com- munity,” he said. Truevine Pastor Musa Mpo- ntshana said, “This is part of the church’s outreach project. We met the ward councillor as a church and discussed ways in which we could give back to the community – this is part of it. “We are involved in other projects with the help of the councillor and schools. “We also sponsor kids who are studying further and other initiatives,” he said Khulugqame Primary teachers drew up a list of 59 needy children and submitted it to Truevine. School Deputy Principal Thanda Mchunu said, “Some are orphans, while others are being brought up by their grannies, using pension money. “We live with these children and know them so it is easy to identify the needy ones. We also interviewed their fam- ilies, because sometimes you find both parents are not working and we then have to try to help,” she said. Thokozile Madondo, a 72- year-old pensioner, said, “It is hard to look after these children as the pension money is often not enough. I am grateful to the church and the Councillor for the won- derful work they have done.” [email protected] GUGU MDLALOSE and MUSA MTHALANE THE Tongaat CBD is to get a major facelift thanks to a Municipal-backed R2.5-mill- ion project aimed at getting the town ready for 2010. The first signs of dev- elopment are already taking shape in the Tongaat town centre, between Gannie Street and Watson Highway. The project includes re- placing paving along walkways, installing hand rails, installing bollards and converting stairs to ramped pedestrian walkways. Ward 61 Councillor Michael Abrahim said the develop- ment was long overdue and came as work was nearing completion on the nearby King uShaka Airport. Attractive “We have poured R2.5-mill- ion into the CBD renewal so our town can be attractive and tourists can enjoy the facilities,” said Abrahim The airport, which is due to open in May is expected to bring economic spin-offs and create job opportunities in the Tongaat area. The airport lies between Tongaat and La Mercy and will be able to handle four million passengers a year, as well as cargo. Abrahim said 3 400 houses would be built in Mbhayi, Gwala and Belvedere to replace informal settlements and create jobs and business opportunities for locals. The project is due for completion next year. “Informal settlements will be a thing of the past. “There are also 160 units being upgraded from rental stock which we are preparing to give to people to take full ownership,” said Abrahim. [email protected] [email protected] Soybean opportunities grow IDP undergoing final review A FRIEND IN NEED: Truevine Community Church Pastor Musa Mpontshana, his wife Sibongile and Councillor Sifiso Zungu with two of the children who received school uniforms from the church, Fanele Madondo (Grade 2) and Andile Dlamini (Grade 3) Picture: THEMBA KHUMALO Church helps children
Transcript of Page 4 NEWS 26 February 2010 Great prizes in Mayor’s ......Mthembu of Siyanda, near KwaMashu. The...
NEWSPage 4 26 February 2010
CELO BUTHELEZI
THE Municipality’s plans toencourage communityfarming in eThekwinireceived a boost with thelaunch of a soybean initiativeat the City Hall recently.
The Agriculture Unit hostedthe event, with speeches bysoybean expert DrShanmugasundaran, andPeter Golbitz, Director ofInternational BusinessDevelopment at the Canada-based natural foodproduction company,SunOpta, which recently
opened an office in Durban. Derrick Naidoo, Deputy
City Manager Procurementand Infrastructure, said, “TheMunicipality has been asupporter of people startingfood gardens and this projectprovides individuals andcommunities with theopportunity to feedthemselves and to begin theirown business.”
Deputy Mayor LogieNaidoo, who chairs theMunicipality’s EconomicDevelopment Committee,encouraged people to takeadvantage of soybean trade
opportunities. “The newairport and the Dube TradePort are infrastructurecompanies can use to growtheir businesses and exportthis product,” Naidoo said.
Some 20 communitygardens are participating inthe Municipality’s soybeanproject and others wanting tojoin are encouraged tocontact the AgribusinessUnit. Project ExecutiveAkhona Ngcobo said, “Peoplecan contact us and get moreinformation on growingseasons and training.”
DERRICK DLAMINI
INFORMAL traders in down-town Durban are sharpeningtheir skills in garment designand machining, thanks to aMunicipal training project.
The traders are also learningbusiness skills, including man-agement, marketing and pric-ing strategies as part of theinitiative by the iTrump AreaBased Management.
Michael Hlangu, of the Busi-ness Support and MarketsUnit, said the training was freeof charge and took place overthree month at the BrookStreet Training Centre.
Hlangu said, “Our aim hasalways been to empower thissector and to help them grow.
“Training includes basic
skills development classes,including marketing andmanagement. This enablestraders to administer theirfinancial affairs and operatetheir businesses successfully,”said Hlangu.
He said most of the traineestrade on pavements and atkiosks in Warwick Triangle.
He said the initiative hadbeen a “huge success”.
Working with the Muni-cipality on the project isKhanya Skills Training, whichis part of the Institute for BlackResearchers.
Khanya Skills Manager RhaDube said, “Trainees receivecertificates at a mass grad-uation at the end of each year.Most have opened their ownbusinesses, using skills they
have gained.” One suchsuccess story is ThembisileMthembu of Siyanda, nearKwaMashu.
The 46-year-old singlemother of three said her lifelooked set to change for thebetter thanks to the training.
“When I first came here Ihad no clue about manage-ment or business-relatedmatters. However, after sometime here, attending literacyclasses, my outlook altered.
“I’m looking forward tograsping more knowledge andreturning to my neighbour-hood to open a small trainingcentre for women.
“The training is valuable andwe thank the Municipality forits support,” Mthembu said.
SEW FAR SO GOOD: Thembisile Mthembu is among many traders benefiting fromiTrump training Picture: DERRICK DLAMINI
Training changes livesFacelift for Tongaat CBD
DERRICK DLAMINI
SIX entrepreneurs and com-munity workers, winners ofthe 2009 Mayor’s Awards,received laptop computersand R10 000 each.
The winners were chosen ina number of categories in-cluding community develop-ment, clean environment,crime prevention and emer-ging entrepreneurs.
Engen sponsored the lap-tops, complete with software,and Standard Bank donatedthe cash.
Engen has been associatedwith the awards for the past 11years and has contributedR500 000 in computer spon-sorship over the period.
Deputy Mayor Logie Nai-doo, on behalf of Mayor Obed
Mlaba, commended Engenfor its “commitment to com-munity development”.
He said Engen’s support hadhelped change many lives.
Opportunities Naidoo encouraged the
winners to seize World Cupopportunities.
“Ensure you welcome ourvisitors. Treat them well sothey return and help createmore jobs for your busi-nesses,” said Naidoo.
Ray Damon of Engen saidthe partnership with theMayor’s Awards had grown inleaps and bounds.
“Initially, we contributedwith tables and banners, butlater we thought we should gothe extra mile, and started
giving away computers. “In the past three years,
we’ve changed that and arenow giving away laptops tothe winners,” Damon said.
Thembi Shabalala, a com-munity worker from Umlaziand one of the winners, saidthe laptop would help her tobecome better organised.
“Laptops look more pro-fessional, especially when wego out to meet clients.
“I’ll be able to organise andarchive my work properly,especially important recordsand financial statements. Weare so grateful to Municipalityand Engen,” she said.
Fifty-year-old Shabalalastarted her communitydevelopment activities in2003.
Great prizes inMayor’s Awards
EMMANUEL KLEINBOOI
THE second generation ofeThekwini’s Integrated Dev-elopment Plan (IDP) is nowundergoing its final reviewand the public will be invitedto participate in this on datesstill to be announced.
Meanwhile, a dedicatedteam charged with compilingand coordination the IDP hasbeen established within theCooperate Policy Unit.
The Municipal Systems Act(2000) requires municipalitiesto compile an IDP.
Puven Akkiah, Senior Man-ager with the Corporate PolicyUnit, said, “The IDP is an all-encompassing plan whichprovides the framework fordevelopment within a muni-cipality. It aims to co-ordinatethe work of local and otherspheres of government incoherent plans to improve thequality of life for all the peopleliving in the area.
“It provides the frameworkfor the provision of infrastruc-ture, services and economicand social development.”
The IDP is reviewed yearly to
inculcate a democraticapproach to local governanceby ensuring all stakeholdersget an opportunity to voicetheir opinions in influencingthe shape, form, direction andpace of development in theirlocalities.
In a recent assessment, MECfor Local Government andTraditional Affairs NomsaDube complimented eThek-wini on the quality of its IDP.
Should you have any queriesrelating to the IDP, call them at031 311 4264.
THEMBA KHUMALO
POOR pupils at KhulugqamePrimary School in KwaDabekarecently received uniformsand shoes, donated by theTruevine Community Church.
The church is based in Ward20, Clermont, and area Coun-cillor Sifiso Zungu praised theTruevine congregation fortheir efforts.
It was the second year in arow that the church has dona-ted uniforms to Khulugqamepupils.
Zungu said, “We are gratefulto Truevine for giving back tothe community. We hopeother people will follow thisgood example.
“We want to express ourgratitude, especially to theMpontshana family for theirefforts in uplifting our com-munity,” he said.
Truevine Pastor Musa Mpo-ntshana said, “This is part ofthe church’s outreach project.We met the ward councillor asa church and discussed waysin which we could give back tothe community – this is part of it.
“We are involved in other
projects with the help of thecouncillor and schools.
“We also sponsor kids whoare studying further and otherinitiatives,” he said
Khulugqame Primaryteachers drew up a list of 59needy children and submittedit to Truevine.
School Deputy PrincipalThanda Mchunu said, “Someare orphans, while others arebeing brought up by theirgrannies, using pensionmoney.
“We live with these children
and know them so it is easy toidentify the needy ones. Wealso interviewed their fam-ilies, because sometimes youfind both parents are notworking and we then have totry to help,” she said.
Thokozile Madondo, a 72-year-old pensioner, said, “It ishard to look after thesechildren as the pensionmoney is often not enough. Iam grateful to the church andthe Councillor for the won-derful work they have done.”
GUGU MDLALOSE and MUSA MTHALANE
THE Tongaat CBD is to get amajor facelift thanks to aMunicipal-backed R2.5-mill-ion project aimed at gettingthe town ready for 2010.
The first signs of dev-elopment are already takingshape in the Tongaat towncentre, between GannieStreet and Watson Highway.
The project includes re-placing paving alongwalkways, installing handrails, installing bollards andconverting stairs to rampedpedestrian walkways.
Ward 61 Councillor Michael
Abrahim said the develop-ment was long overdue andcame as work was nearingcompletion on the nearbyKing uShaka Airport.
Attractive“We have poured R2.5-mill-
ion into the CBD renewal soour town can be attractiveand tourists can enjoy thefacilities,” said Abrahim
The airport, which is due toopen in May is expected tobring economic spin-offs andcreate job opportunities inthe Tongaat area.
The airport lies betweenTongaat and La Mercy and
will be able to handle fourmillion passengers a year, aswell as cargo.
Abrahim said 3 400 houseswould be built in Mbhayi,Gwala and Belvedere toreplace informal settlementsand create jobs and businessopportunities for locals.
The project is due forcompletion next year.
“Informal settlements willbe a thing of the past.
“There are also 160 unitsbeing upgraded from rentalstock which we are preparingto give to people to take fullownership,” said Abrahim.
[email protected]@durban.gov.za
Soybean opportunities grow
IDP undergoing final review
A FRIEND IN NEED: Truevine Community ChurchPastor Musa Mpontshana, his wife Sibongile andCouncillor Sifiso Zungu with two of the children whoreceived school uniforms from the church, FaneleMadondo (Grade 2) and Andile Dlamini (Grade 3)
Picture: THEMBA KHUMALO
Churchhelpschildren
