Furniture manufacturing programme empowering locals

 

Furniture manufacturing programme empowering locals

NONDUDUZO NGCONGO

THE 12-month Furniture Manufacturing Skills Development Programme for approximately 30 trainees is well underway at the Umkhumbane Entrepreneurial Support Centre. The cohort will complete the programme in November this year.

Thirty trainees are participating in the Furniture Manufacturing Skills Development Programme. They remained highly focused as they learnt to hone their craft. Picture: SUPPLIED 

Participants are turning their newly acquired skills into real opportunities with many already making furniture sales while still in training. This hands-on programme, which started in November last year, is a partnership between the eThekwini Municipality, the Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority, and My Space Academy.

It aims to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with practical, market-ready furniture making skills. Trainees are taught to craft a wide range of furniture products including ottomans, couches, headboards, and chairs. In addition, they also receive training in workplace health and safety, drawing and engineering design, and re-upholstery.

In this class is well-known entertainer and Master of Ceremonies Smanga Mkhwanazi, who said the course came at the perfect time, ‘’I am still in entertainment but also embarking on this furniture making journey. We are learning so much, enough to kick-start our businesses and be independent. I am truly grateful for the opportunity,’’ he shared. He credits the COVID-19 pandemic for being a wakeup call that taught him the importance of having multiple income streams.

Busi Mkhize of My Space Academy, who is leading the programme, praised the group’s commitment. ‘’The trainees are showing a real hunger for learning and determination to be a success. They can now create furniture from scratch, and we’re connecting them with various market access opportunities. Many companies are already showing interest, with some confirming their orders.’’ Mkhize added that with the support of partners like Innovate Durban, trainees are exploring modern production techniques such as 3D printing and laser cutting, positioning them at the forefront of innovative furniture design.

Municipal Programme Manager Nonhlanhla Khumalo noted that the initiative is now in its seventh year, and its impact is unmeasurable in terms of jobs creation. ‘’This is more than skills training, it’s about building futures, fostering independence, and transforming communities through sustainable entrepreneurship.’’

After completion, trainees will be awarded South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 2 certificates.

EThekwini hosts Teenage Pregnancy Indaba

 

EThekwini hosts Teenage Pregnancy Indaba

ZIMBILE MAZIBUKO

TO address the increasing number of teenage pregnancies in the region, the City hosted a Teenage Pregnancy Indaba bringing together stakeholders from across the education, health, government, civil society, and religious sectors.

Chairperson of the Community Services Committee Councillor Zama Sokhabase emphasised the need for parents to play an active role in the lives of children during the Teenage Pregnancy Indaba. Picture: PUMLA KHWELA

The Indaba, held under the banner of community collaboration, was a response to alarming statistics presented by the Municipality which showed that 7 627 girls aged 10 to 19 fell pregnant between April 2024 and April 2025. Of this, 154 of them were aged between 10 and 14.

‘’Teenage pregnancy has a lasting impact on young mothers, their children, and society. It’s closely linked to increased HIV infection rates and contributes to a generational cycle of poverty. We need practical, multi sectoral solutions that address both prevention and support for young people,’’ said Deputy Mayor Myeni.

The Municipality’s health data also revealed that an average of 582 teenagers accessed legal termination of pregnancy services at public health facilities each month, most of them students at higher learning institutions.

These figures exclude unregulated and unsafe abortions conducted in informal settings. The data also revealed the top ten schools with the highest reported cases of learner pregnancies between January and March 2025. Gabigabi High School in Hammarsdale topped the list with 20 cases followed by Amandlethu High School (17) and Waterloo High School (12).

High-burden areas identified include Inanda, KwaMashu, Hammarsdale, KwaDabeka, KwaNyuswa, Tshelimnyama, uMlazi and Chatsworth.

The City also showcased ongoing initiatives aimed at curbing this crisis, including the Zero Percent Learner Pregnancy Programme, which was launched two years ago in partnership with the District AIDS Council.

 

City's R70.9 billion budget adopted

ROMITA HANUMAN-PILLAY

AFTER consultations that spanned the length and breadth of the City and meeting with stakeholders including business, civil society, and ratepayer associations, the City’s 2025/26 budget of R70.0 billion was approved at Full Council on 29 May.

EThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba presented the 2025/26 Draft Budget for approval on 29 May. The R70.9 billion budget prioritises infrastructure development. Picture: THULI DLAMINI

A major highlight of the budget is the adjusted tariff increases, which was one of the most common concerns that emerged during consultations.

EThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba said: ‘’As a caring City, we recognise the plight of residents and have considered every comment and concern raised, particularly around proposed tariff increases. We have decided to lower our tariffs for certain utilities.’’

Mayor Xaba explained: ‘’We were unable to reduce the electricity tariff as we are guided by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa; however, we have made significant adjustments to the other proposed tariffs.’’

§  The residential water tariff was reduced from 15% to 13%

§  Business water tariff was reduced from 16% to 14%

§  The assessment rates tariff was reduced from 6.5% to 5.9%

§  Sanitation for business tariff reduced from 14% to 12%

§  Sanitation for residential tariff reduced from 13% to 11%

§  Refuse removal tariff was reduced from 9.9% to 9%.

The budget reflects the needs of the ratepayers and acknowledges that there are challenges that must be addressed. Thus, the City has developed a bold new approach to boost service delivery that hinges on real-time accountability, regional management, and technology-driven innovation, while acknowledging systemic weaknesses.

One of the frustrations expressed during the budget consultations is the City’s water challenges which will be addressed through the City’s approved Water Turnaround Strategy. Mayor Xaba said: ‘’At the heart of this strategy is the commitment to enhance the financial sustainability of the water utility by achieving targets such as increasing the cash collection of the unit from 67 percent to 92 percent, reducing non-revenue water, and replacing water meters that are older than 15 years. Our target is to replace 40 000 water meters annually. This will ensure that 98 percent of the bills we issue are based on actual meter readings rather than on monthly estimates.’’

The strategy also aims to clamp down on water theft and vandalism and ensuring the use of technology to proactively detect water leaks. In-sourcing ward-based plumbers and responding to all burst pipes within 24 hours is also part of the strategy to curb water loss.

Additionally, the budget includes targets such as building over 5 000 new houses, implementing 6 000 new water connections, adding 13 500 new electricity connections and 7 386 new sewer connections.

The 2025/26 budget will also aim to achieve 53km of wastewater pipes, upgrading of 14km of gravel road to blacktop, building 13 new sports fields, building two new libraries while refurbishing another 13 libraries as well as repairing and upgrading 11 community halls, and building three new fire stations.

City's Special Debt Relief Programme

 

If you are a residential or business customer of eThekwini Municipality you can take advantage of the City’s Special Debt Relief Programme.

If you have accumulated debt up to January 2025 you can take advantage of this programme until 30 June 2025. For residential and business customers with outstanding debt as at 31 January 2025 you may qualify for a 50 percent write-off of the total arrears amount owed provided the remaining balance of the arrears amount as at 31 January 2025 is paid up in full.

Any charges that are accrued from January 2025 onward must be settled in full. If you are unable to make immediate payment you will be eligible for a 6 month payment plan, without any upfront deposit if you cannot pay it.

For those customers whose accounts were affected by major water leaks, subject to certain conditions, they may also benefit from this programme.

Customers that have already concluded payment arrangements may apply for the Special Debt Relief Programme, if they are eligible.

Visit you nearest Sizakala Centre to find out if you qualify or if you need assistance with the City’s Special Debt Relief Programme.

The eThekwini Municipality will also be at the Coast of Dreams, Durban Exhibition Centre on 14^th and 15^th June to assist customers with the Special Debt Relief Programme.

For more info visit: https://www.durban.gov.za/pages/residents/accounts_payments