R54.6BN GEARED TOWARDS ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND ACCELERATING SERVICE DELIVERY

The eThekwini Municipality Helps to Save a Clothing Brand

 By Fred Felton | Apr. 23, 2022

Dudu Ngubane a fashion entrepreneur lost stock and equipment amounting to nearly R300 000. Thanks to the eThekwini Municipality her plans of turning her clothing label into a bigger South African brand are back on track. 

Dudu Ngubane was helped with exposure for her brand at the Durban Business Fair. Photo: Fred Felton

DU Confidence Designs is owned by Ngubane. The company has modern print wear, is proudly African and provides clothing for the fuller figured woman. Thanks to the City's Umkhumbane Entrepreneurial Support Centre the company is now back in full operation. The Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) assisted Ngubane with applying for financing. Ngubane was also helped with exposure for her brand at the Durban Business Fair 2021. 

She is excited to be back in operation thanks to the eThekwini Municipality helping with assistance to facilitate funding for affected businesses at the Umkhumbane Centre by providing access to finance at SEFA. 

''I am grateful to have benefitted from the assistance, which is a 60 percent grant funding and 40 percent loan,'' said Dudu Ngubane. 

Thanks to the grant Ngubane bought fabric, branding material and 12 sewing machines. Thanks to this assistance she has managed to keep on 8 staff and employed six more staff which amounts to 14 staff members. 

''The exposure I received at the Durban Business Fair also assisted my business,'' said Ngubane. 

Ngubane was further assisted by the eThekwini Municipality through the Municipality's Business Support Tourism, Markets and Agri-Business Unit by helping her to get profiled on the Business Day TV show, Hustlers Corner South Africa. The host of this show is entrepreneur DJ Sbu Leope. Ngubane feels this additional business exposure helped her business grow. 

''We are also encouraging people to buy locally produced goods and services to support local business and save jobs,'' said eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda. 

DU Confidence Designs now supplies clothing to The Space shops located in Gateway Shopping Mall in Umhlanga, Cavendish Square in Cape Town, Mall of Africa and Rosebank Mall in Gauteng. 

Alert Level 3 Lockdown Regulations

 

As the City of Durban deals with the Covid-19 virus the President of South Africa has released the new rules which we all have to comply with during Alert Level 3 of the lockdown.

The eThekwini Municipality has released a handy guide to help you comply with these regulations. 

Please keep the following in mind:

1. All beaches are closed. However you can still walk or jog on the promenade.

2. Do not have parties at home and discourage visitors.

3. Wear your mask. It is now a criminal offence if you do not wear your mask.

4. Funerals can only be attended by up to 50 people. 

5. If you have a public transport business you can only allow passengers in if they are wearing a mask.

6. Sale of alcohol is not allowed and you are not allowed to transport it. 

7. Report to the police anyone disregarding the lockdown regulations. 

These rules have been put in place to help stop the spread of the virus. 

How The Durban Film Office is Empowering Women

This month is Women’s month and we celebrate all of the wonderful women in the community.

It’s almost time for the Durban FilmMart.  The Durban FilmMart has been a programme of the eThekwini Municipality’s film industry unit, the Durban Film Office in partnership with the Durban International Film Festival since 2009.

The Durban Film Office has played a key role in advancing women in the film industry. This includes appointing Toni Monty as the Head of the Durban Film Office and Durban FilmMart. They have also made sure there are many more women bringing Durban FilmMart to the film industry in Durban and Umhlanga.

One example is the inspiring woman and Durban resident Jacintha de Nobrega. She was recently appointed as the Deputy Chair of the Inaugural Board of the Durban FilmMart Institute.  

She represents SWIFT (Sisters Working in Film and Television) an NPO that advocates and lobbies for women’s equality in the television and film industry. 

Jacintha de Nobrega is the Deputy Chair of the inaugural Board of the Durban FilmMart Institute. | Image: Supplied

We managed to interview her ahead of Durban FilmMart:

What can people expect from Durban FilmMart this year?

This year's theme for the Durban FilmMart, presented by the Durban FilmMart Institute, is Brave New Cinema, as leading and emerging African film professionals gather in an online space, to benchmark themselves, learn from peers, pitch their ideas and projects and network, and collectively demonstrate their courage to tell their own stories. 

The DFM features a series of webinars with presentation conversations, panel discussions, case studies and pitching with many opportunities for networking and engaging. 

How is eThekwini Municipality helping Durban FilmMart out this year?

The 2020 Durban FilmMart is being managed by the Durban Film Office (DFO) on behalf of the Durban FilmMart Institute; The DFO is the film industry arm of the eThekwini Municipality’s Economic Development unit.

What do you do to personally uplift the film community in Durban?

I have been a film and television producer in Durban for the past 5 years and my focus has always been to empower and create opportunities for Durban based film professionals. My productions have always included skills transfer and mentorship and it's been rewarding to see these young people go on to have a career and grow in the industry.

Who are your role models?

Women who are breaking the ceiling in their respective industries, we have a unique ability to have compassion and tolerance and this is needed in business. Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand is someone I have much respect for today as she has proven that women are good leaders.

What advice do you have for young female filmmakers?

Study your craft and those of your colleagues and then find a mentor. Believe in yourself and trust your intuition, it's one of the most powerful qualities women possess.

What is it like to sit on the board of the Durban FilmMart Institute?

It is indeed a privilege and honour for me to serve on the inaugural Board of the Durban FilmMart Institute. The autonomy that has been afforded will lend itself to the unleashing of even more creativity and opportunities for African filmmakers and for the city of Durban to claim its rightful place as a leader in the industry and elevate it internationally as well. I am looking forward to working in earnest with my colleagues to achieve this objective during my term.

How has COVID-19 impacted on your life and the film industry in Durban?

Covid-19 has literally put a stop to my business but not my life. Filming is way too uncertain right now and the risks and financial implications are too high. Life has to go on and this time has been well spent working on developing projects and realigning my business.

How can men help to stop gender-based violence in South Africa?

In calling for consciousness I urge men to take stock of their actions in every way possible. By speaking up when they see any kind of sexual harassment and by teaching young boys to respect women. It starts at home and parents have the power to reframe how young boys treat women.

It’s Women’s Month this month. What words of wisdom do you have for Durban women?

This Women’s month comes at a crisis point for women in South Africa with the sharp escalation in gender-based violence. I urge women to support and build one another. Alone we are strong but together we are stronger. Be strong and be fierce! 

Inspiring words from this female filmmaker based in Durban.

 

The Durban FilmMart recently announced that it will be established as an independent institute functioning as a Non-Profit Organisation ahead of its 11^th edition in 2020.

 

“This had always been part of the business plan of Durban FilmMart since its establishment in 2009,” explains Toni Monty, Head of the Durban Film Office and the DFM. “With the continued growth and expansion of the initiative, as well as the continuous increase in numbers of delegates, and submissions of projects in development, which have this year, surpassed any other in our 11-year history, the current structure has been outgrown, and sustainable long term strategies now need to be implemented.”

 

“Going forward the Durban Film Office will continue to support the DFM, and the Institute structure will allow possibilities for new partnerships and fundraising, that will ensure the growth and continued stability of the annual initiative,” says Monty.

 

The Durban Film Office and Durban FilmMart work to empower women and another example is by appointing South African arts administrator and project manager, Magdalene Reddy of Creative WorkZone, who has extensive experience in the film festival and market sector. She has been appointed as the project manager who will oversee the setting up of the institute ahead of the 2020 edition.

 

“Ms Reddy joins our team with a wealth of experience in governance and management in the Arts,” says Monty. “As a former senior administrator at the Durban International Film Festival, not to mention a string of other major international and national arts projects to her name, we believe that she is best placed to take this process forward with passion and integrity.”

The 11th Durban FilmMart (DFM) Virtual Edition takes place from 4 to 13 September this year.

The Durban Film Office continues to create awareness around gender-based violence. One such way is by featuring prominent filmmakers that deal with gender-based violence at Durban FilmMart. One example is Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahui (Rafiki) who will feature in DFM Conversations at DFM 2020 | Image: Supplied

“Going online has enabled us to extend our reach and include more filmmakers than ever before,” says Mandisa Zitha, Chairperson of the Durban FilmMart Institute Board. “The disruption of our world by the COVID-19 virus has led to innovation, as well as demonstrated the ever-increasing need for the creation of content. The DFM virtual space now offers filmmakers extensive opportunities to network, make connections with other filmmakers and industry professionals with whom they can collaborate, or build relationships and get down to the business of film. This we believe will provide a positive stimulus for the industry’s economy on the continent.” 

Ms Zitha is another shining example of how the Durban Film Office is empowering women to take their rightful place in high profile positions.

To register as a delegate visit: http://www.durbanfilmmart.co.za/Brave-New-Cinema-2020 

DFM is presented by the Durban FilmMart Institute in partnership with the Durban Film Office, eThekwini Municipality and other partners.

For more info on how eThekwini Municipality is helping your city out visit: www.durban.gov.za

Virtual Tour of Mandela Monuments in KZN

In July we celebrate Mandela Month. There are many landmarks around Durban and KwaZulu-Natal that feature this icon. Due to the COVID-19 lockdown many of them are closed until after the lockdown has been lifted.

Take a virtual tour with us as we show you the many places where Nelson Mandela has featured in Durban and KwaZulu-Natal:

The Mandela Capture Site

The Nelson Mandela Sculpture at the Capture Site. | Image: SA Tourism

On 5 August 1962, on a road along the R103 near Howick in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, armed apartheid police flagged down a car in which Nelson Mandela was pretending to be the chauffeur.

It was at this spot that he was arrested and disappeared from public view for 27 years.

At this spot is an iconic sculpture which was unveiled in 2012 by the then President Jacob Zuma.

The location was made possible thanks to the Department of Co-Operative Government and Traditional Affairs which worked with uMgeni Municipality, the Apartheid Museum and the KwaZulu-Natal Heritage Council in association with the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory.

The sculpture was designed by artist Marco Cianfanelli and is made up of 50 steel column constructions – each between 6.5 and 9.5 metres tall – set in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands landscape.

The site was designed by architect Jeremy Rose.

‘’The 50 columns represent the 50 years since his capture, but they also suggest the idea of many making the whole; of solidarity,’’ says Cianfanelli of the sculpture.

When the lockdown has been lifted you can visit it here:

Address: Mandela Capture Site, R103, Howick, 3290

Telephone: 072-351-0967

You can take a virtual tour here: https://www.thecapturesite.co.za/virtual-tour

Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine

The entrance to the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine. | Image: Google

The school of medicine is in Umbilo in Durban and is part of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. It has been around for over 60 years and provides a high quality of training for medical students.

The medical school has a strong focus on rural health including a partnership with the local Department of Health which offers the students opportunities in rural health care.

The school has also produced internationally renowned scientists and research output.

Address: 719 Umbilo Road, Umbilo, Durban, 4001

Phone: 031-260-1111 | Website: https://www.ukzn.ac.za

The Nelson Mandela Postcards

The Nelson Mandela Postcards on display at Tourism Indaba 2018. | Image: Fred Felton

These postcards were shown to the public at the Tourism Indaba 2018 held at the International Convention Centre in Durban, South Africa. Delegates from the travel industry could see them on display and even take some home with them. They feature images of Nelson Mandela and highlights from his life. If you happen to have one hold on to them as they are quite the collector’s item.

The Struggle Icons

These statues were shown to the public at Africa's Travel Indaba in 2019 at the Durban International Convention Centre. They feature Nelson Mandela and Albert Luthuli. | Image: Fred Felton

Nelson Mandela officially opened the Durban International Convention Centre in 1997. It was later renamed to the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre Complex. It has held some of the biggest conferences and events in South Africa, Africa and the World. At the time when it was made it was one of the single largest investments made by the City of Durban.

During the lockdown the Durban Exhibition Centre which is part of the centre was used as a reception and screening centre for eThekwini Municipality as a response to sheltering the homeless during the lockdown.  The eThekwini Task Team on Homelessness identified varies sites for looking after the homeless of the City.

Durban ICC Chief Executive Officer, Lindiwe Rakharebe noted, ‘’The Durban ICC is committed to playing its part in and offering as much support as we can. Initially one-thousand people were expected to be screened at the centre; however we were able to help 1,600 people over the course of the first 3 days.’’

For more info visit: www.icc.co.za

The Ohlange Institute

The grave of John L. Dube at the Ohlange Institute. | Image: Fred Felton

This site is steeped in history and is certainly worth a visit when the lockdown is over. Here you will find the first school started by a black person, John Langalibalele Dube. He went on to become the first president of the African National Congress.

Nelson Mandela chose to cast his vote in the first democratic election of South Africa at the Ohlange Institute on April 27, 1994.

Address:  Off M25 Inanda Highway, Behind Ohlange Library, Inanda, 4310

For more information contact Durban Tourism on 031-322-4164

Email: info@visitdurban.travel

Date for your diary: The Anniversary of the Birthday of Nelson Mandela – 18 July 1918

We leave you with this quote from the great man:

‘’It always seems impossible until it’s done’’ – Nelson Mandela

This virtual tour of Nelson Mandela landmarks in Durban and KZN was brought to you courtesy of eThekwini Municipality.

For more info on how they look after your city visit: www.durban.gov.za