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

Khuluma Nathi Chatbot launched

 

Khuluma Nathi Chatbot launched

ETHEKWINI Municipality is calling on residents to register on the new e-participation chatbot on Whatsapp, Khuluma Nathi/Let’s Engage, to easily engage on the City’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP). Council approved that the Draft IDP be released for public consultation on 31 March. This strategic document will be open for public comment together with the draft budget. The Khuluma Nathi/Let’s Engage platform includes information on the IDP, details the different plans and priorities, and annexures. It allows the public to choose the plan they wish to comment on and the language they wish to engage in. The chatbot allows for English and Isizulu to cater to residents in the region. Bongumusa Zondo, Chief Strategy Officer, said the chatbot is part of local government’s aim to enhance participatory governance through digital transformation. “This process began post COVID-19. The Office of More than 20 G20 international countries gathered at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre for a G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group meeting where they discussed disaster risk solutions while reinforcing the need for a united global response to shared challenges. Strategic Management with the support of the Human Sciences Research Council developed the WhatsApp chat bot to improve community engagement on the IDP. Register to receive updates, information and comment on the IDP on 060 225 9959. The public should note that this platform is solely for engagement on the IDP and not for other complaints and enquiries. The public can be assured that personal information will be protected under the eThekwini Municipality Privacy Policy.

Major system upgrade for water call centre

 

SIPHELELE BUTHELEZI

Plans to improve water supply and the status of water tankers in the City were outlined to the Executive Committee at a meeting on 15 April. Planned upgrades to the Water and Sanitation Contact Centre were also discussed. 

TO ENSURE a seamless customer experience and improved service delivery, the City’s Water and Sanitation Contact Centre will undergo a major revamp which will include the replacement of the contact centre system to upgrade and modernise it to deal with multiple challenges. The upgrade, which includes the integration of a WhatsApp channel with a faults man, will enable auto logging of faults and will provide updated feedback to customers. The upgrade will be implemented in the new financial year, 2025/26. Acting Deputy City Manager for Trading Services Ednick Msweli provided a report during the Executive Committee meeting on 15 April. The approved report will proceed to Full Council for final endorsement. It was explained that the delay in modernising the systems at the contact centre was due to budget constraints. Calls and quality issues are currently being dealt with as an operational item with the recent installation of the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) to deal with congestion issue. The report also highlighted calls and WhatsApp chat volumes with more than 80 000 calls received and 38 822 chats in March. Msweli said once upgrades are implemented, the aim is for the contact centre to answer calls within 20 seconds or 30 seconds at a maximum. In addition, the City will continue to explore a diversity of reporting channels to reduce demand on the calling option. The report further provided an update on the status of water supply across the City and the utilisation of water tankers. Water supply in the inner west, outer west and south regions is sitting at 90 percent with the north and central regions at 85 percent. The eThekwini Water and Sanitation Unit recognises that there are areas that continuously experience water outages and intermittent supply due to limited bulk water supply and system constraints. These areas are serviced with water tankers to provide relief. This includes Council owned tankers and additional hired tankers, as and when required. The City has added 98 water tankers to its fleet which was procured in December last year and delivered in phases. This brings the total number of Council owned tankers to 292. The tankers operate in two shifts from 6am to 2:30pm with the afternoon shift from 2pm to 10.30pm. It was also clarified that not all tankers are operational everyday due to break downs, repairs, or drivers being on leave. The City will continue to increase the fleet of Council-owned tankers.

Top 5 Highlights from Africa's Travel Indaba 2025

 

By Fred Felton | Apr. 16, 2025

Africa’s Travel Indaba has just wrapped up in Durban and there have been some wonderful highlights during the show.

Here are just some of them:

BONDay (Business Opportunity Networking Day)

The day which was hosted by South African Tourism set the tone for the week ahead and was filled with strategic dialogue, future-forward thinking, and lots of networking.

‘’BONDay is where Africa’s tourism thinkers meet its doers. It’s a place to connect, collaborate and co-create the future of tourism on our continent,’’ said Darryl Erasmus Chief Operations Officer at South African Tourism.

Opening Day

Bell ringing ceremony for the official opening of Africa's Travel Indaba 2025. | Photo: South African Tourism. 

Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025, the premier travel and tourism trade show on the African continent, opened on Wednesday, 14^th May 2025 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Under the theme ‘’Unlimited Africa’’, the event was officially opened by South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile and South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille.

Over 1,300 exhibitors from 27 African nations, including for the first time participants from Chad, St Helena, and Burkina Faso met with more than 1,200 international buyers from 55 source markets at the event in Durban.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivered the opening address and he was joined on stage by South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille; Mayor of eThekwini Municipality, Councillor Cyril Xaba; KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Reverend Musa Zondi; and Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Arthur Thamsanqa Ntuli.

‘’This is an Africa where intra-continental trade, investment, and tourism are no longer mere aspirations but rather everyday realities. Tourism is a significant economic engine, a catalyst for social change, and a cornerstone of inclusive growth. Let us demonstrate to the world that Africa is ready for business. With these words, I would like to officially declare the Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025 open!’’

The Deputy President also highlighted that travel and tourism contributed 6.8% to Africa’s GDP in 2023, with projections indicating a rise to 10.4% by 2030. He also noted that South Africa’s G20 Presidency, with over 200 related meetings hosted, is a prime opportunity to spotlight African perspectives on global economic and development issues.

‘’Africa’s Travel Indaba is a catalyst for inclusive growth, job creation, and sustainable development, not only in South Africa but throughout Africa. Tourism remains a powerful economic driver,’’ said South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille.

The welcoming ceremony finished with the traditional ringing of the bell, a symbolic gesture that resonated through the halls of the Inkosi Albert Luthuli ICC, officially marking the start of business and three days of intensive networking, deal-making, and showcasing the very best of ‘’Unlimited Africa’’.

Events

Africa's Travel Indaba 2025 African Tourism Ministers' Roundtable. | Photo: South African Tourism.

Tourism leaders convened for the much anticipated African Ministers’ Roundtable at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025. This event was hosted by South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, the panel featured a distinguished lineup including Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel, Angola’s Minister of Tourism; Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, Eswatini’s Minister Tinkhundla Administration and Development; Fredson Bacar, Mozambique’s Secretary of State of Tourism; and Rodney Sikumba, Zambia’s Minister of Tourism.

The spirit of collaboration was a common theme at the roundtable. ‘’We are not here to compete, we are here to collaborate,’’ remarked Minister Sikhumbuzo Dlamini of Eswatini.

There was a call for a united Africa.

‘’As African tourism ministers, we have a singular resolve to work as a team, there must be cohesion and strength in numbers. We’ve also expanded Zambia’s visa-free access from 42 to 167 countries and believe it’s time to open the skies so people can travel more freely across the continent,’’ noted Zambia’s Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba.

Fredson Bacar, Mozambique’s Secretary of State for Tourism, reinforced the importance of regional partnerships, citing the ZIMOZA Transfrontier Park, a collaboration between Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Angola’s Minister of Tourism, Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel called for the implementation of long discussed programmes like the open skies policy and free visa policies.

Minister de Lille confirmed that pressure is being applied through the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement to open the skies.

Africa’s Travel Indaba proved that it is more than just a trade show; it is an incubator of ideas, crucial for partnerships and a powerful symbol of Africa’s commitment to shaping its own tomorrow, through connections today.

Elsewhere at Africa’s Travel Indaba the eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba welcomed Africa’s Travel Indaba at the Durban-KZN Business Breakfast.

The eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba delivering a keynote at the Durban-KZN Business Breakfast at Africa's Travel Indaba 2025. | Photo: Supplied. 

The breakfast was a pivotal engagement to connect, reflect and chart the course forward with key stakeholders.

‘’This gathering is far more than a mere discussion forum – it serves as the driving force behind Africa’s tourism aspirations. It is a dynamic continental platform that stimulates investment, facilitates trade opportunities, and highlights the rich diversity and excellence of African destinations. This year we seek to position our city not just as a destination – but as a dynamic, investable ecosystem where culture, commerce, and community converge,’’ said eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba.

Speed Marketing

Africa’s Travel Indaba also provides a wonderful platform for tourism products to market their business to a host of buyers at various Speed Marketing sessions which are held over 3 days. The product representative had 4 minutes to pitch their business before a loud noise signalled for them to leave the stage.

At Africa's Travel Indaba there was plenty of music to entertain delegates. | Photo: Fred Felton. 

Products included St Francis Tourism which has a Calamari festival, uShaka Marine World Theme Park which has a Village Walk shopping centre, Aquarium and Wet n’ Wild with a DJ. Other highlights included Timamoon Lodge which features 7 magnificent villas, a hidden gem;  Goldfields Game Ranch have guides than can speak Mandarin to cater for Chinese tourists.

The Stats

The wrap-up media conference at the end of Africa's Travel Indaba 2025. | Photo: South African Tourism.

At the wrap-up media conference at the end of Africa’s Travel Indaba, Thembisile Sehlolo, Chief Marketing Officer of South African Tourism, together with Sibusiso Gumbi, Acting Chief Executive Officer of KwaZulu-Natal Tourism & Film Authority; Winile Mntungwa, Deputy Head of Durban Tourism and Sandile Makhanya, Acting Marketing & Communications Executive of Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC), addressed the media.

‘’We are exceptionally proud to have once again delivered the premier showcase of the African continent’s diverse tourism products and experiences,’’ said Sehlolo.

Mntungwa said:  ‘’The economic ripple effect was felt far beyond the city centre, benefitting township and rural tourism enterprises – both formal & informal.’’

‘’I am pleased to say that KwaZulu-Natal has hosted another very successful Africa’s Travel Indaba with a record number of delegates, international buyers and airlines attending this year,’’ noted Gumbi.

The KwaZulu-Natal Tourism & Film Authority also signed MOUs with eSwatini Tourism and Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier conservation Area Joint Marketing Agreement.

Current figures (still to be audited) indicate that Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025 hosted more than 9,990 attendees, marking an impressive 7.7% increase compared to 9,280 delegates that attended in 2024 with over 24 500 quality meetings held. The event attracted 1,348 exhibitors and 1037 buyers, with both exhibitors and international buyer numbers being the highest recorded in the past four years. A total of 27 African countries participated, including newcomers Chad, St Helena and Burkina Faso.

Makhanya at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre noted that ‘’Africa’s Travel Indaba is undeniably our premier event. As the ICC, we are deeply committed to ensuring that this trade event showcases Africa to the world and contributes significantly and sustainably to our local economy.’’

For more information visit: www.indaba-southafrica.co.za