No kidding! - Durban
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NEWS 2 November 2007 Page 5 17 November (continued from Page 4) VENUE: V Hall Umlazi (Zone 7) WARD NAME OF ORGANISATION ADDRESS GOODS REQUIRED 86 Buhlebethu Caterers Club Z 552 Umlazi 150 x plates, 120 x spoons, 20 x cups, 20 x saucers, 2 x gas stove, 1 x gas cylinder, 1x fire extinguisher, 1 x 30 litre pot, 1 x stainless food warmer, 1 x 8 litre urn , 96 x desert bowl 87 Abenzi Bokuhle Cultural Group Acivi D 1195 Umlazi Township 1 x sound system, 1 x bass guitar, 1 x lead guitar, 1 x keyboard 87 Khuthala Women’s Club D 1010 Umlazi 12 x hoes, 12 spades, 12 forks, 2 x 2metre gates, R4 560 seed voucher, 2 x hosepipes, 2 x wheelbarrow 87 Independent Zamokuhle Construction D 1071 Umlazi R10 500 cheque 88 Kwashaka Waves/ Da Lyricals A 220 Umlazi township R10 500 cheque 88 Unomqhubukusho A 879 Zitinini Rd Umlazi 2 x computers 85 Sfisosethu Club P 597 Umlazi R50 000 Grants-in-Aid Distributions: 2007 DERRICK DLAMINI SATURDAY, 10 November, is Market Day at the Durban Exhibition Centre, so bring your baskets and stock up on fresh, organic veggies direct from eThekwini market gardeners and emerging farmers. Beetroot, spinach, lettuce, peppers, potatoes and eggs will be just some of the produce on sale at reasonable prices by farmers from areas such as KwaMashu, Lamontville, Cliffdale and KwaXimba. Some of the co-ops will also be exhibiting arts and crafts, which could be just the thing to fill those Christmas stockings. Cooking demonstrations by professional chefs have been arranged and there will be an animal farm and pony rides to keep the children entertained. Free Entry is free to the public. The City’s AgriBusiness Forum and the KwaZulu- Natal Department of Agri- culture are hosting the Agri- Business Market Day. The initiative aims to develop the agricultural potential of farmers and co- operatives and to introduce them to new markets, said Akhona Ngcobo, Project Executive with the City’s Agribusiness Forum. It also seeks to create jobs and improve food security. Ngcobo encouraged food manufacturers, retailers, caterers, and tourism companies to attend and form partnerships with the farmers. For more details, contact Ngcobo on 031 336 2545 or email: akhona.ngcobo@ dipa.co.za , or call Melisa O’Reilley at 031 336 2532. [email protected] THEMBA KHUMALO THE Ilima community farm- ing project has put down roots in uMlazi, bringing with it the promise of more locally- grown food. It was launched recently at the Josiah Dlamini Community Hall and reflec- ted this year’s World Food Day theme: “The right to food”. It is an initiative by Feed- back Food Redistribution, the Municipality and the KZN Health Department. Cllr Nomvuzo Shabalala praised all involved. “Without volunteers we would not be able to identify the needs of these families who are supported by organisations such as Feedback,” she said. Feedback collects and redis- tributes more than 14 million meals a year. Its community develop- ment manager, Nomakula Marubata, said the Ilima concept was about sharing the produce of one’s own garden among the group. “Some gardeners have pro- gressed to the point where excess vegetables are sold within the community as part of their income stream.” Jabulile Khambule of the Vukani Community Project said he was confident the initiative would contribute to the growth of uMlazi. [email protected] DERRICK DLAMINI AFTER decades of rough and ready trading conditions, livestock theft and disease, the goat traders of Ezim- buzini in uMlazi finally have something to smile about: a purpose built new trading hub that promises to take their ancient trade into the 21st century. Work on the R3-million- plus facility is already at an advanced stage. Each of the 20 goat-traders who will be based there will have a 20sqm lock-up facility and a fenced trading area. They’ll all share the benefit of round-the-clock security and a cleaning contractor, parking bays, and loading and off-loading zones. Officials from the City’s Business Support Unit (BSU) described the facility as the first of its kind for the municipality. Area Manager for South Durban Samson Chiya said the elevation of the gen- erations-old business was long overdue. “Their environment was completely abnormal and not conducive to professional trading practices. It’s inconceivable how they’ve managed to conduct normal trading routines under such unforgiving circumstances.” Chiya said the facility had been strategically placed next to a “muthi” market to take advantage of cultural prac- tices associated with goat- trading. BSU official Thulani Nzama said the development showed the Council’s commitment to improving previously-mar- ginalised businesses, inclu- ding goat-trading. “Livestock trading is a pivotal aspect of our society and requires utmost support.” Savings Nzama said the secure, new facility would save the traders a fortune in after-hours transport costs. Albert Mthethwa (55), a goat trader for 22 years, said the new facility was an example of Batho-Pele (people first) principles at work. “Finally, we’ll trade professionally, under hygi- enic conditions.” Colleague Smangaliso Mak- hathini said trading con- ditions had been extremely difficult. “For years there has been a slight decline in customers, as most of our livestock has suffered from diseases caused by bad weather. This forced us to drop prices and operate at a loss. “So we’re extremely grateful to the municipality,” Mak- hathini said. Negotiations between officials and traders over rentals are under way. “This signifies the importance of close consultations, which is what the unit constantly thrives on,” said the BSU’s Nzama. The facility is due to open next year, with officials prom- ising similar developments on other Council-owned land should the need arise. [email protected] No kidding! R3m goat trading hub for uMlazi ROMITA HANUMAN FISH farming, bee-keeping and organic mushroom grow- ing are some of the innovative agri-business ventures being pursued in an effort to stimulate the economy of Cato Manor. Urban agriculture has emerged as one of the more promising initiatives of the Cato Manor Area Based Management (ABM) pro- gramme. The idea is to har- ness the energies of jobless youth in the area and unlock the potential of pockets of land not suitable for housing and other infrastructure. As much of this land is sloped, creative farming tech- niques must be used to ensure sustainable yields without harming the environment. Njabulo Maseko, Commu- nications Manager at the Cato Manor ABM said the project included activities like fish farming, organic vegetable production, bee keeping, production nursery and organic mushroom produc- tion. This broad range of crops and products provides a wider training spectrum for the beneficiaries, qualifying them for numerous agricultural segments. Despite the diversity, the activities were inter-con- nected. “An example is bee keeping. It also ensures all plants are adequately polli- nated,” Maseko said. Training is now under way in the organic vegetable pro- duction segment, which in- volves growing crops without the use of fertilisers or other chemicals. Trainees will also get more advanced training in business, marketing and financial management. This will enable them to learn about starting up and running a sustainable agri- cultural business. Mentorship is being pro- vided by the agricultural and technical specialists on the project team. Technical training is also planned for young people who are not agriculturally inclined, but more competent in the business side. A processing centre will eventually be established to prepare the products for market. OLD: The Business Support Unit’s Samson Chiya, and trader Smangaliso Makhathini point to the run-down goat-trading site in uMlazi’s Ezimbuzini area NEW: The R3-million facility, now under construction, will give each goat trader 20sqm of space Pictures: DERRICK DLAMINI Organic veggies on sale Food project takes root Busy as bees in Cato Manor
Transcript of No kidding! - Durban
NEWS2 November 2007 Page 5
17 November (continued from Page 4)VENUE: V Hall Umlazi (Zone 7)
WARD NAME OF ORGANISATION ADDRESS GOODS REQUIRED
86 Buhlebethu Caterers Club Z 552 Umlazi 150 x plates, 120 x spoons, 20 x cups, 20 x saucers, 2 x gas stove, 1 x gas cylinder, 1x fire extinguisher, 1 x 30 litre pot, 1 x stainless food warmer, 1 x 8 litre urn , 96 x desert bowl
87 Abenzi Bokuhle Cultural Group Acivi D 1195 Umlazi Township 1 x sound system, 1 x bass guitar, 1 x lead guitar, 1 x keyboard87 Khuthala Women’s Club D 1010 Umlazi 12 x hoes, 12 spades, 12 forks, 2 x 2metre gates,
R4 560 seed voucher, 2 x hosepipes, 2 x wheelbarrow87 Independent Zamokuhle Construction D 1071 Umlazi R10 500 cheque88 Kwashaka Waves/ Da Lyricals A 220 Umlazi township R10 500 cheque88 Unomqhubukusho A 879 Zitinini Rd Umlazi 2 x computers85 Sfisosethu Club P 597 Umlazi R50 000
Grants-in-Aid Distributions: 2007
DERRICK DLAMINI
SATURDAY, 10 November, isMarket Day at the DurbanExhibition Centre, so bringyour baskets and stock upon fresh, organic veggiesdirect from eThekwinimarket gardeners andemerging farmers.
Beetroot, spinach, lettuce,peppers, potatoes and eggswill be just some of theproduce on sale atreasonable prices by farmersfrom areas such asKwaMashu, Lamontville,Cliffdale and KwaXimba.
Some of the co-ops willalso be exhibiting arts and
crafts, which could be justthe thing to fill thoseChristmas stockings.
Cooking demonstrationsby professional chefs havebeen arranged and there willbe an animal farm and ponyrides to keep the childrenentertained.
FreeEntry is free to the public.The City’s AgriBusiness
Forum and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agri-culture are hosting the Agri-Business Market Day.
The initiative aims todevelop the agricultural
potential of farmers and co-operatives and to introducethem to new markets, saidAkhona Ngcobo, ProjectExecutive with the City’sAgribusiness Forum.
It also seeks to create jobsand improve food security.
Ngcobo encouraged foodmanufacturers, retailers,caterers, and tourismcompanies to attend andform partnerships with thefarmers.
For more details, contactNgcobo on 031 336 2545 oremail:[email protected] , or call MelisaO’Reilley at 031 336 2532.
THEMBA KHUMALO
THE Ilima community farm-ing project has put downroots in uMlazi, bringing withit the promise of more locally-grown food. It was launchedrecently at the Josiah DlaminiCommunity Hall and reflec-ted this year’s World Food Daytheme: “The right to food”.
It is an initiative by Feed-back Food Redistribution, theMunicipality and the KZNHealth Department.
Cllr Nomvuzo Shabalalapraised all involved. “Withoutvolunteers we would not beable to identify the needs ofthese families who aresupported by organisations
such as Feedback,” she said. Feedback collects and redis-
tributes more than 14 millionmeals a year.
Its community develop-ment manager, NomakulaMarubata, said the Ilimaconcept was about sharingthe produce of one’s owngarden among the group.
“Some gardeners have pro-gressed to the point whereexcess vegetables are soldwithin the community as partof their income stream.”
Jabulile Khambule of theVukani Community Projectsaid he was confident theinitiative would contribute tothe growth of uMlazi.
DERRICK DLAMINI
AFTER decades of rough andready trading conditions,livestock theft and disease,the goat traders of Ezim-buzini in uMlazi finally havesomething to smile about: apurpose built new tradinghub that promises to taketheir ancient trade into the21st century.
Work on the R3-million-plus facility is already at anadvanced stage. Each of the20 goat-traders who will bebased there will have a 20sqmlock-up facility and a fencedtrading area.
They’ll all share the benefitof round-the-clock securityand a cleaning contractor,parking bays, and loadingand off-loading zones.
Officials from the City’sBusiness Support Unit (BSU)described the facility as thefirst of its kind for themunicipality.
Area Manager for SouthDurban Samson Chiya saidthe elevation of the gen-erations-old business waslong overdue.
“Their environment wascompletely abnormal andnot conducive to professionaltrading practices. It’sinconceivable how they’ve
managed to conduct normaltrading routines under suchunforgiving circumstances.”
Chiya said the facility hadbeen strategically placed nextto a “muthi” market to takeadvantage of cultural prac-tices associated with goat-trading.
BSU official Thulani Nzamasaid the development showedthe Council’s commitment toimproving previously-mar-ginalised businesses, inclu-ding goat-trading. “Livestocktrading is a pivotal aspect ofour society and requiresutmost support.”
SavingsNzama said the secure, new
facility would save the tradersa fortune in after-hourstransport costs.
Albert Mthethwa (55), agoat trader for 22 years, saidthe new facility was anexample of Batho-Pele(people first) principles atwork. “Finally, we’ll tradeprofessionally, under hygi-enic conditions.”
Colleague Smangaliso Mak-hathini said trading con-ditions had been extremelydifficult.
“For years there has been aslight decline in customers, as
most of our livestock hassuffered from diseasescaused by bad weather. Thisforced us to drop prices andoperate at a loss.
“So we’re extremely gratefulto the municipality,” Mak-hathini said.
Negotiations betweenofficials and traders overrentals are under way. “Thissignifies the importance ofclose consultations, which iswhat the unit constantlythrives on,” said the BSU’sNzama.
The facility is due to opennext year, with officials prom-ising similar developmentson other Council-owned landshould the need arise.
No kidding!R3m goattrading hubfor uMlazi
ROMITA HANUMAN
FISH farming, bee-keepingand organic mushroom grow-ing are some of the innovativeagri-business ventures beingpursued in an effort tostimulate the economy ofCato Manor.
Urban agriculture hasemerged as one of the morepromising initiatives of theCato Manor Area BasedManagement (ABM) pro-gramme. The idea is to har-ness the energies of joblessyouth in the area and unlockthe potential of pockets ofland not suitable for housingand other infrastructure.
As much of this land issloped, creative farming tech-niques must be used to ensuresustainable yields withoutharming the environment.
Njabulo Maseko, Commu-nications Manager at the CatoManor ABM said the projectincluded activities like fishfarming, organic vegetableproduction, bee keeping,production nursery andorganic mushroom produc-tion. This broad range of cropsand products provides a widertraining spectrum for thebeneficiaries, qualifying themfor numerous agriculturalsegments.
Despite the diversity, theactivities were inter-con-nected. “An example is beekeeping. It also ensures allplants are adequately polli-nated,” Maseko said.
Training is now under way inthe organic vegetable pro-duction segment, which in-volves growing crops withoutthe use of fertilisers or otherchemicals.
Trainees will also get moreadvanced training in business,marketing and financialmanagement.
This will enable them tolearn about starting up andrunning a sustainable agri-cultural business.
Mentorship is being pro-vided by the agricultural andtechnical specialists on theproject team.
Technical training is alsoplanned for young peoplewho are not agriculturallyinclined, but more competentin the business side.
A processing centre willeventually be established toprepare the products formarket.
OLD: The Business Support Unit’s Samson Chiya, and trader SmangalisoMakhathini point to the run-down goat-trading site in uMlazi’s Ezimbuzini area
NEW: The R3-million facility, now under construction,will give each goat trader 20sqm of space
Pictures: DERRICK DLAMINI
Organic veggies on saleFood project takes root
Busy asbees inCatoManor
