KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr Sihle Zikalala continued on Monday to bring relief to struggling families, schools and children when he donated hundreds of school uniforms to needy children in Ndwedwe. Early on Monday morning Mr Zikalala left his normal duties to discharge one of the most crucial constituency tasks as a Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL). Mr Zikalala made the much-needed donation through his Constituency Office and in his capacity as an MPL and with some help from Dube Tradeport’s social responsibility programme. During Constituency periods Members of Parliament (MPs) and MPLs have a duty to be available to the public, help solve their problems and report back to their constituents on what is happening in Parliament or Legislature. It was for this reason that Mr Zikalala undertook to assist first Maqokomela Primary School in Ndwedwe’s Ward 10 with an assortment of uniforms items that included dresses, shirts, trousers, socks, shoes, ties and jerseys. “Understanding the socio-economic imperatives in this area it’s critical that interventions like these are made. These usually go a long way in shaping and moulding the child. The uniform alone creates huge confidence to a child and they know they can tackle their studies without the sham that goes with their appearance. It’s also good to mould them while they are still young. The Grade 7 class of 2019 are the metrics of 2024 and making some interventions at this stage is very important,” said Mr Zikalala. Maqokomela Primary School principal Reynold Mzikayise Khambule said unemployment in the area has detrimental effects to the wellbeing and education of the children. “About 90% of community members in this area are unemployed. We are happy with the gestures from the MEC and we are grateful to Dube Tradeport for making this donation possible,” said Khambule. Manqondo Primary School principal Zodwa Magwaza in Ward 11 agreed, saying that more often than not children miss school when it’s raining because they have one set of uniform and they have to wash it daily. “Because the child has no other alternative and cannot come to school in civilian clothes they simply do not pitch for school. This will go a long way in solving this issue,” she said. Dube Tradeport CEO Hamish Erskine said it was part of their social responsibility programme to identify schools around their entity, provide support and make interventions where they can. ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS For More information contact Mr Nathi Olifant 0609705113 or Bongani Tembe on 0823272600 view more

    Thousands of traders in uMhlathuze Municipality breathed a sigh of relief on Tuesday upon hearing an assortment of business opportunities by the KwaZulu-Natal Department Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) through its Bulk-Buying programme. The provincial government’s Bulk Buying initiative is aimed at uplifting small businesses.It is EDTEA’s flagship programme which is expected to drastically lower the cost of sales for emerging retailers to enable them to expend their market share.“The process of engaging different stakeholders on the programme is proceeding smoothly. Tomorrow we will be in Mhlathuze Municipality. We can say without any hesitation that we are now ready to officially launch the Bulk Buying programme in Mandeni Municipality later this month,” said EDTEA MEC, Mr Zikalala. As part of preparing to grand launch of this programme scheduled to take place later in Mandeni Municipality later this month, EDTEA MEC Zikalala held a massive roadshow in Esikhaleni Township, which followed an earlier business regulations drive which was held in King Cetshwayo and which saw the authorities shutting down few businesses that flouted an array of trade regulations as determined by the KZN Provincial Government."As EDTEA, we have really been humbled and encouraged by the massive support that we have been receiving from many communities since the launch of our campaign. We thank the media for its part in helping us create better awareness and discouraging illegality.Working together, we will achieve more and build a better South Africa, a better Africa, and a better world" said Mr Zikalala.He also revealed that coming to King Cetshwayo was as a result of receiving massive calls that " we need to take drastic steps against illegal trading"."We agree with you that we must act now against the proliferation of illegal business enterprises that flout every rule in book.We must stay resolute that we want no drug dens and trafficking of women and their abuse," said MEC Zikalala. UMhlathuze Mayor Cllr Mduduzi Mhlongo welcomed Edtea initiative."Illegal trading has caused us massive problems here. These have the prospect of ending up costing the government. We are for cleaner cities and better trading spaces whicy enhance not only the look but grow local economies with better investments," said Mhlongo.Edtea has held successful Bulk-Buying roadshows in eThekwini, Amajuba, Umgungundlovu and King Cetshwayo. view more

Massmart has told Moneyweb that its single biggest investments and store openings this year was still in SA, with a new Makro store opening this month within Tongaat Hulett’s new Cornubia precinct, north of Durban.At 19,000m2, it will be the largest Makro store in KwaZulu-Natal and is being developed by JSE-listed Fortress Reit to the tune of around R350m, Moneyweb reported.It is located in a major growth node and would target the Umhlanga and North Coast market. view more

The Province of KwaZulu-Natal is already involved in the skills development revolution to compete effectively in liberated global markets. MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr Sihle Zikalala (third from left) is surrounded by four of the highly ambitious and capable young minds that are pursuing studies and careers in different disciplines having been supportedd by the Department either as interns or bursary holders.  Mr Zikalala and University of KwaZulu-Natal's Acting Deputy Vice-chancellor for Law & Management Studies, Prof Brian McArthur (extreme right) addressed a workshop held in Durban to celebrate the achievements by young people that have benefited from skills development interventions funded by the Department through various tertiary institutions in the province. Mr Zikalala urged the beneficiaries to seize skills development opportunities to be able to assist the province develop a formidable pool of professionals and entrepreneurs in preparations for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Second from right is Dr Nomkhosi Luthuli who first started as the Department's intern before moving to UKZN to study for postgraduate qualifications including a PhD in Aeronautical Engineering.  On the extreme left is Nokwanda Mchunu who qualified as an agriculturist and is now running her own agribusiness. Inspired by Dr Luthuli, Ms Mandisa Shilenge (in red) and Ms Anele Luthuli have been granted scholarships to read for Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Witwatersrand. The Department was praised for priorizing the empowerment of young people for future roles in the department of the province's economy. view more