The much anticipated launch of KwaDukuza Municipality’s annual business week was held on Monday at the Ilembe Chamber of Commerce.
In its seventh year, the KDM business week from November 25 to 29 aims to empower emerging business sectors, including the youth and small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME’s) in the region.
At the media briefing, keynote speaker and acting mayor Dolly Govender said the KwaDukuza business week was an annual programme aimed at promoting and empowering local economic development in KwaDukuza.
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“The municipality believes that if we work hard to empower our emerging business sector, we will achieve a decreased unemployment rate in our region,” said Govender.
According to the 2011 census KwaDukuza has just over 70 000 urban households and 66.7 percent of the population are between the ages of 15 and 64. Unemployment is at 25 percent and youth unemployment is 30.8 percent.
During the week local entrepreneurs and emerging operators in the SMME field met with various government departments and agencies, non-governmental organisations, educational and training institutions.
The aim is to offer various programmes and workshops centred around skills development needed to succeed in the emerging business sector.
Govender said the week was also a strategic platform to showcase and promote innovative products and services, share information, best practices and connect with other businesses.
“This year we have also brought back the ward-based business empowerment sessions to ensure inclusive growth in rural and township communities,” Govender added.
The sessions will be hosted over the course of the week at Shakashead, Sokesimbone and Ntshawini community halls.
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On the final day, November 29, there will be an anchor session at Stanger High School sports field which will include exhibitions of various SMME products, access to business support and government services.
Partnering with the Moses Kotane Institute and Enterprise Ilembe, business empowerment workshops, investment readiness programme for SMME’s and a technology use in business will also be on offer.
For more information on the various workshops and seminars on offer or to book a spot on one of the seminars contact Mduduzi Zulu on mduduziz@kwadukuza.gov.za. Entrance is free.
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