eTHEKWINI Municipality in partnership with the provincial department of education is empowering informal traders through an adult basic education and training (ABET) programme.
“After discovering that many traders struggle to communicate or conclude vital deals with potential buyers through lack of education, we decided on this programme. It started in February and will run for 12 months,” said the business support, tourism and market unit’s Nomonde Mlolongo.
Subjects being taught are communication, maths literacy, life orientation, travel and tourism, economics and management science, human and social sciences.
Trader and a student in the programme, Zandile Ngcobo who left school in grade 4, realised her lack of skills was hampering the growth of her business. She sometime gave extra change to her customers without knowing. “I am grateful to the municipality for this training and I can now see an improvement in my business and my private life. I am now able to assist my children with their homework and not bother my neighbours anymore.”
The unit will take in a second batch of traders on completion of the first course. Traders interested in applying for admission to the programme should contact Nomonde Mlolongo on 031-311-6287/6160 or email nomonde.mlolongo@durban.gov.za for more information.
