By Tabisa Mntengwana
09 October 2008

THE Mdantsane Urban Renewal Programme (MURP) and Buffalo City Municipality have invited all aspiring and recently established business owners to a business training session in Mdantsane.

Held on separate days, the workshop targets businesses ranging from gardening, cleaning, and car washing, to arts and craft creators. It will run from 14 to 16 October at the Mdantsane Indoor Sports Centre, NU 15 Community Hall and NU 10 Community Hall.

Two projects will be presented, entitled Local Economic Action Partnership (Leap) and Livelihoods Innovation Fund Enhancement (Life).

According to the MURP portfolio head, Luntu Bobo, the projects are set to eradicate poverty. To address this challenge, “we invite all types of businesses in our workshops in an initiative where we would link them with established businesses for advice”.

This project is aimed at individuals from the township who already have their business ideas and are looking for funding.

Entrepreneurs who have been operating their business for over a year but have no formal business management training or those who desire to improve their business management skills, will also benefit from the project.

In addition, businesses that have been operating for more than three years and whose owners want hands-on mentorship to improve performance are urged to attend.

Life, on the other hand, is targeted at non-profit community-based initiatives and organisations from Mdantsane. They will be assisted with a once-off grant.

All interested organisations and parties must submit their application forms by 4pm on 21 October. Forms are available at the Mdantsane Urban Renewal Office, Highway, Dunga Road, Mdantsane. They must also be submitted at this office.

“The projects are to ensure that people are empowered with skills and funds through the Mdantsane Urban Renewal Programme,” said Bobo. “These two major initiatives will also encourage the establishment of viable small businesses and sustainable community-based organisations in the township.”

Workshops will begin according to wards - wards 13,14,15,16 and 19 will meet on Tuesday, 14 October at the Mdantsane Indoor Sport Centre from 10am to 4pm; wards 21, 23 and 24 will meet at NU 15 Community Hall on Wednesday, 15 October from 10am to 4pm.

The other four wards – 20, 22, 17 and 18 - will meet at NU 10 Community Hall from 10am to 4pm on Thursday, 16 October.

“During these workshops MURP will also assist and guide people in completing the forms [to take part in the projects].”

Bobo urged the people of Mdantsane to grab this opportunity, noting that the two projects were being piloted for a limited period, after which the lessons taught and learned will be reviewed.

“Our people must demonstrate character and come out in numbers to take advantage of opportunities that seek to empower their socio-economic status and develop their livelihood.”

Leap is expected to benefit about 100 entrepreneurs, while Life will benefit between 20 and 40 community-based organisations.

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