Izwi - Cato Manor Community Newspaper

Photo Gallery

South Central Mayoress, Theresa Mthembu cuts the ribbon to officially open the multi-million rand taxi rank in Chesterville.

Sandra Thurman, a Director of National Policy on AIDS in the White House in USA, and a Cato Crest resident having a chat about HIV/AIDS.

Emerging contractors display their certificates after successfully completing a multi-skilling course held at the Wiggins Multi-Purpose Centre.

The Bake for Profit classes are designed to empower people with business skills so that they may become self employed.

European Union Technical Advisor to Cato Manor, Wim Eising congratulates a resident during a graduation ceremony while Durban Metro’s Deputy
Mayor Mveli Mavundla looks on.

Students learn the art of cooking at Cato Manor Technical College.

“It’s never too late to learn” say members of Sinothando Gardening Club and Regional Manager of the Working for Water Project, James Dlamini.

Editor's Note

Experience is the best teacher

July has indeed been a busy month if you look at it from my perspective. It has been filled with one graduation ceremony after another. If it was not the Gardening Clubs receiving certificates for completing training in agriculture, then it was emerging contractors being awarded certificates for a basic business management course or a multi-skills course.
These programmes are part of the CMDA’s plan to ensure that Cato Manor is developed in a holistic and sustainable manner that leads to the creation of economic opportunities, which will improve the standard of living of the poor.
It is well understood that mere investment in buildings and infrastructure does not constitute development. People must also be empowered to cope with change and be able to take decisions affecting their own lives within the context of an increasingly complex living environment.

These are noble ideals which the CMDA can spend millions of rands trying to achieve, but they are only worth the pieces of paper they are written on if the recipients do not put them to good use. Many a group has been trained, but how many have actually put the training into practice?
It is time we face the challenges and stand up on our own two feet and make things happen. I am assuming that the training providers, such as Thobi Gunya & Associates, Phezukomkhono Agricultural Services and Savuka, would have indicated that unless your lines are drawn carefully and the field that you wish to compete in is studied well, you will not succeed.
Many contracts are being awarded to emerging contractors because it is now the right thing to do. The reality, however, is that most of them are not ready skills-wise and/or financial-wise. The work they do lacks quality and at times it does not take the community’s safety into consideration. It is often a question of biting off more than they can chew. People are keen to make a profit at whatever cost.
Gain experience in what you do before hooking yourself into a joint venture with a well established company. Experience is the best teacher. Strive to establish credibility. If you find yourself in a joint venture, be visible.
Take risks, sure, but they should be calculated risks that do not make you go under.

MIKE SMITH -
A long road from Nongoma to Umkhumbane

Mike Smith grew up as a herdboy in Nongoma, Zululand, moving to Malakazi at the age of six. One day he ran away from home, and ended up in Umkhumbane, where he spent several weeks sleeping in a concrete pipe in the bush. Trying to find his way back home, he made his way to Clairwood station where, by pure chance, he spotted his mother on a bus. They had a joyful reunion and Mike went back home.
That was the first of many journeys that Mike would make over the years as he crisscrossed the country from Namibia to Swaziland, Jo’burg to Zululand.
Mike taught himself to play guitar at an early age, and inspired by the Flames, Harare and the Beatles, he started writing and performing his own songs.
Now Mike has produced his first CD, a delicious blend of African folk rock and reggae. It was recorded at the Music House in Cape Town, and features 13 original tracks.
These days Mike lives near the University of Natal, overlooking his old haunts in Umkhumbane, and performs frequently at clubs and festivals.

The CD is available at Musica outlets

WIN 3 CDs
To stand a chance of winning a Mike Smith CD, answer the question on the form printed below, cut it out and post it to: Izwi, P.O. Box 30230 Mayville 4058; or, simply deliver your entry by hand to the CMDA offices, 1st Floor Highway House (opposite Westridge tennis stadium), Mayville. Don’t forget to fill in your name and contact details. The deadline for entries is 29 September 2000. The winners will be announced in the next edition of IZWI.

Competition Entry Form
Q: Where did Mike sleep when he was lost in Umkhumbane as a child?

Answer:

Name:

Address:

Tel:

Cut out the entry form and send it to IZWI, c/o CMDA, 1st Floor Highway House, Mayville.